Author of LGBTQ Winning Originals
"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again," C.S. Lewis
SPROOKJE
Sprookje (Dutch Fairytale)
Anthony meets his muse in Amsterdam when they are both very young. They share a romantic experience in the darkness of a club over several nights. Apropos for Anthony because he had been living in the dark, just rising from the ashes of a family tragedy, and just beginning the struggle to come out.
The Muse, the brightest star after his darkest night appears with love. But having no idea who he is or who he is becoming, Anthony is too afraid and shy to be himself. He lies about his name, and never asks the boy his.
When they briefly see each other in the light for the first time Anthony runs like Cinderella, not from the boy, but from himself. He has no clue of a next step after such depth of intimacy in the dark—not understanding love between two men—and feels shame for lying about his name.
Several years later while living in California, Anthony comes out. He realizes the love he feels inside is the same as in the boy’s arms. His heart sinks he didn’t ask the boy’s name. Not long after coming out, Anthony feels he sees the boy walking down the street. He doesn’t believe it could be the same person; now in his country on the other side of the world. But he’s inspired to return to Amsterdam—just to see—if their paths cross again. Thus the search begins spanning the globe.
Life brings Anthony opportunities for home and love in different lands from Europe to Australia to Africa. With each experience Anthony tries to love and let go of what seems like the impossible dream—to find someone he knows nothing about, not even his name.
However, The Muse continues to return in dream during very happy, or very sad moments; the times when the support of a best friend is desired to celebrate with, or be comforted by. But Anthony begins wondering if he really exists or if the unconventional relationship is all just a fairy tale dream.
When a second possible sighting happens a few years later, Anthony is inspired with the story for the book he wanted to write eleven years earlier. He hopes it lands in front of his muse’s eyes and they reunite. The dreams and inspiration continue, fueling a second and third book.
Nearly twenty years from their original meeting in the dark room of a club in Amsterdam at the bewitching hours of a winter night, to the late summer warmth of an afternoon day on the New York City street that Anthony has called home for eleven years, someone, who looks so familiar comes walking toward him. Again Anthony is just rising from the ashes of a second tragedy that has wounded his heart during a global pandemic. Is it the same, bright star appearing for a second time after Anthony’s darkest night, coming to see him through?
Based on real events, Sprookje show’s one-man’s own fable through life. Complete with modern day goblins and demons in the form of tragedy, trauma, PTSD, and mental illness. It is also—like any fairy tale—filled with angels, fairies, heroes, princes…and magic too. Everyone who appears along the way for twenty years that touches Anthony’s life and helps see him through. Sprookje highlights the best in humanity. It is a story that will warm hearts, make them laugh, make them cry, and most importantly make them believe in magic and miracles again. And perhaps wondering—like Anthony—who is The Muse and where is He?
