Trish Crist's 41 opens at Darkhorse for 7/23-8/7 run

Rhubarb Theater Company presents 41, Trish Crist's comedy/drama opens at the Darkhorse Theater, Friday, July 23, continuing through August 7. According to the playwright, who does double duty as director, 41 is inspired by this summer's 41st anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

"The Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village, New York City, are widely considered to be the "Rosa Parks on the bus moment' for the gay and lesbian community," Crist says. "And are the point in history commemorated each June in celebrations throughout the world known as 'Pride Week.'"
"For theater-goers who may be uncomfortable about same-sex relationships, this show is for you," Crist contends." It is about friendship, family, and the perceptions of all parties involved. If you like history, or you know nothing of it, this show is for you. For the GLBT community who would like their past, present, and future stories portrayed with drama, comedy, reality, and tolerance, this show is for you."

In 41, audiences will learn about the life of the central character Demetrius "Dee" Bradbury, played by Nashville stage veteran Dan McGeachy, through an evening of games, drinking and conversation with his sister Lolly, played by Lisa Marie Wright. Lolly unravels mysteries about her brother's Big Apple experiences in the '60s and '70s, where he moved to live openly as a wide-eyed teenager on the evening of his high school graduation in Tennessee.

This period in Dee's life is further illuminated through the party atmosphere of a Magical Mystery Tour in Act Two, with the addition of actors Chris Basso, Wilhelm Peters and Billy Rosenberg. The topic at hand is what your life is today versus how you imagined it would turn out 41 years earlier: "a subject that strikes to the heart of gays and straights alike," Crist maintains.

The playwright/director explains that 41 contains no sexual content, but some adult language can be expected.

All tickets are $12. For reservations and/or information, call (615) 397-7820 or email rhubarbnashville@gmail.com.

Performances are at Nashville's Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, July 23-August 7. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on July 25 and August 1 at 2:30 p.m. No performances are held on Monday or Tuesday nights.

Rhubarb Theater Company was created by Julie Alexander in 2003. With Alexander's departure from Nashville, new owner and artistic director Crist maintains Rhubarb's focus on tolerance and diversity. Past productions include Birds in Church, The Normal Heart, My Secret Weapon, Blue Window, Last Chance Texaco/First & Second Timothy, What, The Nashville Monologues and Potty Talk.

Chris Basso in Rhubarb Theater Company's 41

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