When Charles Ludlam wrote this play in the 1980s, he was writing in a time when cross-dressing was illegal in some parts of the United States.

Ludlam wrote the show not only as a form of protest, but also as a way to bring joy to a community struggling through the AIDS epidemic. The script even requires that both actors be of the same gender to ensure dual cross-dressing in the production.

Vep was written to be performed alongside his partner, Everett Quinton, and Ludlam is quoted as saying, “Our slant was actually to take things very seriously, especially focusing on those things held in low esteem by society and revaluing them, giving them new meaning, new worth, by changing their context”.

Charles Ludlam passed due to the AIDS virus in 1987, but the joy is still palpable in this script. The 38 quick changes (yes!) and other hijinks in this show are both uproarious and carefully planned.

We have all had so much fun throughout this process, and I am so grateful for this entire team for all their hard work!

— Danica Jenelle Jackson