Catch Trio of New Queer Plays in Virtual Readings

Catch New Queer Play, 'Ganymede Revisited,' in Upcoming Virtual Readings

"Ganymede Revisited," a new trio of queer plays by Frank J. Avella, will receive two virtual readings presented via CyberTank, The Tank's (Meghan Finn, Artistic Director) remote, multidisciplinary variety arts gathering on upcoming Tuesdays. Conceived and written by Avella ("Vatican Falls," "Lured," "Consent") and presented with Avella/Brentan Productions and Ashley Garrett, the remaining readings will be on Tuesday, May 12, and Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 pm, and will be streamed on The Tank's website as well as The Tank's YouTube page.

"Ganymede Revisited" will feature a rotating cast of performers, ultimately creating three separate iterations with a cast of 18 actors total. The project will culminate in a finale that brings together the artists to further explore themes from the plays.

The cast for the May 12th reading includes Kevin Duffy, Olaf Raymond Eide, Anna Holbrook, Remington Moses, Nicholas Turturro and John David West.

The first incarnation, which premiered on. May 5th can be viewed at The Tank YouTube page and features Alice Barrett Mitchell, Cali Gilman, Vaughn Sherman, Stephen Walker, Cedric Allen Hills, and David Michael Kirby.

"Ganymede Revisited" is a meditation on queer sexual power consisting of three short plays representing the past, present and future. "Catamitus" examines the damaging and damaged relationship between a film titan accused of sexual misconduct and one of his victims. Set in ancient Rome, "Ganymede" explores the rumored amorous relationship between Caesar and his nephew Octavius (future first Emperor of Rome, Augustus). "Gaia" presents a future where women are navigating and running civilization...without men.

Frank J. Avella is the recipient of a 2019 International Writers Residency at Arte Studio Ginestrelle in Assisi, Italy, and a 2018 Bogliasco Foundation Fellowship. "Lured, "his play about the Russian persecution of gays, was a 2018 O'Neill semifinalist and had its World Premiere at Theater for the New City in November 2018. The play was featured in the OnStage! American Theater Festival in Rome, Italy in January 2019 and selected for the 2020 Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival (The Fest has been canceled but "Lured" is invited back for 2021).

Frank was awarded a 2015 NJ State Arts Council Fellowship Award and a 2016 Helene Wurlitzer Residency Grant & Chesley/Bumbalo Foundation Playwright Award for his play "Consent" (a 2019 O'Neill semifinalist). Other plays include "Vatican Falls," "Catamitus," "Iris," "Orville Station," "For Mamma" and "Mad." His screenplay adaptations of "Screw The Cow" and "Consent" have received multiple awards. Frank is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.