I recently attended Good Luck Macbeth’s first musical production – The Fantasticks – the longest running musical in history. I was elated by GLM’s risky endeavor to produce a musical. I have noticed that a musical is easier to sell than any straight play - though harder to produce; probably because it appeals to a wider audience base. It is hard sometimes to remain engaged in the story and characters of your typical two hour play. Most of the time I just sit there and think to myself how much better this play would be if it were turned into a musical.  With a musical, you know there will be campy dance breaks and impressive vocal numbers.

The Fantasticks, which first premiered in 1960 and closed in 2002, is the longest running musical – eat your heart out Andrew Llyod Webber. The musical relates the story of two somewhat star-crossed lovers; Matt, a slightly older college student home on break, and Luisa, the bright slightly divaish girl who has never really seen the world or left her house for that matter. The two lovers are neighbors and are separated by a wall erected by their horticulturally-inclined fathers. I am still convinced that the fathers were carrying on a gay romance in secret and hid their love by talking each other’s “vegetable gardens”. The fathers feign the appearance of a feud with another, so that their children might end up together – because children always do the exact opposite of what they’re told. The two fathers concoct a scheme and hire a magician/bandit – who also at times serves as the narrator – and a bumbling gang of washed up actors to stage an abduction of Luisa and allow for Matt to save the day and be the hero. The first act ends with the bandits defeated, the lovers enamored with one another, and the gay fathers gaily flitting about. Like, Into the Woods, the first act is a self-contained story and the second act goes into detail about why things might not necessarily be happily ever after.  The lovers become board with another and the fathers become disgruntled. Each lover decides to go and “see the world” and break out of their conventional shells. Both, experience the hardships and deceit that is sometimes found in the world and they return to one another a little bruised and wore down but appreciative of the love they once had for each other and decide to get back together.

Not to sound obvious, but aside from the fantastic performances by all cast members, one of the best parts of the show was the ridiculously hot and suave magician/bandit man. He fluttered onto stage – all 6 “6, 250 pounds of him - with tight-fitting Zorro costume – cape included – and an adorable little fedora on top. I took one look at him and thought “ooohh honey baby child you could be my phantom menace anytime. All you would have to do is wear that outfit and sing to me with your dark and resonating voice.” Another favorite aspect of the show is the mute. Though she had no lines, throughout the show she had a comedic presence that contributed and enhanced the overall production.

The show is unfortunately closing this weekend, but if you haven’t had a chance to see it, I whole-heartedly recommend it. There is a show tonight, Friday night, and Saturday with an admission price of $15 and a start time of 7:30pm.

Bruka Theater has once again nailed the mark on quality entertainment with the run of their most recent work “The Complete History of America (Abridged).  This three man production – featuring the comedic talents of Chad Sweet, Bill Ware, and Adam Whitney – takes audiences on a journey highlighting the cliff notes of American history. Beginning with early explorers and ending with a film noir scene encapsulating the 50s-80s. Not really knowing what to expect from the show, I went in with an open mind to the experience at hand. What I got was the 90 minute American history lesson I always wanted to have.

The show had a consistent energy of a 1920s vaudeville act complete with musical numbers, quick costume changes – including some well-timed moments of drag from Whitney -, a plethora of characters, impersonations, and accents, and a slapstick humor that kept audiences laughing all night. All combined to create a truly entertaining and memorable experience.  I enjoy the intimacy of the show; the actors directly interact with the audience and play off the energy we give them. There was a moment when Sweet emerges as a convincing Barack Obama – minus the whole he’s white thing – and answers questions directly from the audience. I asked the question why America’s colors were “red, white and blue”. Sweet answered, without missing a beat, that that was a terrible question and a blatant example of the failing school systems. Thanks for that one Chad ;) The show actually wove a number of instances of improv; a signal to the audience that they are experiencing something unexpected and unplanned. The show, though primarily scripted, incorporates current and relevant pop culture and political references – such as my beloved Wisconsin – throughout the show.  There were even moments where the antics of the actors on stage caused each other to break; I love seeing those moments, when something happens so perfect in the moment, it causes the actor to break. Each actor brings something unique and complementary to the production. Whether it is Adam’s hilarious accents, Bill’s stoic disposition, or Chad’s passion the trio successfully carried the show.

The show closes this upcoming weekend, so I encourage everyone if you are looking for a fabulous way to spend your Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night. Check out bruka’s website for more information. 

Last night, I got all dolled up and headed over to Bruka Theater for their preview of Richard III. It has been about a month exactly since The Buttcracker closed & since I have returned to Bruka. I absolutely loved that I was able to walk in - for free - with the press to enjoy a first-time glance at the production - I felt extremely posh and "with it". Though I had never seen the production and knew very little about the storyline, I was excited to see Bruka's interpretation of the piece. A modern day mob story is the theme for Richard III. Instead of seeking the throne, Richard aims to become the godfather of the land through manipulation, corruption, and murder - ya know, fun stuff. I appreciated the more modern interpretation. I thought the cast did a brilliant production and seeing my friend Jamie in a nun's habit will forever burned into my membrane.

The only thing that was a little confusing was that I didn't realize that Richard III is supposed to be ugly or deformed in some manner, so when Richard came out on stage I was continually distracted by his large hump threatening to burst through his suit. It wasn't until after the show did someone fill me in on the fake hump. Oops ......my bad.

While I was watching the show and noticing the body count invariably getting higher and higher as the scenes progressed, I wondered to myself; Does anyone survive a Shakespearean tragedy and if so, how did those brave few manage to survive to the end. So I thought I would share my list of ways to survive should you ever find yourself in a Shakespearian tragedy:

(1) Don't be of any importance to the plot line or hold a title in the show - ideally try to be a police office; everyone is typically too busy killing each other to notice the police.

(2) Don't be the heir to any throne - should you find yourself next in line for the throne abdicate your title and retire to Boca Raton. It will just be easier that way

(3) If any bajiggity disgruntled queen or dying comrade begins an epic monologue that ultimately concludes in a curse, high-tail your ass out of there. For curses in a Shakespearean play not only comes true but pretty much dictates the rest of the story.

(4) Don't go crazy ... Ophelia ... enough said

(5) Don't fall in love - it will usually be unrequited, devastating, or ultimately result in your death.

(6) Especially don't go crazy with love

(7) Don't seek revenge, it will never end well for you ... aka the entire cast of Richard III

(8) Don't kill anybody, everyone is related and Karma is a bitch.

(9) Never have children. Children will betray you, attempt to steal your thorne, or get themselves captured and are used as ransom against you.

(10) Never rely on a messager, just deliver the damn message yourself. Without fail the messager will be killed, delayed, or betray you in the end.

I don't know how you would ever find yourself in such a situation but if you do here are some sure-fire ways to make sure you live through that final monologue - which is oddly enough usually delivered by the cops. Also, if you are looking for a fantastic show and a little bit of culture then make sure that you do not miss Bruka's production of Richard III

Friday night, I got the night off from Zanna Don't rehearsal so that we as a cast could go to Bruka theater's latest showcase – the dark comedy “Dog Sees God”. A few members of the Zanna cast were in the production so I was happy and excited to be able to go and support them in this show. The script, written by Bert V. Royal, is a twisted parody of the beloved children's comic strip Peanuts. However Royal never received permission from Schultz for the right to use names and such from Peanuts. In response, Royal cleverly altered names and traits of the various characters. You have Tricia, a throwback to Peppermint Patty, who is a dumb, slightly alcoholic, mean girl or Van, who has discarded his precious blanket for the comforts of marijuana, or Van's sister – everyone's aggressive go-getter – who has landed herself in prison for lighting someone's hair on fire. The complexities and arduous trials and tribulations of life have warped these characters. In other words … high school happened.

The story opens with everyone's beloved beagle dead from a bad case of rabies and C.B, everyone's straight-edged conventional character, contemplating life without his faithful dog. The seemingly innocuous event of the beagle's death has brought a dark cloud of depression, confusion, and anger to the world of Peanuts. Though at one point all friends, the group has broken apart and are pursuing their own life and interests. Here is the teaser description found on Bruka's website:

“Brüka Theatre proudly presents DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD. Meet the characters from the Peanuts comic strip, ten years later. Writer Bert V. Royal re-imagines the ingenious characters that contradict their younger comic-strip selves and places them in a world full of controversy. Violence, sexual identity, drugs, and even suicide; Dog Sees God will take both teen and adult audience members to a world that they know all too well, and asks the question: Is there afterlife after high school?”

In all honesty, this is one of the funniest & darkest plays that I have scene in a long while. The campy one-liners and crude offensive comments sent the entire audience into hysterics and the emotionally poignant scenes brought a hushed silence over the crowd and more than one person could be heard sniffling – trying to fight back the tears – as the lives – and deaths – of these familiar characters played out before them. I totally sobbed like a baby, which is not really a shocker to anyone who knows me. Most of the time when I see plays, I sit through the production and think how it would have been infinitely better if it were a musical. I had no such inclination during this production and as an audience member was completely satisfied with the whole show. The show deals with a number of emotionally charged and heavy issues including drugs, alcohol, homophobia, teen sex, death, and suicide so it is definitely not a show for the faint of heart. However the show ends on a slightly uplifting note that leaves audiences with some small shred of hope of the life we lead after high school.

The show runs the entire month of July on the Bruka's mainstage. Tickets are $16 for students and seniors, $18 in advance, and $20 at the door. It is well worth the price of admission and I am probably going to see this show a second time. This show might bring up some sensitive memories for attendees but ultimately shows us all the power and impact of how a simple gesture of kindness can alter the course of events in a person's life. It is definitely not a show to miss!

Well lordly, it has been ages since I have been able to steal away and write a blog entry. The past couple of weeks have been some of the busiest, craziest, and most exciting weeks of my time here in Reno. In the past two weeks I (1) Got a Job - THANK YOU LORD (2) Quit A'DOLLed Fantasy - long dramatic story and (3) Got cast in another musical - one of my all-time favorites, Zanna Don't!

So my life this week has been wake up at 6 in the morning, bike my ass to work, be in an office all day, bike my ass home, go to Zanna Don't rehearsal, then quickly zip over to Utility Players rehearsal, come home, masturbate, and then pass out, wake up and repeat. This has left very little time for this queen to sit down and write. However, all of these wonderful things came into my life - or incidentally left my life - at the most perfect moment. Being a part of Zanna Don't is one of the greatest experiences in my life. I have never done a professional musical theatre production before and the experience thus far has been enlightening, rewarding, and one I certainly will not forget. I have never been around theatre people for any extended period of time and so did not know what to expect from the whole experience. I walked into rehearsal and was instantly welcomed and accepted by the group. I am taking the whole experience in and trying to learn as much as I can. The best part of the experience thus far is our very gay choreographer Adam - who also stars as Zanna in the production - who is supplying us with amazing moves for the show. Now, my dance background is very limited so when he looked at us and started screaming "Do a shane, I want to see those shanes NOW!"

.... I have no idea what a shane is but in true drag queenary form I faked it as best as I could. The production is the last three weekends in August and everyone should come out and see it. The show is opening the same weekend as Reno Gay Pride - which is fitting because this musical is the GAYEST musical there is ... it even beats out the Big Gay Musical. Here is the link for the facebook event for the show. I get to play the principal in the show as well as a few other small minor roles.

So I hope to write some more updates this weekend, but this queen has been tired. It has been a while since I have had to get up consistently early in the morning and my body is not adjusting too kindly to the experience. Hopefully that will change in time. Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!!!!

This is an article that I wrote a little while back about the power that the stage holds especially with regards to political, cultural, and social change

The Importance of the Stage:

A space to convey messages, images, parodies, and satires

“It is through performances whether the individual or collective, that humans project images of themselves and the world to their audiences … thus, performances may weave complex webs of interaction and experience, all mediated through imagery¹” - Lesley Ferris Crossing the Stage

This is an interesting paradigm to consider. Many in the past have utilized the stage as forum to communicate or express an opinion or a point of view. Some have used the stage to educate their fans on current political pitfalls, inform them of which charitable organizations are worthy of recognition, or persuade individuals to take certain action or support a certain cause. The stage is an incredibly powerful tool for the performer; for a period of time all focus and attention is directed toward them. In essence, this is the reason that many performers give for the pursuance of their craft, because they wish to change the world, and the wish to do it through the stage.

Comedy has consistently been an art form that harnessed the power of the stage. Stand up comedians complain about the idiocies of presidential figures, sketch comedy shows – such as Saturday Night Live, MAD TV, Kids in the Hall - parody pop culturally relevant news in order to point out the ridiculousness of our obsession with media and pop culture, and more television shows are redefining what comedy in fact is and making comedy more accessible to the general population. Comedy is a vehicle by which important political, societal, and global messages are transported to our audience, but since those messages are laced in comedic satire, individuals tend to be more receptive to the message – as opposed to watching the news or having a professor lecture at them.

That is perhaps why many of us attend plays, musicals, comedy shows or watch movies and television shows, because – aside from being entertained – we are looking at these various media to provide answers or echo the feelings or sentiments we are experiencing. When a comedian relates the arduous task of going through airport security, many of us can relate to those feelings of frustration and find commonality with the comedian but also with the audience around us for we all shared a similar experience. The comic at this point may take an opportunity to make a comment on our definition of “terrorism” or “terrorist” or make a crack about the falling standards of customer service. A comedy sketch might tackle the issues of racism, sexism, or homophobia that plague our society, but do it in a way that is funny, poignant, and resonating with the audience member. Perhaps highlighting the ignorance of some through humor is a way to educate and enlighten individuals about their actions but also give voice and community to members of those minority populations and their experiences. It is important that we are aware of the power of the stage and be conscious of how we choose to wield that power.

A project that I just recently finished was helping to create, direct, and perform in an original musical which we have thus far creatively titled, Utility Players - the Musical. The musical relates the somwhat mythological tale of the formation of the comedy troupe - the Utility Players. Clandestinely meeting one night at an open mic, six comedians get together to form a comedy troupe but a disgruntled and untalented stand up comic - with the help of an evil witch - attempts to steal the laughter from the world is hell bent on revenge against the Utility Players. 

In the musical, I play the evil witch who gives our intrepid villain a mask that has the power to steal laughter from people while he is on stage. To the right is a photo taken from the show of me as "Evil Ginger".

I also played the role of the fairy godmother that came down from fairyland to help the Utility Players on their quest to restore laughter to the world and show them the way to stop this evil villain - and eventually serve as their manager and help them achieve their dreams of fame and success. Fore more information about the Utility Players or the musical check out their website at www.utilityplayerscomedy.com