He Asked For It
It’s the early 2000s, before PrEP. Ted is new to Los Angeles, and newly out of the closet. He goes on a journey through Hollywood back rooms, nightclub bathrooms, and Internet chat rooms—where he meets and falls in love with Henry. But Henry doesn’t yet know how to navigate the dating landscape with his new HIV diagnosis, so he breaks things off with Ted...who then makes a desperate decision to win Henry back. He Asked For It asks how far are you willing to go for love? And how much will you forgive?
It’s the early 2000s, before PrEP. Ted is new to Los Angeles, and newly out of the closet. He goes on a journey through Hollywood back rooms, nightclub bathrooms, and Internet chat rooms—where he meets and falls in love with Henry. But Henry doesn’t yet know how to navigate the dating landscape with his new HIV diagnosis, so he breaks things off with Ted...who then makes a desperate decision to win Henry back. He Asked For It asks how far are you willing to go for love? And how much will you forgive?
It’s the early 2000s, before PrEP. Ted is new to Los Angeles, and newly out of the closet. He goes on a journey through Hollywood back rooms, nightclub bathrooms, and Internet chat rooms—where he meets and falls in love with Henry. But Henry doesn’t yet know how to navigate the dating landscape with his new HIV diagnosis, so he breaks things off with Ted...who then makes a desperate decision to win Henry back. He Asked For It asks how far are you willing to go for love? And how much will you forgive?
"Patterson has accomplished quite a feat in writing a play that tackles tough issues around HIV while getting his audience to intermittently roar with laughter. Even though this play is nothing like Angels in America, I daresay that Mr. Kushner would be proud."
– The Advocate
It’s the early 2000s, before PrEP. Ted is new to Los Angeles, and newly out of the closet. He goes on a journey through Hollywood back rooms, nightclub bathrooms, and Internet chat rooms—where he meets and falls in love with Henry. But Henry doesn’t yet know how to navigate the dating landscape with his new HIV diagnosis, so he breaks things off with Ted...who then makes a desperate decision to win Henry back. He Asked For It asks how far are you willing to go for love? And how much will you forgive?
NOMINEE, Outstanding Los Angeles Theater, GLAAD Media Awards
NOMINEE, World Premiere Playwriting, Ovation Awards
Play Details
He Asked For It is a full-length play in two acts, with one intermission. This edition of He Asked For It includes a BONUS third act that further expands the story. The play can be performed with or without Act 3.
Cast: 1 female, 6 male
Genre: Drama, Dark Comedy, Edgy, New Plays, Subversive, Gay Theater, Queer Theater, Provocative, Epic
Keywords: LGBTQ, gay, romance, HIV, Hollywood, tragedy, forgiveness, radical, bold, love story, suicide, coming out, hate, hate crimes, gay life, dysfunction, redemption, loss, remorse, intimacy, intimacy coordinator, sex, nudity, cancer, loneliness, West Hollywood, WeHo, nightlife, chat rooms, family, love, Grindr, AOL, graphic content, acting, representation
Character Breakdown:
TED, an actor from Wyoming (20s)
NEAL, a buff, gym dude (20s to 30s)
RIGBY, gaffer from Encino (30s to 40s)
MARCUS, Ted’s agent (30s to 50s)
SOPHIE, Ted’s sister (16)
HENRY, not an actor, a romantic (20s to 30s)
STEVE, an athletic stud (20s to 30s)
"This is a brave, worthy take on a difficult topic."
– The Los Angeles Times
