Delve Deeper, Dance Longer with the Characters of 'Shoulder Dance'

Usually, once the lights go down and the makeup is off an actor leaves a character behind. But when writer-director Jay Arnold brought the main cast of his comedy-drama "Shoulder Dance" in for some intimate one-on-one interviews, the ensemble of Ira, Roger, Lilly, and Josh sprang to vibrant life once more, yielding fresh insights into the dynamics of a surprising four-way love story.

For those who haven't yet seen seen the film, here's a little backstory: Ira (Matt Dallas) and Roger (Rick Cosnett) haven't seen each other since they were teenagers. When Roger's family moved to London, the two once-inseparable best friends lost touch.

Twenty-four years later, after Roger's mother dies, Roger comes calling to renew ties. Roger's girlfriend, Lilly (Maggie Geha) has come along with him; a famous actress, Lilly radiates glamor, but her very presence raises complicated questions about the nature of Ira and Roger's past relationship, and where it might go next.

The fact that Ira has never mentioned Roger in the ten years he and his younger boyfriend, Josh, have been together is a red flag for Josh (Taylor Frey), who wonders if he should be jealous of this figure from Ira's past... especially since Roger turns out to be a "drop-dead gorgeous 10." But with one look, Josh (an aspiring actor himself) is smitten with the magnetic Lilly, and the two become instant fast friends. What follows is a weekend of drugs-enhanced fun, hot tub hangouts, and gradually revealed secrets, plus some unexpected... and uneasy... flirtation.

A fifth character hovers on the margins: Josh's friend Shawn (Samuel Larson), a confidante and gadfly who keeps track of the weekend's progressing dramatics with frequent (and hilarious) phone calls to Josh, always angling for a chance to come over and see the mélange for himself.

Going for a sense of spontaneity, Arnold didn't provide the actors with a script; he simply invited them in one by one, asking them to wear their favorite costumes from the production, and had them speak from the heart.

"When they came into the room, one at a time, I referred to them only in character," Arnold recalled. "I told them, 'You are not here today. Your character is here today," and I interviewed each of them about the story and their individual perspectives from the character's point of view.

"At the time they were apprehensive," Arnold said. "But when the interview was over, they were quite curious."

Have a look at the clips and you'll see why... and, if you haven't seen the film yet, you'll want to be sure and check it out and see why "Shoulder Dance" has consistently ranked in the top ten for DVD sales at Amazon since it became available in late November.

Roger is a "touchy-feely" guy who's straight, and yet curiously easygoing about snuggling up to his onetime best friend. "He's the kind of guy who will drink from your glass," Ira tells Josh, but Josh is left to wonder if a drink of water would be enough to quench what looks like a longtime thirst for Ira.

Australian actor Rick Cosnett ("The Flash," "The Vampire Diaries") doesn't often get a chance to work in his natural accent (or something akin to it), so "Shoulder Dance" was a treat for him. And what could match his almost-ginger good looks and welcoming energy better than his cute accent?

You can't blame Josh for feeling a little insecure. Always taking a back seat to his talent agent husband's hectic work load, Josh keeps their lives running smoothly while pursuing his own career – without relying on Ira's connections, thank you very much. But Ira's constant distractions aren't the only thing leaving Josh unsettled. Why won't Ira commit to him after all this time? And does Roger's reappearance signal some sort of seismic shift?

Broadway and film actor Taylor Frey ("It Chapter Two," "G.B.F.") brings a mix of kindness and hurt, strength and vulnerability to Josh that makes him adorable... and the perfect gay bestie for someone of Maggie's luminous charisma.

Free-spirited, wise to the ways of the world, and tuned to what Roger's deepest needs are, Lilly confesses to being the reason for Roger's visit. Not that there's not a hint of the mischievous in there as well, as Lilly ceaselessly stirs things up, bringing life to the party but also lending an ear whenever someone needs to unburden. If there's a mystery at the root of Ira and Roger's decades-long estrangement, it's Lilly who knows the secret and understands its ramifications perhaps even better than either Roger or Ira themselves.

Maggie Geha ("Ted 2," "Gotham") spices things up with a fun, up-for-anything energy, and she makes her scenes with Josh... even a "getting to know you" moment in the hot tub that becomes a little more intimate than anyone might have anticipated... feel warm and safe, and yet also just a little dangerous.

If Roger's blend of open-hearted affection and carefree emotional aloofness make for an fascinating character, Ira's deeply conflicted feelings at seeing his old friend add more momentum, and more heat, to the push and pull of their reunion. How deep is the old love between the two friends? How much hurt did it cause? Is what happened with Roger the reason for Ira's reluctance to commit to Josh?

Matt Dallas ("Kyle XY," "Babysitter Wanted") brings a dry humor that only adds to Ira's burning need to reconcile with Roger... and his deep fear and reluctance to surrender his heart. Will his weekend with Roger open him up, or tear him apart? And is Ira the only one who's been carrying heartache for all these years?

You'll find clues in these teasing videos... but you'll only find the answers in the film.

Want to see a little more before checking out the movie? Watch the trailer below.

"Shoulder Dance" is available now on Amazon Prime Video and on DVD.