By By Fran Folic, Goodman PR

A salacious love triangle, secrets, and intrigue haunt the modern American tragedy The Dying Gaul by Craig Lucas, making its South Florida premiere at Island City Stage on May 22, 2025. The show runs through June 15.

“The Dying Gaul, whose title is based on the ancient Roman statue depicting a warrior in his final moments of life, examines the complex professional and sexual relationship between Robert, who wrote a screenplay about his boyfriend who died of AIDS, and Jeffrey, a movie studio executive, and his wife, Elaine, who will only commission the script if the main character is changed to a woman and the plot focuses on heterosexual relationships,” said Andy Rogow, artistic director of Island City Stage. “It’s a thrilling drama where sexual deception, internet chat rooms, lies, betrayal and artistic compromise are woven together, resulting in a stunning conclusion.”

Hailed in 1998 as the best American play by The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, The Dying Gaul premiered off-Broadway at New York City’s Vineyard Theatre to rave reviews. Lucas later adapted it into a 2005 film starring Peter Sarsgaard, Campbell Scott, and Patricia Clarkson. The film premiered at Sundance and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize, while the National Board of Review honored it with Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking.

Craig Lucas’s life has influenced his work deeply. Abandoned as a baby and adopted by a conservative couple, he spent years repressing both his Jewish identity and sexual orientation. After embracing life as a gay Jewish man, he flourished as an artist. A 1973 graduate of Boston University, he studied creative writing and theater. Encouraged by mentor and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Anne Sexton, Lucas moved to New York to become a playwright. His career took off in 1979 through a collaboration with director Norman René. Together they created several plays, including their most successful, Prelude to a Kiss, which earned a 1991 Pulitzer nomination and was later adapted into a film. René died in 1996 of complications from AIDS. Since then, Lucas has continued to earn acclaim, receiving a 2001 Obie Award, a 2003 New York Film Critics Award, and a 2022 Tony nomination for Paradise Square.

Island City Stage’s production is directed by Rogow and stars Amir Darvish as Jeffrey, Jorge Amador as Robert, Autumn Kioti Horne as Elaine, and Ted deChatelet as Foss.

Darvish has performed in New York productions including Seen/By Everyone, This Lingering Life, and the Off-Broadway solo show Mercury about Freddie Mercury. His regional credits include Disgraced, Rafta Rafta, and The Golden Dragon. On TV, he has appeared in “Madam Secretary,” “The Blacklist,” “Damages,” and more. He’s also a voice actor, producer, and director, with directing credits including COCK, ART, Haram Iran, and Glengarry Glen Ross.

Amador makes his Island City Stage debut. His New York credits include Sticks and Stones: Concert and Glee! In Concert. Regional credits span roles in Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, In the Heights, The Little Mermaid, West Side Story, and more.

Horne, returning to Island City Stage after Pulp and Rotterdam (Silver Palm Award), recently appeared in Dry Powder, POTUS, and Last Summer at Bluefish Cove. A co-founder of Sea Change Collective, Horne is also a poet, interdisciplinary artist, and environmental educator.

DeChatelet is a seasoned actor, director, teacher, and fight choreographer. He teaches acting at Florida Atlantic University and has performed at Portland Center Stage, ACT Seattle, and various Shakespeare festivals. His screen credits include Wild, Grimm, The Librarians, and SNL.

Tickets are $43–$48. For tickets or more info, visit www.islandcitystage.org, call (954) 928-9800, or email boxoffice@islandcitystage.org.