Mauckingbird Theatre Company to Present THE TEMPERAMENTALS, 4/11-29

Mauckingbird Theatre Company opens its fifth season presenting professional gay-themed theater in Philadelphia with the Philly premiere of Jon Marans' 2009 play The Temperamentals, directed by Mauckingbird Artistic DirectorPeter Reynolds and Producing Director Brandon McShaffrey. 

The Temperamentals, so named for the code word gay men used to refer to themselves, reveals the courageous men of the Mattachine Society, the first viable gay rights organization in the United States. The New York Times hailed the play "informative and evocative. … The Temperamentals succeeds at conveying an era when only a few brave men dared announce their sexual identity before a society that vilified them." This production features cast members Mike Dees, Carl Granieri, Doug Greene, John Jarboe and Matt Tallman.

The Temperamentals begins previews April 8 and runs April 11–29, 2012 (opening night is Wednesday, April 11, at 7 p.m.), at the Skybox at The Adrienne Theatre, located at 2030 Sansom St. in Philadelphia. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students and are available by calling the Mauckingbird Theatre Company box office at (215) 923-8909 or online at www.mauckingbird.org.

Set against a backdrop of intolerance at the height of early-1950s McCarthyism, The Temperamentals tells of a secret love story that unfolds between communist Harry Hay (Matt Tallman) and Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich (John Jarboe). Harry and Rudi are part of a brotherhood caught between who they are and who they appear to be. The play was nominated by the Outer Critics Circle for the John Gassner Award for Playwriting and Outstanding Off-Broadway Play in 2009-2010, and won a 2012 Stonewall Book Award. "We are excited to share this story that brings to light an important, yet too rarely discussed, moment in the history of our country," says Reynolds.  "Mauckingbird endeavors to tell good stories that serve our diverse audience." Managing Director Lindsay Mauck adds a favorite quote from Philadelphia Magazine, "Gay or not Gay, this is simply good theater." 

On Sunday, April 15, Mauckingbird will also host the second annual Mr. Mauckingbird Pageant, benefiting the company's mission to bring professional gay-themed theater to Philadelphia.   The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6:30 followed by the irreverent, all male pageant, hosted by multiple Barrymore Award winner Jennie Eisenhower and moderated by a panel of Philadelphia celebrity judges. Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased at www.mauckingbird.org or by calling (215) 923-8909.