Back Porch at The Victory Theatre Center: Big Victory

Sparks fly in more ways than one in Anderson’s delightful homage to both movie making and the play that inspired the Columbia film. “When I was four years old, portions of the film Picnic were filmed one county away from my home,” says the Kansas born-and-bred Anderson. “My family drove to the location one evening to take part in the “Neewollah” scene on the river. I’ve been crazy about movies — and theater — ever since. With Back Porch, I wanted to pay tribute to a significant American playwright who was also significantly closeted. I hoped to write the kind of play that he himself might have written had he lived in another time and place.” Barney Opat (Karl Maschek) is the widowed father of two boys: 18-year-old Gary (Isaac W. Jay), who yearns to escape small-town Kansas life for a more glamorous existence, and energetic 13-year-old Del Wayne (Cody Lemmon). The family’s life is upended when a handsome stranger working as William Holden’s stunt double (Jordan Morgan) blows into town alongside the all-star Picnic cast. Other characters include the Opats’ bachelor boarder, singing teacher Myron Uhrig (Eric Zak), and their neighbor, Millard Goff (Jonathan Fishman). “WOW!...a compelling, heartrending World Premiere winner.” —Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA “RECOMMENDED...adept performances...bring it home.” —Deborah Klugman, Stage Raw “...a charming, sweet little gem of a play...” —Travis Michael Holder, Ticket Holders LA “...a timely and inventive tale...” —Ben Miles, ShowMag "...a fascinating play..." —Don Shirley, Angeles Stage