Monday, June 25, 2018

So This Story Is Fascinating As Eddie and I Have Been There

Ed and I visited a site in Wisconsin a few years ago that we found really interesting.  I loved the place and the story and now it is a play.  Here is the information...

New drama examines closeted life of pioneering LGBT preservationist, begins July 13 at HERE

The Pattern at Pendarvis begins performances July 13 at HERE.
View this email in your browser
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.