The Ten Dollar House story
In this true story of love and
historic preservation set in Depression-era Wisconsin, a London-based decorator
and a local drifter fall in love as they restore a dilapidated rock cottage.
With a “gay marriage” that hides in plain sight, Bob Neal and Edgar Hellum
create Pendarvis House, an improbable business venture that transforms an
entire town.
Martha Meyer: We discovered
the Bob-and-Edgar story while on our honeymoon in Wisconsin. The story of a
couple whose unlikely partnership lasted forty years was just the kind of love
story we were hoping for. Bob and Edgar inspire us!
Rick Kinnebrew: When I left
library work, this was what I dreamed about: a show that would attract a
talented creative team and play right in Evanston. I couldn’t be happier about
it.
Why the show matters
Pride Films and
Plays is dedicated to fostering great LGBT-inclusive writing
for the stage and screen. These stories with gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender characters become a cultural bridge to understanding. Now that
marriage equality is the law of the land, we need stories of loving gay
couples. The wonderful thing about Bob and Edgar is how their relationship
enriches not just themselves but the life of their whole community.
Help bring Pride Films and Plays to
Evanston this winter. January is a dark, cold month. We’re excited to light up
the theater! We can attract hundreds of additional people to south Evanston as
we bring this heartfelt and funny story to life.
All Together Now
This show has benefitted from all
kinds of investment—the Pride Films and Plays Ensemble with Artistic Director
David Zak, the work of historian Will Fellows,
the cast and crew of the Broom Street Theater production, and our new director
Michael D. Graham.
South Evanston vendors Sketchbook Brewing and Hoosier Mama Pie Company helped
us with fundraising events.
With support from individual donors
in Evanston and Chicago, as well as the Evanston Arts Council and the Arch and
Bruce Brown Foundation, we are very close to our target of $10,000.
You can help us close the gap!
Other ways to help:
Are you on social media? Share this
campaign.
Like Ten Dollar House on
Facebook.
See the show this January! Bring a
friend. Buy your tickets here.
Thank you, and we
hope to see you at the show!