MASK4MASK, a new play by John Patterson at The Flea Theater

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2. MASK4MASK, a new play by John Patterson

When country singer Grant Collins is publicly outed, he struggles to reinvent himself as a gay pop star. MASK4MASK explores what happens after coming out. How do we create (and re-create) ourselves, given the limited scripts provided for us? How do these narratives inhibit real growth and prevent true connection? And what is the psychological toll of being in a constant state of reinvention? Directed by Rula A. Muñoz.

MASK4MASK is part of New York City’s oldest and longest producing LGBTQIA+ theater company TOSOS’s The 2024 Chesley/Chambers Reading Series, celebrating queer voices as part of the company’s 50th Anniversary Season. The free reading series of five plays will be presented at The Flea Theater, 20 Thomas Street in NYC’s TriBeCa neighborhood. Lanford Wilson’s Lemon Sky was presented in February, and Danielle Frimer’s P. Pan Et Al was presented in March.

The Chesley/Chambers Reading Series is a celebration of impassioned LGBTQIA+ voices contributing to our collective theatrical heritage through TOSOS’s Robert Chesley/Jane Chambers Playwrights Project, an ongoing forum for playwrights to have their work presented and voices heard. The series honors playwright Jane Chambers (1937-1983), a pioneer in writing theatrical works with openly lesbian characters and perhaps best known for Last Summer at Bluefish Cove; and playwright Robert Chesley (1943-1990), a theater critic and musical composer, known for his play Jerker. Click here for more information.

TOSOS launched its ground-breaking 50th Anniversary Season with sold out performances of the world premiere of Chris Weikel’s Pride House, directed by Igor Goldin (Yank!, With Glee). A reimagination of Doric Wilson’s Street Theater with be the company’s second full production at The Flea Theater in July.  Multiple fundraising events that are open to the public and activated to celebrate the community will include TOSOS’s annual cocktail party (May), Pride party (June), and Annual Gala (October).

TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence) is New York City’s oldest and longest producing professional LGBTQIA+ theater company. In 1974, Off-Off-Broadway veteran Doric Wilson, cabaret star Billy Blackwell and director Peter dell Valle, started the first professional gay theatre company in NYC. It was called The Other Side of Silence—TOSOS for short. In 2002, directors Mark Finley and Barry Childs and playwright Wilson resurrected TOSOS. The company has produced over 30 mainstage shows and so many readings of new plays and works in progress we have trouble counting them all.