Curtain call: Together at last

“Brothers” is the tale of two brothers, Kyle (Tony Caselli) and Hamilton (John Lepard) Best, and how the death of their mother Bunny opens old wounds between them. As they work through the funeral and grief processes, they learn about the healing power of unconditional love through their mother’s troublesome dog, Enzo.

Caselli and Lepard, co-founders and executive and artistic directors, respectively, of Williamston Theatre, are nothing less than pillars of the Greater Lansing-area theater community. Seeing them on stage together is a treat, and one can imagine they had fun playing brothers who seemingly have little in common.

The script is unimpressive, formulaic fare, a study in personalities that is pleasing but not intellectually challenging. The brothers are developed as stereotypical opposites.

Kyle is exuberantly gay, in both senses of the word. He makes no apologies for his unorthodox relationship with a male escort and is seemingly happy all the time, even in the face of tragedy. Hamilton is dour, maintaining a mental tally of slights and resentments that keep him tightly wound.

The true tragedy of “Brothers” is not Bunny’s strange, accidental death, but that the role of Hamilton is bland and underdeveloped. There isn’t enough meat on the bone for an actor of Lepard’s caliber to sink his teeth into. The source of Hamilton’s anger and resentment is vague, and his behavior and the eventual outcomes are predictable.

Lepard digs in as best he can. His best moments occur when the unorthodox script allows him to take on the role of Bunny, a classically bold, stylish and wealthy broad. Bunny unapologetically unspools her back story of loves lost and found, and taking on her mischievous affectations allows Lepard to capitalize on his twinkly, notquite smarmy charm. This, along with a fun diatribe delivered to a dog about Lego toys leading to the downfall of imagination, gives Lepard a little something to gnaw on.

Caselli embraces Kyle’s gleeful joi de vivre, devil-may-care attitude wholeheartedly. Kyle might sometimes exhibit a questionable understanding of social etiquette, but his devotion to his loved ones is never in question.

“The Best Brothers” is not a great script, but under Lynn Lammers’ direction, it does perhaps offer the best role for Caselli at this time in his life. After suffering a serious illness and recovery that waylaid him for much of 2014, this performance is a true comeback role and a public celebration of Caselli’s triumph and talent. Watching Caselli devour the role with relish and abandon is a lifeaffirming experience.

“The Best Brothers”

Through March 1 8 p.m. Thursdays- Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays $22 Thursdays/$27 Friday-Saturday evenings/$24 matinees/$10 students/seniors and military $2 discount 122 S. Putnam St, Williamston (517) 655-7469, wiliamstontheatre.com