Linda S. Nelson directs the play that is inspired by the true-life story of Henry Stuart Matis, a young gay Mormon who committed suicide in 2000. Missa Solemnis or The Play About Henry will officially open Nov. 1 and run through Nov. 22 at the TBG Theatre.
According to production notes, "This provocative drama is based on the actual events of his life in which he faced a tragic, false dilemma: either one is gay or one is Christian. Since he believed he was Christian, he thought he could not be gay. Trapped between his same-sex attraction and the power of his LDS faith, Henry made the ultimate sacrifice, removing the chains of his mortality."
Matthew Huffman will play Henry Stuart Matis in a company that also features Jai Catalano (Todd Elliot), Bill Fairbairn (Fred Matis), Warren Katz (Bishop Bob Rhodes) and Gail Winar (Marilyn Matis).
Designing Missa Solemnis are Marisa Merrigan (set design), Graham T. Posner (lighting design), David B. Thompson (costume design) and Justin Utley (sound design).
Missa Solemnis received a reading last year in New York at Ars Nova and made its Salt Laky City debut in June of 2008. Feeser is also at work on the forthcoming book "Latter Gay Saints – the Mormon Church and God’s Second Class Saints," based on his experience with writing Missa Solemnis or The Play About Henry. Tickets, priced $18, are available by phoning (212) 868-4444, or by visiting SmartTix.com.
The TBG Theatre is located at 312 W. 36th Street.
For more information visit ThePlayAboutHenry.