New Oklahoma-inspired musical honors romance, love, hope and LGBTQ teens

Pryor Rendering is a new musical about coming of age and coming out in 1960s rural Oklahoma. This inspiring tale is a story for anyone who has ever wondered where or how to fit in.

Upon reading the novel Pryor Rendering by Tulsa-born author Gary Reed, Composer/Lyricist Frank G. Schiro and Librettist Shawn Churchman were compelled to turn the beautiful book about growing up gay in Pryor, Oklahoma, into a musical. It is a love story as well as a story of faith, family and friendship. With haunting music and eccentric characters, Pryor Rendering ignites the heart.

“It’s the story,” said Tim Gillean, Executive Director of Open Arms Youth Project in Tulsa. “Quite frankly, it is the story that so many of our youth face. I work with these youth on a weekly basis, and so I continue to hear this story.”

Charlie Hope was born on the pool table of his grandfather’s bar. Throughout his life, he is scorned by his mother, idolizes his absent father and is coddled by his grandpa’s stable of floozies. In the 1960s, Pryor is a town covered by the cloud of incinerated dreams that billows from the local rendering plant. Against these odds, Charlie finds the courage to fall deeply and passionately in love.

While many strides have been made in LGBTQ rights, teens today often face many of the same challenges in coming of age that were faced in the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

“Lesbian and gay issues are much more prominent today than they were 20 years ago when the book was published,” said novelist Gary Reed. “There’s been a lot of progress in that regard, but the story is still unique enough, and at the same time universal enough, that it speaks to a wide audience.
Author Gary Reed with his novel “Pryor Rendering”. Photo provided.

“It also specifically speaks to a gay audience and, hopefully, a young gay audience, that they might be able to get some hope from the story. We wrote this musical because it does get better, and we want teens and everyone in the LGBTQ community to know that there is happiness. You will find the people who will support you,” Churchman added.

“Pryor Rendering is a great story,” Composer/Lyricist Frank G. Schiro said. “When I read Gary Reed’s novel, I knew I had to write this musical. This is a story for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong. I do believe that art can change the world, or at least one’s perspective. We wrote this musical because there is hope; there is happiness. We are inspired by Charlie Hope and we want to share his story with the world.”

Churchman and Schiro are two experienced performers, directors and musicians with more than 30 years in professional show business. The two are also university professors.

New York director Stephen Nachamie will helm the world premiere of Pryor Rendering. The world premiere cast will include four Broadway actors; Oklahoma born Stacey Logan will be joined by Terry Runnels, Julie Johnson and Rachel Coloff.

The cast will also include: Kai Daly, Ben Hall, Scott Hynes, Gray Randolph, and Jackie Smola with Garrett Langley as the young Charlie Hope.

The world premiere of Pryor Rendering will launch in Oklahoma, where it was born. Generous contributions have made it possible for LGBTQ youth groups with adults to see Pryor Rendering for $10 per ticket.

Pryor Rendering begins previews with CityRep in Oklahoma City on Friday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m. (Preview & Talk Back Event), with another preview on Saturday, October 1, at 1:30 p.m. Opening Night is that same day at 7:30 p.m. Other Oklahoma City performances include; Friday, October 7, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 8, 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 9, 1:30 p.m.

CityRep performances in Oklahoma City for Pryor Rendering will be held at The Freede Little Theatre, Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Tickets in OKC: www.CityRep.com.

Opening Night with American Theatre Company in Tulsa, OK is Thursday, October 13, at 8 p.m. Performances will also be held that Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 16, at 2 p.m. (Talk Back Event).

ATC performances in Tulsa will be held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s John H. Williams Theatre, 110 E 2nd St, Tulsa, OK 74103. Tickets in Tulsa: www.AmericanTheatreCompany.org.

For world premiere ticket information in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, visit PryorRendering.com.
Librettist Shawn Churchman with actors Tanner Rose and Mark Jammal. Rose will play Charlie Hope and Jammal will portray Dewar in the new musical “Pryor Rendering”. Photo provided.

Copyright The Gayly 9/15/2016 4:33 p.m. CST