Tolins, who made a name for himself with The Twilight of the Golds, again addresses gay issues in his New York-set play, Jan. 31-March 9, 2003. Directed by Trip Cullman, The Last Sunday in June is set in the Christopher Street apartment of a young gay couple during the annual New York City Gay Pride Parade. "Intending to spend the afternoon alone planning their upcoming move to the 'burbs,' Michael and Tom's day is interrupted by one friend after another dropping in, sparking a chain of events that rocks the foundation of their relationship," according to production notes.
Tolins said that he wrote the play as an homage to gay theatre. "We are at a new stage in our relationships," he said in a statement. "Our unions are reported in the 'Style' section of The New York Times and our lives are fodder for primetime sitcoms. What do we do now that we are no longer fighting for recognition?" The play is said to address that question.
Rattlestick Productions presents Last Sunday in association with Ted Snowdon at Rattlestick Theatre, 224 Waverly Place off Seventh Avenue South. Opening is set for Feb. 9, 2003.
The cast includes Arnie Burton (Mere Mortals), Donald Corren (Torch Song Trilogy), Jonathan McClain, Susan Pourfar, Mark Setlock (Fully Committed), Peter Smith, David Turner (The Butter and Egg Man) and Matthew Wilkas.
Designers are Takeshi Kata (set), Paul Whittaker (lighting) and Alejo Vietti (costume). Tolins' plays include Broadway's Twilight of the Golds (directed by Arvin Brown and later a film), Off Broadway's If Memory Serves (directed by Leonard Foglia), and Secrets of the Trade, The Climate, The Unveiling and the one-acts Don’t Look, Stewart’s Line, The Mid-Wife and The Man That Got Away. He was also a writer and co-producer of TV's "Queer As Folk."
Tickets are $37.50 and are available by calling SmartTix at (212) 206-1515.