RISE
DRAMA / MUSIC
USA
2018
RISE is an American music drama television series created by Jason Katims, starring Josh Radnor as Lou Mazzuchelli. RISE consists of 10 episodes of 43 minutes.
STORY: The series is inspired by Michael Sokolove's 2013 book Drama High, which focused on the real-life teacher Lou Volpe and the famous theatre program at Harry S Truman High School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Stanton High School's English teacher, Mr. Lou Mazzuchelli (Josh Radnor) tries to encourage his students, but also wants to inspire them to the art of theatre. The director appoints him to be the new director of Stanton's drama club.
GAY COUPLE STORYLINE: Simon Saunders (Ted Sutherland) is a college student born into a very religious-conservative family, usually starring in Stanton club theatre productions, but later being cast in the role of Hänschen. Jeremy Travers (Sean Grandillo) is a new member of Stanton's drama club, cast as Ernst, Simon's partner in the play. Jeremy is rejected by Simon. Simon and Jeremy are not an epic love story. They're not Rise's main focus, and even the LGBTQ-themed story doesn't get the most attention.
Simon Saunders (Ted Sutherland) & Jeremy Travers (Sean Grandillo)
TED SUTHERLAND (2018)
March 16, 1997, New York City, NY, USA
SEAN GRANDILLO (2018) December 9, 1992, Cleveland, OH, USA
SPECIAL: Out magazine expressed concern about the straightwashing, saying that changing the real source of the original book, about a gay man, Lou Mazzuchelli, into a straight man, was "cultural theft and [gay] erasing of what" should have happened". the story of a complicated LGBTQ hero".
AWARDS: ‘RISE’ none
6.4 IMDB
