‘Dell Dude’ Ben Curtis On ‘The Crusade Of Connor Stephens,’ His Gay Minister Father [VIDEO EXCLUSIVE]

In Ben Curtis‘s off-Broadway play, The Crusade of Connor Stephens, the actor, known for his ads as the “Dell Dude,” finds himself discussing issues and events he saw and experienced up close while growing up. Connor Stephens is the story of a Southern Baptist family, the patriarch minister, and his gay son, dealing with issues of family, religion, and morals after a violent event forces them together.

Curtis plays Jim Jr., the gay son who is happily married to another man, with whom he has recently adopted a child. Like Jim Jr., Curtis’s father was a minister but there is one large difference in their stories – Curtis’s father is gay.

“I grew up in a very unique Southern family,” Curtis told uInterview exclusively. “My father, also, half way through my childhood came out. He was one of the first gay ministers in the South and one of the first people to help move the Episcopal church towards accepting everyone, both gay and straight, black and white, and everything in between … I was always taught to love people no matter what.”

Still, Curtis saw conflict similar to that which takes place in The Crusade of Connor Stephens. Growing up in Tennessee and being around a strong religious culture, he had many friends and knew many people with whom his father’s beliefs didn’t necessarily align.

“Every other Christian around me had different beliefs and I went to an all-boys Christian school,” said Curtis. “I had friends there who were gay that went through conversion therapy against their will. And, you know, it doesn’t really work.”

In knowing those friends, and witnessing their experiences, Curtis feels that he saw exactly what his play is trying to get at.

Said Curtis, “When you are told you can’t be yourself, you either shove it down and it comes out some other way or you take it on and become an activist. And so, my character isn’t really there yet but he does believe in being himself and I think that’s what really underlies the story.

The Crusade of Connor Stephens will make its off-Broadway debut on June 17 at the Jerry Orbach Theater.  Get tickets here.

Check back next week for Part 2 of our uInterview with Ben Curtis which discusses being arrested for buying pot and being fired by Dell.