Hi everyone,
I received an email from Gregory Hinton today. Some of you may remember and had met Gregory when he presented Beyond Brokeback at the Autry Museum in conjunction with his Out West series. It was also presented in Chicago and several other places as well. Gregory has been a long time supporter of the forum.
He has written a new play based on Lynn Riggs, (1899-1954), the forgotten gay, Cherokee playwright and poet. Lynn Riggs play,
Green Grow the Lilacs, is the basis for the musical
Oklahoma!.
I asked if I could share this and he said absolutely. As he states in the email, there will be a
Facebook live streaming of the play on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 7 PM CDT (8 PM EDT, 6 PM MDT, and 5 PM PDT). The link is below. I hope you can attend. Here is his email.
Dear Friends of Out West,
Oscar Hammerstein once wrote that "Lynn Riggs and Green Grow the Lilacs are the very soul of Oklahoma!" In their first collaboration, Rigg's folk-play, Green Grow the Lilacs. (1931) was adapted by Rodgers and Hammerstein into the sensational musical evergreen, Oklahoma!. (1943)
Lynn Riggs, (1899-1954), the forgotten gay, Cherokee playwright and poet, is the subject of my new solo play, More Sky - The Story of Lynn Riggs. Commissioned for The Lynn Riggs Theatre in Tulsa, a More Sky Facebook Live Streaming (https://www.facebook.com/events/dennis-r-neill-equality-center/more-sky-the-story-of-lynn-riggs/720644015382829/) before an invited, socially distanced audience is set for Thursday, August 20th, 7 PM CDT.
Oklahoma's Russ Tallchief, a much admired Osage actor and playwright will play Riggs. Pat Hobbs, Artistic Director for the Lynn Riggs Theatre will direct. And I will be there.
One year ago, the Lynn Riggs Memorial Mural at the theatre was desecrated by vandals. Vandalism and intimidation against community theatres offering diverse fare is on the rise. In the spate of dissonant news rolling out of Tulsa this year; and darkened theaters everywhere. I see the staging of More Sky at the Lynn Riggs Theatre as a great win!
I hope this finds you safe and well. I look forward to when we meet face to face again...
Best,
Gregory
Gregory Hinton, Playwright,
MORE SKY - The Lynn Riggs Story