Know Theatre of Cincinnati presents Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party

Know Theatre has announced the holiday production of the 2011-2012 Season, Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party by Aaron Loeb. The production is directed by Eric Vosmeier, Know Theatre's Producing Artistic Director, with scenic and lighting design by Andrew Hungerford, costume design by Noelle Wedig, and sound design by Doug Borntrager. The production will show November 26 -December 23, 2011.

Ms. Harmony Green's fourth-grade class presents a new take on their traditional Christmas pageant in a rural Illinois town. The production sets off a firestorm of controversy when it calls into question Honest Abe's sexual orientation - based on historical facts. This thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud funny, and uniquely American story unfolds, offering surprises at every turn. Each of the three acts lets the audience see the story from a different character's viewpoint. Oh, and of course, plenty of big gay dancing.

"I'm thrilled to bring together a very talented group of actors, most of which have never performed together or at Know Theatre," says Vosmeier. "The play is a totally different way of telling a complex story, while creating a thoroughly hilarious and poignant script."

The production features a cast of seven actors who all play multiple characters, and all of them play the role of Abraham Lincoln periodically through the play. Robert Pavlovich, last seen at Know Theatre in Eurydice and Adding Machine: A Musical, will play District Attorney Tom Hauser, who is running for Governor of Illinois.

Visiting from New York City, Torie Wiggins returns to Cincinnati to play the roles of Regina Lincoln, an Illinois State Senator also running for Governor of Illinois, and Esmerelda Diaz, a photographer for The New York Times. Torie was last seen in Cincinnati performing her one-woman show Your Negro Tour Guide at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival in 2009 and at Ensemble Theatre in 2010. New to Know Theatre's stage is Randy Bailey, who was recently seen at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival in Peyote Business Lunch, Tantric Acting at the Holiday Inn, and The Success Show. Randy plays Lloyd, a political operative from Washington assisting Tom Hauser in the case. Also new to Know Theatre, Jason Podplesky who recently returned to Cincinnati after working in New York City, plays Anton, a New York Times reporting visiting Menard County to cover the trail.
Elizabeth Harris, who performed with Know Theatre in Another American, Matt and Ben, and The Eight Reindeer Monologues, will be playing Ms. Harmony Green, the teacher on trial for the four year olds controversial performances. Annie Kalahurka, recently seen at Know Theatre in Sideways Stories from Wayside School and The Dragon, will play Tina, Regina Lincoln's legislative aide. Last but not least, a new addition to Know Theatre's staff as Associate Company Member, is Kellen York, is a recent graduate of the College Conservatory of Music. Kellen has appeared at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival in Anna & The Slut and the (almost) chosen one, Guns and Chickens, and Medea. Kellen will be playing Jerry, the son of Tom Hauser and operator of the town pie shop.

This show was originally commissioned by PlayGround and received its world premiere at the SF Playhouse in 2009 and won "Best New Play" from the Bay Area Critics Circle. It continued with a run at the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival where it was awarded their "Outstanding Play" award, and in the summer of 2010, the production enjoyed a short Off-Broadway run.
Know Theatre has partnered with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Cincinnati for our Pay-What-You-Can preview performance on Friday November 25 at 8pm. Half of all proceeds will support vision of a future in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Seating is first come first served and tickets will be available beginning at 7pm.

This season, tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the week of the performance (beginning Mondays at noon). Season subscription five-show flexible passes are available for $75 and guarantees the advance ticket price all season long. Tickets can be purchased by visiting knowtheatre.com or by calling the box office at 513.300.KNOW (5669)

Cast
Randy Bailey
Elizabeth Harris
Annie Kalahurka
Robert Pavlovich*
Jason Podplesky*
Torie Wiggins
Kellen York
*Member of Actors Equity Association
Full bios for the cast can be found at knowtheatre.com
Production Team
Director - Eric Vosmeier
Choreography - Diane Lala
Scenic & Lighting Design - Andrew Hungerford
Costume Design - Noelle Wedig
Sound Design - Doug Borntrager
Production Dates
8pm: Nov 26, Dec 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23
3pm: Dec 11 & 17

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