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The War Shirt
The Marjorie Luke Theatre is proud to launch the ninth event in its Virtual Series – the original, autobiographical play “The War Shirt” written and performed by Santa Barbaran Michael Downey. This powerful play, recorded live onstage at The Luke will begin streaming for free, along with the other eight Series events, on March 31st, 2022, and available 24/7 at www.luketheatre.org.
Michael Downey is a gay, African American man, and his play revolves around his life-long journey with his father, Bill Downey. While “The War Shirt” centers around Michael’s evolving relationship with his father, it also traces the unfolding and maturation of his identity as a gay man. The work also embraces the influence of African American ancestors and past events on Downey’s present life and includes a Native American perspective that influenced his father’s course of action, particularly in his later life.
Downey added, “This play is a response to a long process that began with my grandmother filling my head with stories as a child. My gay sensibility also began as a child and I did not conform to my Dad’s expectations of how a “proper” boy should behave. However, at the end of his life, he fully embraced me with absolute love and respect. Of all my creative work in theatre and dance in Santa Barbara over the last 40 years, this play is my boldest creative statement to date.”
NOTE: March 3rd & 4th live shows are a private event. Thank you.
