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Unequivocally gay

Oregon-based theater vet brings collaboration to Arena

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‘Equivocation’
Through Jan. 1
Arena Stage
1101 Sixth Street, SW
$40-$80
202-488-3300
arenastage.org

Bill Rauch, director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, brought his company’s ‘Equivocation’ to Washington for a collaboration with Arena Stage. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Bill Rauch openly admits he has a gay agenda.

“Of course I do,” he says. “As a gay man I want to see LGBT lives reflected on the stage. For me it’s all part of the human experience.”

While “Equivocation” — the political thriller he’s brought to Arena Stage from the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival where Rauch is artistic director — features a gay British monarch, it was the work’s clarity, force and theatricality that first caught his attention. “It’s a period piece that’s entirely contemporary in language and the way it explores the overlapping of politics, religion and art. As I read the script for the first time my heart began pounding harder and harder. That doesn’t happen very often.”

Set in 1604 London, playwright Bill Cain’s smart and entertaining play follows William “Shagspeare” and his theatrical troupe as they struggle to complete a royal commission about the Gunpowder Plot that both pleases King James I and isn’t entirely untrue. With six actors playing about 30 roles in several plays within the play, this darkly funny backstage story covers a lot of relevant territory including power, politics, religion, national security, terrorism, theater, father/daughter relationships, friendships and honesty.

A first-time collaboration between the Festival and Arena, “Equivocation” reunites the top-notch original cast (lead by Broadway actor Anthony Heald as Shag) and creative team from its 2009 world premiere production.

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The last time Rauch worked at Arena was in 1993 when he staged “A Community Carol,” an inner-city take on the Dickens’ Christmas classic featuring a large cast of professional and nonprofessional local actors. Though the venture was risky, it proved both a critical and commercial success. It was also indicative of the work Rauch was doing with his then-troupe Cornerstone Theater Company (which co-produced the show).

Rauch attended Harvard where he majored in English and was heavily involved in campus theatrics. Shortly after graduating, he and some college friends including his now husband, actor/director Christopher Liam Moore, founded Cornerstone in 1986. Initially operating out of Rauch’s parents’ home in Northern Virginia, the company eventually traveled the country creating theater by collaborating with locals, typically in small communities. Since 1992, the company has been based in Los Angeles.

“It was a great run, but after 20 years with Cornerstone I was ready to move on. I became curious to know another kind of bigger theater. (Based in Ashland, Ore., the Festival is among the oldest and largest professional non-profit theaters in the nation and operates on a $30 million budget). He was named artistic director in 2007.

At the Festival, Rauch has gained a reputation for expanding the company’s scope, taking artistic chances and being an all-around nice guy. His staging efforts include an urban America 1970s-set “Measure for Measure.” The male actor who played Mistress Overdone, the brothel madam, portrayed her as a preoperative transsexual. She lands in jail where she is stripped naked and revealed to be a biological male. “It was an intense moment in the play,” he says. “For the character it’s a shameful experience. Some of the audience laughed. Others cried. There was a lot of discomfort.”

MORE IN THE BLADE: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Together 27 years, Rauch and Moore (who acts and directs at the Festival) have two sons, aged 11 and 6. They’re entirely different, says Rauch. The older loves sports and cars. He’s “all boy” (a term that Rauch loathes but deems apt nonetheless) and the younger is very much into everything princess. In fact, he regularly wore a princess gown to pre-school for two years. Both fathers are perfectly happy to allow their kids to express themselves in whatever way they choose, and fortunately, Rauch notes, Ashland is a progressive town.

Part of what drew Rauch to Arena is his longtime friendship with artistic director Molly Smith. In ways, he’s viewed her career trajectory — from small innovative company to important regional theater — as a template for his own. For some time, the pair had discussed Rauch brining something from the Festival to D.C.

“While I would have been proud to bring any of our productions to Arena, I’m glad it’s ‘Equivocation.’ The play is bottomless. There’s always something more to uncover. And it’s very political — that’s what makes it an especially good fit for Washington.”

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Out & About

Washington Wizards to host Pride night

Seasons of Love ensemble to perform

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Wizards Pride Night is Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wizards are celebrating “Pride Night” on Friday, March 29.

Each purchase includes discounted tickets to the Wizards vs. Pistons game and an exclusive Pride Night belt bag. The night will be full of Pride celebrations and a National Anthem performance from Seasons of Love, an ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.

Tickets are available on the Wizards’ website

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Calendar

Calendar: March 29-April 4

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, March 29

Center Aging Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, March 30

Fashion FREEWay will be at 2 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is an opportunity to get free clothes and also donate what you no longer need in your closet. If you’re interested in volunteering at this event, visit the DC Center’s website

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, March 31

AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Monday, April 1

Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, April 2

Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, April 3

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging: Women’s Social & Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m, on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, April 4

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

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Theater

Talented pair of local queer actors tackles ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Ford’s production features terrific score

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Chani Wereley (Audrey) and Derrick D. Truby Jr. (Seymour) in the 2024 Ford’s Theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors. (Photo by Scott Suchman)

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ 
Through May 18
Ford’s Theatre
511 10th St., N.W.
$33-$95
Fords.org 

Ever since premiering off-Broadway in 1982, “Little Shop of Horrors” has drawn a devoted following of avid audiences as well as performers eager to act in the show. Now playing at Ford’s Theatre, the doo-wop, dark comedy features a terrific cast including a wildly talented pair of local queer actors who’ve longed to appear in the show since they were kids. 

Set in the urban 1960s, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s hit show with a terrific score follows the wacky rise of Seymour, a nebbishy florist in a Skid Row shop who changes his fortunes by unintentionally marketing an exotic, human eating plant.  

Chani Wereley, 28, who plays Seymour’s love interest Audrey, a hyper femme downtowner with an edge, has had her on eye the role for years. Wereley says, “Audrey’s been around the block more than once, but I approach her as a person who moves through the world with love and hope.”

The queer D.C. native adds, “On long trips to visit family in Canada or Florida, the first thing we’d do is pop a ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ video [film version] into the car’s VHS player. I’ve watched is so many times, I could quote the whole movie to you.”

After auditioning to play Audrey in director Kevin S. McAllister’s production at Ford’s, Wereley never thought she’d book the part, and when they said she got it, she cried.  

Similarly, Tobias A. Young, 34, the pansexual actor who voices the part of the bloodthirsty plant affectionately dubbed Audrey II, explains his intense interest in the work: “I started watching the film in ’86. Growing up as a little gay boy in Calvert County, Md., I wanted to be blonde Audrey [played by Ellen Green in the movie]. I didn’t know much about musicals at the time, but I was absorbed.” 

When asked by Ford’s to play the voracious plant Audrey II without auditioning, his reply was an unhesitant “yes.” 

Voicing a role requires Young to sing from backstage in a black box rigged with monitors and a mixing board. He says, “people ask if I’m singing from inside of the ever-growing, scary plant. No, I’m not, and that’s fine. But let’s face it, actors love to be seen on stage, but I don’t feel entirely unseen as Audrey II.”

He’s worked hard and successfully with formidable puppeteers Ryan Sellers and Jay Frisby to bring parts of himself to the carnivorous plant — his sassiness, own movements, and even a tilt of his head; their efforts have drawn the actual Young into the show. 

Both Wereley and Young possess gorgeous, emotive voices as evidenced by Wereley’s striking rendition of Audrey’s “Suddenly Seymour,” and Young’s soulful “Feed Me (Git It).” Additionally, both actors are also big on queer representation in theater. 

When her young pals were listening to Britney Spears, Wereley was dancing to retro tunes like “Mashed Potato Time,” and her favorite song to this day, the Shirelle’s girl group anthem “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” As Audrey, Wereley eschews the character’s usual platinum hair for a bouncy brunette, cherry-streaked wig, tight pencil skirts, swing coats, and her very own half-sleeve tattoo. 

“It’s important for people to see themselves on stage,” she says. “Seeing me or someone like me is inherently interesting. Being that person on Instagram or with the institution, cast, or audiences is meaningful. It’s important.”

In 2011, a couple years after finishing high school, Young landed a part in “Dream Girls” at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, and he’s been working professionally ever since. Growing up, he didn’t see a lot of himself – Black and queer – on social media. He now wants to be open and honest for those out there who might not feel seen, he says

An introvert who lets everything loose on the stage, Young says, “theater is a safe space for queer people. That’s the first place we feel safe, particularly in school. And this is why we need theaters in schools, now more than ever.”

He adds, “What’s great about Ford’s is its surprises, especially when they switch up casting. It’s meaningful to see the shows you love, but why not see them with a twist? Using unexpected actors and incorporating queer people just makes it that much better.”

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