Only 4 More Chances to Witness A LOVE LIKE DAMIEN'S ! ! !

11/16, 11/17, 11/18 & 11/19

Buy Tickets Today!

Returning November 9th ! !

Tell your friends, family, church people, and co-workers A Love Like Damien's, the show The New York Blade has called "a high-spirited pay off," is moving to SoHo in November!

Coming off a successful run with sold out shows at WOW Cafe Theatre and some positive press, A Love Like Damien's run has been extended and in turn has a new home:

HERE Arts Center, 145 Sixth Avenue (at Spring Street) in SOHO.

The upcoming three-week run opens Thursday, November 9th @ 6:45pm. To purchase tickets (and yeah you'll want to purchase tickets early cause we anticipate more sold out shows!) call the box office now at 212-352-3101 or buy tix online!

Thanks to WOW Cafe Theatre for the jump off, let's keep it on fi-yah at HERE!

"Ms. Sophie's Work ain't cheap!"

A Love Like Damien's, a spirited play about a young black gay man who battles his church's homophobia with the help of Ms. Sophie Divine, seeks investors.

If you would like to invest and/or put an ad in our program , please contact Andre Lancaster, Co-Producer and Director at damienslove@gmail.com.

Much <3

SPOTLIGHT | Nkosi Brown | Actor

When you first saw the announcement for the show, what caught your eye?
I thought, wow, Andre Lancaster is really on his grind….perhaps not in those exact words. “Rise Up, People, Rise Up!”

How has homophobia in the black church impacted your or life of folks around you?
I think homophobia in the black church—which, in a way, is synonymous to black culture—serves as a camouflage on a number of levels. For one, it asks that we deny the complexity and richness of gender performance/roles, sexual desire, and moreover individual identity. In turn, many of us accept flat and rote exchanges because we often are uncomfortable with anything more. We witness this when a mother does not acknowledge the romantic interests of her lesbian daughter or when an effeminate male performs “masculinity” to be more desirable to the masses. And two, it conflates a number a social issues including the HIV/AIDS epidemic and treating the sexual predators of minors

How can performing this story create change?
I think this moving story can do a number of things. It can inspire one to confront homophobia in one’s family or it can inspire another to write on issues that may not have been addressed in the play—whatever the case, anyone can walk away from this play with an impetus toward something.

Nkosi Brown is a comic, writer and entertainer. While earning his B.A. from Cornell University, he busied himself outside of the classroom with several stage performances including an adapted play, Colored Girls/Colored Boys. Nkosi became an instant favorite as a segment host on Campus Insights—a weekly television show that he also co-produced. In addition to his stage and screen credits, he was widely received as a campus moderator—interviewing many, including members of MTV shows: The Real World and Road Rules. In December 2005, Nkosi officially embarked on his journey as a comedian. He has showcased his stand up at several venues around New York City, including the New York Comedy Club. He has guest performed for fundraisers, hosted numerous talent shows and open mics.

Currently, Nkosi is collaborating with seasoned artists to write his one man show.

SPOTLIGHT | Allen O'Neal | Actor

Allen O’Neal has gone far beyond the realm of breaking the stereo types that are naturally given to a “Model”. Beginning his career as a successful model, now an actor, fashion entrepreneur, producer and an overachiever has allowed him to begin to leave his mark on the fashion, theatrical, television and film industry. Having been educated at “The American Musical and Dramatic Academy,” has enabled him to buff his talents to near perfection. Working with modeling and talent agencies from coast to coast such as Images Model Management, Model Management Group, and Buchwald Talent Group he has seen his dream of being a professional working entertainer become a reality. When seen on stage in "Legend of Sleepy Hallow," on the big screen in Columbia Pictures “Hitch," and in the new Independent Series Christopher Street its obvious that he has what it takes to succeed as a performer. A high fashion model he is but his look being so diverse allowed him to slide over to the commercial side of the business appearing as the black Rick Flair in a World Wrestling Entertainment Commercial, and acting in a few commercials for TV Land and Comedy Central. With these opportunities we can only expect for him to remain on top of the fast pace industry.

The New York Blade: "A High-Spirited Payoff!"

Tarik Daniels and Denise Collins (Photo Credit Donald Andrew Agarrat)

"This inventive drama follows a young black gay man named Damien, forcefully played by Tarik Daniels. Damien is rejected by his church, spirals out of control and drinks himself to the brink of death. At just that moment two spirits bring him into the presence of the godlike Ms. Sophie Divine (played with grit and real "spirit" by Denise Collins.) We are then thrown into a flashback showing the hell that Damien has gone through since he brought a boyfriend of his to a Valentine’s Day blessing ceremony.

It’s pretty potent stuff, which Playwright Andrea Davis mostly handles with the skill of a much more experienced playwright..."

"Director Andre Lancaster adds depth with an adroit mixture of techniques from performance art, hip-hop and traditional theater..."

"E Talley II’s imaginative choreography and dj:ayden’s multi-dimensional sound design display a level of artistry that put many higher profile productions to shame."

-Read the full review in New York Blade.

A Love Like Damien's
Running until October 1st

Every Thur, Fri, Sat Curtain at 8pm
Every Sunday Curtain at 5pm

WOW Cafe Theatre
59 - 61 East 4th Street
Between Bowery & 2nd Avenue

Buy tickets now!

A Love Like Damien's Production Photos

Actors: Jua Amir, Jared DeWese, Denise Collins, Ayanna Williams, and Tarik Daniels (Photo: Donald Andrew Agarrat).

View more A Love Like Damien's Production Photos.

TALK BACK: Sexuality, Faith, and the Black Church (9/20 WED)

Spread the good word! ;)

Sexuality, Faith, and the Black Church
A Love Like Damien's Community Circle and Talk Back

This Wednesday, September 20
7pm - 9pm, FREE
Community Church of New York
28 East 35th Street, 1st Floor

Come bear witness, bring your body and soul to A Love Like Damien's Community Circle and Talk Back. Two Reverends, an activist, playwright, and actor welcome you into a circle called into shape to affirm Black LGBT sexuality, faith, and presence in the Black Christian Community.

Featured Speakers and Performer
Andrea E. Davis, A Love Like Damien's Playwright and Masters of Divinity Student at Union Seminary
Reverend Joseph Tolton of Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church
Reverend Valerie Holly of Unity Fellowship Church of Brooklyn
Kenyon Farrow, author featured in Spirited and former NYSBGN Staff Member
and
Tarik Daniels performs Damien's powerful sermon from A Love Like Damien's

<3 <3 <3 <3

A Love Like Damien's
Written By Andrea E. Davis
Directed By Andre Lancaster

WOW Cafe Theatre
59-61 East 4th Street
Between Bowery and Second Avenue

Running every Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun until Oct 1st

After a young black gay man named Damien loses his way, a chance encounter with God helps 'em get-it-together and find the strength to stand up to his church's homophobia.

more info at http://alovelikedamiens.blogspot.com/
tix sold at http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/124405

VISION | Playwright | Andrea E. Davis

A Love Like Damien’s is a story which has begun my life’s work of attempting to bridge the gap between my theological study and the realities of my community. I can no longer simply ponder the theological implications of the poverty, racism, gender oppression, homophobia, classism, etc. that thrive around me. I must put into practice a Christianity that has moral implications in the political realm – not just in my personal life. Writing this play is my first attempt at doing this. Although Damien’s dilemma is about a personal issue, i.e. his sexual orientation, his church’s inability to confront the issue and accept him reflects a history of American slavery and the exploitation of Black bodies, hypersexual depictions of Black bodies throughout American history, and an adoption of heterosexist and patriarchal norms enforced by the oppressive, dominant culture.

A Love Like Damien’s tells a common story, for whether we know it or not, all of us know someone who loves like Damien. Whether it is that aunt who was never married, or that uncle who always brought a “friend” to the family reunion; whether it be the flamboyant choir director of our grandmother’s church, or us ourselves, it is undeniable that Damien’s story is played out again and again, to different degrees and with different endings, by many in our community. This story also defies myths: There is the myth that says Black people are fundamentally homophobic. Characters such as Clem and Pastor, who wish to usher tolerance into the church (even if they are unclear how) challenge this lie. Also, including scenes in which two Black men are sensuous and affectionate with one another counters the stereotype of the stoic, womanizing, hyper-masculine Black male. My desire in writing this story was to challenge a one-dimensional perspective of Black people, particularly with regards to sexuality; my hope is that we see ourselves in it, and can have compassion for Damien.

I hope that I have been critical, yet appreciative, of Black Christian culture. And I hope that the story is one that anyone who has ever felt rejected by religion can relate to.

Andrea Davis

VISION | Director | Andre Lancaster

What is the Fourth Wall? In theatre the Fourth Wall is the imaginary barrier between fiction and reality, the stage and the spectator. When the Fourth Wall is broken, the spectator witnesses "reality" intermingle with "fiction." Why break it? A common purpose of breaking the Fourth Wall is to confront the spectator with the saliency of the events, circumstances of the play. Examples of Fourth Wall breaks include an actor crossing into the audience section, the house lights being turned on during a performance or an actress self-referencing the spectacle of the theatre performance.

Oftentimes, Breaking the Fourth Wall is considered some radical notion that only "alternative" theatre initiates. That in order to break the Fourth Wall you have to directly and physically confront an audience member (usually of the downtown yuppie breed) with the performance's action. Of course these are all genuine examples, but the Fourth Wall is broken much more frequently and more implicitly in theatre performance. Like when an audience member empathizes with a character or story - the Fourth Wall is broken for the simple reason that fiction has blurred with reality... because the story, the narrative has leapt from the stage's imagine into the real hearts and minds of you, the specatator.

In A Love Like Damien's, breaking the Fourth Wall is not so much of a wake up statement to the downtown yuppie breed as it is a gentle recognition that this play contains themes of pain, struggle, and triumph that you as the spectator may share. Undoubtedly there will be many courageous spectators "in the life" through the three week run of this show. I believe that breaking the Fourth Wall will metaphorically represent an affirmation that you all, the spectators, are journeypeople, witnesses, and in fact *actors* in your own right seeking to liberate spirit within and outside these four walls.

So yes there will be the usual suspects of Fourth Wall breaks in this play. But theatre conventions aside, at one point during the show I'd put some money down (call me cocky if you want to) that you will experience theatre the way it should be. a story, a human story, maybe even your story. its reflection, memory triggered (a re-imagination): your heart, your mind, on stage. inspired.

Free Love.

Andre Lancaster

VISION | Choreographer | E Talley II

"Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name...," "All Praises Due to Allah...," "Blessings
and Honor to The Universe, Our Creator...". Silence.
Limitless God. Limitless Prayer. Prayer in Word,
Prayer in Deed. Indeed. As Prayer permeates the
story of Damien, it manifests through the toils of
those surrounding him - tearing down "weathered
walls," extending a hand to hold while "going
through", lifting up when one has fallen, ushering in
Joy when delivered from Destruction. Liturgical Dance
embraces "ritual of public worship" choreography,
embodying dramatic release of inner conflict,
emotional expression of worship, communal celebration
of resolution. Intimations of ancestral
African/Haitian motions heighten the unspoken journey
of Damiem from self destruction to ultimate salvation.
Receive the Power of Prayer.

E Talley II

VISION | Lighting Design | Shannon Dougherty

Damien's journey is an awakening. He transcends the membranes of this gritty, realistic world to see the face of God and in the process finds himself and his own empowerment. The experience of Damien's sojourn crosses into three distinct realms: the church, the secular and the spiritual; which are created by different experiences in the production and quality of light. These realms coexist, although Damien is the primary character who permeates all three.

The most literal, grounded and realistic realm is the church. Lit by architectural sources to find a nontraditional quality of light, the experience of the church is harsh and shadowless. This is primarily created by the pallid chill of large flourescent fixtures, which will be familiar to everyone who has worked in a cubicle...or been to the DMV.

The secular realm shares a reality with the church, but is heightened. Conventional theatrical instruments layered upon the architectural sources suggest a directional, forceful quality of light. Damien's own experience in this space is more personal and passionate than realistic. Moving away from the church realm, the atmosphere is increasingly dictated by Damien's perception of his surroundings as opposed to the factual reality of the environment.

Damien's transition into the spiritual realm is drawn from his own conception of peace and wisdom. Imagined as though he were experiencing a perfect afternoon on his grandmothers porch, angle and color of light were chosen to evoke the late afternoon sun through thick, southern air. It presses beyond that reality, however. Damien's experience is fractured, and that space is within a black void. The color is more saturated and the light doesn't carry on to the horizon. The luminence follows god and is limited to the patch of this void she inhabits.

The connective tissue for all the realms is dance. It is a thread that connects the various spaces and carries Damien through the piece. Blurring the lines between realms, the light carries qualities of each distinct world. Practical fixtures mirror the lighting of the church, but in a way that echos the angles and intention of the spiritual world.

Shannon Dougherty

SPOTLIGHT | dj:ayden | Sound Designer

dj:ayden long since departing the safety of Howard University has been creating a name for herself in the dj and sound production communities of DC, Philly and New York City. Using a more than credible knowledge of rare grooves, international soul and electronic music genres to craft intelligent and original sound design and productions. Unique electronic Music/Sound, it’s design and production are the foundation for her independent label Milk Bubble Instrumental as well as the Women’s only electronic music collective created in 2005 “B*tches Make Beats (BMB)”. Her credits include, Stay Up Radio, Descendants of Freedom, E train to Queen's, and a Guerilla girls Production. Look out for her upcoming MP3 blog: bitchesmakebeats.com

Re/edits and a New Music can be found on: myspace.com/milkbubbleinstrumental

SPOTLIGHT | E Talley II | Choreographer

Read E Talley II's Vision Statement.

E Talley II earned his Master of Fine Arts degree as a Hilberry Repertory Theatre fellow from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (Flute performance) from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His credits include: Choreography – For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, Shackles, Open My Heart; Musical Theatre – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Rosa’s Ride, The Gospel Show; Dramatic Theatre – History of Women in Love & Power, Love Blues, System Eternal; Music – Harlem Festival Orchestra, Psalm 150; Television/Film – And So Life Goes On, Sopranos, Law & Order. “If I can help somebody…, as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”

SPOTLIGHT | Susaye Lawson | Actress & Dance Captain

When you first saw the annoucement for the show, what caught your eye?
I was struck by the show's current and social relevance, specifically to the black church community. These artistic opportunities don't come that often or easy.

How has homophobia in the black church impacted your or other life of folks around you?
Confusion
Deception
Hurt
Foolish thinking

With these four strongholds lurking about, we all miss out on GOD's LOVE (and its power).

WE ALL NEED GOD'S LOVE, HAVE ACCESS TO IT, AND ARE CAPABLE OF (if we are willing) GIVING IT TO EVERYONE. THERE'S ENOUGH TO GO AROUND FOR EVERYBODY, BABY! THANK GOD! oh but wait! you may have to step out of your comfort zone. darn it!

GOD'S LOVE...OUR CREATOR.


How can performing this story create change?
This story will create change by causing someone to THINK about what it truly means to accept/embrace all people in LOVE for the fortification of US ALL

Susaye Lawson is making her debut performance in New York City in the cast of "A Love Like Damien's." Her theater credits include: Vivian, A Lesson Before Dying; lady in yellow, for colored girls who've considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf; and Kaa/Grey, Jungalbook. She has received performing arts training at Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia, Loyola University New Orleans, and all of the Baptist churches she attended throughout her childhood. She thanks folks and friends back in hometown West Chester, Pennsylvania for their undying love and support. Susaye also thanks the ALLD cast for good work, fun times, and great laughs.

SPOTLIGHT | Sophia Bishop | Actress

When you first saw the announcement for the show, what caught your eye?
The subject matter caught my attention. I was glad to see a show that expressed the concerns, issues and frustrations surrounding the Black community's (and the rest of the world's) intolerance, denial and hatred of their LGBT brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, mothers, fathers, friends, etc.

Sophia has worked mostly in film and theatre. She credits her teacher David Schuman at Weist Barron for refining her acting abilities and the ‘divine being’ for providing her with a source of inspiration and faith in continuing to pursue her acting career.

WHO IS MS. SOPHIE DIVINE?

I AM MS. SOPHIE DIVINE

I am the unconditional love that man cannot conceive.
My love is a mighty iron shield that can withstand the lies, racism, sexism, distortion, hatred, bigotry...My love is pure joy.
And...it is infinite. It is the love of a mother who toils night and day just so her child can have clean clothes and a warm belly full of food, it is a lover's arms wrapped around you in the still of the night, it is a stranger's hand who can not bear suffering and opens his heart to bring you comfort. My love carries no shame. It's for giving giving and giving until I can see there is no one else who lacks.
Yet, I am powerless to make you see my love. I try in everyway to reveal myself to you, but everyday each and everyone of you turn your back on receiving my love. Instead I watch you surround yourselves with useless material possessions, indulge in countless sexual encounters, takin' drugs to make you happy? My heart aches as I ask myself, Why do they seek happiness in a cheap diluted form when my love is so much more potent? But I will not turn my back on you because when I hear the whispered prayers of those that call on me I am reminded that I am not forgotten and then I feel loved.

-As written by Denise Collins (Actress/Ms. Sophie Divine)

WHO IS MS. SOPHIE DIVINE?

Spirit made flesh.
Covered in wrinkled brown skin
thick enough to weather every woe the world can offer up.
Embodiment of the divine – transcendent of time.
Comforting, because Her image is made within you.
You know her as memories of mama and aunties.
And Mema.
Ms. Sophie knows things – more than eternity has forgotten,
(And for this reason, repeats.)
But Wisdom evades
Those who don't believe
She already exists within us.

-As written by Playwright Andrea E. Davis

SPOTLIGHT | Denise Collins | Actress

Denise Collins originates from Brooklyn, NY. She received her theatrical training from the renowned Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute located in New York. She has performed in a variety of colorful roles in Off-Off Broadway theatre productions. Recently she performed in "Black Men Cry Too" a drama set in the deep south during the 40's. The whimsical farce 'The Whales," she portrayed Joanna, a post modernist theatre director who must battle a mad playwright and greek gods to maintain her status and domain in the theatre, 'The Decision,' an original play featured in New York's annual Strawberry One-Act Festival, she portrayed the feisty wife Rachel who's hapless husband finally wins the lottery jackpot. She played multiple characters in the highly powerful dramatic presentation of 'The Black Panther Women' at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Her other body of works include, 'The Colored Museum', 'The Duchess of the Dakota', 'His,Hers & Ours', 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill', and 'Crossing Rockaway Parkway', and 'Triumph of Eros.' She holds a Bachelors of Fine arts Degree from Parsons School of Design of New York. She dedicates all her performances to the loving memory of her mother, Dorothy.

SPOTLIGHT | Jua Amir | Actor

When you first saw the annoucement for the show, what caught your eye?
what first caught my eye was the subject matter of the play. It has been some time since I had seen the words "gay", "black", and "church" in the same description. That made me pay attention, and when I understood the story, it was even more powerful to me, as I believe that every person has a moment when they are face to face with GOD, they either leave that encounter enlightened and start on the path to raising their vibration, or they allow their old programming to interpret the encounter, and return to a stuck way of thinking, sometimes more dangerous than they how they thought before.

How has homophobia in the black church impacted your or other life of folks around you?
I look at the black community in this country and sometimes just shake my head and sigh when I think about all of the people who are impacted by the "homophobia" of the church. The thing is that you really can't even call it homophobia..they are not frightened of homosexuals...they are accepted as long as the choir is singing well, or the spirit is moving when they are preaching...but let someone dare to talk about his or her personal life...or let their be a scandal in which someone is caught in the act...all hell breaks loose. Those homosexuals who want to have a relationship with GOD and share a church community often have to make sacrifices to their happiness, and sometimes even live a lie so that the conscious' of those around them is coddled. Gay men court and marry straight women, all the time engaging in homosexual activity, gay women forced to accept the affections of a man and give up the sexual satisfaction they long for because of what people think.

How can performing this story create change?
Thoughts contain the power necessary to manifest a hearts desire into this physical reality. Words are the manifestations of thoughts, and actions are these manifestations put into use...it is the energy already moving, interacting and changing the world around it. A play is an amazing tool for raising energetic vibration because its is an ideal, in this case, a highest ideal, made into reality. Those who take part in this adventure will find themselves more comfortable in their realities simply by sharing the energy associated with this project. We will leave every rehearsal, meeting and performance just a little more assured that a life lived with GOD is a life lived in LOVE. The more we are able to access this feeling, bring it back to our churches and communities and spread it, not even in a preachy manner, just simply meditating on how GOD's love channels through us and our life situation (whatever that may be), we will projecting this love straight back to the source....when you project love onto GOD, he sends it all right back to you. We cannot contain all of GOD's love, force ably it will spill out onto others, in fact everyone who takes part in this story, everyone who comes to see it, and all of those around them. Love and Light is all there is!

Jua Amir was born on The Holy Cross of the United States Fair Maidens. Bounced around like a pinball, when the time came to make some conscious decisions, he ended up in NYC. Experimental theatre, crazy dayz of Love, War and poverty led him to move to Israel, Paris, back to NYC, back to Paris and back to NYC. Jua just finished singing with LD Section II, is working an album of his original songs, and toying with the idea of signing a year or two of his creativity to Disney....if light and love is all there is, and all there is is love and light...what makes you think that GOD wants fear? And who said life is supposed to be a fight?

SPOTLIGHT | Trisha Henson | Stage Manager

How can performing this story create change?
I think just creating a space where these issues can be brought up and talked about will begin to make change. Sweeping things under the rug never helped anything, and this is a story about standing up and challenging hatred and intolerance. Putting this story and others like it out into the world is the first step.

How has homophobia in the black church impacted your or other life of folks around you?
A friend of mine tells me the story of when he first came up against homophobia in the black church. It was just as shocking to him as it is to the main character in this play. He felt betrayed by the people who were teaching him to love his neighbor, and he felt like religion had lost its place in his life. It messed him up for a long time.

When you first saw the announcement for the show, what caught your eye?
I was looking for work and this show just seemed to be one that would embrace me as a human being and not 'that girl who sleeps with girls.' I've been there before, and I don't like it. It's hard to go to work and do your job well when you're always looking over your shoulder or watching what you say. I wanted to work in an environment of acceptance and I knew from the announcement that this would be just that.

Trisha Henson has been working in stage managment since graduating from Southern Methodist University in 2004. She worked with the Undermain Theater in Dallas on Sarah Kane's Blasted and Fred Curchack's Golden Buddha Beach. She also worked on Undermain's New York production of Jeffery Jones' A Man's Best Friend. Her acting credits include "Rooster" in Waking Up(Spring Theater), "Babe" in the film version of Adam Rapp's Blackbird, and "Gina" in Empty City.

SPOTLIGHT | Ayanna Williams | Actress

When you first saw the annoucement for the show, what
caught your eye?

First, art is the most powerfull tool that impacts social change. So when I saw the announcment, for a Black play and Black playwright, it automatically caught my eye, because the subject matter is a ongoing conversation that our community needs to have
regarding Homosexuality and the church. In addition, I am always looking for experiences that can empower me and help me develop my artistry, subject matter that exists within my community allows me to find a deeper connection to the story and subject matter.

Ayanna, a native Washingtonian, began performing at age 9 in a school assembly, singing an adapted version of the song Imagine by the Beatles. She always had a passion and love for performing and went on to sing throughout middle school in various choirs, discovered musical theatre in high school, and continued to train extensively in theatre, dance, and music in college. Some favorite credits include productions of, “Into the Woods”, “For Colored Girls…..”, “Madame Scrooge”, and of coarse her New York City debut “ A Love Like Damien’s”. Ms. Williams looks forward to continue to develop her skills in music, theatre, and dance and to new opportunities to come. She would like to thank all of her family and friends that continue to give her constant love and support. She would also like to thank director Andre Lancaster for this opportunity and the cast and crew for doing an excellent job!

PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE
Today, New York, NY - A Love Like Damien's, a timely new play and a response to the national trend of prominent black leaders using the pulpit to promote spiritual violence, will will open at the WOW Cafe Theatre in the East Village (59 East 4th St., Between 2nd Av & Bowery) . Written by Andrea E. Davis and under the direction of Andre Lancaster, this performance with a vibrant cast is set to go up on Sept 14th and run until Oct 1st, 2006.

"Damien’s story is one that occurs again and again in almost every Black, Christian community, in some form. My hope is that placing the problem before the eyes of the community will make it even less ignorable, and will encourage the continuation of a conversation that has already become so crucial to the survival of a sense of unity within Black Christianity,” says the show's writer Andrea Davis.

A Love Like Damien's is a story about a young black gay man who loses his way. After a chance encounter with God he get's -it-together and finds the strength to stand up to his church's homophobia.

"When you have so-called leaders of the Black Christian Community like Bernice King and Rev. Willie Wilson promoting a right-wing - or is it white wing? - homophobic and sexist agenda, it's imperative that believers and artists alike respond with ferocity and conviction," says Director Andre Lancaster. "This is what Andrea E. Davis has done with A Love Like Damien's. Whether you grew up in the church or not, whether you're in the church or you left the church out of protest, you'll identify with these characters."

New Play about Black Church and Homophobia Opens Sept 14!

Hello!

It is my pleasure to annouce the launch of A Love Like Damien's website! This is an amazing show with a cast of 12 performers strong and about a half dozen passionate theatre artists who are all artistically committed to staging Andrea E. Davis's new dramatic work.

The show is set to go up at WOW Cafe Theatre on September 14th and run until October 1st, 2006. Click here to view the press release!

On this site we will feature interviews with the cast and crew in the SPOTLIGHT features, super fab production fliers created by Crystal Worrell, a link to purchase tickets online, excerpts from the play (1, 2), and other cool stuff. ;) Oh and sometimes Ms. Sophie Divine will even grace us with her presence! Wow. It's that deep y'all.

Go 'head and RSS the site, pass it to your family and friends. A play about a young black man struggling to battle homophobia in his church doesn't come around too often, so support us! And we promise that our artwork will support, enlighten you.

Light,

Andre Lancaster
Director, A Love Like Damien's