Tomorrow night, THE OTHER SIDE OF SILENCE (TOSOS) is presenting the World Premiere of Robert Macke’s funny new play House of Chavis.   It’s the story of what happens when a father discovers his estranged son is competing on a reality television series … as a drag queen.

It is a moving exploration of the ties that bind families, both biological and chosen, as well as the forces that drive them apart. Something so many of us queer men (and women) can relate to so well. “This beautiful play celebrates the ‘how our families relate to us’ concept; something we all carry with us in our journeys as members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” said TOSOS artistic director Mark Finley. “

Vernon hasn’t seen or spoken to his son Vincent since the traumatic incident eight years prior that drove the boy away. The only news he gets of his son’s whereabouts comes through Vernon’s big-hearted sister-in-law Paulanne, so it comes as something of a shock when a film crew shows up on Vernon’s doorstep asking for permission to film him for a segment on the reality television show. 

Playwright Robert Macke told QUEERGURU “It is a searing portrayal of how toxic masculinity can forever damage the relationships between queer youth and their parents. I grew up Catholic, and it skewed my understanding of reconciliation — wrongdoings were to be stored up until you met up with a priest in an ornate closet. This play is about a man looking for absolution. Except there is no priest and there is no ornate closet. There is a camera crew and a reality TV producer. I wanted to explore what is owed to the victim and what the victim owes in return.“

House of Chavis is produced by TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence) New York City’s oldest and longest-producing LGBTQIA+ theater.  Directed by Mark Finley, opening night is on July 16th at The Flea Theater, where it runs through August 6th. Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (Tickets start at $35). To purchase tickets or find out more information  https://www.tososnyc.org/houseofchavis