On June 5, Searching For Mr. Right, a play by Gay & Lesbian Times contributor Roman Jimenez, will return to the Diversionary Theatre stage (4545 Park Blvd.) for a two-week special engagement.

Jimenez, who was the show’s first director and producer, was anxious to bring it back so that more people could enjoy it. “We literally had to turn people away at the door last time,” he said. “We sold out every night. Audiences embraced the realistic characters, fast-paced dialogue, and outrageous situational and physical comedy. They really connected with the show and its themes. The response was incredible.”

The GLT recently sat down with the four lead cast members to ask them a set of questions about their roles and why they think audiences connected with the show so enthusiastically.

Mackie Washburn plays Phillip, the longsuffering lover of a two-timing college professor with a penchant for younger man. As the play opens, Phillip finally has had enough and kicks his lover of 16 years to the curb.

Gay & Lesbian Times: You play a character, Phillip, who is trying to start over after a long relationship with a cheating ex-boyfriend. Is there anything about who Phillip is you can relate to? Are there any parts of your character you think speak to others?

Mackie Washburn: I sure can relate to Phillip! Although my circumstances are quite different, my partner of almost 7 years and I broke up 3 months ago and we are still entangled with our living situation, etc. I think Phillip is rather universal; because breaking up and starting over is never easy and you go through so many different phases and insecurities that everyone, from every walk of life, can relate.

Ricco Espinoza plays Hector, a long time friend of “the group” and who has hidden his romantic feelings for Phillip for years.

GLT: Your character, Hector, is maybe the one character everyone roots for. What does it mean to you to play a character audiences cheered? How much of Hector is in Ricco?

Ricco Espinoza: Hector is the friend that everyone wants to have: the one they know will fight for them, and who’s not afraid to tell them what they’re doing wrong! He’s also a reminder of what it is to be in love and to fight for it.

All my friends said that I’m playing myself. Hector is a great character and he does have a lot of my personality. But the best similarity between him and I is that love is our motive to wake up every morning. I been with my husband for 14 years.

Kim Griffin is playing a semi-autobiographical role of a self-described “fruit fly.”

GLT: In a previous interview, the playwright, Roman Jimenez, said he wrote this part for you. Is that true? How does it feel to play yourself every night?

Kim Griffin: Yes, the part was written for me, and all I can say is, after the 45 years I’ve spent rehearsing for it, I’m proud to see my entire life unfold and come to fruition in a gay-themed play no one had ever heard of, by an unknown writer no one had ever read, but that everyone who has seen has totally loved! I always knew I was entertaining!

Josh Hyatt plays the character Jimenez says is most like him, a sharp witted and insecure bear, with body image issues and an abundance of self-deprecating humor.)

GLT: Your character Eugene is the one who drives the plot. He is strong on the outside, but insecure and self-conscious on the inside. How hard is that to play? Is there anything about Eugene you can identify with?

Joshua Hyatt: First of all, how many roles are there for bears out there? And how many times does a 37 year old chubby bear get to kiss a 22 year old, incredibly attractive and very sweet guy without paying for it? Let’s just say Eugene and I have more similarities than differences and some of the lines were like a knife in the insecure parts of my brain. Miriam Cuperman, who is Assistant Directing the show with me and is a very close friend, said to me one day as we were running lines, “Wait, we have had these conversations before.” It is not easy being in a culture that holistically looks down on you for not being a size 29 inch waist. Unfortunately, I have seen and experienced, out of frustration and loneliness, how this can breed insecurity and ultimately lead to self destructive behavior. After the first run of the show, a middle aged bear came up to me and said “Thank you for giving me hope I will be happy someday.” I was so choked up I almost cried. This is another example of how people that are otherwise wonderful people, but outside of the physical mainstream, buy into the notion that they will be unhappy because they are not physically perfect.

Rob Hurlbut plays Paul, the young, naïve member of the group, who is himself “Searching For Mr. Right” and drags his friends along on the quest.

GLT: I read somewhere the previous run of this show a few months ago was your first real stage experience? Is that true? Were you able to draw on people you knew or had dated to be able to play Paul so well?

Rob Hurlbut: Yes, the first audition I’ve ever been to landed me my first gig on stage, and it was a PAYING gig too! Do you really think I played Paul so well? Thanks a lot... I’ll just leave it at that!