Island City Stage, creating quality professional theatrical experiences focused on the LGBT+ community for a universal audience, will host their very own Behind the Red Curtain community forum entitled “Law Enforcement and the LGBT+ Community – Where are we today?” on Tuesday, September 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at its theatre (2304 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors). This presentation coincides with the kickoff of Island City Stage’s 10th anniversary 2021-22 Season with The Twentieth Century Way by Tom Jacobson this October. This true-story scandalous period drama chronicling the 1914 Long Beach sex scandal launched the theatre company’s award-winning decade-long run.
This free, public event will review the advancements of South Florida law enforcement in how they interact with the LGBT+ community and promote diversity and inclusion, internally. Guest panelists will include Lieutenant Paul Auerbach of Broward Sheriff’s Office, Assistant Chief of Police Darren Brodsky of Wilton Manors Police Department, Captain Michael Dodson of Fort Lauderdale Police Department, FAU Professor Emeritus and author Fred Fejes, PhD. and Trans Advocate Kat Rios. This forum is supported by Equality Florida and the GLBX Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
“Revisiting the play that started it all 10 years ago, The Twentieth Century Way still resonates, today, and reminds us of our mission to tell socially relevant stories that explore LGBT+ issues and history,” said Andy Rogow, artistic director of Island City Stage. “Together, with law enforcement, we’ve made significant strides toward unity, equality and inclusion. We invite the public to contribute to the conversation during our open forum.”
The Twentieth Century Way by Tom Jacobson runs from October 1 through October 31, 2021. Viewers will become engaged in this true story of two actors who hired themselves out to the Long Beach Police Department in 1914 to entrap “social vagrants” in public restrooms. Thirty-one men were arrested, and the ensuing scandal led to an ordinance against “oral sodomy” in California.
Behind the Red Curtain is a free public forum. Guests may attend in-person or participate virtually. Registration is required by visiting islandcitystage.org.
Island City Stage’s 10th anniversary 2021-22 season will also feature Armature by Andrew Kramer from January 27 – February 27, 2022; Suddenly, Last Summer by Tennessee Williams from March 17 – April 17, 2022; The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlam from June 9 – July 10, 2022 and One In Two by Donja R. Love from August 4 – September 4, 2022.
For information about upcoming shows and tickets, please call (954) 928-9800 or email md@islandcitystage.org. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandCityStageFL and on Instagram at @islandcitystage1.
About Island City Stage
Founded in 2012, Island City Stage produces award-wining professional theatrical experiences rich with LGBTQ+ history, stories and characters, but have a heart and soul that is truly universal. It specializes in developing new work in addition to featuring the efforts of playwrights who expose audiences to different voices and diverse experiences. These shows are brought to life on stage through the talents of professional artists whose credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, national tours, major regional theaters, film and television. Island City Stage offers and intimate setting with six rows of stadium seating to foster a feeling of inclusion and participation in each theatrical event. It is located at 2304 N. Dixie Hwy in Wilton Manors. For tickets and more information, please call (954) 928-9800 or visit islandcitystage.org.