Sold-Out Veritas, About Harvard Gay Witch-Hunt, Begins Fringe Run Aug. 20

By Andrew Gans
20 Aug 2010

A scene from Veritas
A scene from Veritas
Photo by Carlos Arias

Stan Richardson's Veritas, which is part of the New York International Fringe Festival, begins its sold-out run Aug. 20 at HERE Arts Center Mainstage Theater. 

Directed by Ryan J. Davis, the cast includes Justin Blanchard, Paul Downs Colaizzo, Mitch Dean, Morgan Karr, Doug Kreeger, Eric Nelsen, Matt Steiner, Jesse Swenson, Sam Underwood and Joseph Yeargain.

Inspired by true events, Veritas, according to press notes, is "the story of a group of young men at Harvard in 1920 whose promising futures fell prey to Harvard's 'Secret Court': a gay witch-hunt conducted by school administration to purge Harvard of all homosexuality."

The production features costumes by Matthew Pachtman, lighting by Brian Tovar and music composed by Rachel Peters. Nathan Vernon is the associate producer. The assistant director is Alex Jensen, and Adam J. Thompson is the dramaturg. The stage manager is Corey Phillips.

Playwright Stan Richardson is also the author of The Tale of the Good Whistleblower of Chaillot's Caucasian Mother and Her Other Children of a Lesser Marriage Chalk Circle (with composer Rachel Peters), The Children (with composer Hal Goldberg), wHormone and All the World's Problems.

Performances are scheduled for Aug. 20 at 7 PM, Aug. 22 at 8 PM, Aug. 24 at 4:15 PM, Aug. 27 at 5:15 PM and Aug. 28 at 8 PM.

HERE Arts Center Mainstage Theater is located at 145 6th Avenue (enter on Dominick, one block south of Spring). Tickets are $15 (bought at least 24 hours in advance) and $18 cash only at the show; visit www.FringeNYC.org or call (866) 468-7619. For more information visit www.VeritasThePlay.com.