When January Feels Like Summer, a co-production between the Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Women's Project, is a tale of broken people finding love and connection. They also have to make difficult adjustments in their lives, find the courage to live their lives to the fullest, and put up with some extremely bizarre and inconsistent weather, courtesy of Global Warming.

In this intimate kaleidoscope of contemporary Harlem, we are introduced to best friends Jeron (J. Mallory McCree) and Devaun (Maurice Williams), who decide to warn the community of a predator (or as Devaun confuses it, “predictor”) after Devaun is inappropriately touched by him in a bodega. We then meet Nirmala (a passionate Mahira Kakkar) and her brother, Ishan (Debargo Sanyal)—Nirmala runs the bodega that her husband owns. Her husband has been in a coma for three years after being shot. Nirmala refuses to pull the plug in spite of doctors telling her there isn’t much hope for him. Her brother Ishan (later Indira), however, wants her to pull the plug in order to collect life insurance to pay for a gender reassignment surgery which will complete his sex change. We also meet divorced sanitation worker Joe (Dion Graham), who develops feelings for Nirmala.

It is a credit to Cori Thomas’ script and Danielle Topol’s direction that the multiple plot threads feel balanced and evenly attended to. Thomas writes with a firm dedication to character. She allows all of her characters to be flawed, but is generous enough to imbue them with life, energy, and humor. Watching them meet, interact and open up to one another is an incredibly engaging journey, although the pacing starts to falter about midway through the rather lengthy second act. Topol’s efficient direction keeps the action moving with cinematic fluidity. Sydney Maresca’s bright, colorful costumes and Jason Simms’ graffiti-laden set add to the atmosphere of the piece.

The fantastic cast delivers both as an ensemble and individuals. Mahira Kakkar is by turns strong and vulnerable as the feisty Nirmala. As Ishran/Indira, Debargo Sanyal has created a beautiful arc. He starts off itchy and uncomfortable, and gets increasingly comfortable as he adjusts to his new body. Dion Graham gives the most subtle and sensitive performance of the evening as Joe. Mr. McCree and Mr. Williams are given the most comedic material as Jeron and Devaun respectively, and make the most out of it.

In addition to its dedication to character, Thomas’ sensitive script never feels didactic or pandering. She has chosen to focus on the character’s journeys to love and connections rather than lecture on race and sexuality. Thanks to this sensitivity and the depth of the performances, When January Feels Like Summer is a very satisfying evening.

When January Feels Like Summer continues its run at the Ensemble Studio Theatre through October 26. For more information and tickets, visit https://ensemblestudiotheatre.org/