“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.

Here he is, ladies and gents…one more time before the holidays, IT’S GAYE!

————

Hello my darling readers. The holidays have come upon us, and so has my friend from the gym. For my holiday post, I wanted to recommend some shows to see, but alas, I’m not extremely excited about many shows right now. I don’t have my usual Gaye-rection for the holiday season. I’m not sure what it is; the economy, the ever-growing threat of Project Runway being canceled, this tiny unexplained rash. Who knows? So this year, in lieu of my missing list of shows that would give me a Holiday Hard-On, I’d like to submit to you my first ever…

Holi-Gaye Wish List! (in no particular order)

• Chanhassen Dinner Theatre decides to be less boring.

• The Big Blue Blog decides to be less boring.

• Mainstream news outlets, like the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press pay closer attention to smaller theaters that would benefit more from reviews.

• Theaters that cater to younger audiences, like The Children’s Theatre, The Youth Performance Company and SteppingStone Theatre continue to thrive.

• Nobody does a production of Midsummer…for at least 3 more years.

• The Iveys gets a lot more Gay in a Good Way. There is a giant pool of talent in this state. Let’s use some of it for the show that is supposed to showcase this talent.

• Next year’s Fringe Festival is at LEAST as good as it was this year.

• Broadway’s The Little Mermaid goes up in flames. I’m not even gay enough to want to see that show.

• Somebody decides to produce Golden Girls: The Musical!

• More original work gets produced. And it doesn’t suck balls.

I hope all of your wishes come true in the New Year and I hope you all continue to be extremely Gaye in a Good Way!  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go Ho-Ho-Ho myself out.

Red is the new Gaye

Hey Kiddies. Your old pal Gaye has found a reason to twattle on down to The Red Eye Theater. Two reasons actually! Amanda Tears, Teenage Detective (which closes this week) has been getting some good buzz. A few of my fairies have said some good things about the show. And on a personal note, I’ve always thought that Amelia English is just about the cutest thing out there. She’s so tiny, I love her! I want to put her in my purple clutch and keep her forever. And unless my Gaye ears deceived me, I’ve heard that Nick Crandall has a little drag queen moment in the show. Delightful!

Up next at The Red Eye is, God’s Ear (4/10 - 4/26 2009). I don’t know a ton about the show, but here is a synopsis from their website,

“Mel and her husband Ted are trying to cope with the loss of their son. Wherever Ted goes he meets people with dead sons, and whatever Mel touches falls apart. They continue to make their way through the world guided by their young daughter Lanie and a host of bizarre characters, including the Tooth Fairy, G.I. Joe, and a transvestite airline stewardess.”

Drama, a Tooth Fairy, and a transvestite, Oh My! I must admit, the description of this show intrigues me, and I plan on slapping on something cute and heading out to see this show in April.

Well done Red Eye for being a little bit Gaye…in a good way.

Bright Lights, Big Gaye Yawn

Boyz and girlz, Gaye is bored. Bored to tears. Again. The Ivey’s are over, and I’m looking for the next Gay Show! But I don’t see many diamonds in the rough. I thought maybe MMT’s production of Bright Light’s Big City might do the trick. But I read a little more about it online, and looked at a few clips of the show, and I was extremely unimpressed. Maybe I’m just straight up in a bad mood, but there is nothing about this show that makes me want to see it. Other than maybe the cheesy draw of 80’s nostalgia. But much like myself, it’s been done. A lot. Throw backs to the 80’s was so five minutes ago. Also, if you hate yourself a little bit, take a peek at the clips they posted. In my humble and queer opinion, it doesn’t sound good [ed. note — this one is much better]. You might be saying, “but gay, it’s just a recording and it’s a rehearsal. What did you expect.” Well, my misguided gay, I expect that when you post something, bragging about your show, make sure it’s good. The point is to get people to think that you actually have a good show. Not to make them think, “they sound okay for a rehearsal, maybe they got better.” Who knows, maybe they did. I am a fan of Patrick Morgan, and I have confidence that he might be one of two or three saving graces in the show (Courtney Miner and Joe Bombard would be the other two) [ed. note — Tom Karki is usually pretty awesome, as well]. But I’m still more than likely going to watch old episodes of “Maude”, instead of going to this show.

I was however, able to find a glimmer of hope. Walking Shadow’s production of Amazons and Their Men, has promise shooting out of it’s…men. If you’ve not read the script, do so. It’s outstanding. The show has a comically dramatic director, a little bit of homo-erotic love, and a Minister of Propaganda. I actually, can’t wait to see this show. If I’ve learned one thing from this year’s Fringe Festival, it’s that Walking Shadow knows how to put on a good show.

Lastly, I’m a little bit on the queer-link fence about Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s production of The Producers. I was an advocate of this show for a while. It is one of my favorite musicals. I’m just a tiny bit nervous about Chanhassen’s tendency to dumb down their productions for the sake of the hearing-impaired and post hip replacement audience members. The good thing about this show is that the humor and style of the show is written into the script, so you’d think it would be hard to completely ruin. But, Chanhassen is the same theater that cast someone as “Jean Valjean”, with the singing talents of an ailing tiger cub. For an extra good yawn, check out their website and watch the clip of Michael Brindisi. Why on God’s Gay Earth would you put that clip up [ed. note — Brindisi is a self-indulgent dicknose]. I kept hoping that something fun would happen, or that he would say something interesting. It never happened. My cat did sneeze while I was watching it though. So that made me laugh.

At the end of the day, Gaye is still bored, but I will say, Good job Walking Shadow for keeping it Gay In a Good Way. Better luck next time Minneapolis Musical Theatre, you’re just not gay enough. And, don’t disappoint me Chanhassen. Take advice from the script: “keep it light, keep it bright, keep it gay.”

In a season full of fantastically boring and dust covered shows, (BCT is doing Crazy For You. YAWN. Park Square will be doing A Midsummer Night’s Dream. What in Gaye Hell are they thinking?) Matthew Everett has written an original play (produced by After Dark Theatre Company) that has perked up the Gaye-dar of this Fairy Bored-Mother.  Fresh from the same man that brought one of my Fringe Favorites, “The Bronze Bitch Flies at Noon”, and “Dog Tag” comes, Leave.

Here’s a synopsis:

Seth is a young Marine serving during wartime. Nicholas is his civilian longtime companion who waits back home. In addition to the strain on their relationship caused by distance and absence, they must hide their love for one another behind code words and secret identities because of the don’t ask, don’t tell policy barring gays and lesbians from serving openly in the United States military. Seth’s mother Anne assists them by providing the cover of a woman’s handwriting for Nicholas’ daily letters, but Nicholas and Seth’s resolve is starting to weaken. Jonas, another young gay Marine in Seth’s unit just coming to terms with his identity, forms an intense bond with Seth overseas. Tyson, a former Army soldier who got fed up with “don’t ask, don’t tell” and didn’t reenlist, now works alongside Nicholas, providing temptation as well as a reality check. When Seth returns home for an unexpected leave, with Jonas at his side, and post-traumatic stress following him from the battlefield, old relationships are tested, and new ones bloom. In the end, the realities of war call on one man to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to see this show. But I’ll try. I’m about as excited as a gay hooker during the Republican National Convention! Not only is Matthew Everett a fantastic writer, but he is taking the gay genre to a respectable level. The characters he writes aren’t gay clowns. They are real people. And it’s about damn time. With this new show, it seems Everett is raising his own bar…and my bar as well. He’s taking on the military. This show has the promise of good looking men, emotional insight, and provocation written all over it. Three things that can also describe my bedroom on Tuesday night. I am definitely going to see this show and you should too!

Thank you Matthew Everett, once again, for being totally Gaye…in a good way!

September 5th and 6th at 7pm at the Black Box Theatre in Morris, MN

or…

September 11th and 25th at 7pm at the Bryant Lake Bowl

All good things most come to my end…an end.

All in all, I think this year’s Fringe Festival was the best one in years. The level of talent was off the charts. The amount of amazing shows to see was unbelievable. And the number of shirtless guys on stage was inspiring. Which brings me to the first of my last Fringe reviews:

“The Bronze Bitch Flies at Noon” and “Dog Tag”, presented by Magicword Theater. “FINALLY!!!” That was the first word came to my head after seeing this show. Finally a play (two, technically) that includes gay characters, yet the show isn’t necessarily about “being gay.” And it’s done well! The actors knew exactly what they were doing. It wasn’t cheesy. I cared about the characters. Nobody was a whore, or a drug addict, or had AIDS, or a lisp, or any other quality/circumstance that most people seem to think comes with the gay territory. They were just people (and one dog), in the same situations that any straight person could be in. “YUMMY!!!” That was the first word that came to my head during the show. All three actors are not only talented, but they are also deliciously good looking. I wanted to give them all a good Gaye tongue bath. The three of them, (Joe Bombard, Sasha Andreev, and Buddy Haardt) work together so well, that it’s nearly impossible to say any one of them stood out from the others. They balanced each other perfectly. If forced to make out with/choose one of them as my favorite I would have to choose Haardt. He has an endearing earnestness about him. I couldn’t help but compare him to T.R. Knight, in both appearance, and demeanor. The one complaint I had about this show, is that I wanted more. Running at about 40 minutes, I was confused why the two pieces, (especially Dog Tag) were so short. I guess two well done short pieces is better than one really long piece of shit show. I give this show Two Legs Way up and Over My Head, and 5 Gaye golden stars.

Next up was The Spaceman Chronicles, presented by Sanguine Theatre. I originally wasn’t going to review this show after seeing it. There didn’t seem to be a point. It was just bad. I understand that this was a last-minute fill-in show. But these are seemingly smart artists. It was a good idea for a show. And most of the actors have proven to be talented in other productions (Mortem Capiendum, anyone). I expected more. Or at least something…good. Here’s my theory. A group of talented artists got together for a circle jerk. They showed the circle jerk to their friends, and instead of saying, “Gross,” their friends went down on the artists. And it needs to stop. Bad work needs to be called out, just as often as good work does. There comes a time in every artist’s life when they need the help of their friends to say, “it’s really not that good,” or, “I’d rather lick a sheep’s anus than see your show again.” I actually overhead (at Fringe Central) a conversation between a few of the actors from the show and one of their friends. She said to them, “I really liked it. I laughed my ass off.” I wanted to light her pants on fire. Don’t lie to your friends. It isn’t helpful. It only perpetuates the advancement of bad theater. If you actually saw this show and liked it, I have two things to say to you: 1.) Please tell me what it is that you liked. and 2.) You’re wrong. Sorry Spaceman Chronicles, but I will not be putting my legs in the air for you. I will give you 2 Gaye golden stars. 1 for the idea of the show (even though it fell short and was poorly/painfully executed). And 1 for the neat puppets.

And now for my last Fringe Festival review of the year. Phi Alpha Gamma, presented by Dan Bernitt. Bernitt is someone you should keep on your gaydar. His writing is so well crafted for such a seemingly young artist. He took the audience on a journey of a gay bashing and a coming out story, from the perspective of a group of fraternity brothers. While his acting is still a little green, it’s forgivable due to the quality of his writing. If anyone is attempting to write something with gay content that will in fact be dealing with “gay issues and themes,” then please refer to Bernitt’s work. His writing is edgy, well constructed, and personal, without ever being self-indulgent. While I’m not a huge fan of watching a writer read from his script on stage at the Fringe Festival, I wasn’t at all annoyed this time. I do however think this piece could have worked a little better had there been a different actor or reader for each character. It would have taken some of the pressure off of Bernitt, allowing this story to make a bigger impact. Well done Dan Bernitt’s Phi Alpha Gamma for being really Gaye, in a good way. Two Legs in the Air and 5 Gaye golden stars.

Though I didn’t get any Fringe tail this year, I did meet a lot of great artists, and made a few friends. And I certainly drank a lot of cheap beer and wine. I’m sorry if I threw up on any of you. Congratulations to all the shows that got the encore performance, and congratulations to the winners of this year’s Fringies. You are officially Fringe Famous. And you are all really, really Gaye…in a good way.

He’s back again, kiddies.  More Gaye = more…well, gay.  Enjoy!

————

Hey, fairies! Here’s another set of my reviews for you to pleasure yourselves to…I mean, for your reading pleasure.

First up is Cowboy DragQueen, presented by DragIn Productions. I saw this show for obvious reasons. Care to guess what they were? You’re right…I’m a homo. A title like Cowboy DragQueen is like the mother ship calling me home. I went into the show with a bit of hesitation, though. Let’s face it; there’s not a ton of “gay” theater out there that speaks to me…or is good. This…was no different. Though I applaud Patrick Braucher for his attempt to give the audience a peek into something very personal in his life, he missed the mark…which is surprising, since the show is…about him. I really wanted to like this show. I have to admit, it started out okay. Braucher, began by telling us about his depression, and how he got there, and we were told that this would be the story of how he got through it. The audience, including me, was ready to be inspired. And then the show started. Braucher didn’t seem to know the words to his own script, about his own life. In what should have been raw looks at a man transforming into a drag queen, the scene shifts were five-minute yawn fests of Braucher climbing clumsily into dresses with the help of a “flying fairy,” (a stage hand wearing white angel wings). I did, however enjoy the music, and of course, the dresses and wigs. And we all got to wear tiaras during the show! I loves me some tiaras! I think this show could have been really good, and really inspiring if the Braucher had given us a little more emotion and a little less…drag show. This piece may have worked better if an actual actor had been hired, and a writer, and a set designer, and a director. Sorry, Cowboy DragQueen. I won’t be putting my legs in the air for you…though I really wanted to. I do however give you two Gaye golden stars. One for at least getting some GLBT content into the Fringe, and one for having an ABBA mix in the show.

Next on my gay-genda was Boom, presented by IL Productions. This show is, in a word, FABULOUS! Andrew Conner (writer/performer) is an effing genius. He shifted in and out of about ten different characters with the ease of Kristi Yamaguchi doing a triple loop, triple salchow combination. Please pardon my pun, but Boom is simply explosive. The writing, staging, performing, and synchronicity of actor/lighting/sound was effortless. Also, Andrew Conner is super handsome…even in his ridiculous yet amazingly smart costume. There really isn’t much more to be said about this. You must see this show. If you don’t see this show, then I hate you, and you shouldn’t be alive anymore. You should also go see the Cody Rivers Show Presents: Stick To Glue, which also features Conner, along with Mike Mathieu, who is also super cute. Good job Boom! I give you Two Legs Way up in the Air and Spread Open, along with five Gaye golden stars!

See you at the Fringe! I’ll be the one trying to get in Andrew Conner’s pants so I can see his Boom.

Hello, fellow theatre junkies. We tried to keep him in, but Gaye escaped and reviewed a few Fringe shows. Prepare to be Gayed!

————

The first show I saw this year was SHIFT, presented by Jonas Goslow. This was an extra super way to start out the Fringe! Watching Goslow’s performance gave me Gaye wood for two reasons: A.) He is hot hot hot. I couldn’t keep my mind from wondering how many inches of talent this young man actually has, and 2.) he is amazingly gifted. His performance was flawless. I believed him every second, and I was with him all the way. If you don’t see this show, then you clearly hate yourself. The only thing that would have made it better, is if Goslow made out with me during the show. Well done SHIFT, I give this show Two Legs in the Air…and five Gaye golden stars.

Next, I hauled my hot gay ass down to the Rarig to see Musical the Musical! presented by Urban Samurai Productions. This is a show that is definitely going to appeal to many people, from the Broadway Bitches, to the sexually confused teens, to the average audience member looking to simply be entertained for 57 minutes. There are many great elements in this show. The witty, and often dangerously funny script, had this queen sitting there unable to laugh from the shock of, “did they really just say that?” Krystyn Spratt deserves praise for her bitingly funny portrayal of the stereotypical black female in an otherwise predominantly white production. She sassed the role of “Rasheda” that led to moments where I thought I had pissed my sparkly red thong from laughing so hard. Kecia Rehkamp also stood out with a memorable performance in the role of “Lauren”, the shows young naïve ingénue. She delivered a line about “opening” her “brown star” that made my balls drop in laughter. Reid Harmsen played the shows leading man. While he played it well enough, it did leave me wanting just a little bit more, considering the talent from the rest of the show’s lead characters. The biggest downfall in the show, was the volume. I was sitting in the sixth row of the giant theater, and was straining to hear the voices over the music. All in all…I don’t know that I would call this show a “must see,” but I did have a Gaye old time, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for the same. I’ll give this show One and Half Legs in the Air…and four Gaye golden stars.

The next show on my pink and scented list was Robin Hood the Musical!, presented by Top Hat Theatre. This one is a little bit hard for me to review, for two reasons. 1.) It’s a children’s show. 2.) It’s a children’s show. Here’s the thing, if you’ve got young gaylings and you want to bring them to the theater, this would be a fine show to see at the Fringe. If you are a full-grown gay, on your own, and looking to be amazed at the Fringe, this would not be a fine show to see. The biggest problems for this show were, the giant cast (seemed to be a million people on stage at some points), the odd use of microphones on some actors but not others, the amateurish script, and the church pageant staging. Other than that, the clearly community theater actors did a fine enough job to keep the children in the audience entertained. One thing that did surprise me was the vocal talent of the cast. Valerie Roder (”Marion”), actually had an exceptionally beautiful voice that left me wanting more solos from her. Also on a Gaye note, Grant Hauptman (”Robin Hood”) is super hot. I wanted him to have a nude scene. But that would be a bit inappropriate…damn kids! At the end of the day, I didn’t hate this show, but there really wasn’t much for me praise. This being a children’s show, I won’t put my legs in the air…because that’s illegal. But I will say “good effort” and hand them two Gaye golden stars.

That’s all for now kids! Time wash up, and climb into something cute for another day of Fringe Fabulousness!

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Gayer

That’s right boyz and girlz, Minnetonka Theatre is doing Annie Get Your Gun!!! You may be asking, “but Gaye, what on queer Earth does that have to do with things that are gay in a good way?” The answer, my deer queerlings, is two fold.

Number one: John Trones is playing “Frank Butler”. If you are a gay man in the Twin Cities, chances are you’ve had visions of Trones dancing in your head…and in your pants. Not only is this man amazingly beautiful, he’s also got the voice of a big gay angel. John Trones alone, is reason enough for me to climb into my skinny jeans and trash on down to Minnetonka.

Number two: Annie Oakley was a big ol’ lesbian. Yeah, yeah, yeah…you may be saying, “now Gaye, just because she’s a powerful female, doesn’t mean she’s a lesbian.” Yes it does. Okay…she’s not actually a lesbian. She’s a strong woman. But come on! She’s a gun-slingin’, trash-talkin’, strong beyatch! She’s Rosie O’Donnell with firearms. And I love her! She’s les-tastic! The only thing more les-ba-rific than Annie Get Your Gun is trail mix.

Well done, Minnetonka Theatre, for being totally gay!…in a good way!

Also of note: On July 11th, Bloomington Civic Theatre and Breast Cancer Awareness Association of Minnesota are having a fund raiser entitled The Breast of Broadway. If you get a chance, get your tix, listen to some B-way fabulousness, and save some boobies.

A HOT TRANNY…SHOW!

I’m not going to lie…I don’t know a lot about 20% Theatre Company. Bad homo! Bad! But I do know that they are putting on a show that sounds at least decent:

“Award-winning FTM transgender playwright Tobias K. Davis has done it again! Standards of Care follows two FTM characters as their lives heat up and flip upside-down, all because of one woman. A harsh, humorous, and above all, honest exploration of some of the realities that face the transgender community — from the battle of gender dysphoria, to the trials of therapy, family support, and gender reconstructive surgery. You don’t want to miss this ground-breaking new play!”

I’m usually a little bit thrown when a theatre company advertises its own play as “ground-breaking”. It’s sort of like when you watch “So You Think You Can Dance” and they play a little clip of some young twink saying, “I’m fierce. I’m so going to Vegas. Fierceness begins here.” Then you watch them dance and you’re reminded of that time the Special Ed. kids put on a skit at the high school talent show.

I have to admit, though. Even if this show turns out to be a tranny train wreck, at least it’s being done. I’m glittering over with joy and pride that pieces like this are not only being written, but they are being produced more and more. I mean, it may not be The Little Mermaid on Broadway, but…I think I’ll at least give this show a try. Well done, 20% Theatre Company for being really gay (or at least transgender)…in a good way.