“Dream”boys

Hey boyz and girlz! I hope everyone had a gaytastic New Year. I’ve missed you all. And speaking of missing things, here is a show that I plan to miss: DreamBoys by Blue Umbrella Productions. [ed. note — check out their promotional video above, which was apparently produced by Harvey Fierstein and directed by Richard Simmons.]

The sequel to the sold-out hit show Unexpected Songs, DreamBoys features five talented men singing Broadway songs made famous by the bawdy women of the boards. Popular Twin Cities stage personalities Doug Anderson, Tim Kuehl, Bart Ruf, Ryan Shipley, and Paul Whittemore bring a little something extra to timeless classics, diva favorites, and rare gems of the theater.

The show is set in a theater lobby moments before an audition, where each man steadies his nerves and wonders…what if I could audition for Eliza instead of Henry Higgins?

Featuring songs from such hit shows as Wicked, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Shop of Horrors, A Chorus Line, and contemporary classics The Wild Party, The Last Five Years, and Light in the Piazza. Expect powerful belting, thoughtful ballads, and a generous dose of gender-bending fun.

In all fairyness, the talent in this show could quite possibly be good. I’m not totally familiar with all of these “popular Twin Cities stage personalities.” I am a fan of Doug Anderson, and I did think that Ryan Shipley was very funny in Summer of ’42, but I wouldn’t classify them as “stage personalities.”

You may be thinking, “But Gaye, this is a show full of boys singing Broadway songs!” This is true. It should be right up my big queer alley. Here’s the thing though…I like my diva songs to be sung by women. They are songs for women for a reason, and should be sung as such. Let’s face it, it’s hard enough to get really good roles for women on stage — that aren’t slutty or stupid, etc. Why rip that away from them? Yes, it’s all in good fun, but it doesn’t seem relevant or necessary; more like vocal masturbation.

In other Gaye news, I do plan on seeing Walking Shadow’s Caligula.

A young and heartbroken Roman Emperor holds dominion over the known world. Using vicious logic and deliberate cruelty, he tests the limits of absolute power. Has he really found the impossible: the meaning of life? This play by renowned French philosopher and Nobel winner Albert Camus is given a lush new translation by British playwright David Greig.

You may be thinking, “Gaye you seem to have a hard-on for Walking Shadow.” It’s true. I’ve got a big Gaye crush on Walking Shadow. And for good reason. They do amazing, relevant, thoughtful work, which often has gay themes. And their casting is flawless. (Davey Gangler might just be the cutest thing out there).

Good job, once again Walking Shadow for being really gay…in a good way. And good luck to you Blue Umbrella Productions. You’re definitely really gay.