Denise Lee and Quinton Jones star in Uptown Players’ we are continuous.
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RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Family matters are heavy in playwright Harrison David Rivers’ we are continuous, and those family matters unfold at Uptown Players beginning Friday, Feb. 7.
The drama centers on Simon, who comes to terms with his devout mother, Ora, while tempering the situation with his husband, Abe. Directed by Natalie King, Rivers’ story details the struggles of acceptance and forgiveness through the lens of Black perspectives.
The show runs through Feb. 23 at Theatre Three’s Norma Young Arena Stage.
Actor Quintin Jones (he/him), who plays Simon, says that while he can’t speak for all families, there can be some commonality among the coming out experience.
“In most Black families, there is at least some connection to faith and religion, and when I came out, that was certainly brought up,” Jones said. “Now, growing up, we loosely practiced and could be considered Easter Christians. It certainly wasn’t my parents’ favorite thing though.”
His costar Denise Lee (she/her), however, agrees that while there are the similar experiences, it’s not monolithic.
“While we can have a lot of common experience, there also has to be a true understanding for the individual perspective,” Lee said. “For Ora, she’s a mother faced with choices she hoped she’d never have to make regarding this child she loves and gave birth to.” we are continuous is a heavy show, and as Jones approaches the role, he’s working through the drama with a positive outlook so as to not get emotionally weighed down.
“I’m focusing on gratitude the whole time. I’m able to find moments that Simon is grateful for as well, and if I can focus on those things, I won’t get moored by the heavy stuff,” he said.
“I’m trying to have a healthy separation from the show when I’m not in rehearsals,” Jones added.
But he’s also thrilled by the challenge of we are continuous
“There are so many Black gay men like myself who had
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Denise Lee