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.”
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, April 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. 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.
Monday, April 20
“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, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, April 23
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 5:00 pm 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.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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