What I First Desired by Tyler Martin, which previously won the audience vote for Soho Playhouse's Lighthouse Series, will be returning to the legendary Off-Broadway venue July 1–9. The evening will also feature two other one-act finalists from The Lighthouse Series.
What I First Desired is a modernized prequel to Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, following brother Chance through the 48 hours before returning to his sisters to refuge. His traumatic past, wild imagination, and blurred relationship with the truth combine to question the history he leaves behind.
"Marginalization and discrimination can inhibit people from living the lives they truly want to live," shares Martin. "Just like Tennessee Williams himself years ago, the queer community still struggles with this today—when we are not given the opportunity to simply exist and live in the way we desire, it is up to us to create that safe, uplifting reality for ourselves. And because of this, we often create an exaggeration or fantasy-like version of reality to exist in—a reality where we can live our one life to the fullest, triumphantly, unashamedly, and beautifully bold, even in the face of discrimination. At times this version of reality may seem distant from the truth, but really, what is the ‘truth’ if not what we believe and experience? This play examines that desire, that fantasy, that expression, and the obstacles placed in our way."
The Lighthouse Series is an Off-Broadway competition constructed by Soho Playhouse as a way to showcase and uplift new playwriting talent in the Off-Broadway landscape. As one of the standout first-round winners, What I First Desired, written by playwright and actor Tyler Martin and directed by Enrique Cavazos, will be presented in a newly expanded form, as the piece evolves from its initial one act structure, into a full length piece.
For more information, visit SohoPlayhouse.com.
