Pandora Productions Stage ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS A FAGGOT World Premiere, Now thru 3/24

From Pandora's 2013 New Play Project Winner Bixby Elliott comes the serio-comedy Abraham Lincoln Was a Faggot, a smart and wry take on an imaginative teenager and a big-time "what if" regarding a revered national icon. Presented onstage last spring along with the other finalists, this winning entry - which garnered sold out, standing room only crowds - was selected by Pandora's audience for inclusion in the current season's lineup.

Abraham Lincoln Was a Faggot is the story of creatively curious 17-year-old Cal, struggling to find his place in the world, and the essay he writes about his favorite President and hero, Abraham Lincoln. Sizing up his own situation while composing the story, he wonders what it would be like if the 16th President was gay. Upon submission and a lot of controversy, his essay is chosen to be read aloud by him at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, a journey fraught with trials and tribulations that include bullying, family dissonance, and ultimately redemption.

"A provocative title yes, yet the story is extremely compelling and very timely for today's theatre audience," states Pandora's Producing Artistic Director Michael J. Drury. "While the title has shock value it is an astonishingly fresh and uniquely written story with a style unlike any we've seen. Plus, its content taps into our DNA as a theatre company known for quality productions that are bold and informative, which this is...and then some. The company hopes to begin a new conversation about derogatory language and who really has the power to hurt us with words."

Presented tonight, March 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 @ 7:30 p.m.; March 17 & 24 @ 5:30 p.m.; & March 23 @ 2:00 p.m. at The Henry Clay Theatre, 604 South Third Street, 3rd Floor, Downtown Louisville. Tickets are now available for $18 online at www.PandoraProds.org or by phone at 502.216.5502.

This evening, March 14, Pandora Productions will host a "Meet the Playwright" opening night reception with special guest Bixby Elliot, immediately following the performance, at The FAF Gallery on the first floor of The Henry Clay Building (entrance at 602 So. 3rd Street). Mr. Elliot will also be the featured guest during an upcoming mid-March Pandora Productions 'Playwright Talk Back Forum' hosted by Michael Drury (date/time/location to be announced).

About the Playwright: New York City-based Bixby Elliot is an award winning playwright whose works includes the stage productions Blueprint, Girl You Know It's True (inspired by the rise and fall of pop/rock duo Milli Vanilli), Hotel Oracle and I Am Not Peter Pan. Elliot is currently working on two original television projects and a new play titled Birds Do It.

Pandora Productions was founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1995 and represents the transformational power of theatre. Its mission is to entertain, engage and inspire its audiences, the community, and the greater human communities by presenting bold, cutting-edge theatrical productions that reveal The Commonality of all people while investigating the diversity of human nature, particularly the nature of sexual orientation, through artistic expression. Pandora Productions is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization that benefits largely from the generosity of the community. Donations are encouraged and welcomed, in any amount. Visit http://PandoraProds.org for more information.

Michael J. Drury, Pandora Productions Producing Artistic Director,has worked as a professional actor for 30+ years throughout the Midwest and is no stranger to Louisville area audiences having appeared with Stage One: Louisville's Children's Theatre, Derby Dinner Playhouse, Music Theatre Louisville, CenterStage at JCC and the Stephen Foster Drama Association, with whom he also toured Japan and was chosen to remake the official cast recording. He has directed numerous productions at Derby Dinner, Louisville Repertory Company, Clarksville Little Theatre and the Shelby County Community Theatre, in addition to adjudicating at theatre festivals including The Kentucky Theatre Association and The Southeastern Theatre Conference.

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