Arts & Entertainment
Hay days
Rep Stage production portrays early gay rights legend
‘The Temperamentals’
Through Sept. 16
Rep Stage
Howard Community College
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, Md.
$15-$40
443-518-1500
‘Harry believed that not only should [gay people] have rights but we also should also have the right to act the way our culture is, to be ourselves even if that’s not pleasing to mainstream society,’ says gay actor RICK HAMMERLY. ‘This was very progressive thinking for the conformist 1950s. Harry had radical ideas and wasn’t always very diplomatic, but he contributed immeasurably to the gay movement before it even had a name.’ (Blade photo by Michael Key)
In “The Temperamentals,” gay playwright Jon Marans follows real life lovers Harry Hay and Rudi Gernreich in 1950s Los Angeles as they boldly build the Mattachine Society, the first gay rights organization in the United States.
Marans’ compelling 2009 comedy/drama is currently in production at the award-winning Rep Stage in Columbia, Md.
According to the amiable playwright, speaking via telephone from his apartment in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, “Typically we don’t think of Los Angeles as the hub of political activity, but what Harry Hay was doing there at the time was revolutionary. He was a visionary who saw the world differently than anyone in the U.S. back then. Hay [who died in 2002] was joyfully unapologetic about who he was. His attitude was, ‘It’s not my problem. It’s yours.’”
Marans first learned of Hay when he wrote the book to a musical based on Studs Terkel’s “Coming of Age,” a collection of interviews with activists all over 70, one of whom was Hay. The show, Marans says, “is political and very funny, particularly the part of Harry.”
The experience left Marans inspired to write more about Hay. He zeroed in on an earlier, sexier time in Hay’s life when he was ending his marriage to a woman and having a red hot affair with clothing designer Rudi Gernreich (noted for the first women’s topless bathing suit).
“Harry wasn’t an easy man. He was sort of the Larry Kramer of his day,” Marans says. “People didn’t want to work with Harry. If it weren’t for Rudi, with his abundant Viennese charm, and the several other founders, the Mattachine might never have happened.”
In forming the initially very small and secret society, Hay and fellow members came together and formally wrote down what it meant to be gay men and what was important to them. It was a journey of self discovery. Some reviews describe “The Tempermentals” as a kind of gay docudrama, but, Marans says, the play is also an exploration of our core selves and what it means to be gay and part of gay culture.
During the Eisenhower era, “temperamental” was one of various code word used by gays for gays. It was wise to stay away from calling anyone homosexual — an accusation at the root of witch hunts, police entrapments, undeserved pink slips and sometimes jail time. In his play, threats and fears are addressed and the productions are always better, Marans says, when that fear is made palpable.
Rep Stage’s artistic director Michael Stebbins, who’s gay, first saw “The Temperamentals” in New York with a much older gay friend. “After we left the theater, he said the play rang entirely true. It accurately reflects those scary but exciting times.”
As Rep Stage’s season opener, Stebbins says it fits with Rep’s mission to include a contemporary work that is both is entertaining and informative, and speaks to the American experience of cultural minority. For LGBT audiences, he says, it will inform and strengthen self-awareness.
Directed by Kasi Campbell, the production features Nigel Reed as Harry along with Vaughn Irving, Brandon McCoy and Rick Hammerly. Alexander Strain plays Rudi. Hammerly is the lone gay actor in the production’s five-man cast. Throughout rehearsals, he was called on to act as a sort of gay translator, explaining lingo and cultural cues.
“You assume actors would know better, but these straight guys were clueless about a lot of things,” he says. “It’s been interesting and a responsibility. I want this to feel as authentic as possible.”
Busy with his theater company (Factory 449) and grad school, Hammerly has to be selective about what projects he takes on. With “The Temperamentals,” he found the history and playing Bob Hull, a Mattachine founding member whom Marans writes with humor, too tempting to pass up.
“As a gay man,” says the Helen Hayes Award-winning local actor, “it’s important for me to pass this history on, especially to younger gay people who aren’t aware that it’s a big deal to be able to marry your partner or hold his hand in public. They need to know and understand the enormous strides made by people like Harry Hay.”
Theater
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts
“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.
But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.
“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.
For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.
The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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The weekly drag show “Daddy Issues” was held at Kiki on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Performers included Evry Pleasure, Indiana Bones and Tiara Missou-Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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