The Crackpot Crones and Theatre Rhinoceros Welcome Terry Baum in 'HICK: A LOVE STORY', Now thru 7/27

The Crackpot Crones, known for their feminist theatrics, and Theatre Rhinoceros, the nation's premiere gay theatre, are partnering to bring a new solo play to San Francisco - HICK: A Love Story, The Romance of Lorena Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt, opens today, July 10, 2014, at the Eureka Theater. The play is written by Terry Baum & Pat Bond, performed by Terry Baum and directed by Carolyn Myers. HICK: A Love Story has a limited engagement of 12 performances (three weekends only) July 10 - 27, 2014 -Thurs., Fri., Sat. 8:00 pm / Sun. 3:00 pm, at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St. (at Battery St.), SF 94111.

Because the producers believe this little-known chapter of lesbian history deserves to reach as wide an audience as possible, all performances are FREE! Tickets can be reserved via email at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/602947. For more info call 415- 206-1951.

HICK: A Love Story, The Romance of Lorena Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt, explores the life of Lorena Hickok, and her love relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt (ER). Hick was the most famous woman journalist of her day and the first woman to have a byline on the front page of the NY Times. She met ER when she was assigned to cover her during Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Presidential campaign in 1932. The love affair between the patrician First Lady and the charming, hard-living butch reporter lasted several years. Their friendship lasted Mrs. Roosevelt's lifetime. Hick helped Mrs. Roosevelt become the outspoken, media-savvy activist who was one of the greatest American woman of the 20th century.

The First Lady wrote 2336 letters to Hick, beginning in 1933 and only ending with ER's death in 1962. These letters were discovered in 1978, when a researcher opened 18 boxes willed to the FDR Library by Lorena Hickok. The letters document a passionate lesbian relationship between Hick and ER. In the course of writing the play, Baum researched Hick's papers at the FDR Library and interviewed people who knew her. She also visited Arthurdale, West Virginia, the community created during the Great Depression through the vision of Hick and ER. Baum, a pioneer lesbian playwright, has toured internationally as a solo performer.

In HICK: A Love Story, Baum uses direct quotes from Hick's writing, Eleanor Roosevelt's letters, and a scene from Pat Bond's 1985 play about Hick. Mrs. Roosevelt's letters are read verbatim by actress Paula Barish. Baum brings Hick to life - as the renowned journalist, important chronicler of the Great Depression, and lover and "First Friend" of First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Technical credits include: Set design by Vola Ruben, lighting design by Stephanie Johnson, costuming design by Val Von. The Production manager is Pam Higley.

This is the first co-production for The Crackpot Crones and Theatre Rhinoceros. HICK: A Love Story sold-out its first workshop production in San Francisco at the 2013 National Queer Arts Festival.

Photo Credit: Lynn Fried