TBTA To Present Three-Show

Premier Of New Play

BROOKFIELD CENTER — The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts (TBTA), 182 Whisconier Road in Brookfield Center, will offer a three-night pre-season premier of a new play, Thou Shalt Not Dance by by Lynn J. McNeil, March 9-11.

Directed by Maureen Trotto and starring Meg Jones and Kristin Hoose, performances will be offered Friday and Saturday, March 9-10, at 8 pm, and Sunday, March 11, at 2. Tickets are $20 general admission, and $15 for students with ID.

Thou Shalt Not Dance is a play about losing religion and finding self. Based on a true story about a girl raised in a conservative evangelical preacher’s home, Sara learns that following the straight and narrow means keeping secrets, even from herself. Thou Shalt Not Dance is a story of faith and doubt, pain and wholeness, coming out and coming home.

Lynn J. McNeil, the name on the program and in the publicity, is a pseudonym.

She had no intention of writing a play during her sabbatical. But when the class she wanted to register for at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, N.Y., wasn’t available, she signed up instead for one on writing and presenting a one-person show. The piece became the opening for the week’s performance at the Omega community, and back home, took on new directions.

 The play is largely, though not entirely, autobiographical and McNeil feels it important to preserve some space for the church she pastors and family she loves.

“The people in my church and in my life know that it’s me,” she says.

The story deals with difficult themes: trauma, mental health, coming out, the bad things the Church has done, and the wonderful things the Church does. It follows the spiritual journey of a young woman raised in a strictly evangelical home, “who ran away from Church but could not run away from God,” says its playwright.

The direction of the play leads to hope. It was important that it not be about the pain, says McNeil, but instead about faith, resilience, and hope.

The play is intended for adult audiences. No one under 13 will be admitted.

Tickets can be reserved by calling the theater, 203-775-0023, or visiting its website (www.brookfieldtheatre.org). They may also be purchased at the box office.