Sordid Lives was a 2000 independent film, written and directed by Del Shores. The movie is based on Shores' play of the same name and includes elements of his life, according to the director's DVD commentary. The film was followed by the 2008 television series Sordid Lives: The Series.
The original stage play premiered in Los Angeles on May 11, 1996 and ultimately won 14 Drama League Awards. The film met with mixed reviews from mainstream audiences but became a cult classic with LGBT fans, particularly in the South. The movie tells the story of a Texas family coming together in the aftermath of the matriarch's death. To keep the stories going, Viacom's new station Logo produced twelve episodes of Sordid Lives: The Series. The television version begins at a point before that covered in the film, with Rue McClanahan as the mother, Peggy Ingram. Much of the film cast returned, including Leslie Jordan and Olivia Newton-John. Delta Burke was replaced with Caroline Rhea, while the part of Ty Williamson, formerly played by Kirk Geiger, is now portrayed by director Del Shores' husband Jason Dottley. Dottley has been on the national tour of the stage production of Sordid Lives since September 2007.
The television series began airing in July 2008. It ended after one season.
Read more about Sordid Lives: Synopsis, Cast and Characters, Soundtrack
Famous quotes containing the words sordid and/or lives:
“Oh, has the foul atmosphere of foreign lands extinguished all your self-respect? Do you come back sordid and sycophantic, and the slave of opinions you would once have utterly detested?”
—Augusta Evans (1835–1909)
“You can’t be arbitrary about imposing your will when these people’s lives are at stake. Don’t you realize that? You speak as calmly as if you were saying “Pass the salt.” Aren’t you human? Are you made of ice?”
—Kurt Neumann (1906–1958)