AT THE FLASH Wins Pride Films & Plays' Great Gay Play and Musical Contest

After a weekend of large houses and enthusiastic crowds viewing enhanced stage readings of four new plays and one new musical, At The Flash by Sean Chandler and David Leeper was named the winner of the 2012 Great Gay Play and Musical Contest.

"We could not have been more pleased with the weekend," said Pride Films and Plays' Executive Director David Zak. "We had great discussions with playwrights, casts and directors, and audience members after every performance, and we know these plays are ready for production at theaters everywhere."

For the 2012 Gay Play Weekend, hosted by Center on Halsted, PFP invited the playwrights of the five finalists to be in Chicago for up to 10 hours of rehearsal prior to the readings. It made for an intense weekend of rewrites and changes, but each piece emergEd Stronger. And the enhanced stage reading style utilizes a bit of blocking, a hint of costumes and wigs if needed, and, in the case of the musical Under A Rainbow Flag, some dazzling choreography for the group of gay soldiers.

The work of writers from across the globe was featured in Gay Play Weekend. Dylan Costello came from London to work on Hello Norma Jeane, an intriguing new work about Marilyn Monroe, directed by John Nasca. Boston native George Smart was represented by Mr. Teddy, a startling and funny piece about a gay threesome, directed by Derek Bertelsen. Adam Siegel came from Maplewood, NJ to work on his drama Lost in History, directed by Andrew Souders. Leo Schwartz, the composer, lyricist, and librettist of Under A Rainbow Flag, is from Chicago. That work was directed by David Zak, with musical direction by Robert Ollis, and choreography by Steve Love.

At the conclusion of the weekend, At the Flash by Sean Chandler and David Leeper emerged as the winner based on scores submitted by judges from around the country and the response of the PFP team. At the Flash is a brilliant one-man show that condenses LGBT history into the story of five characters who are at home in a gay bar called The Flash. Working on a bare stage, without benefit of costumes or props, one actor creates these characters who include a closeted man in the 1960s, a black drag queen in the 1970s, a club kid in the 1980s, a budding lesbian activist in the 1990s and a family man entrepreneur in the 2000s. PFP ensemble member Lee Wichman got great response for his performance, directed by David Zak, with movement by Jay Andrew Españo.

At the conclusion of the weekend, authors Sean Chandler and David Leeper from Woodland Hills, California said, "We were very honored and thrilled to have been part of the Great Gay Play and Musical Contest. It was wonderful to meet all the writers, performers, crew and the PFP ensemble members, and we feel very fortunate to have been invited to take part in such an amazing and inspiring event."

Pride Films and Plays is dedicated to developing fresh LGBT work for the stage and screen. Entries for our third Great Gay Screenplay Contest will be accepted from May 1 to June 30, and the finalists will have a weekend of staged readings October 19 to 21 at Center on Halsted. Entries are closed for our Women's Work contest for plays and screenplays written by women with lesbian characters, and those finalists will be seen during Women's Work Weekend July 27 to 29 at Center on Halsted.

PFP also presents new work to Chicago audiences, and revivals of work relevant to our community, including the upcoming production of Cal Yeomans' long-lost drama Richmond Jim, which is part of National Pastime Theater's Naked July Festival in Chicago this summer.

For more information regarding Pride Films and Plays, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Pride Films and Plays, based in Chicago, links an international network of writers with professionals working in film and theater. PFP fosters excellent writing for the stage and screen that speaks not only to the LGBT community, but is essential viewing for our friends, family, and co-workers. Using stories with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters or themes, Pride Films and Plays develops human stories that become a cultural bridge to understanding. Through readings, contests, classes, screenings, and full Theater Productions, PFP engages artists and audiences in the full developmental process needed to make great artistic experiences.

Pride Films and Plays is located at 3023 N. Clark 327, Chicago, Ill.

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