Arts & Entertainment
Snapshots from the stage
Set of eight mini-plays explore black gay experience
Actors Reginald Richard, left, and Tristan Phillip Hewitt in ‘New and/or Slightly Used,’ a reading slated for two performances Sunday. (Photo by Emile Benjamin; courtesy of ACT)
‘New and/or Slightly Used’
Sunday at 5 and 8 p.m.
Warehouse Theater
645 New York Ave., NW
202-745-3662
alansharpe.org
Two lives can be significantly changed — for better or worse — by one fleeting but momentous encounter. That’s the thematic thread running through “New and/or Slightly Used,” a collection of eight short plays about black gay, bi and questioning men here in Washington.
In celebration of D.C. Black Pride Weekend, the African-American Collective Theater (ACT) is presenting the work as a staged reading for one night only with two performances on Sunday.
Written and directed by ACT’s Artistic Director Alan Sharpe, the 10-minute-long mini-plays thoughtfully explore instances of love, lust and longing as experienced by a cross section of men ranging from hustlers to husbands.
“The plays run the gamut in terms of characters and situations,” Sharpe says. “Some characters are self-identified as gay, some are in relationships with both men and women and some are straight. It’s kind of a salad.”
“The cast is a mix too,” Sharpe says. “We have gay actors playing straight characters and vice versa. And because it’s a staged reading, there’s very little in terms of set, so I tried to pick a gorgeous cast so the audience will have a something to look at. We’re competing with a lot on gay pride day.”
In “Kickin’ It,” young out actor Tristan Phillip Hewitt plays Dante, a straight cocky high school jock who’s unaware that his buddy has feelings for him. When hot weather prompts the friends to trade basketball for a racier indoor game, it means something different to each boy.
“For me,” says Hewitt, a 21-year-old native Washingtonian who says he’s too tall to be confined to any closet, “this show gives me the experience to be someone else for 10 minutes. In reality I’m no good at basketball. I may have the body of an athlete, but I’m not one. I get to play a jock whose personality is nothing like mine.”
On the other hand, out actor Reginald Richard who plays 30-something Eric in “All Over Him,” says he is very similar to his gay character. “When I first read the play it was as if I was seeing my life story written on the page. Like Eric, I’ve been hurt by someone who wasn’t as much in love with me as I was with him. You have that awkward moment when you see them and you’re not sure what to do. As Eric, I have a chance to unload and achieve closure.”
“Sharpe’s writing is refreshingly realistic and natural,” Richard says. “It’s not stereotypical gay humor. He writes honestly about a very diverse community.”
Originally from Memphis, Tenn., Richard has been in D.C. for 10 years and has been acting for the last four. His experiences with ACT have led him to consider acting as a career. “If I want to be with the best I have to learn with the best, so I put myself in school [at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts]. It’s very challenging, but I’m always up for a challenge.”
With Sharpe at the helm, ACT has been commemorating Black Pride with LGBT-centric theater for 15 years. “When we first started, there were not a lot of vehicles where black and gay lesbians could see themselves on stage, and they were thirsty for that. The response was so great that it completely altered my artistic focus. I discovered a niche that no else was filling.”
ACT’s mission is to showcase contemporary black gay and lesbian life and culture, promote visibility and raise awareness of issues faced in the African-American community.
“By increasing visibility,” Sharpe says, “We strive to demonstrate to people that regardless of race class and gender we have similar experiences. Everyone has been disappointed. Everyone has fallen in love and had their heart broken. The human experience is very universal.”
Cast member Hewitt concurs: “Be prepared to find a piece of yourself in one of these plays.”
Friday, May 1
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 2
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. 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.
Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 4
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, May 5
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, May 6
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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 and 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 guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 7
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrity News
Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood
Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey
A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.
With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.
The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.
The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”
Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.
Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.
Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.
“Confessions II” releases on July 3.
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