A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Southern Baptist Sissies

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  2w, 7m

Del Shores

"Daring. Heroic. No-holds-barred hilarious."-LA Times

"Cathartic, comedic, awe-inspiring."-Daily Variety

"Brash, sensitive and compelling. An evening of engrossing and, at times, hilarious theatre."-The Hollywood Reporter

Southern Baptist Sissies

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 7m

Details

Summary
Follows the journey of four gay boys in the Baptist Church. Storyteller Mark Lee Fuller tries to create a world of love and acceptance in the church and clubs of Dallas, Texas, while desperately trying to find a place to put his own pain and rage. The world Mark creates also includes two older barflies, Peanut and Odette, whose banter takes the audience from hysterical laughter to tragedy and tears. With a theme of religion clashing with sexuality, the play opened to rave reviews in Los Angeles during its original run in 2000 and became the most awarded play of the year, winning the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding LA Theater Production, as well as multiple LA Weekly Theater Awards, Los Angeles Critics Awards, Ovation Awards, Backstage West Garland Awards and Robby Awards.
MARK LEE FULLER-20's, the sissy who thinks too much and dreams of a perfect world.

TJ. BROOKS-20's, the masculine sissy, who believes and clings tightly to God's Holy Word.

ANDREW THOMAS FORD-20's, the conflicted sissy who can't pray away the feelings.

BENNY/IONA TRAYLOR-20's, the effeminate sissy who has escaped in a world of drag.

MOTHERS-Mark's is sweet and saccharine; Benny's is beyond trailer trash; Andrew's is older, worried and kind. All three mothers are played by the same actress. PREACHER-40-60. He preaches what he believes-hell, fire and brimstone.

RESTON "PEANUT" LEROY-the 55-year-old tragically funny alcoholic queen.

BROTHER CHAFFEY/HOUSTON-Brother Chaffey is the latent church pianist, Houston the gay bar pianist. Both are the same actor/musician.

ODETTE ANNETTE BARNET-40's-50's, a loudmouth bar fly who has a sad secret. STRIPPER-The club go-go boy who has a ripped, beautiful body. (Author's suggestion is to double cast with the actor who plays T.1.)

(NOTE: The "sissies" playfrom age six to late 20s, except Andrew who plays from six to early 20s. They should be cast in their 20s.)

Media

"Daring. Heroic. No-holds-barred hilarious."- LA Times

"Cathartic, comedic, awe-inspiring."- Daily Variety

"Brash, sensitive and compelling. An evening of engrossing and, at times, hilarious theatre."- The Hollywood Reporter

"Distinctive and arresting. A funny and yet strangely moving treatment of goodhearted, wacky Texans suffering through an intolerant world."- Chicago Tribune

"Wrenching as it is hilarious."- Dallas Morning News

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Del Shores

Del Shores

Del Shores is the writer/director/producer of the films Sordid Lives, Blues for Willadean, Southern Baptist Sissies and A Very Sordid Wedding. He wrote and executive produced the MGM feature Daddy's Dyin'...Who's Got The Will? His plays Cheatin’, Daddy’s Dyin’ (Who’s Got The ...

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