"FACING EAST" GOES EAST! OPENS OFF-BROADWAY MAY 25!
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Dear Friends and Family,

"Start Spreading the News...." Or rather, continue. The word is out that FACING EAST, my stage play about a Mormon couple dealing with the suicide of their gay son and the careening of their world, is a big hit. Earlier this month, we had to turn away many people who tried to get tickets to the three-week revival in Salt Lake City before cast and crew and playwright head for NYC.

Memorable Moment: after the final performance I noticed in a large room adjacent to the lobby a family group of twelve (including a gay man and his partner) sitting in a circle in deep conversation, needing to talk, talk, talk. Better even than applause. And the dozens of emails I've been receiving include these:

"I attended with my mother and two sisters. The discussion in our family has not
stopped since."

"After the play, I lay awake asking myself: Have I taught doctrine that could break someone's heart? Is it more important to me to be right than it is to cry with those in anguish?"

"Watching FACING EAST was a turning point for me. 'God loves me and I am gay!'--those beautiful words, in some miraculous way, touched my heart, and I have
come to know in recent weeks that I, too, am loved by God."

NYC OFF-BROADWAY PERFORMANCES: Please send this on to your friends on the East Coast. Tickets are now on sale and several nights are nearly sold-out:

May 25-June 17
ATLANTIC THEATRE 2
330 W. 16TH ST.
TICKETS: 212-279-4200
For tickets online or to see a video clip, go to http://www.ticketcentral.com/

SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMANCES: Tickets are also now on sale:

August 10-26
THEATRE RHINOCEROS
2926 16th Street
TICKETS: 415-861-5079
For tickets online, go to http://www.ticketweb.com and enter "Facing East"

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ABOUT MOTHER'S DAY: Love especially to all the mothers whose life experience has brought them surprises. And may the mothers who have gay children be at peace and enjoy the unique gifts those children have to offer. Here's how the day went at my house:

A card from my son John: "I thought I child-proofed my house—but they keep getting in!"

A dozen roses and a barbecue dinner from Aaron.

A fun instant message Mother's Day conversation with Emily for her blog. Many of you know her or read about her in No More Goodbyes (p. 79). Anyone interested in this conversation or in catching up with my charming, out-of-control daughter (I did my best!) can find her at http://www.dancingwithcrazy.blogspot.com/

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MORE ON NO MORE GOODBYES: CIRCLING THE WAGONS AROUND OUR GAY LOVED ONES:

"Last night I finished reading 'No More Goodbyes.' I never cry, but as I read your book the floodgates opened and I found myself turning page after page with tears running down my face. I grew up in a good Mormon family on a farm in Idaho. Since high school, I've been living, and suffering endlessly, with the secret that I am gay. Just typing the word 'gay' seems surreal. For so many years I fought this 'condition,' believing if I didn't call it by name or face it directly it would be less real, less painful."

"Your book and the stories of so many people who walked the same path I now travel has given me courage to face each day knowing that I am not alone and less afraid of who I am. I'm so tired of living in the shadows, of putting up a cheerful, happy facade when really I ache inside. I want an honest, open relationship with my family. Until last night, I didn't think I would ever tell them for fear of shaming or disappointing them. Now I believe that we can work through this, and that our family will survive my 'secret' and perhaps be stronger and closer because of it. They'll also finally have an answer to why their smart, successful son and brother is 27 years old and still not married! Thank you for putting me on the path to healing and helping me find my self-worth. God bless!"

TO PURCHASE NO MORE GOODBYES, FACING EAST, GOODBYE, I LOVE YOU, OR MOTHER WOVE THE MORNING, VISIT www.nomoregoodbyes.com.

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Please send good thoughts for success in NYC! I'll report next month!

"If I were placed on a cannibal island and given the task of civilizing its people, I should straightway build a theater for the purpose."
–Brigham Young


Love to All,
Carol Lynn