Portrait of the Artist as a Young Gay Man
September 20 - October 6, 2024
Written and performed by Patrick Scully
Directed by Michael Robins
Movement by Blake Nellis and Lighting Collaboration by Garvin Jellison
Patrick Scully in Germany
More Info
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Gay Man represents the first work in Patrick Scully’s autobiographical series Somewhere Along the Rainbow. The play begins in Patrick’s high school in the 1960’s and takes us on a journey through his school, college years, and into his early professional life in the arts.
This first work ends in 1980, having traversed the ups and downs of Patrick’s coming out story, his redirecting his studies from medical school to dance, and eventually founding a dance company as well as Patrick’s charting the victories and defeats of LGBTQ+ individuals, not only in Minneapolis/St. Paul but across the country.
Patrick notes, “If your own life intersects with this time period, your memories of this time will be reawakened. If this was all before your time, it promises an engaging history lesson that no school has yet taught.” Patrick explains, “Usually, I think of peeling the layers off an onion, starting from the outside, and working my way in. This process has been the reverse of that. It's been like creating an onion, from the inside out! The whole process is very satisfying, and I am grateful for every layer that gets added, and every person who helps create this onion!”
Things ya didn’t know…a primer for Portrait of the Artist as a Young Gay Man provided by Late Night Copies Press, a queer and trans owned micro press.
What they are saying
“Patrick Scully knew he was something–something different from other boys, even before he knew that “homosexual” and “gay” were words to describe it. In his one-man autobiographical show, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Gay Man, Scully shares an account of his first three decades, through high school, college at the University of Minnesota (including an impactful study abroad year in Berlin), and the first years of his professional life as a dancer, teacher, and emergent activist for gay liberation in the Twin Cities. The show can be seen–and by “can be seen,” I mean “should be seen” – at Illusion Theater, kicking off Illusion’s celebratory 50th season.”
Read the full Talkin’ Broadway review here.
“I encourage everyone to see this show but particularly families with young people who have maybe just recently come out. There is a lot of power in seeing you are not alone and there is a lot to be gained from realizing how fortunate you are to be coming out now, rather than the 1970’s in midwestern America, or in the late 1930’s in Germany. ”
Read the full Stage of MN review here.
Listen to an interview with Michael Robins and Patrick Scully on KFAI’s Fresh Fruit. (Interview with Michael starts timestamp 6:30 and with Patrick at 27:30)
See This if you like:
LGBTQI+ history and activism
Social Justice
Personal stories of discovery and resilience
Cast and Creative
[photo credit: Lauren B Photography]
Illusion - 50 Years!
Bonnie and Michael were active during the transformative late '60s and early '70s, participating in social and political movements such as the Civil Rights Movement, anti-Vietnam War protests, Women’s Rights Movement, and Gay Rights. They witnessed revolutionary theater across the United States, France, England, and Germany. Inspired by this, they founded ILLUSION THEATER, aiming to create plays that bring to light illusions, myths, and realities, fostering personal and social change. Their work invites audiences to question long-held beliefs and imagine new realities.
Minnesota State Arts Board and Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment