Howard Skora’s “Texas Sodomy” a Theatrical & Often Hilarious Modern Masterpiece now at The Whitefire.
The outstanding ensemble cast of Howard Skora’s “Texas Sodomy: The Incredible Story of Lawrence v. Texas.” Now at The Whitefire Theatre.
“Know your History!” This telling exclamation about Harvey Milk by bartender/gay and lesbian activist, Lane Lewis to protagonist John Lawrence may just be the “Paul Revere’s ride” of the modern-day fight against fascism. Make no mistake, they’re not only coming, they’re already here and they are gunning for your freedoms. There is much to learn and be disturbed by in Texas Sodomy: The Incredible True Story of Lawrence v. Texas, Howard Skora’s latest masterful play, currently running at The Whitefire Theatre in Los Angeles, so be prepared for an emotional and theatrical rollercoaster learning curve. While the theatrical world may well be overwrought with the use of the term “important,” in the case of Texas Sodomy, it should be screamed from the rooftops.
In a world complicitly distracted and under the spell of endless colorful, overproduced AI, SM screen candy, fake news, fake videos and get-rich-quick schemes, we may very well wake up one day, only to find that our rights as humans and as American citizens have been completely dismantled. This portent and disturbing vision alone is based not on Skora’s play itself, but on the final slides that come after the falling action. However, what lies between curtains is a purely magical and often hilarious must-see theatrical experience.
In 1998, two men are arrested in Houston for breaking the exhaustingly held over “homosexual conduct” laws, after an anonymous phone call to the Houston Police Department, with claims of homosexual activity and gunshots between hospital worker John Lawrence (Drew Droege) and his black friend Tyron Garner (Jabari). When the news is intercepted by gay rights activist, bartender, and all-around amazing human, Lane Lewis (Matt McConkey), this story and its very rocky and heart-felt journey begins. Thanks to a masterful legal team, including Jackie Rosenthal (Celeste Pechous), and various judges and incidental characters (Tom Trudgeon and Aaron Tone), the story deepens, and the cracks begin to show. What starts as a jealous misunderstanding, leading to “the phone call,” perpetrated by Lawrence and Garner’s friend, “Royce” Eubanks (Dylan Vox), quickly folds over into a brutal life-changer for both Lawrence and Garner, and transcends into one of the foundational tenets of the LGBTQ community, and profound American civil rights cases when it rose all the way to the Supreme Court.
Tyron Garner (Jabari) and John Lawrence (Drew Droege) are going to the Supreme Court in Howard Skora’s “Texas Sodomy.”
It needs to be said that, with all the importance placed upon the rights won by the LGBTQ community in this story, this moment-to-moment one-act play is sharply crafted, highly theatrical and laugh-out-loud funny, thanks to Howard Skora’s well-honed script and direction, along with stand-out performances by the hilarious Drew Droege, Celeste Pechous and Tom Trudgeon, and with an on-point ensemble cast such as this, Howard Skora’s play is a gift. Loaded with truisms, honesty and vulnerability, there are twists and turns galore on this rollercoaster ride of a show, but you need to buy a ticket and see this masterful show for yourself.
Yes, there is much here that will make you angry, as well it should, and for some, if you’ve spent any time in the south, much of Skora’s world will ring true, but at curtain call, it is inclusion that you might just take with you, as you leave the theatre and cast your ballot in November. This play is that important, and with that, yes, the entire cast of Texas Sodomy deserves their standing ovation. This show is a must-see experience, no matter your age, or where you hang your hat, so do not miss the chance to see Texas Sodomy: The Incredible True Story of Lawrence v. Texas.
Playing through October 24th at The Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd. Tickets available at texassodomy.com. With time-appropriate period costumes by Ben Phen and Arron Mendoza, powerful visual images by John Knowles and swift scene changes and powerful lighting by Assistant Director, Mitch Rosander.