Unmissable: Josiah Blount’s Award-Winning ‘Flayed’ Returns to LA — Get Your Tickets Now!

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is set to host two performances of Flayed, a one-man show written and performed by Josiah Blount, at the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center. The performances are scheduled for Friday, August 9, and Saturday, September 7, both at 8 PM, in the Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre. Ticket prices range from $19 to $49 and can be purchased online. The show, which runs for 75 minutes, contains mature themes and brief partial nudity.

Flayed was a standout at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival, where it won multiple awards, including the Soaring Solo Social Impact Award and the Best of Broadwater Award. It was also nominated for the Fringe First Award, the 2Cents Immersive Worlds Award, and the San Diego International Fringe Festival Exchange Award. The entire run of the show sold out, and it later won the Solofest 2024 Best of Fest Award. The show premiered at the 2024 Queerly Festival with Frigid New York.

A Journey of Self-Discovery and Spiritual Enlightenment

Flayed tells the story of Joshua, a man on the verge of a mental breakdown and spiritual enlightenment. Fresh out of pastor’s college, Joshua is delivering his first sermon to a conservative church in Southwest Virginia. As he stands before the congregation, his public self and complex internal world are revealed. Joshua is deeply closeted and struggling with his queer identity, which leads to a mental and emotional crisis. The sermon becomes a trial run for the church staff and Associate Pastor, as Joshua’s mind becomes a fantasy landscape filled with eclectic characters representing sinful rage, lust, and violence.

The show features the voice of Lake Bell as the Voice of God, with Taubert Nadalini serving as the associate director and sound designer, and Taylor Sieve as the choreographer. Josiah Blount, an LA-based actor and writer, brings Joshua’s story to life with a powerful performance. Blount’s film credits include Ted 2 (Universal) and The Gambler (Paramount), while his TV credits include Modern Family (ABC), The Mentalist (CBS), Suburgatory (ABC), and Happyland (MTV). As a writer, his pilot script Abomination was a quarterfinalist in the 2023 Screencraft TV Pilot Script Competition.

The Creative Process Behind “Flayed”

Josiah Blount’s inspiration for Flayed stems from his tumultuous journey with sexuality and religion. Raised on a farm in the South and homeschooled for most of his life, Blount’s father was a pastor, which deeply influenced his upbringing. At 18, Blount moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and quickly came out as gay. However, after a failed relationship, he began to question his identity and eventually renounced his queerness. He surrounded himself with anti-gay Christians and began working at an anti-gay church as a children’s pastor, leading to a period of extreme mental darkness and suicidal ideation.

In 2020, Blount began to wake up to the truth and embrace love and honesty. He realized that his entire life had been built on fear—fear of God, community, and eternal torture in hell. This realization led him to deconstruct his religious beliefs and embrace his queerness. Blount no longer identifies as a Christian but joyfully embraces his queer identity, finding himself healthier, happier, and more honest.

The journey of creating Flayed began with a television pilot script called Abomination, which explored similar themes. After the script became a quarterfinalist in the 2023 Screencraft TV Pilot Script Competition, Blount decided to adapt the story into a solo stage show. The process involved improvisation, collaboration, and the support of a talented creative team, including director David Bridel and associate director and sound designer Taubert Nadalini.

Impact and Reception

Flayed has received widespread acclaim for its powerful storytelling and emotional depth. The show has been praised for its honesty, humor, and immersive experience. Audiences have been captivated by Blount’s portrayal of Joshua and the eclectic characters that inhabit his mind. The Hollywood Fringe Festival community embraced the show, leading to sold-out performances and multiple award nominations.

Blount’s performance has been described as a “masterpiece in solo theatre,” with critics highlighting his ability to seamlessly transition between characters and convey the emotional complexity of Joshua’s journey. The show has resonated with audiences, particularly those who have struggled with their own identities and the pressures of societal and religious expectations.

The success of Flayed at the Hollywood Fringe Festival has paved the way for encore performances and future productions. Blount plans to take the show to Solofest 2024 and hopes to perform in other venues around Los Angeles and New York. He also aims to continue producing variety shows with his clown troupe and work on new projects that explore themes of identity, sexuality, and faith.

Our Advice on the City

For those planning to visit Los Angeles to catch a performance of Flayed, we recommend taking the time to explore the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene. The Los Angeles LGBT Center, located in the heart of Hollywood, is a hub for LGBTQ+ events and performances. After the show, consider visiting nearby attractions such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Hollywood Bowl.

For expert travelers, we suggest exploring the diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles, each offering unique experiences. From the trendy boutiques and cafes of Silver Lake to the historic architecture of Downtown LA, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Getty Center for stunning art collections and breathtaking views of the city.

In conclusion, Flayed is a must-see performance that delves into the complexities of identity, faith, and self-acceptance. Josiah Blount’s powerful storytelling and captivating performance make this show a standout in the Los Angeles theatre scene. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, don’t miss the opportunity to experience this thought-provoking and emotionally resonant production.