Henry Clay News

That the 1969 riots at the center of Ike Holter's play are identified as 'Stonewall' is a neat metaphorical turn of phrase, even if it is happenstance. It is the turning point for Gays emerging from the shadows and staking a claim for a rightful place in society. And the walls came tumbling down.

As the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots approaches, Pandora Productions is proud to present Ike Holter's HIT THE WALL. An homage to the beginning of a movement! The play follows the stories of regular people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. We must never forget that the courage of a few have made a difference for all. Fed up with harassment by the police, the denizens of the Stonewall Inn fight back! It's the early hours of June 28, 1969 when a routine police raid on The Stonewall Inn, a popular underground gay bar in Greenwich Village, sparks a full-scale riot. Violent protests and street demonstrations continued for the next several days in what became known as The Stonewall Riots, thrusting a group of unlikely revolution-aries onto the frontlines of history and igniting one of the most influential social and political movements of the 20th Century. HIT THE WALL focuses on that wild and enigmatic first night of the riots, placing the audience just on the periphery of the conflict. An imaginative blend of history and mythology, it shines a contemporary light on the legacy of Stonewall.

Americans talk about racial and cultural identity as if walking on eggshells. As with so many hot button issues in the 21stcentury, we have become polarized on these topics because it is easier to lean completely into a position rather than explore the gray territory of nuance and contradiction. In her play Smart People, Lydia R. Diamond is intent on having a conversation that, if it doesn't entirely resist cliche and stereotype, at least uses them as devices to trigger a messier, more complex dialogue.

'JQA' is an ambitious, delightful work that not only makes for an enjoyable theater experience, but also leaves its audiences ruminating on the deeper philosophies it explores. The strong cast and clever production designs are worth the trip alone, but the overall result is something that will linger in minds long after the lights have lifted, much like any presidential legacy.

Artistic Director Tony Prince and Producing Director Richard McGrew are excited to open the third production of the The Liminal Playhouse's fourth season, "Smart People" by Lydia R. Diamond, directed by Tony Prince.

Artistic Director Tony Prince and Producing Director Richard McGrew has announced the 2019 - 2020 season of The Liminal Playhouse, again consisting of four Louisville premieres.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Lamented as an ineffectual president, and later celebrated by then-Senator John F. Kennedy as a legislative statesman in his landmark book Profiles in Courage, Adams' legacy will get a long overdue reexamination thanks to Arena Stage and their world-premiere production of Aaron Posner's new play JQA.

Pandora Productions presents GIRLFRIEND. Set to the irresistible songs from Matthew Sweet's landmark album, with book by Todd Allmond, GIRLFRIEND will rock your youthful memories of first love. This musical gives voice to those who grew up in small towns, those who didn't quite fit in, and anybody who remembers the terror and thrill of first love. It's small town Nebraska, 1993. Two teenage boys who've just graduated from high school Will, a social outcast keeps his distance from people and Mike, the sports star and big man on campus, who despite having a girlfriend inexplicably finds himself attracted to Will on Mike's suggestion that they hang out they explore a relationship during a summer of self-discovery.

No, it's not the movie. Nor is it the basis of the movie. But if the movie prompts you to check out this play, then everybody wins.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world premiere of Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world premiere of Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Marriages fail for many reasons, or perhaps, more often than not, it boils down to the fear that you have sacrificed something for that commitment, and you want another chance to get it back. And if you have children, the weight is much greater.

Pandora Productions continues the 2018-19 season with Peter Parnell's funny and touching look at fidelity and gay parenting in DADA WOOF PAPA HOT. The title refers to the first words of the offstage child of Alan and Rob. 'Dada' for Rob, 'woof' for dog, 'Papa' for Alan and 'hot' for radiator. But as Alan explains, if you put those four words together it's 'what every gay dad wants to hear'... The play will run January 11 - 26 at the company's home at the Henry Clay Theatre and is sponsored by Crosby Law Offices, PSC. (**please see note below regarding change in scheduling.)

Poets have been seeking the truth about love for centuries. As elusive as the breeze and as prolific as the butterfly.

Kick off the holidays with craziness! Continuing the series by Anthony Wilkinson, Pandora Productions proudly presents MY BIG GAY ITALIAN CHRISTMAS. We've had a Wedding, a Funeral, a Mid-Life Crisis and now the insanity that is the Pinnunziato family comes a holiday installment. Pandora is thrilled to be the first theatre company in the country to present Mr. Wilkinson's work. Pandora will host the playwright during the run of his show in Louisville on Saturday, November 17th with a reception following the performance.

Walking to my car after seeing Bunbury Theatre's current show at The Henry Clay, I had to return a phone call to my sister.

Kick off the holidays with craziness! Continuing the series by Anthony Wilkinson, Pandora Productions proudly presents MY BIG GAY ITALIAN CHRISTMAS. We've had a Wedding, a Funeral, a Mid-Life Crisis and now the insanity that is the Pinnunziato family comes a holiday installment. Pandora is thrilled to be the first theatre company in the country to present Mr. Wilkinson's work. Pandora will host the playwright during the run of his show in Louisville on Saturday, November 17th with a reception following the performance.

Artistic Director Tony Prince and Producing Director Richard McGrew are excited to open the second show of the fourth season of The Liminal Playhouse, "The Effect" by Lucy Prebble directed by Kathi E. B. Ellis.

'In here, life is beautiful...' a phrase repeated by the Emcee of the Kit-Kat Club in Berlin. This emcee invites his audience to forget and ignore their troubles and hardship and indulge in a world full of dancing girls, flirtations, and decadence. Gritty, powerful and raw, Pandora Productions current production of Kander and Ebb's Cabaret is blistering and beautiful.