BENT

Love is Found in the Darkest of Places - Threshold Repertory Theatre Presents BENT

Threshold Repertory Theatre is proud to present Bent, a Pulitzer Prize nominated play, opening March 17th. Directed by Jay Danner, Charleston Theatre’s Best Director of 2015. Set in 1930s, Nazi Germany, Bent peers into the depths of homosexual persecution and spotlights a time we wish we could forget. “Bent,” was a word used across Europe referring to a gay person. Now a show hailed as, “powerful and courageous” by the New York Times. Centered around ill-fated love this captivating performance teaches us how to both give and accept love. 

Having premiered in 1979, Bent is a historically significant play for the LGBT community. During Nazi Germany being gay was considered a criminal offense. In fact the Nazis were trying to cleanse the city of perverts. Playwright Martin Sherman helped to expand historical research and education through his work on Bent. The show was originally performed in London’s West End starring Ian McKellen and on later on Broadway starring Richard Gere which left big shoes to fill. We welcome a slew of talented actors to our stage including Theatre Charleston’s 2014 Best Supporting Actor in a Musical Randy Risher and starring Patrick Arnheim.

Max, a well-known playboy of Berlin finds himself along with his boyfriend, Rudy, on the run from the SS. To their detriment the men are captured and taken to a Nazi labor camp. Denying his relationship with Rudy and his homosexuality, Max is branded as Jewish, which is regarded as cleaner. There he also meets his new friend and future love Horst who shows him how to acknowledge who he really is. Punched with humor, violence, and difficult decisions, Max’s endearing story will move you till the end. 

This show contains mature content and nudity and is appropriate for mature audiences only.