Matthew Huston To Perform IT'S BEEN A F*CKING YEAR Cabaret 9/24

Life is a rollercoaster of emotions, a whirlwind of events. Who would have thought that the last 365 days could hold so much? First love, first therapist, coming out, and TWO (!?) award-winning musicals. Join Jeff-award nominee Matthew Huston as he explores coming out as a queer man, first love, and learning how to love and accept himself in "IT'S BEEN A F*CKING YEAR" - directed by Derek Van Barham, with musical direction by Justin Harner. He will be joined by Chicago gems Honey West and Scott Gryder for a retrospect of the year that was...and wasn't.

IT'S BEEN A F*CKING YEAR is on Monday, September 24 at 8:00. All tickets are $10. To purchase call 1 866 811 4111 or order here.

Matthew Huston is a regular in the Chicago theater and cabaret scene. He has performed in a variety of cabarets around the city, include Tiny Little Storefront Series with Underscore, Chicago Actors Call to Action, Metropolis Sings, and his own "Time to Refocus" cabaret in 2015 at Davenport's. Recent theater credits include YANK: A WWII LOVE STORY (Jeff nomination for principal role in a musical) and PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT at Pride Films and Plays, ANYTHING GOES and GYPSY with Music Theater Works. Coming up next, Matt will be performing at Theater at the Center in Miracle on 34th Street. Visit matthewhuston.net for more information.

Derek Van Barham is the Associate Artistic Director of Pride Films & Plays and a member of the Red Tape Theatre ensemble. For PFP, he has directed PERFECT ARRANGEMENT, ANGRY FAGS (Steppenwolf Garage), SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED (Jeff nomination), and (co-directing) PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT: THE MUSICAL. Other directing credits include THE VIEW UPSTAIRS (Circle Theatre), THREE DAYS OF RAIN (Boho), MIRACLE! by Dan Savage (Hell in a Handbag), and HOT PINK (New American Folk Theatre). Choreography credits include THE CIVILITY OF ALBERT CASHIER (Permoveo/PFP), NEVERMORE, SHOCKHEADED PETER, CORALINE (Black Button Eyes) and SALONATHON. He was named one of Windy City Times 30 Under 30, recognizing Chicago's LGBTQ+ community. Up next: directing HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA with PFP.

Justin Harner is an actor and pianist from the Chicagoland area. He plays for his band, The Moxie Sisters, along with various musicals, recordings, auditions, and cabarets in the city. Justin is an artistic associate of Brown Paper Box Co.

Life is a rollercoaster of emotions, a whirlwind of events. Who would have thought that the last 365 days could hold so much? First love, first therapist, coming out, and TWO (!?) award-winning musicals. Join Jeff-award nominee Matthew Huston as he explores some of the ups and downs of the past year in "It's Been a F*cking Year" -- directed by Derek Van Barham, with musical direction by Justin Harner. He will be joined by Chicago gems Honey West and Scott Gryder for a retrospective of the year that was...and wasn't.

ABOUT PRIDE FILMS AND PLAYS

Pride Films and Plays creates diverse new work (or work that is new to Chicago) with LGBTQ+ characters or themes that is essential viewing for all audiences. We accomplish this mission through fully-staged productions, writing contests and staged readings, and filming one short film each season.

PFP is the primary tenant in the Pride Arts Center (PAC), which connects and promotes other artists who share our values, creating a safe environment for all. PAC books one-night events or limited runs, cabaret, film, dance, comedy, and other events. PAC opened in 2016 and consists of two performance spaces: The Buena at 4147 N. Broadway which has 50 seats and The Broadway at 4139 N. Broadway which has 85 seats.

Pride Films and Plays is supported by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at The Richard Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago's City Arts Fund, the Elliott Fredland Charitable Trust, Proud to Run, the AmazonSmile Foundation, Arts and Business Foundation, Tap Root Foundation and Alphawood Foundation.

PFP is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. Pride Films and Plays is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois and The League of Chicago Theatres.

For more information, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com or call 1.773.857-0222.

ABOUT PRIDE ARTS CENTER

PRIDE ARTS CENTER has become an important part of the arts environment in the Buena Park neighborhood and beyond. In addition to performances by PFP, (www.pridefilmsandplays.com), PAC hosts monthly events including play readings, film screenings, cabaret nights, and variety shows. Guest productions are also included in the PAC schedule. Find a full calendar of everything happening at PAC here. http://pridefilmsandplays.com/calendar/.