Surprising audiences, it was written as a comedy.

Out Front on Main will tackle this comedy about a dark subject at 7:30 Thursday-Sunday nights, Aug. 11-18.

Keeping this a period piece Out Front on Main proposes to show how little has changed in so much time – the only difference is that it is now spoken in whispers, if at all.

“Living up to our mission to bring edgy, thought-provoking and contemporary theatre to Middle Tennessee, Out Front on Main does not blunt the dialogue or action of this play,” actor and theater owner George Manus Jr. said.

While this might sound tasteless, Jeffrey was a much-needed antidote at the time to the climate of death that had permeated gay culture for most of the previous decade. The play resonated with audiences.

Jeffrey is the hilarious story of a 30-something actor/waiter who has become so disenchanted with safe sex and the terror of AIDS that he has decided to give up all forms of carnal knowledge forever.

“Sex is too sacred to be treated this way,” Jeffrey, played by Manus, declares directly to the audience. “Sex wasn’t meant to safe, or negotiated, or fatal... So. Enough... no more sex.”

Celibacy becomes Jeffrey’s new mantra and he heads to the gym to find a new outlet for his energies and immediately meets Steve (Justin Hand).

Steve is everything that Jeffrey has always wanted in a man but, because he has vowed to give up sex, he panics and makes a quick exit stage left. But they meet cute again.

Steve is persistent and eventually wins Jeffrey over – until he discloses something that sends Jeffrey into his cocoon again.

As Jeffrey ponders the meaning of life, the universe and everything, playwright Rudnick skewers every gay stereotype under the sun and pokes fun at all the staples that had become clichés in gay drama.

The copious comic settings and situations include a hoedown for AIDS, bogus self-help groups, queer vigilantes, an amorous priest and a Gay Pride Parade.

No sacred cow escapes Rudnick’s finely tuned barbs.

This exceptional cast additionally includes Anderson Dodd, Jessica Theiss, Seth Limbaugh and Zach Parker.

Out Front on Main, Inc. is located at 1511 E. Main St. beside MTSU.

For information and reservations, call 615-516-6279 or visit OutFrontOnMain.com. And $1 of every ticket sale will benefit Nashville CARES, which promotes and participates in a comprehensive and compassionate response to HIV/AIDS in Middle Tennessee.