Center on Halsted is proud to announce the upcoming presentation of Javier Rivera's one-man show, Salve Regina: A Coming of Gay Story. The one-man spectacle, written and performed by Puerto-Rican born Chicago artist Javier Rivera, will be staged in the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted on Saturday, August 22 at 7:30 pm, and August 23 at 3 pm.
The play comes to Center on Halsted direct from sold out performances in Detroit, Michigan at the Ringwald Theatre and in New York City at the United Solo Theatre Festival, where Javier Rivera was named winner, 2014 United Solo Festival Best Actor Award.
To be born in Puerto Rico to an ultra-religious mother and a domineering father is not easy, especially when it's likely you are a big Queen; there are not enough novenas to pray, or candles to be lit. No, in this situation only a miracle will do, or better yet...a holy intervention. Thank God for Madonna.
"Salve Regina is my way of reaching out to my 8 year old self and assuring him that things will be alright," playwright and performer Javier Rivera reflects. "At that age I was terrified of burning in hell for being gay. All signs pointed towards a not very happy ending."
In turn, Javier latched on the music of Madonna. "The music led me to feel empowered, in control, and overcome with an overwhelming desire to dance," Javier remembers. "She made my life a happier place to exist in."
Salve Regina inspired audiences to hold on tight to inspirational moments and let go of anything that makes you question your worth and place on this planet. As Javier says, "It does not matter whether you can cut a rug or if you have two left feet, you can still be the life of the party".
Join Center on Halsted for this not-to-miss limited engagement! Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased online as well as at the door prior to the performance — cash only.
Tickets for Saturday's 7:00 p.m. performance: https://community.centeronhalsted.org/SalveRegina22
Tickets for Sunday's 3:00 p.m. performance: community.centeronhalsted.org/SalveRegina23 .
ABOUT
Center on Halsted is the Midwest's most comprehensive community center dedicated to building and strengthening the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer ( LGBTQ ) community of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit Center on Halsted every day, located in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview Neighborhood. For more information, visit: www.centeronhalsted.org .