Cast announced for Chicago Premiere of HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA

Cast has been announced for Jordan Seavey's HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA the opening production of Pride Films and Plays second full season in the Pride Arts Center at 4139 and 4147 N. Broadway. Jordan Seavey's play follows the relationship of two thirtyish gay male Brooklyn, New Yorkers over a five-year period.

"Love is love" - but is navigating it any less complicated today? What does it mean to be in a committed relationship? Is monogamy just monotony? Told through interweaving glimpses into the life of an everyday couple unexpectedly confronted by a vicious crime, HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA is a fearless, funny, heart-on-its-sleeve examination of the moments that can bring two people together - or pull them apart.

Pride Films and Play Associate Artistic Director Derek Van Barham, who is directing the play, announced his cast today. The lead couple will be played by Niko Kourtis and PFP Artistic Director Nelson A. Rodriguez. Kourtis recently appeared in Haven Theatre's production of FEAR & MISERY IN THE THIRD REICH, THREE DAYS OF RAIN with BoHo Theatre, and THE ASSEMBLED PARTIES for Raven Theatre. Rodriguez appeared in PFP's MEN ON THE VERGE OF A HIS-PANIC BREAKDOWN, for which he received a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination. Additional onstage credits include Steppenwolf for Young Audiences, 16th Street, Adventure Stage Chicago where he is an Associate Artist, and many more. His on camera credits include the feature films A PLACE TO BE - EN ALGUN LUGAR (TLA Releasing) and SOUL SESSIONS (Gravitas Ventures).

Jordan Dell Harris, currently appearing as Henrik in BoHo Theatre's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, will play Dan - a friend who complicates the couple's relationship. Harris has appeared in WONDERFUL TOWN at the Goodman and in THE CIVILITY OF ALBERT CASHIER for Permoveo Productions in association with Pride Films and Plays last fall. The cast will be rounded out by Jessica Vann as Laila. Vann's recent Chicago work includes DISASTER! THE MUSICAL for Chicago Theatre Workshop and BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL for Porchlight Theatre. Matthew Harris and Kyle Deininger will understudy Rodriguez and Kourtis's roles. Ashley Joy will understudy the role of Laila. Uriel Gomez will design costumes and G. Max Maxin IV will design the lighting and sound. Additional designers and production time to be announced.

HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA premiered at New York City's LAByrinth Theater Company in fall 2016, in a production that starred Michael Urie and Robin de Jesús. It had its West Coast premiere at San Diego's Diversionary Theatre in October 2017.

THE NEW YORK TIMES called it "A daringly frank, funny and affecting new play [...] Mr. Seavey's portrait of young gay New Yorkers negotiating the sometimes-thorny nature of love and intimacy has an arresting, even bruising honesty." New York Magazine wrote, "Recalling both the furious politics of Kramer's AIDS jeremiads and the sentimental pathos of Mart Crowley's pre-Stonewall classic [The Boys in the Band], HOMOS is as essential to our moment as those works were to theirs [...] Seavey is dealing with very large ideas that have bedeviled the gay 'community' - and everyone else - forever [...] HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA [is] a play you should see only if you care about either of its title characters."

HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA will be performed in the 85-seat Broadway Theatre at 4139 N. Broadway. The press opening will be Wednesday, September 5th, following previews from August 30 through September 1. Tickets are on sale now by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or online at www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Photo: Clockwise from top left: Nelson A. Rodriguez, Niko Kourtis, Jessica Vann, Jordan Dell Harris.

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