In celebration of California's Day of Recognition honoring Harvey Milk on May 22, Diversionary Theatre will present two readings of the play Dear Harvey. Drawn from over thirty interviews conducted by Patricia Loughrey, Dear Harvey recounts the achievements and vision of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major public office in the United States. The tribute play weaves together the voices of a drag queen, a State Senator, an international gay rights activist, a nineteen-year-old composer and others with the personal and political writings of Harvey Milk to paint a portrait of a leader, and a vision for equality. The play is based on interviews with State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, former San Diego City Councilmember Toni Atkins, Jackie Grover, AIDS Quilt founder Cleve Jones, State Senator Christine Kehoe, Harvey's campaign manager Anne Kronenberg, former Santa Cruz Mayor John Laird, Harvey's nephew Stuart Milk, activist Nicole Murray-Ramirez, photographer Daniel Nicoletta, Mary Stockton, activist Robin Tyler, Dottie Wine and others. Supported by photos from Milk's friends and family, Dear Harvey celebrates the stories not found in history books: stories of a love that reached beyond fear.
Commissioned by Diversionary Theatre, Dear Harvey had its world premiere at Diversionary in April 2009. The commission for the play was underwritten in part by The James Irvine Foundation New Connections Fund and community member Carlos Malamud. Dear Harvey features original music by Thomas Hodges and historical photos of Harvey Milk by Daniel Nicoletta.
"Dear Harvey" reading by San Diego State University School of Theatre, Television and Film
Wednesday, May 19 - 7:30pm
Cast: John Alspaugh, Shane Blackburn, Crystal Brandon, Amanda Clemens, Emily Davenport, Ken Hodges, Courtney Howard, Dihann McCrary, Kristin McReddie, Bailey Neill, Anthony Simone, Derek Smith, Jon Wat, Berlyn James Wieland and Thomas Hodges. Directed by Peter Cirino. Produced by Jay Sheehan. Stage Manager: Mark Sherman. Projection Design: Dominic Abbenante. Dramaturgy: Lauren Beck.
‘Dear Harvey" reading by Diversionary Theatre
Thursday, May 20 - 7:30pm
Cast: Camille Davidson, Dana Hooley, Phil Johnson, Jerusha Matsen Neal, Richard Seer, Ira Spector, James Vasquez and Thomas Hodges. Directed by Dan Kirsch. Stage Manager: Mark Sherman. Projection Design: Dominic Abbenante, Dan Kirsch, Jay Sheehan, Bret Young.
Diversionary Theatre reading includes: Camille Davidson, Dana Hooley, Jerusha Matsen Neal, Phil Johnson, Rick Seer, Ira Spector, James Vasquez
Advance tickets - suggested donation of $20. Available through the Diversionary Box Office. By phone: 619.220.0097. Online: www.diversionary.org. Advance tickets receive reserved seats. Advance $10 student tickets are available by calling or stopping by the box office (seats will be general admission).
Night of event: tickets available first-come, first-served general admission. Make a donation of any amount.
Donations from Wednesday night will support the Harvey B. Milk Foundation ( stuartmilk.com) and SDSU School of Theatre, Television and Film ( theatre.sdsu.edu/streaming). Donations from Thursday night will support the Harvey B. Milk Foundation and Diversionary Theatre.
Financial support for Diversionary Theatre is provided in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
Upcoming Readings and Productions of "Dear Harvey"
• Gala Reading: Harvey Milk - A Celebration, benefitting the Harvey B. Milk Foundation, Sacramento, CA. May 12, 2010.
• Readings: Diversionary Theatre, San Diego, CA. Wednesday, May 19 at 7:30pm by San Diego State University School of Theatre, Television and Film; and Thursday, May 20 at 7:30pm by Diversionary Theatre cast.
• Reading: Santa Monica Cultural Center and Library, Santa Monica, CA. May 22, 2010.
• Reading: Staten Island Pride, Staten Island, NY. May 22, 2010.
• Reading: The Factory Theatre, Boston. May 24, 2010. To benefit BAGLY ( Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth)
• Production: The Empty Space, Bakersfield, CA. May 28-June 12, 2010.
• Production: The Beat Project, Los Angeles, CA. August/September 2010.
• Reading: Kangagirl Productions at Orlando Pride, Orlando, FL. October 2010.
• Production: University at Albany, Albany, NY. November 5-21, 2010.
To be announced: readings and productions in Fresno, CA; Mexico City, Mexico.
