Photo Flash: Pride Films and Plays Presents HOLDING THE MAN

HOLDING THE MAN, a drama from Australia chronicling the 15-year relationship of a real-life gay male couple, is based on Timothy Conigrave's celebrated memoir of the same name. In 1976, Tim and John meet as teenagers at their all-boys Catholic school in Melbourne and become boyfriends. The story follows them into adulthood as their relationship endures in spite of such obstacles as parental resistance, differing views on monogamy, separation, and finally HIV.

Conigrave's memoir won the 1995 UN Human Rights Award for Non-Fiction and was voted one of Australia's 100 favorite books. Tommy Murphy's stage adaptation faithfully captures the book's humorous and heart-wrenchingly honest portrayal of the relationship, but also succeeds in transforming it into a unique theatrical experience. It premiered in Sydney, Australia and has been performed across Australia, on London's West End, and in Los Angeles and San Francisco. A 2015 film version directed by Neil Armfield featured Guy Pearce and Geoffrey Rush.

Pride Films and Plays' production, one of five plays in its summer "PAC Pride Fest," will feature PFP company member Jude Hansen as John and Lifeline Theatre regular Micah Kronlokken as Tim. HOLDING THE MAN will be directed by Michael D. Graham, Artistic Director of Piccolo Theatre in Evanston.

Performances of HOLDING THE MAN will begin with a preview on August 5, 2018. The press opening will be Monday, August 6 at 7:30 pm. It will be performed through August 26 in the Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago, in repertory with HURRICANE DAMAGE.

HOLDING THE MAN will be the last play to open of the five-play summer repertory of fully staged plays. It will run in repertory with the world premiere of HURRICANE DAMAGE, which will open on August 3 and run through August 26. PFP's late night production of Joe DiPietro's comedy-drama f-ing MEN, which opened July 1, will continue on Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 pm and Sundays at 8 pm, and will close on August 26, just days before the first preview of HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA - the first production of the PFP 2018-19 season. Click here for the complete schedule of Pride Films and Plays performances.

Tickets for all events are on sale now at www.pridefilmsandplays.com or by phone at 866-411-4111 or 773-857-0222.

Photo Credit: Paul Goyette