Theatre Or* to Present MY MOTHER'S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING, 10/3-11/8

Theatre Or* will present the regional premiere of the new musical comedy, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, by the husband and wife team of David Hein and Irene Carl Sankoff, at the Soiled Dove Underground in Lowry, opening October 3 and continuing through November 8. Tickets can be purchased by calling 303-316-6360 or visiting www.soileddove.com. MMLJWW is also a selection of the Neustadt JAAMM Fest (Jewish Arts, Authors, Music, and Movies) Festival presented by the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, which officially opens October 8.

The musical, a dual coming of age story, is based on the true story of the relationship between Hein, one of the playwrights, and his mother, who after a difficult divorce, takes a new job in another city and falls in love with a woman. She rediscovers her faith, comes out to her teen-age son and mother, and accepts her new identity. Set against the background of the same-sex marriage movement, the musical lovingly portrays the changing composition of family, and is particularly timely in light of the recent momentous Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in America.

"I've wanted to produce this musical for two years, ever since I saw it at the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company, where it was one of the most successful productions in their theatre's history; and because of the recent Supreme Court decision, it is now or never." remarked Diane Gilboa, Theatre Or's producing artistic director. "I searched in Denver and couldn't find a suitable open venue. I was thrilled when the Soiled Dove, a premiere music venue in Denver was receptive, and grateful that their talent rep, Rhett Lee, also saw the potential. And I am delighted that the playwrights are updating the script especially for this production to reflect the new legal status of same-sex marriage in America."

Director Richard H. Pegg, who directed Theatre Or's critically acclaimed production of Kindertransport last year, is excited to take the directing helm again. "How can you not love a show that has amongst its song titles, "Don't Take Your Lesbian Moms to Hooters!"

MMLJWW, Sankoff and Hein's first musical, debuted at the 2009 Toronto Fringe Festival and was picked up for a commercial run by Mirvish Productions. Their second musical, Come from Away, which was extended last month at the LaJolla Playhouse after opening to rave reviews, will travel to the Seattle Repertory Theatre this November for another run. Also inspired by a true story, the play describes events on 9/11, when 38 planes couldn't land in the States, and were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, where the population instantly doubled. Citizens extended their hospitality to the stranded passengers and demonstrated the best of humanity while the world witnessed the worst.

My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding also features the talents of Trent Hines as musical director, Karalyn Star Pytel as lighting designer, and Ann Piano for costume design. The talented cast is comprised of Elizabeth Brooks, Ed Hickok, Drew Hirschboeck, Lilli Hokama, Victoria Knight-Allen, Corson Lewarne, Kristen Poole, Leslie Randle, and Christopher Wells. Lisa DeVeux will stage manage.

Theatre Or aims to introduce works that the entire community would not ordinarily see anywhere else and is one of a handful of theatres in the U.S. that develops and produces American premieres of Israeli plays. Their mission is to produce professional, provocative theatre with Jewish perspective and universal appeal. For information about the production and Theatre Or, contact Diane Gilboa at theatreor@mindspring.com and/or visit www.theateor.com.

Photo Credit: Michael Ensminger