For Immediate Release
Contact: Ron Lasko at
212-505-1700 or
ron@spincyclenyc.com
New Drama Examines Closeted Life of Pioneering LGBT Preservationist
THE PATTERN AT PENDARVIS
Previews begin July 13 at HERE
New Dog | StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance will present the World Premiere of
THE PATTERN AT PENDARVIS by Dean Gray. Directed by Joseph Megel, previews begin
July 13 at HERE. Opening is slated for
Friday, July 20.
In 1935, Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum began restoring dilapidated
Cornish-built limestone houses in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Their
efforts saved this 19th century lead mining town from certain
extinction. Upon their retirement in 1970, the Wisconsin Historical
Society began operating the restoration as a historic site interpreting
the history of Cornish settlement in the US.
THE PATTERN AT PENDARVIS is a fictionalized
look at the quiet life of Edgar Hellum, a man in his nineties who did
pioneering work in historic preservation in a small, mid-western town. A
man who just happened to be gay in an era long before Stonewall and
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The play deals with contemporary gay identity
issues through the eyes of a man who spent his life in the closet.
The play is adapted and fictionalized from interviews conducted in
Mineral Point in 1997 by Will Fellows as part of the research for his
book
A Passion to Preserve: Gay Men as Keepers of Culture.
“There is a deep satisfaction in the opportunity to present this
particular story, right now,” says StreetSigns artistic director Joseph
Megel, who also directs. “Dean has done a masterful job crafting a
nuanced piece of work for the stage that offers an intimate look at
often overlooked movements in cultural history in ‘flyover country.’ It
is a relief to enter this quieter world where the issues are not battled
out by outrage junkies screaming for and against political correctness
and identity politics. We need this conversation.”
THE PATTERN AT PENDARVIS stars Lawrence Merritt (
Pippin, Applause, Dear World
and more on Broadway) as the nonagenarian Edgar, with David Murray
Jaffe, and Gregory Jensen. The production team includes Daniel Ettinger
(sets), Joseph Amodei (lighting and video design); Gail Cooper-Hecht
(costumes), and Ruth Gersh (stage manager). It is presented at HERE as
part of SubletSeries@HERE, a curated rental program providing artists
with subsidized space and equipment, as well as technical support.
THE PATTERN AT PENDARVIS runs
July 13 – August 5, Wednesday – Saturday at
7pm with matinees on Sundays
July 29 & August 5 at 2pm. HERE is located at
145 6th Avenue
(enter on Dominic Street, one block south of Spring Street – accessible
from the C/E trains to Spring Street or 1 train to Canal). Tickets are
$25, available at 212-352-3101 or
www.here.org.