Atlanta Unveils “A Third Way”: A Groundbreaking Premiere Exploring Love and Identity

Atlanta Premieres a New Dose of Theater with “A Third Way”

Hello theater lovers! Big news is buzzing all the way from **Atlanta**. Hold onto your theater seats because it’s an exciting moment for stage enthusiasts everywhere. Actor’s Express is ready to roll out its 36th season curtain call with the **world premiere** of a play that’s bound to tickle your curiosity – “A Third Way”, scripted by Atlanta’s own Lee Osorio in association with the Del Shores Foundation.

What’s The Tea on “A Third Way”?

Imaginations are set astir with **Nico and Matt**, whose matrimonial tether is hanging by a frayed thread. In a bid to mend the cracks or perhaps widen them, they opt for an open relationship. This play isn’t just your regular love saga – it challenges the **boundaries of love**, tests the waters of **intimacy**, and questions the very essence of **fidelity**. Will this roller-coaster avenue of affection pave a **new** route to solidify their bond, or will it invite a third wheel to tip the balance?

“A Third Way” isn’t a novice script. It’s been through the wringer of the **Working Title Playwright’s Ethel Woolson Lab** and snagged a spot in the **Alabama Shakespeare’s 2023 Southern Writers Festival**. The cherry on top? It bagged the **2023 Del Shores Foundation Playwriting Contest prize**. When Lee Osorio was asked what audiences should expect, he hoped everyone might leave a little lighthearted chuckle behind, maybe sparked up – and slightly more open to **seeing beyond the binary**…

Meet the Stellar Cast and Crew

Let’s spotlight the ensemble cast, featuring four Atlanta standouts: **Brandon Lee Browning**, last seen in **StageDoor Theater’s Mass Appeal**, **Braian Rivera Jimenez** known from **The Walking Dead** and other TV thrillers, stage talent **Ian Sawan** from **Alliance Theatre’s A Christmas Carol**, and the versatile **Cecilia Leal** from TV hits like **Claws**.

The directorial baton is swung by **Lauren Morris**, who not only stirs the theatrical pot but also one hopes you savor a **richer understanding of identity** – how we define or defy it. She muses about everyone’s unique societal molds and hopes audiences recognize the **power to craft inclusive communities** and nudge closer to genuine **freedom**.

The Vision Behind Season 36

Freddie Ashley, AE’s Artistic Director, shares a bit of behind-the-curtains chit-chat. With the original plan lined up for the season, an unexpected gap made way for “A Third Way”. His decision to leap when the opportunity struck speaks volumes – a gut feeling tied to his initial love for the script.

“How we experience **relationships**, how we reimagine **family structures** – it blends what’s traditional with a splash of something, well, quite queer,” said Ashley. In essence, it’s not about merely fitting this play in the watchlist but letting it spark conversations about life’s colorful paradigms.

Get Ready for More Stage Delights!

Atlanta’s theater scene is bustling and not just with “A Third Way”. There’s the chilling **A Tour of Southern Ghosts** at the Historic Square, Stone Mountain Park, a beloved spooky tradition for families. And let’s not miss out on the energy-packed retelling of **Rent** by The Atlanta Opera. Plus, the **23rd annual Palefsky Collision Project** at Alliance Theatre promises to bring teen creative minds to the forefront, crafting original theater pieces. Stay tuned for a bevy of lively shows this season!