AVOW A provocative new performance of the controversial play Avow will be held on June 11-13, and June 18-20, 2004, in the performance space at the Wesley Center.  Co-sponsored by The Iowa City Community Theatre and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Union of the University of Iowa, this piece explores the tension between religion and emotion in both homosexual and heterosexual relationships. The story begins as Brian and Tom ask Father Raymond, the forward-thinking parish priest, to bless their marriage vows. Although Father Raymond understands their affection, he declares they must live a celibate life if they wish to remain in the church. Brian is incensed, but Tom turns reflective as Father Raymond's words strike a personal chord. Meanwhile, Brian's sister Irene finds herself single and pregnant. Brian convinces her to have the baby, which he and Tom will adopt. Irene volunteers to act as an intermediary with Father Raymond, but a deep attraction soon develops between them that forces Father Raymond to reexamine his own beliefs. Brian's and Irene's mother, Rose, works with Father Nash to come to terms with her children's "exotic" lifestyles.  Tom begins to pull away from Brian, while Father Raymond moves closer to Irene, as Tom and Brian's simple request sparks five unique spiritual journeys to define the balance between passion and faith. This performance of Avow will be unique, in that the Iowa Arts Council has underwritten a grant in the amount of $1000 to commission Coralville composer Thomas Stirling to write an original score to incorporate classical and original piano themes for the production.   Stirling provided the powerful score for ICCT's production One flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest last season, and this year's collaboration should be no less inspiring.

Avow