A: Is for Art that Shows Us Our Intolerance!

On the morning of February 25, 2000, a young gay Mormon named Henry Stuart Matis drove to the Mormon Ward House in Los Altos, California, placed a gun to his head, and ended his life. Missa Solemnis or The Play About Henry is based on the actual events of his life.
The dilemma that faces gay men and women of faith is portrayed here with depth and tragedy. Henry makes the ultimate sacrifice, by choosing death over an alternative life style and his parents condone his actions. It is hard to tell you about this play because there are things you have to experience for yourself and experience you will.

The cast is first rate as well as the staging and lighting. The writing has problem areas, such as in the beginning when the characters break the forth wall and leave the audience confused. But it is the plays subject matter that reaches into the heart of all who experience this tragedy and will resinate in hidden area's within. There is now way not to be effected by this story.

After seeing this play I learned that 40% of gay and lesbian Mormons commit suicide. That is an alarming rate. On of the reason this play is important is because of the upcoming vote for proposition 8 which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry. A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. With that kind of judgement how many other people will be made to feel that nothing will ever be ok and follow the path of Henry Matis. What is marriage but commitment, being there no matter the circumstances, being admitted into a hospital when things go wrong and shouldn't we all be given that right? The Mormon church is one of the biggest supporters of proposition 8 and before that 22 and has donated millions. 5 million for 22 and over 40% or 8 million for proposition 8. When you put the statistics together that is 1% donated for every suicide to ruin more peoples lives. Linda S. Nelson’s directing choices make the play easy to watch even though the subject matter is gut wrenching. She is also th founder and Co-Artistic/Producing Director of Shotgun Productions, Inc.

It is interesting to note that Ms. Nelson was born and raised in Utah. Matt Huffman's is Henry. He brings layers upon which we see the demise of a human being. Bill Fairbairn (Triumph of Love) portrayal of Henry's father is believable as a week man whose love for his son has him bargaining God for his life and he evokes sympathy for the him. Gail Winar (Fringe-First Award-winning What I Heard About Iraq at the Edinburgh Fringe) is the mother so wrapped up in religion she has buried her own emotions and feelings. She evokes a hatred in anyone who has eyes to see. Warren Katz ( Theatre Award Winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in The Price) as Bishop Rhodes, who is the first person to ever listen and truly hear Henry's pain. His portrayal is wonderfully giving, but it is Jai Catalano as Todd Henry's first and only lover who steals our hearts and the show. Missa Solemnis or The Play About Henry plays until November 22nd at TBG Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd floor (btw. 8th & 9th Aves.) All Seats - $18 For Tickets call SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or log on to www.smarttix.com Author Roman Feeser work should be encouraged for this work will have you talking, researching and reaching inside you for any intolerance that cause so much pain. I leave you with a line from the play that came from an article in Newsweek “The people who dressed [Matis] for burial were struck by the sight of his knees, deeply callused from praying for an answer that never came.”

Intolerance happens even when we profess to love and that is a F.A.C.T.