Orange County's THEATRE OUT Presents 'TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS' and 'TRES GAY'

Santa Ana, CA -- Since its birth in 2006 (with its critically-acclaimed production of the musical Thrill Me), Theatre Out, Orange County's Gay & Lesbian Theatre, has been applauded by audiences and critics alike with much enthusiasm. It is a welcome surprise especially in an area known for being more conservative than neighboring Los Angeles. As a gay and lesbian theatre, Theatre Out strives to present works by gay and lesbian playwrights as well as pieces that examine the gay and lesbian community. Their goal is to explore the classics that shaped GLBT history and the new works that are continuing to form, examine and reshape GLBT culture.

Their impressive 2009 slate of productions continue with two concurrent shows: TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS and TRES GAY, both with performances running through August 8.

TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS, a play by Jonathan Tolins, is a gripping family drama that asks the question: If your parents knew everything about you before you were born, would you be here? All is well when SuzAnne Gold and her close New York family discover that she is pregnant, until a prenatal test reveals that the baby will most likely be homosexual. The news forces the entire Gold family to confront issues of bigotry, evolution and the limits of love.

The play features Tim Woods, Jennifer Pearce, Karen Harris, Rick Kopps and Eric James. It is directed by Theatre Out's Artistic Director Jack Millis. The original short-lived Broadway production, directed by Arvin Brown, opened at the Booth Theatre on October 21, 1993, and starred Jennifer Grey, Raphael Sbarge, and David Groh. It was later adapted into a feature film that screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997 before airing as a TV movie. The film's cast included Jennifer Beals, Brendan Fraser, Garry Marshall, Faye Dunaway, Jon Tenney, John Schlesinger and Rosie O'Donnell.

Theatre Out's other current production, TRES GAY, is comprised of three new one-act plays by local playwrights Kristina Leach, John Lane and Michael Van Duzer. All three plays are united under one theme: to show the other side of life for gay and lesbian super heroes.

"P.O.S.H." by Kristina Leach proves that behind every super hero there is a spouse...with a lot of issues. John Lane's "Super Wannabes" tackles the delicate nature of casting a reality television show designed to showcase a super hero's powers. And finally, Michael Van Duzer's "Trattoria of Terror: A Triple Threat Adventure" follows the adventures of mild-mannered Hugo: that unassuming guy you'd never notice in a crowd. But, as his alter-ego The Triple Threat, he challenges villains, saves scantily-clad young men and fights a never-ending battle for Truth, Broadway and the American Musical. Or, perhaps, he's just insane.

This production's cast includes Paul Anderson, Ben Green, Andrew Kelley, Lori Kelley, Janet McGregor, Lisa Meyers, Benjamin Sagan and Michael A. Sasso. It is directed by Christopher Diehl and Michael Cibrario.

The founders of Theatre Out, David C. Carnevale, Jack Millis and Joey Baital, have long seen the need for a theatre that supports the gay and lesbian community. They feel that "the Orange County theatre scene is thriving and the time was right to introduce a theatre company that tells the stories of the gay and lesbian community with romantic comedies, intriguing musicals, thrilling mysteries, serious dramas and everything in between."

TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS continues with performances on July 24-25 @ 8:00 pm, July 31-August 1@ 8:00 pm, August 2 @ 2:00 pm, and  August 7-8 @ 8:00 pm.

TRES GAY, which plays late nights, continues with performances on July 24-25, July 31-August 1, August 7-8. All TRES GAY performances start at 11:00 pm. Audiences are forewarned that TRES GAY contains adult situations and nudity.

Theatre Out's new home is The Empire Theatre in the Artists Village of the newly-vibrant downtown Santa Ana. The Empire Theatre is located at 202 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Tickets available online at www.theatreout.com or by calling the Theatre Out Box Office at (714) 826-8700. Special Double-Feature pricing is available with purchase of tickets to both TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS and TRES GAY.

Visit www.theatreout.com for more information.

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