Earlier in 2015, Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project were working with the Moscow New Drama Theatre and the U.S. State Department to produce a revival of Gross Indecency in Moscow. In the middle of pre-production, the Kremlin (the Russian government) blocked the revival because of the play's LGBTQ content. In response to the cancellation, Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project decided to produce a benefit reading in NYC to bring attention to the suppression of the rights of the LGBTQ community in Russia.
Kaufman directs a cast that stars two-time Emmy Award winner ("Lost," "Person of Interest") as Oscar Wilde. Emerson played the role of Wilde in the original production of Gross Indecency at the Minetta Lane Theatre in 1997.
Joining Emerson are Tony Award nominee (Hamilton, "Looking") as Bosie, Academy Award winner ("Norma Rae," "Places In The Heart," "Lincoln"), Golden Globe winner (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, "Dexter"), Tony Award winner (Curtains, "Frasier"), Pulitzer Prize winner (Angels in America), Tony winner (Other Desert Cities, "Transparent"), Emmy nominee (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, "Glee"), Emmy nominee ("Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"), (It Shoulda Been You, "How I Met Your Mother"), (Les Misérables, "Smash"), (The King And I, Here Lies Love), (Cabaret) and Jake Shears (Bent, The Scissor Sisters).
Pulitzer Prize finalist, Tony winner and Oscar and Emmy Award nominee (The Normal Heart) and Gross Indecency original cast members Andy Paris, , Greg Steinbruner and Don Wildman round out the cast. The one-night-only staging benefits the Tectonic Theater Project and The International Gay And Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). Gross Indecency is sponsored by and the Hilda Mullen Foundation.
The Gerald W. Lynch Theater is located at 524 W. 59th Street. Tickets range from $50-$1000, with sponsorship packages available, and can be purchased online at .
