In the mid 1990s in the New South, a local theatre company is preparing to open a play called Rapture in America. It’s a gay fantasia that has seven seconds of male nudity. Many members of the community protest and try to shut it down with the help of the mayor’s office. 

Eric Coble has written a hilarious satire based on the real events that took place in 1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina about the opening of Angels in America (See our review of the Chicago production last year here). It expertly explores the backstage of both the theatre and local politics. 

Teddy Boone (Incognito) is hilarious as the Mayor, who doesn’t want any controversy in his city while it is preparing to apply to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. Shannon Leigh Webber (Incognito) is excellent as the artistic director juggling many issues from her cast and the public. Michael Stejskal is so funny as the producer who loves the attention the company is getting over the controversy. Mary Anne Bowman is superb in her many roles including being a leader of the theatre’s board. Jenny Hoppes is splendid as the woman at the city council meeting complaining about this play. Jordan Gleaves is stellar as the theatre critic who thrives in this situation. Andrew Bosworth is great as the reverend who rallies against the theatre.     

Check out the program here. 

Get tickets now for Southern Rapture through June 28th! 

Cost of a ticket: $30

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional 

Rating Scale: Exceptional > Good Value > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney