A SOUTHERN FAIRYTALE Opens Tomorrow

A SOUTHERN FAIRYTALE, written by and starring Broadway World-award winner actor Ty Autry and directed by David L. Carson, will make its New York City premiere with a limited run as part of NYSummerfest on September 13, 15 and 16.

Based on true events, A Southern Fairytale artfully illuminates the challenges facing a young, gay Christian growing up in the Deep South. As we accompany the protagonist through multiple journeys into and out of the closet, the audience emotionally connects with the very real impacts of conversion therapy, excommunication, and a father who believes that a demon has possessed his son.

Written and performed with deep passion and the insight only gained through personal experience, Autry skillfully explores the trauma of rejection by those we love. As family and friends impose extreme measures to reshape him to fit their ideal, the young man is left isolated and alone. Will he ever thrive - or even just simply survive - if he chooses to live as he was born? Is happiness possible when the only faith you have ever known, not to mention everyone you love, demands that you are wrong and living a life of sin?

"Even though this play is based on real experiences in my life as a queer southerner, I believe that anyone, of any gender and orientation, can see a part of themselves in this story," says Autry. "We all struggle at some point with thoughts that we aren't good enough but don't always recognize or accept that this struggle truly exists."

"My hope is that this one-man show will be a catalyst for conversations about healing and forgiveness. In today's environment, as we see more evidence of overt bigotry and increased incidents of public shaming, I believe these conversations are much needed."

For this production, Autry has crafted a 45-minute adaptation of his full-length play especially for NYSummerfest. Selection of A Southern Fairytale by the New York Theater Festival marks the first time this play will be performed professionally. In addition to Autry and Carson, the production team includes Stage Manager Megan Quick, Production Stage Manager Ashton Pickering and Lighting Designer Patrick Moriarty.

A Southern Fairytale will be performed on September 13 at 9:00 PM, September 15 at 1:00 PM, and September 16 at 6:00 PM as part of NYSummerfest at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 W 26th Street. Tickets are $23 (plus fees) and available through Brown Paper Tickets (https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3500670).

TY AUTRY (Actor/Playwright) is a small-town southern boy with a big heart and a passion for theatre, adventure and New York City. Ty grew up in a rural farming community in South Georgia but moved to his first "big city", Atlanta, to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. While busy with studies (he later graduated Summa Cum Laude with his engineering degree,) Ty also began his performance career with the university's DramaTech Theatre company. He went on to perform with a wide variety of local/regional companies in the Southeast including OnStage Atlanta, The Lyric Studio, Arís Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Act3 Productions and Resurgens Theatre. For his performance as Adam in the critically acclaimed production of The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told (Out Front Theatre Company,) Autry received Broadway World's 2017 regional award for Best Actor in a Play. Autry recently completed training at Atlantic Acting School and continues to pursue his acting career in New York. Concurrently, he works as a teacher, director and choreographer for various productions in Georgia. For additional information visit Ty's website: http://jtyautry.com or one of his social media platforms:

DAVID L. CARSON (Director) has worked extensively with Metropolitan Playhouse, Reverie Productions, and MTWorks over the last four decades. With a particular fondness for developing new works and for "solo" pieces, he guided Jeffrey Solomon's Mother/Son, Robin Goldfin's The Ethics of Rav Hymie Goldfarb and performed Michael Bettencourt's Mine Eyes. He spent five years working on Mr. Goldfin's stage adaptation of Etgar Keret's Suddenly A Knock At The Door, which premiered at Theatre for the New City.