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Screening:
Saturday, April 29, 9:00 PM, Charles 1

Synopsis:
David Drake's Obie Award-winning solo play, The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me debuted off-Broadway in New York in 1993. The critically acclaimed show has been performed around the world-U.K., Australia, and in over 100 independent stage productions throughout the U.S. in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Baltimore. While it remains the longest-running solo show in New York theater history-other actors have since taken on the lead role-this brilliant film adaptation records a definitive production of the play, by the man who created it-ensuring that the play will be available to audiences in perpetuity.

The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me is an effective collection of monologues. From discovering, as a 6-year-old, the wonders of live theatre at a regional production of West Side Story, to dissecting the rituals of gay gym culture, to memorializing those who died from AIDS, Drake addresses the many sides of gay life in America. Drake captures the essence of each storyteller, bringing the characters to life as he narrates each monologue.

Tim Kirkman's deft direction seamlessly brings the performance to life for the screen-evoking Jonathan Demme's masterworks Swimming to Cambodia and Stop Making Sense-by utilizing the intimacy of the camera to re-create the emotional bond between performer and the live audience. Ironically, in order to create the desired, intimate effect, the film was shot (mostly) without an audience, Kirkman and Drake worked extensively in pre-production, planning every shot, and employing multiple takes from a variety of effective and camera set-ups.

Tidbit:
On David Drake's 6th birthday, June 27, 1969, the The Stonewall Riots erupted, marking the beginning of the gay liberation movement that transformed the oppression of homosexuals into calls for pride and action.

Bios:
The multi-talented David Drake was born and raised in Baltimore. Before moving to New York City, Drake was seen performing locally at such places as Edwin Booth Theater, the Limestone, and Towsontowne Dinner Theatre. For the last 8 years, he has been involved with The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me. He has recently appeared in the off-Broadway revival of Boys in the Band and A Language of Their Own (opposite playwright B.D. Wong) at the Public Theatre; feature films include Philadelphia, Longtime Companion, and Peoria Babylon.

Tim Kirkman directed Dead Jesse a personal documentary in which the young, gay, North Carolinian chronicled his life next to that of his home town's favorite son, Sen. Jesse Helms. In a sad twist of fate, while preparing the film for its theatrical release, Kirkman discovered that among the countless hours of footage he shot, was a brief interview with Matthew Shepard.

This American Premiere screening will be followed by a party at
Theater Project, 45 W. Preston Street.