Jamie Black's IT'S MY PENIS AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO Open This January

Jamie Black's IT'S MY PENIS AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO to play The Buena in January and February. One-man play explores gender roles from the unique perspective of a trans male

As a trans male, Jamie Black has had experience living as both a male and a female, making him uniquely qualified to explore the issue of gender norms. His one-man show, IT'S MY PENIS AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO has been performed in festivals around North America, including the New Orleans Fringe Festival, Atlanta Fringe Festival, Sideshow Fringe Festival in Nashville, TN, St. Lou Fringe Festival, and in summer 2017, the Toronto Fringe Festival. Locally, IT'S MY PENIS.... Has been performed at the Filet of Solo Festival, the Rhinoceros Festival and the Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins Festival. His first solo show, Living Inside Myself, was produced by Bailiwick Repertory and played to audiences across the country.

In this 45-minute show, to be performed in The Buena, Pride Arts Center, from January 5 through February 11, 2018; Black plays both the male and female members of three different couples: two college students after a date, a husband and wife in serious trouble, and an elderly man facing death and, after that, his widow. It explores a moment in each couple's life and how each one perceives that moment based upon their acceptance or rejection of gender norms.

Are gender norms necessary in a society where the lines between male and female are increasingly blurred? Some would say "Absolutely!" IT'S MY PENIS AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO takes a sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, but always thought-provoking look at gender roles. From birth we are indoctrinated with ideas about what it means to be a man or woman and before you know it, we've bought into it.

Reviewing the show at the Toronto Fringe Festival, Lisa McKeown of MY ENTERTAINMENT WORLD said, "Black's natural charm and talent shine through and he so easily connects with the audience that I found myself in tears by the end of the show." Ilana Lucas of MOONEY ON THEATRE said, "it's a sweet, earnest show about gender roles, far more Lesley Gore than Lady Gaga in tone... Black's is a good voice to hear, with a strong message to listen to."

Jamie Black has been an actor in Chicago for over 19 years. He has performed with many theatre companies including Factory Theatre, Noble Fool Theatre and National Theatre for Children. His first solo show was produced by Bailiwick Repertory and played to audiences across the country. Jamie premiered his current solo show IT'S MY PENIS AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO at MPAACT's Solo Jams Spring series. He won National Artist of the Year at the 2016 St. Lou Fringe Festival. He made his International debut at the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival and received an Independent Artist Grant from the city of City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Jamie is a founding member of Soul Fools, an African American sketch comedy group. His television credits include The Chelsea Handler Show, Conspiracy: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Boss.

IT'S MY PENIS (AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO) will be performed Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 5 pm in The Buena, Pride Arts Center at 4147 N. Broadway. Tickets are priced at $25 ($15 preview Friday, January 5) and will be available soon at www.pridefilmsandplays.com or 1 800 737 0984.