For François is an inquiry into sexuality and identity and the nature of love.
In Act I six historical figures from four different centuries – hostess and gossip columnist Elsa Maxwell, soldier Robert Shirtliff aka Deborah Sampson, poet Constantine Cavafy, pornographer Boyd McDonald, an unnamed Executioner, and Denny Fouts, the best kept boy in the world, gather for a wedding reception in 1948 that no one else showed up for.
Act II is a reset – the morning after, a plush hotel, Deborah and Denny grappling with an unrealized consummation, Elsa, Cavafy, and the Executioner recast as hotel staff, and Boyd putting them all on trial for hypocrisy.
For François is a play that is aware that it’s a play, it’s a wedding reception and the morning after, and it’s a trial, with you as the jury. Those found guilty will be erased from history.
Keywords: LGBTQ+
Genre: Dramedy
Run time: 120 minutes (including intermission)
Content note: Contains swearing
Cast size: 6 actors
Male roles: 4
Female roles: 1
Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming Roles: 1
Musician roles: 1
Other roles: 5 gay & lesbian roles
Casting note: The play includes narrative that insists on diverse casting