Sordid Lives by Del Shores at Evolution Theatre Company

A black comedy about white trash! Nominated for over thirty awards during its long run in Los Angeles, Sordid Lives puts a comedic twist on a story of unconditional love, acceptance and "coming out" in a Texas family. This clever, campy and often raunchy tale is based on Mr. Shores’ experiences growing up gay in conservative, rural Texas. The star of the show, Peggy, is actually dead. Sissy, Peggy’s sister, is afraid that all the family skeletons will come flying out of the closet all at once as they gather to mourn the family’s matriarch. She plays mediator between Peggy’s daughters, the conservative Latrelle and the more liberal LaVonda, as well as trying to comfort her neighbors, Noleta and husband, G.W., who is the one that killed Peggy – under extremely humiliating circumstances, no less. And then there is Brother Boy, whose hero is Tammy Wynette. The characters of Sordid Lives aren’t afraid of doing things that are off-limits in a family show – having affairs, cross-dressing and stripping to their skivvies. But neither do they shy away from serious themes such as bigotry, guilt, homosexuality, forgiveness and acceptance. Their lives intertwine, giving each a new perspective, honesty, and meaning.

Preview 8 p.m. Wednesday September 16
Performance: 8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday September 17 – 19;
8 pm Thursday – Saturday September 24 - 26;
and 2 p.m. Sunday September 20

Mr. Shores will be in Columbus September 19 where he will conduct a playwriting workshop in the morning, attend an intimate pre-show dinner with 16 to 20 show sponsors and then he will conduct a talk-back session immediately following that evening’s 8 PM performance.