Dominion Stage presents Beautiful Thing

ARLINGTON, VA. Dominion Stage kicks off their 58th Season with the touching play, Beautiful Thing. Written by Jonathan Harvey and directed by Scott Olson, the heartwarming story explores the journey of two young men coming to grips with their sexuality and the effect it has on the people in their lives.


Jamie and Ste (short for Steve) are teenage neighbors in a working-class housing project in London. Jamie is bookish and shy while Ste is more athletic. Neither one has an ideal home life. Jamie's mother Sandra is bitter over her financial situation and her romantic life, but she's willing to settle for a bloke named Tony and cover up her disappointment with scathing humor. Next door, Ste's father and brother abuse him in the form of escalating domestic squabbles and actual beatings. On the other side live Leah and her mum. Leah has been kicked out of school and passes her time listening to old records. Leah has become obsessed with the music of the Mamas and the Papas and particularly with Mama Cass.



Life drifts along until one night Ste is beaten up by his brother and is taken into the safety of Sandra's flat. Sleeping embarrassed head-to-toe, Jamie realizes that he is in love with Ste. As the bullying continues, Ste spends more and more time with Jamie. With Jamie, Ste finds a tenderness he has so far missed out on in life. As the two grow closer, Sandra discovers the truth. She knows she cannot kick Jamie out. Her love for him is too strong, and she decides to try and understand. It is clear now that things will forever be different for Jamie and his mother, but Ste can never tell his family the truth.


Beautiful Thing will run weekends from October 19 through November 10, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees on October 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. The initial eight performances will be held at Gunston Arts Center - Theater One, located at 2700 S. Lang Street in Arlington.

Two final two performances on November 9 and 10 will be held at the New School at 9431 Silver King Ct. in Fairfax. Prices for tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and juniors. Seating is General Admission and reservations, though not required, can be made online or by calling (703) 683-0502. Dominion Stage only accepts cash and checks at the Box Office.