In religion and football-obsessed Alabama, a community theatre in Birmingham, mounts an original musical called “Skanks in a One Horse Town” – an uproarious and ribald tale about three women, played by gay men, who accidentally travel from 1978 Studio 54 to 1878 Deep Hole, Texas via a disco ball time machine.
The feature documentary SKANKS follows the actors and creators of this musical from rehearsal through performance and after – at work, in their homes, and with their families.
Despite a city that can be unwelcoming at times and a culture that tells them in subtle and not subtle ways that they are second-class citizens, the cast of twenty-two bonds to form a family of sorts, and the play becomes the most successful in the theater’s history. SKANKS is about the redemptive power of theatre, the communities we create, and how humor and laughter can help overcome any obstacle.
The Director of SKANKS is David McMahon. McMahon also serves as producer, along with Alan Oxman. Editing is by Brendan Reed and Director of Photography is Cameron Cardwell. Original Music is by Flannery Hooks, with original songs by Flannery Hooks, Christoph Hooks, and Billy Ray Brewton.
SKANKS will have its World Premiere in Documentary Competition at the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival.