"The hottest play in Palm Springs...
A must-see"
--Diane Anderson-Minshall, THE ADVOCATE
A must-see"
--Diane Anderson-Minshall, THE ADVOCATE
ELECTRICITY
by Terry Ray
Four Decades, Two Men, One Highly-Charged Love Story...
ELECTRICITY - the deliciously hilarious, heartbreaking and
romantic love story between Brad and Gary has delighted audiences across the country. Playwright Terry Ray's riveting story unfolds over 4 decades and Brad & Gary's epic journey will stick with you long after the evening is over. Is the person that you can't get out of your head truly the person you're meant to be with?
Photo from benefit performances for The Bent theater at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
6 NOMINATIONS and 2 WINS!!
ELECTRICITY was honored to be nominated for 6 Desert Theatre League Awards in the
Professional Drama Category for our 2022 run at The Desert Rose Playhouse including Best Play, Best Director and two nominations for Best Actor
WE WON!
Outstanding Lead Actor - Mel England
Bill Groves Award for Outstanding Original Writing - Terry Ray
In addition in over ELECTRICITY's 4 year run in Palm Springs it garnered
15 Broadway World Regional Nominations including Best Play
Best Actor (for both Terry Ray & Mel England), and Best Director for Steve Rosenbaum
Professional Drama Category for our 2022 run at The Desert Rose Playhouse including Best Play, Best Director and two nominations for Best Actor
WE WON!
Outstanding Lead Actor - Mel England
Bill Groves Award for Outstanding Original Writing - Terry Ray
In addition in over ELECTRICITY's 4 year run in Palm Springs it garnered
15 Broadway World Regional Nominations including Best Play
Best Actor (for both Terry Ray & Mel England), and Best Director for Steve Rosenbaum
Our record-breaking four year run in Palm Springs has ended, and we are now laser focused on moving ELECTRICITY to New York City for an Off-Broadway run. For information to be part of the ELECTRICITY team write us at info@electricitytheplay.com
Stay tuned for updates!!
Photos from run at the Desert Rose Playhouse.
"One of the most memorable productions in California."
GED - Gay Entertainment Directory
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Flawless romantic performances in a gay comedy gem... A resplendent mix of hilarity and tender emotions... Comic timing that sparkles... A gay love story that endears, delights, and will surely endure as an important play about being gay in our turbulent times."
--John Townsend, LAVENDER MAGAZINE |
"Sexually charged...
The thrill of voyeurism thrives... A riveting delight to watch... Truly enveloping and hypnotic experience" --Genna Rivieccio, THE PRIDE |
Photo by Theodore D. Robinson: robinsonarts.com
Written by
TERRY RAY
Starring
TERRY RAY
MEL ENGLAND
Produced by
MICHAEL DARNER
Directed by
STEVEN ROSENBAUM
SYNOPSIS: With laughter and heartbreaking honesty, ELECTRICITY explores the relationship between two gay men who met as freshmen in high school in small town Ohio. The story begins in 1983, at their 10th high school reunion. Sex, drugs and booze make up the life of formerly closeted Brad Burke, while ex-seminary student Gary Henderson is still so closeted that he hides his sexuality behind an invented wife. After reuniting at the party they decide to share a motel room. Soon there's a monumental clash of worlds that sparks an "electricity" between them that lures them back to that same motel room after each 10-year reunion from 1983 to 2013.
ELECTRICITY is a deliciously funny, sexy and surprisingly emotional journey that also shines a spotlight on the tremendous changes in the lives of the LGBTQ+ community over the turbulent decades from 1969 to 2013 by witnessing the changes in Brad and Gary. The is the historic time from Stonewall (the year they met) to the year the Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. ELECTRICITY navigates a world where gay life was hidden in bars and sex clubs to one where equality might just be a reality--if Gary and Brad can only believe that they deserve it.
But as we've come to learn from numerous comments from our straight audience members, ELECTRICITY is not just a play about the gay journey. It's also a universal love story. As one older woman adamantly stood up and told us during a Q&A--"Stop calling this a gay play! It's for everyone. I'm an old straight woman and I saw myself up on that stage too!" Point happily taken.
ELECTRICITY received rave reviews for its 11-week extended premiere in Los Angeles, its appearance at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2017, its run at Evolution Theatre Company in Columbus, its tour to Camp Bar Cabaret in St. Paul / Minneapolis where Lavender Magazine named it Best Out Of Town Production alongside HAMILTON (it also won Best Actor). It played to wildly enthusiastic audiences in New York City as part of the Gay Pride / World Pride / Stonewall 50th Anniversary festivities. It played immersively inside a real hotel room in Palm Springs (INNdulge) and went on to a record breaking nearly 4 year Palm Springs run that ended at the Desert Rose Playhouse with a final bow at The Palm Springs Cultural Center raising money for The Bent theater. As the team gears up to take ELECTRICITY Off-Broadway, stay tuned to hear soon where it will play next!
ELECTRICITY is a deliciously funny, sexy and surprisingly emotional journey that also shines a spotlight on the tremendous changes in the lives of the LGBTQ+ community over the turbulent decades from 1969 to 2013 by witnessing the changes in Brad and Gary. The is the historic time from Stonewall (the year they met) to the year the Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. ELECTRICITY navigates a world where gay life was hidden in bars and sex clubs to one where equality might just be a reality--if Gary and Brad can only believe that they deserve it.
But as we've come to learn from numerous comments from our straight audience members, ELECTRICITY is not just a play about the gay journey. It's also a universal love story. As one older woman adamantly stood up and told us during a Q&A--"Stop calling this a gay play! It's for everyone. I'm an old straight woman and I saw myself up on that stage too!" Point happily taken.
ELECTRICITY received rave reviews for its 11-week extended premiere in Los Angeles, its appearance at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2017, its run at Evolution Theatre Company in Columbus, its tour to Camp Bar Cabaret in St. Paul / Minneapolis where Lavender Magazine named it Best Out Of Town Production alongside HAMILTON (it also won Best Actor). It played to wildly enthusiastic audiences in New York City as part of the Gay Pride / World Pride / Stonewall 50th Anniversary festivities. It played immersively inside a real hotel room in Palm Springs (INNdulge) and went on to a record breaking nearly 4 year Palm Springs run that ended at the Desert Rose Playhouse with a final bow at The Palm Springs Cultural Center raising money for The Bent theater. As the team gears up to take ELECTRICITY Off-Broadway, stay tuned to hear soon where it will play next!
"Funny... Dramatic... Touching...
Inspired... Clever... Entertainingly Intimate..."
--Will Dean, THE DESERT OUTLOOK
"ELECTRICITY is shockingly good...
The show is expertly executed...
Witty, bitchy, at times gritty and moving, the show hits all the right notes, delivering the perfect combination of sweet, sexy, uproarious, and at times, sad. But like any memorable love story, it all ends up going right to the heart."
--Winston Gieseke, PALM SPRINGS LIFE
Photo by Theodore D. Robinson / robinsonarts.com
Camp Bar theater - Minneapolis / St. Paul,
Photo by Benjamin Schultz 
Los Angeles Fringe Festival
Desert Rose Playhouse - Palm Springs
The Bent - Palm Springs Cultural Center
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Immersive production, INNduge Hotel, Palm Springs,
Photo by Mike Pingel 
Oscars, Palm Springs
Two Roads Theater, Los Angeles Premiere
Evolution Theater - Columbus, Ohio
Performances for Stonewall's 50th Anniversary Celebration
New York City |
"A rich character-driven delight...
Playful and poignant, the "Electricity" has a charge that extends not just between the characters but well into the audience."
--Margaret Quamme, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
In this moving comedy/drama, Terry Ray brilliantly focuses his unfiltered dramatic lens on the pain and triumph of love in our lives. The nudity is hot without being gratuitous and the tears are genuine without being manipulative.
With every performance, Mel and Terry rewrite all of our stories, finding the essence of hope and joy that HIV/AIDS can never steal from us.
---Alan Downs, author of THE VELVET RAGE
"It's an utter joy getting to spend a couple hours
with these two characters"
--Richard Sanford, COLUMBUS UNDERGROUND
with these two characters"
--Richard Sanford, COLUMBUS UNDERGROUND
"When Harvey Fierstein wrote and performed TORCH SONG TRILOGY in 1981, it was considered groundbreaking, just as LA CAGE AUX FOLLES was... Terry Ray's ELECTRICITY embodies the evolution of self-acceptance... and the result breaks new ground in conveying what gays endured over four decades to find true love. It is not only my hope for its bright future, but my prediction ELECTRICITY will stand side by side in history with those Pulitzer Prize winners"
--Adrian Christian, Performer & Blogger
--Adrian Christian, Performer & Blogger
Photo by Theodore D. Robinson: robinsonarts.com
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"Ray and England are superb as these star-crossed lovers. Ray's metamorphosis from a closeted man/boy to a full-fledged man of understanding is delicious to watch... Ray's play is solid and superbly written... It's some damn fine writing... I enjoyed every second and found myself completely lost in their love story." --Kay Kudukis, BROADWAY WORLD "Very compelling...the most memorable part of my trip ...a must-see for any visitor to Palm Springs" --Ed Walsh, THE BAY AREA REPORTER |
ELECTRICITY is Off-Broadway Bound!!
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If you would like to know more about how you can be part of bringing this important story about our gay journey to a wide audience please send an email to info@electricitytheplay.com 
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"Electricity" is a fun-time super-gay sex-romp that is riveting, intense, and also a laugh riot. Actors Terry Ray (playwright) and Mel England in an
in-and-out-up-and-down love affair are flawless and right on target.
-- Robert Heide, playwright and author of "Robert Heide 25 Plays"
in-and-out-up-and-down love affair are flawless and right on target.
-- Robert Heide, playwright and author of "Robert Heide 25 Plays"
"ELECTRICITY is a riveting exploration of life...
Ray & England's chemistry is the kind seen in the best of romantic comedies like some of my absolute favorite romantic comedy films--- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK or SOME LIKE IT HOT or HIS GIRL FRIDAY
or THE BIG SICK come to mind..."
--Becki Iverson, COMPENDIUM, Minneapolis
Ray & England's chemistry is the kind seen in the best of romantic comedies like some of my absolute favorite romantic comedy films--- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK or SOME LIKE IT HOT or HIS GIRL FRIDAY
or THE BIG SICK come to mind..."
--Becki Iverson, COMPENDIUM, Minneapolis
SPECIAL GUEST STAR Q&A MODERATORS
We have had quite a growing list of celebrities ELECTRICITY performances that have guest moderated a post show Q&A with the cast and production team. Here's a lovely testimonial from Hollywood icon Ruta Lee about her experience.
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Actress RUTA LEE: SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, FUNNY FACE, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION
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HERE ARE SOME MORE OF OUR PAST GUEST MODERATORS
Actress LONI ANDERSON:
WKRP IN CINCINNATI, MY SISTER IS SO GAY |
Actress and activist FRANCES FISHER:
TITANIC, UNFORGIVEN, TRUE CRIME |
Actress / author ALISON ARNGRIM:
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" |
Actor / comedian JASON STUART: BIRTH OF A NATION, TANGERINE, SMOTHERED
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Actress SUSAN OLSEN:
THE BRADY BUNCH, CHILD OF THE 70s |
Actress / Author DAWN WELLS: GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, TV THERAPY, "What Would Mary Ann Do?"
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Oscar nominated Actress TESS HARPER: TENDER MERCIES, CRIMES OF THE HEART, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
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KAT KRAMER, actress and daughter of legendary film director Stanley Kramer: CHILD OF THE 70's, TURNOVER
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ALAN DOWNS, clinical psychologist & best-selling author of "The Velvet Rage"
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Actor JIM J. BULLOCK: TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT, SPACEBALLS, HOLLYWOOD SQUARES
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Actor WESLEY EURE: LAND OF THE LOST, DAYS OF OUR LIVES
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PAUL COLICHMAN & DAVID MILLBERN
Emmy winning Here TV Power Couple |
Actress JOYCE BULIFANT: THE MARY
TYLER MOORE SHOW, AIRPLANE! |
Comedian / Writer STEVE BLUESTEIN: Founding Member of Groundings, THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR
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PATRICK EVANS Channel 3 meterorologist,
"Eye on the Desert" host & radio personality |
RON OLIVER Emmy nominated &
prolific director / writer / producer |
CRAIG CHESTER Independent Spirit Award Nominated indie film star/writer/director
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JASPER COLE veteran "bad guy" character actor
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GEOFFREY MARK biographer of Lucille Ball, Ethel Merman & Ella Fitzgerald.
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LUKE YANKEE author-playwright-actor-director-teacher-producer and son of movie icon Eileen Heckart
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RANDY DONEY Broadway, film and television dancer THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, BLAZING SADDLES
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