LATEST UPDATES:

• A staged reading of the play was held Nov. 15, 2002 at University of Toronto's Scarborough Campus. The version performed at the staged reading was stripped of the original music (I originally built the script around the songs, but I'm happy with the way the script turned out.)  So, the songs will just be kept for the "Searching For Adonis" music CD, which a separate project in contiuning to work on.  Find out more about the CD by clicking here.

Here's some info about the staged reading:

From left to right: (back row) Erlend Sobec, Marsha Reid, Alex Oprea, Sancha Mahalingam, Sam Kooshesh, Chantal; (front row, sitting) Garth Jensen, Ankur Malhotra

NOV. 15, 2002 "STAGED READING" CAST:

ERIC - Garth Jensen
BILLY - Ankur Malhotra
KAREN - Marsha Reid
CHARLIE (ADONIS) - Sam Kooshesh
MARCO - Alex Oprea
MELISSA - Sancha Mahalingam
PROFESSOR - Erlend Sobec
SAM - Erlend Sobec

NARRATOR:  Chantal
FRONT OF HOUSE: Michelle Righetti
TECH & ASSISTANCE:  Julie McNickle-Witt

During a break before the reading, cast members Sam Kooshesh, Alex Oprea, and  Erlend Sobec start an improvised soccer match in the theatre.

THE CONCEPT:

I blatently chased a guy around at University, nicknaming him "Adonis" because he stood out to me.  For a long time, I didn't even know his actual name.  The experience was important, since chasing the "Adonis" inspired me to challenge my own ideas about cultures, stereotypes, and images.  The "chase" also showed me how anyone, straight or gay, can be unfairly judged and stereotyped.  The project was originally just going to be a CD of music, but I kept thinking of it as a Broadway-styled musical.  So I started to work on a theatrical version in September, and five songs for it are already recorded.  (Plus, I finally got to meet the Adonis in person, officially ending my status as a big chicken!)  As it currently stands, I'm probably going to keep the music separate from the play.

THE PLAY:

The core of the play is about a gay student getting comfortable in his own skin and making sense of the stereotypes and cultures of a society that is homophobic.  The play tries to point out the idea that anyone - straight or gay - can be stereotyped unfairly.  The play also focuses on what it's like for a guy to be interested in meeting another guy, respecting each other's space, and the idea of bridging the gay and straight worlds.  (And the importance of University life as preparation for the "real world.")

While this is a "gay play," it also examines social conditioning and the way we look at people.  Sort of asking, "Why do we assume things about others, and why is outer imagery such a defining part of our human existence?"  Without going too deep, this play offers a look at the realities and humour of working through the images people present, and what they mean to various people.

THE CHARACTERS:

ERIC - A wacky, fun, eccentric character (...er, mysteriously enough, he's a lot like the author!)  A drama student who questions society's "norms."

CHARLIE "ADONIS"  - A layered guy, *exotic* looks, business aspirations, smart.

MARCO - A friend of Charlie, smarter than people think, sort of the "lovable homophobe" of the play.

BILLY - Close friend of Eric - one of Eric's first "romantic" interests.  Cool with gay people, but uncomfortable with his own sexuality.

KAREN - The sister of Billy, who supports her brother, but caught in the middle of his messes on occasion.  She's in business, but has artistic side.

MELISSA - Girlfriend of Marco,  and friend of Charlie.  Dislikes Eric (part of the soap opera styled drama!)

PROFESSOR (cameo) - A small role in important opening scene of the play.
 
 

The editorial I wrote, which talks about the process that led me to create this play.  The piece shows a lot of the frustration of dealing with being "different" and how that struggle inspires me!  It also talks about the real-life "Adonis" that inspired my play!
 

Watch this page for updates on the progress of the "Searching For Adonis" project!

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Check out my Music Page for more information about my previous albums and even some pictures from my live performances!  Swing by http://www.mp3.com/garthjensen for some mp3's of my songs!