Celebration Theatre presents West Coast Premiere of Bash'd

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce the fourth show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, the West Coast Premiere of the gay rap opera BASH'D! - A GAY RAP OPERA, written by Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow, music by Aaron Macri, musical direction and additional beatz by DJ Jedi, directed and choreographed by Ameenah Kaplan and produced for Celebration Theatre by Ryan Bergmann and Michael A. Shepperd with Nathaniel Mathis, Cameron Faber and Michael C Kricfalusi III. BASH'D! - A GAY RAP OPERA will begin previews on Wednesday, June 7 and will open on Friday, June 10 and run through Saturday, July 22 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

BASH'D! - A GAY RAP OPERA First comes love, then comes marriage, but the possibility of a happy ending is shattered for newlyweds Jack and Dillon after one is viciously attacked by a gang of homophobic thugs. Despair and rage turns the other down the path of vigilante justice with tragic results. Irreverent rapping troubadours Feminem and T-Bag tell the tale of the star-crossed Romeos as they skewer stereotypes with swaggering comedic flair against a pulsing hip-hop beat. BASH'D! - A GAY RAP OPERA is loosely based on the real life spike in hate crimes in Alberta, Canada during the national debate on equal marriage for gays and lesbians. Since this debate, same sex marriage has been legalized in Canada, despite the fervent protests of the religious right. In America the struggle continues. BASH'D! - A GAY RAP OPERA, explores the effect of homophobic violence and the emotions associated with being any marginalized population. Though the topic is serious, the play itself is fast paced, high energy and full of laughs.