Billy to His Friends

by Cassandra Rose

Oliver "Billy" Sipple saved President Ford's life in San Francisco on September 22nd, 1975. Two days later, Harvey Milk outed him as gay to the entire world. A diverse ensemble of folks visiting the GLBT Historical Society in modern-day San Francisco become Billy's friends and reclaim history. Billy to His Friends was developed through Broken Nose Theatre’s new play development program, The Paper Trail.

Oliver "Billy" Sipple saved President Ford's life in San Francisco on September 22nd, 1975. Two days later, Harvey Milk outed him as gay to the entire world. A diverse ensemble of folks visiting the GLBT Historical Society in modern-day San Francisco become Billy's friends and reclaim history. Billy to His Friends was developed through Broken Nose Theatre’s new play development program, The Paper Trail.

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Billy to His Friends

Recommended by

  • Zach Barr: Billy to His Friends by Cassandra Rose
    “

    Highly theatrical and deeply researched, Rose's play prompts difficult questions about the unintended consequences of trying to save someone else's life, from bullets or from the closet. Underneath the headlines and camp lip-syncing, it is at heart the story of why we lie to protect those we love, and how the truth doesn't always set us free in the way we hope it will. Begging to be in production.

    Highly theatrical and deeply researched, Rose's play prompts difficult questions about the unintended consequences of trying to save someone else's life, from bullets or from the closet. Underneath the headlines and camp lip-syncing, it is at heart the story of why we lie to protect those we love, and how the truth doesn't always set us free in the way we hope it will. Begging to be in production.

    ”
  • Brianna Barrett: Billy to His Friends by Cassandra Rose
    “

    A completely arresting look at a true, historical event that absolutely deserves to exist more predominantly in the public consciousness. This play explores how homophobia, internalized shame, politics, and a relentless new cycle contribute to a climate where it's possible for a man's life to be ruined by LITERALLY SAVING THE PRESIDENT FROM AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. It's heartbreaking, compassionate, nuanced, and utilizes space, sound and an ensemble of actors doubling various roles to absolutely gorgeous effect. I very much hope to see this play staged.

    A completely arresting look at a true, historical event that absolutely deserves to exist more predominantly in the public consciousness. This play explores how homophobia, internalized shame, politics, and a relentless new cycle contribute to a climate where it's possible for a man's life to be ruined by LITERALLY SAVING THE PRESIDENT FROM AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. It's heartbreaking, compassionate, nuanced, and utilizes space, sound and an ensemble of actors doubling various roles to absolutely gorgeous effect. I very much hope to see this play staged.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Billy to His Friends by Cassandra Rose
    “

    A moving and important historical play that brings Billy's story to life brilliantly. Well done.

    A moving and important historical play that brings Billy's story to life brilliantly. Well done.

    ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

This is not another queer play for only gay cis white men. This is a play for the entire LGBTQ+ community. The ensemble should reflect that. As should the text. If you, as a collaborator on this story, feel this is not happening, please let me know what I can do to remedy that.

OF SPECIAL NOTE: I am willing to split up and adapt the ensemble identities of this play to fit the actors available in an educational setting, such as a high school or college production.
  • Ensemble 1
    Plays SARA JANE MOORE, JACKIE*, DARYL LEMBKE, & NURSE SEIJO*
    Played by a NB actor (AFAB) of any race/ethnicity
    Any age
    Any
    Nonbinary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Ensemble 2
    Plays WILLIAM COONEY, DR. HUDSON*, & TERRI*
    Played by a queer Black woman with a disability (visible or invisible)
    Any age
    African / African American / Black
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Ensemble 3
    Plays GERALD FORD, WATSON*, & MR. SIPPLE
    Played by a queer Black man, comfortable with lip-sync/burlesque
    Any age
    African / African American / Black
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Ensemble 4
    Plays HERB CAEN, REVON*, & DONALD RUMSFELD
    Played by a Middle Eastern man/NB actor, amazing with lip-sync/burlesque
    Any age
    Middle Eastern
    he/him or they/them
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Ensemble 5
    Plays WAYNE FRIDAY, MRS. SIPPLE, & JUDGE HERNANDEZ*
    Played by a NB actor, preferably BIPOC
    Any age
    BIPOC
    Nonbinary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Ensemble 6
    Played by an Asian American woman/NB actor, amazing with lip-sync/burlesque
    Any age
    Asian American
    She/her or they/them
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Oliver "Billy" Sipple
    played by a trans/NB actor (AFAB) preferably with a disability (visible or invisible) of any race/ethnicity
    30s/40s
    Any
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Harvey Milk
    played by a trans/NB actor (AMAB) of any race/ethnicity
    30s/40s
    Any
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s

Development History

  • Reading, Celebration Theatre, 2024
  • Residency, Broken Nose Theatre, 2020
  • Reading, Broken Nose Theatre, 2020

Awards