A lesbian couple pops up among the characters of the Alliance Theatre’s new “Bike America,” making its world premiere this week as part of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition.
In Mike Lew’s play, the character of Penny (Jessica DiGiovanni) is a student traveling across the country, trying to do some self-discovery and find out who she is during a cross-country cancer fundraiser. During her journey, she meets a number of fellow participants, including two women who want to get married in every state that allows them to do so.
Marilyn Torres plays one half of the lesbian couple, Annabel, who is partners with Rorie (Je Nie Fleming). The actress feels Annabel, like Penny, is finding herself and her own strength as part of the event. “She is way optimistic and hopeful and is on this wonderful journey of love,” she says. “She is living out loud for the first time. She is a lesbian and proud.”