As equal marriage rights approaches reality in Australia, a poignant series of short plays will be presented in an Australian premiere as part of the 2014 Midsumma Festival.
Standing On Ceremony – The Gay Marriage Plays are described as a deliciously funny and represents what can and should and will be, whilst celebrating same sex marriage and how a number of American states embraced and passed equal marriage rights.
Focussing on the moments before, during and after I do, the plays featured are: The Revision by Jordan Harrison – an amusing look at how two men might rewrite their vows to more accurately reflect the limited options available to a gay couple; This Flight Tonight by Wendy MacLeod – asks if there is any hope for happiness when a lesbian marriage begins in Iowa.
The Gay Agenda by Paul Rudnick – is a sadly hilarious plea for understanding by an Ohio homemaker and member of Focus on the Family; On Facebook by Doug Wright – was adapted from an actual Facebook thread chronicling one long fight among friends on the subject of gay marriage.
Strange Fruit by Neil LaBute – is the story of two men in love whose plans to get married “the old-? fashioned way” are stymied when reality rears its ugly head; Traditional Wedding by Mo Gaffney – a long-?married lesbian couple reminisce about their wedding.
My Husband by Paul Rudnick – puts a hilarious gay twist on the stereotype of the Jewish mother desperate to marry off her children; London Mosquitoes by Moisés Kaufman – is a poignant story in which a widower tries to make sense of the loss of his longtime lover; Pablo and Andrew at the Altar of Words by José Rivera – is a moving play about two men who use their marriage vows to “say the things we never really say.
Witty, warm and occasionally wacky, Standing On Ceremony – The Gay Marriage Plays are vows to the blessings of equality, the universal challenges of relationships and the, often, hilarious power of love.
The unifying theme of same-sex marriage gives this collection its strong identity. The individual plays don’t share the same perspective or speak in the same voice. Which keeps things interesting.” – Variety.
Directors: Helen Ellis and Wayne Pearn Featuring: Spencer McLaren, Pia Miranda, Michael Veitch, Brett Whittingham, Olivia Hogan, Luke Jacka, Helen Ellis and Wayne Pearn Musical director: David Ellis Technical director: Michael Brasser Set designer: Justin Stephens Costume designer: Jessica Moran Lighting designer: Scott Allan Musicians: David Ellis (guitar), Karl Lewis (drums) and Laura Burzacott (vocals)
Standing On Ceremony – The Gay Marriage Plays
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 22 January – 9 February 2014
Bookings: (03) 8290 7000 or online at: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For more information, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.
Image: by Justin Stephens