ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — The Twin City Players (TCP) will present two second stage productions next month, “My Big Gay Italian Funeral” by Anthony Wilkinson and “8” by Dustin Lance Black. Both shows will be directed by August Garritano.

 

“My Big Gay Italian” Funeral by

Anthony Wilkinson

“My Big Gay Italian Funeral” picks where “My Big Gay Italian Wedding” leaves off, at the funeral of Anthony’s father Joe. Anthony is reunited with his gay brother Peter Pinnunziato, who he hasn’t spoken to in over a decade. Family drama and crazy characters unite when everything that can possibly happen at an Italian wake certainly will.

The cast of “My Big Gay Italian Funeral” includes Josh Blair-Boger as Anthony, Ricky Wallsten as Maurizio, Vaughan Christopher Radde as Peter, Susan Salas as Angela, Linnea Martinez as Maria, Bruno Streck Rodrigues as Dominick, Meggie Anderson as Ondine, Lisa Garritano as Toniann, Carlee Marie Stoker as Lucia, Kathleen Driscoll as Connie, Coreana Frampton as Eva/Aunt Donna/Fanny, Joel Smiedendorf as Lou Donatacci/Ezio, Alexander Scott Novitzke as Rabbi Horowitz/Diamondelle and Kendall Rogers as Pontessa/Vidal.

Performance dates are Aug. 13-10 and Aug. 20-23 Performance times are 8 p.m. for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances. Sunday performances will now begin at 2 p.m. All performances take place at the Twin City Players Studio located at 600 West Glenlord Road in St. Joseph.

 

“8” by Dustin Lance Black

Uncover the truth about marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. “8” — a new play by Academy-award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black—demystifies the debate around marriage equality by chronicling the landmark trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Hollingsworth v. Perry).

Learn about the historical context of marriage from expert testimony. See the human cost of discrimination. Uncover the arguments used to justify bans on marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Using the actual court transcripts from the landmark federal trial of California’s Prop. “8” and first-hand interviews, “8” shows both sides of the debate in a moving 90-minute play.

The cast of “8” includes Bill Klein as Judge Walker, Sebastian Martinez as Spencer Perry, Leo Carmody as Elliott Perry, Linnea Martinez as a Broadcast Journalist, Coreana Frampton as a Broadcast Journalist, Kendall Rogers as Courtroom Clerk, John Taylor as Mr. Olsen, John Martin as Mr. Boies, Kathleen Driscoll as Mr. (Mrs.) Cooper, Joel Smiedendorf as Jef Zarillo, August Garritano as Paul Katami, Meagan Francis as Kris Perry, Lisa Garritano as Sandy Stier, Alexander Novitzke as Mr. Blankenthorn, Julia Farrell as Maggie Gallagher, Danny Ferenczi as Evan Wolfson, Vaughan Radde as Ryan Kendall, Carlee Stoker as Dr. Nancy Cott, Josh Boger as Dr. Gregory Herrek, Bruno Streck Rodrigues as Dr. Iian Meyer, John Taylor as Dr. Gary Segura and Ricky Wallsten as William Tam.

There will only be one stage-reading performance of this production on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Twin City Players Playhouse located at 600 West Glenlord Road in St. Joseph, in partnership with the OutCenter’s Lake Effect Pride Event weekend. “8” is produced with license from the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact.

Assisting Garritano with both productions are assistant director Josh Blair-Boger, stage manager Daniel Shawn Breen, set designer/Builder John Taylor, costumers Sarah Nadolski and Bard Klein and lighting designer Matt Dolphy Clark.