In the winter of 1989, a 23-year-old gay man dying of AIDS takes refuge in an abandoned
farmhouse where he spends his final days writing the truth of his life, love, family, betrayal,
and hope… refusing to disappear without being seen. 

SYNOPSIS:

STAGE PLAY

"NEARER TO GOD" is a poignant and unflinching exploration of one man's journey through

the darkest chapters of the AIDS crisis in late 1980s rural Pennsylvania. The play follows

Michael French, a young gay man who is expelled from his fundamentalist home after his

family discovers his homosexuality.

Forced into an ex-gay ministry conversion program by his eldest sister, a vehemently

homophobic nun, Michael endures relentless psychological and emotional trauma. His

family's rejection, coupled with societal prejudice, leaves him feeling utterly alone and

marginalized.

Amidst this turmoil, Michael receives the devastating news that he has tested positive for

HIV, exacerbating his isolation and leaving him feeling helpless and desperate. With his

support network shattered, Michael becomes essentially homeless, wandering through the

desolate Pennsylvania countryside until he stumbles upon a dilapidated farmhouse, which

he dubs 'Brighton Hill Farm.'

Seeking solace and shelter from the elements, he decides to take refuge in this forgotten

place. The play unfolds as a series of haunting journal entries, left behind after Michael's

tragic passing, painting a vivid picture of the darkness that engulfed his life during this

tumultuous period.

Through his journals, Michael bares his soul, recounting the hateful slurs and rejection he

endured from the church, family, and friends. He shares his moments of despair and

heartbreak, but also fleeting moments of hope and connection. "NEARER TO GOD"

explores the depths of Michael's suffering and the gradual deterioration of his physical and

mental state as he faces starvation and the biting cold of winter.

Intertwined with the bleakness are glimpses of Michael's resiliene and indomitable spirit.

He finds solace in his own spirituality, seeking comfort in the quiet corners of the

abandoned farmhouse. His spirit intermittently addresses the audience, offering glimpses

of his inner strength and his longing for acceptance, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts

of the audience as they bear witness to the desperate search for love, belonging, and the

longing to draw 'Nearer to God' as he realizes he is dying.

As the play reaches its poignant conclusion, Michael's body is discovered in the

farmhouse, alone and forgotten. Through his journal entries, the audience has witnessed

the tragic trajectory of his life and the emotional toll of prejudice, discrimination, and the

AIDS crisis.