The Pride - Off-Broadway

What Is the Story of The Pride?
Jumping back and forth between time periods, The Pride weaves two stories of lust and betrayal using a mix of time travel and fantasty. The first story is set in 1958 and follows straight-laced real estate agent Philip, his anxiety-ridden wife Sylvia and young novelist Oliver as a guilt-ridden secret pairing between two of the three friends is formed. The second story, featuring three characters with the same names as the first, tells the modern-day tale of a sex-addicted writer and his struggle to find lasting love in the face of constant temptation. Swinging back and forth between the repression of the '50s and the hidden perils of sexual freedom in the new millenium, this drama wittily paints two pictures which both declare that love hurts and loyalty is frail.

Should I See It?

What Is The Pride Like?
The Pride is no traditional date-night romance. The dark production (both figuratively and literally) deals with issues like homosexual repression, love, lust and broken hearts in a provocative manner, never shying away from the uncomfortable nature of some of its subject matter. While the show does jump from 1958 to 2008 and back again, a potentially confusing device, The Pride does so seamlessly, never leaving audiences to guess where they are. The show also balances its heavier moments with plenty of comedy—an early appearance by a gay escort in a Nazi costume will have you oddly begging for more.

Is The Pride Good for Kids?
To put it bluntly: no. Strong sexual content, partial nudity, homosexual role-playing, bad language and rape are all part of playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell's unique storytelling style, so kids and extremely sensitive adults are best left at home. That being said, adult audiences should keep an open mind. Despite some of its more disturbing moments, The Pride is careful not to use the tools in its arsenal for shock value alone.