The Cultch to Present THE GAY HERITAGE PROJECT, 3/2-19
The Cultch is pleased to present The Gay Heritage Project from Wednesday, March 2 to Saturday, March 19 at the Historic Theatre.
Three of Canada's most gifted creators/performers set out to answer one question: is there such a thing as 'gay heritage'? In their search, they uncover a rich history not often shared and shine a new light on contemporary gay culture. The result is a hilarious and moving homage to the people who came before us and the events that continue to shape our lives.
The Gay Heritage Project is helmed by Damien Atkins (Angels in America), Paul Dunn (PIG), and Andrew Kushnir (Playwright-in-Residence at Tarragon Theatre, creative director of Project: Humanity), with direction by Ashlie Corcoran and designs by Kimberly Purtell, Thomas Ryder Payne, and Cameron Davis.
After centuries of queer history being hidden in the closet and the loss of almost an entire generation to HIV/AIDS, The Gay Heritage Project is an important step in the excavation, preservation, and promotion of a community's cultural history.
Using their personal histories and individual cultural heritages as jumping-off points, each of the three creators behind the production set out to discover their connections to queer people and events in the past. Working closely with historian J. Paul Halferty, they spent hours researching the ancient anecdotes, secret correspondences, and overlooked footnotes that currently comprise queer history. What they discovered was an array of heroes and stories that inspire, comfort, challenge, and empower.
Damien, Paul, and Andrew bring these people and stories to life on stage in rapid-fire succession using a highly physical, comedic, and fast-paced performance style. They offer an eclectic mix of historical characters and reenactments that shed light on the forgotten champions and occurrences that created the queer community.
"Funny, imaginative, thought-provoking...a wide-ranging and wildly entertaining inquiry into what it means to be gay" - The Globe and Mail
"Celebratory, upbeat, and deeply moving" - Toronto Star
"Unrelentingly entertaining...one of the most exhilarating evenings in the theatre you will ever have" - My Gay Toronto
"Strikes a perfect balance between reverence and complete, wonderful silliness...this is an hour and a half that simply flies by because The Gay Heritage Project is, at once, incredibly fun and so smart" - Daily Xtra
The Gay Heritage Project is created and performed by Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn, & Andrew Kushnir.
Directed by: Ashlie Corcoran
Designs by: Kimberly Purtell, Thomas Ryder Payne, & Cameron Davis
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