Out Front Theatre Kicks Off 2019 With Southeastern Premiere Of PORCELAIN

Continuing its 2018-2019 season, Out Front Theatre Company will present the Southeastern premiere of Chay Yew's racially charged thriller Porcelain from February 7-23. Originally produced at London's Etcetera Theatre, Porcelain later made its American debut in the early 1990s after a stint at London's Royal Court Theatre.

Porcelain takes a look into the life of John, a 19-year-old gay Chinese-British man in London, who works for his immigrant father's restaurant. His performance on his "A level" exams has granted him acceptance to an upcoming term at Cambridge University, but he is restless, lonely and unsure of his identity. As a result, he takes temporary solace in hooking up with strange men in public bathrooms.

"A lot of people want answers from the theater," says the Singapore-born Chay Yew. "The theater does not give answers. Porcelain is not about racism. Nor is it about homosexuality and homophobia or about toilet sex. I didn't expect to delve into all these issues and answer them. It's really about loving and relationships. It's also about being different, which is a universal theme."

Featuring the onstage talents of Tom Fish, Gil Eplan-Frankel, Joseph Johnson, Kevin Qian and Michael Short, Porcelain is directed by Matt Huff, associate professor and director of theatre at Oglethorpe University.

"The play brilliantly jumps around in style from realistic to poetic," says Director Matt Huff. "The overall effect keeps the audience engaged and wondering what's coming next. It also plunges the audience into the inner life of the main character - attempting to capture his sense of loneliness and isolation. I respect the play's blatant depiction of the bathroom sex culture of men who have sex with men. Many playwrights would shy away from tackling this subject, but Chay Yew unabashedly explores this hidden societal phenomenon."

Completing the production team are Brady Brown (assistant director), Katie Malloy (production stage manager), Charles Swift (lighting design), Paul Conroy (set design), Eric Griffis (costume design) and Justin Kalin (dramaturgy).

Porcelain runs at Out Front Theatre Company from February 7 through February 23, with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be one Monday evening performance at 8 p.m. on February 18. Ticket prices $20 for students and seniors and $25 for adults. Out Front Theatre Company is located at 999 Brady Ave., Ste. 10, Atlanta, Georgia 30318. For tickets and more information please visit outfronttheatre.com.