Not many theater productions include a glossary of Mormon theological and ecclesiastical terms in the program. Then again, Carol Lynn Pearson’s play, Facing East, defies a number of expectations.<\/p>\n
Pearson’s somber but compassionate one-act portrayal of a Mormon family’s struggle to come to terms with the suicide of their gay son treats, as some reviewers have noted, both church traditionalists and critics with humanity and empathy. It’s one reason the play had a much-feted premiere in Salt Lake City last November.<\/p>\n
The play has now started to premiere in major U.S. cities with large gay and lesbian populations. Facing East recently completed a successful off-Broadway run in New York, dovetailing the city’s June Gay Pride festivities. The play now moves on to San Francisco for a 17-day run in August and there is talk of the play moving to Boston.<\/p>\n