Bullied, ridiculed, misunderstood and gay. This was the life of Cumberland, Rhode Island high school student Aaron Fricke, a teenager whose unprecedented civil actions forever changed the lives of gay and lesbian students.

Boston Children's Theatre (BCT) is proud to be the first children's theater in the country to produce the World Premiere play REFLECTIONS OF A ROCK LOBSTER about a gay teenager and his fight to defend his life and preserve his civil rights in the wake of bullying, prejudice and intolerance. Based on the true story of Aaron Fricke, and adapted by BCT Executive Artistic Director Burgess Clark for the stage, REFLECTIONS OF A ROCK LOBSTER is a compelling and entertaining production about tolerance, understanding and acceptance.

The year is 1980 and Aaron is gay. Being gay makes Aaron different. With that stigma, he is subjected daily to violence and rejection--leaving him feeling dejected and with thoughts of suicide. Rising from his despair, Aaron strikes back by suing his Rhode Island high school for the right to escort his boyfriend to the prom. By standing up for his personal and civil rights and for refusing to apologize for who he is, Aaron not only wins in court, but he also wins in the hearts and minds of his peers and his community. His strength and ultimate victory help pave the way for legions of gay and lesbian students.

Currently living in San Francisco, Fricke is working closely with BCT on the production. "I am thrilled that a new generation of young people is being introduced to my story," revealed Fricke. "To be honest, it's not really my story, it's everyone's story. I think everyone will be able to relate to what I experienced. The fact that bullying and prejudice still exist today in our society, makes this play even more relevant and powerful."

An important chapter of civil rights history, REFLECTIONS OF A ROCK LOBSTER is told with humor and great sensitivity. "As one of the America's oldest children's theatres, Boston's Children's Theatre is extraordinarily proud to lead the national charge for greater understanding, healing and harmony among today's youth," said Clark, who is also directing this production. "By enlightening audiences with positive messages about tolerance and acceptance, we hope to encourage families and students to talk more openly about the emotional and physical effects of bullying and how we can all prevent it from happening in our communities."

REFLECTIONS OF A ROCK LOBSTER is already making a national impact. In support of this powerful new production, Academy Award winning actress Susan Sarandon said, "The largest challenge one can face is to lead an authentic life when to do so is to be isolated from our "tribe", your peers, especially at a time when that "tribe" seems to be everything. To stand up takes great courage and it is important to celebrate such courage."

Locally, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino also recognized the importance of bringing this production to the public. "I applaud Boston Children's Theatre for producing a World Premiere play that addresses issues that have such a profound impact on our community," said Mayor Menino. "Bullying, prejudice and anti-gay sentiments cannot be tolerated in our schools or in our society. 'Reflections of a Rock Lobster' teaches us all the importance of acceptance and tolerance in an entertaining, creative and powerful way. I congratulate their efforts and I encourage everyone to experience this ground-breaking production."

REFLECTIONS OF A ROCK LOBSTER will be performed by students between the ages of 14 and 19 alongside several adult actors. The student cast includes Andover residents Conrad Krendel-Clark and Kim Uggerholt; Bedford resident Natalie Vatcher; Belmont resident Alex Aroyan; Boston residents Rosie Cerulli, Joy Kozu and Emily White; Boxford resident Kristina Kastrinelis; Braintree resident Rachel Padell; Brookline residents Sophia Pokowsky and Felix Teich (as Aaron's boyfriend 'Paul Guilbert'); Burlington resident Futaba Shioda; Charlestown resident Kevin Paquette; Londonderry, NH resident Anthony Esielionis; Melrose resident Julia Talbot; Middleton resident Sean Crosley; Newton resident Alex Levy; North Reading resident William Goldstein; Quincy residents Ellis Hampton, Nicholas McNeil and Niamh O'Connor; Reading resident Aly Grindall; Rowley resident Marianna Odoy; Sandwich resident Megan McMahon; South Hamilton resident Ian Shain (as 'Aaron Fricke'); Swampscott resident Justin Hynes; Worcester resident Ashley Hevey; and Linnea Shulz of Sweden.

The adult cast features Paula Plum as Aaron Fricke's mother 'Loretta Fricke'; Richard Snee as Aaron Fricke's father 'Walter Fricke'; Doug Bowen-Flynn as Cumberland, RI principal 'Richard Lynch'; Allan Mayo as activist 'John Delaney'; and Nate Punches as both Defense Attorney 'Donald Chase' and RI State Trooper, 'Larry'.

Performances will be in the Wimberly Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA on March 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. Tickets are $35.00 and can be purchased by visiting the BCT website at www.bostonchildrenstheatre.org or calling the BCT Box Office at 617-424-6634, x222.