| Breathtaking The War Shirt at RTP for Two Performances Only! Two Performances Only —May 8 & 9 at 8:00 PM! Tickets Just $35 — Pay What You WIll Options Available! Written and performed by Santa Barbara based actor-writer Michael Downey, The War Shirt revolves around his life-long journey with his late father, Bill Downey. It also traces the unfolding and maturation of his identity as a gay African American man, the influence of African American ancestors, and the events of history that have shaped his present life. Additionally, he pays tribute to the American Indian presence in his family that guided his father’s course of action in his later life.  Downey says, “This play is partly a response to the oral tradition in my family that I recall from childhood when my grandmother continually filled my head with stories. Some of her recollections were about my great great grandparents who had been born in slavery in Missouri the 1840s.” “At that same time my gay sensibility was also asserting itself and I did not conform to my father’s expectations of how a ‘proper’ boy should behave. However, at the end of his life, Dad fully embraced me with absolute love and respect. Of all my creative work in theatre and dance over the last 40 years, this play is my boldest creative statement to date.”  The War Shirt will play at RTP on Friday and Saturday, May 8 & 9, at 8:00 pm. Downey’s live performance will followed after intermission by a video presentation. RTP’s famous Bar None will be open before the show and at intermission featuring special Virginia Spirits cocktails as well as its acclaimed wine menu, curated by sommelier Jessee Bowers. All Tickets $35, with $15 for Students! Pay What You Will Options available! GET TICKETS |