Arts & Entertainment
Gays behind the scenes
Personnel trumps thematic content in fall theatrical season
MaryBeth Wise (left) and Susan Lynskey in Theatre J’s ‘Body Awareness.’ (Photo by C. Stanley Photography; courtesy Theatre J)
The new theater season is upon us. And while there’s not a whole lot of LGBT content among the offerings, there is — as always — a wealth of gay talent making it happen.
After a hiatus from the D.C. theater scene, MaryBeth Wise has returned to the stage. Wise, a talented and well-liked local actor who is gay, is currently playing half of a same-sex couple in Theatre J’s production of Annie Baker’s comic drama “Body Awareness” (through Sept. 23). Set in Vermont, the comic drama explores the reaction of Joyce (Wise) and her more uptight partner Phyllis to a visiting photographer and his “male gaze.”
During Wise’s several years off the boards, she concentrated on her other job (network consultant at Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped). She also picked up a degree in library science. “But I missed acting,” says Wise. “In ‘Body Awareness’ my character is going through a journey of self-discovery. Learning about what she wants. It’s a wonderful part. Hopefully it will lead to more opportunities.” (washingtondcjcc.org)
Also this fall, Wise’s real life partner Sarah Marshall is playing several parts in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s season-opener, Gogol’s satire of provincial Russian bureaucracy “The Government Inspector” (Sept. 13-Oct. 28). (shakespearetheatre.org)
At Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre in Shirlington, the season has already begun with a production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (through Oct. 7). Staged by the company’s gay artistic direction Eric Schaeffer, the rollicking musical stars Sherri L. Edelen (as brothel madam Miss Mona). The big cast features reliably excellent Signature vets Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith (both gay).
Also at Signature, the company’s talented and versatile associate artistic director Matthew Gardiner directs gay playwright Christopher Shinn’s “Dying City” (Oct. 2-Nov. 25). It’s the story of young man grappling with his identical twin’s suspicious death in Iraq. Incidentally, Gardiner, who is gay, is also a twin.
Following “Dying City,” Gardiner directs Signature’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Dreamgirls” (opens Nov. 13). (signature-theatre.org)
At Synetic Theater, up-and-coming actor Alex Mills plays the challenging title role in the company’s season opener, “Jeckyll and Hyde” (Sept. 20-Oct. 21). Synetic is a movement-based company renowned for innovative and athletic choreography and hard-bodied casts. (synetictheater.org).
“One Night With Janis Joplin” opens at Arena Stage Sept. 28 with Mary Bridget Davies in the title role. Staged like a Joplin concert, the piece was written and will be directed by Randy Johnson, who’s gay. Kathleen Turner continues her run there as Molly Ivins in “Red Hot Patriot” through Oct. 28. (arenastage.org)
Alexandria’s MetroStage opens its season with “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris” (through Oct. 21), a musical revue celebrating the work of the late Belgian singer/songwriter. Respectively directed and choreographed by the talented team of Serge Seiden and Matthew Gardiner (both gay), the production features a top-notch cast including the talented Natascia Diaz (who appeared in the 2006 Off-Broadway production), Bayla Whitten, Sam Ludwig and local favorite Bobby Smith (who is gay) singing a score comprised of plaintive ballads, rousing anthems, tango and rock. (metrostage.org)
After “Jacques Brel,” Bobby Smith directs the Olney Theatre Center’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical “Cinderella” (Nov. 14-Dec. 30). (olneytheatre.org)
In October, the Studio Theatre presents the world premiere of “Dirt” (opens Oct. 17). Penned by Byron Lavery (the author of “Frozen”), the play is described by Studio as an “exploration of the mess people make of themselves and their relationships.” Part of the company’s Lab Series, the production is staged by Studio’s artistic director David Muse and reunites talented actors Holly Twyford and Matthew Montelongo (both gay). The talented duo has been successfully paired before in Vassily Sigarev’s “Black Milk” at Studio and Douglas Carter Beane’s comedy “The Little Dog Laughed” at Signature Theatre. (studiotheatre.org)
Fledgling company force/collision is premiering Erik Ehn’s “Shape” (Sept. 20-Oct. 6). Part of a series of 17 plays exploring themes of genocide and reconciliation, “Shape” centers on the lives of the two African-American vaudevillians Billy and Cordelia McClain as they negotiate their identity as artists while struggling with conditions of social and political marginalization. The production has been cast cross gendered, says director John Moletress (who is gay), as both a performance device for our ensemble and also a homage to black vaudevillians of the early 20th century who played cross gendered roles. (force/collision.org)
Forum Theatre kicks off the season with the world premiere comedy “Holly Down in Heaven” (Sept. 27-Oct. 20), written by young playwright Kara Lee Corthron. Forum’s website described the title character as “a brilliant 15-year-old born-again Christian, [who after becoming pregnant] banishes herself to the basement and confides only in her dolls, particularly a life-size psychiatrist doll that closely resembles Carol Channing.”
Parker Drown plays Yager, the neighbor suspected of getting Holly pregnant. Drown (who is gay) won a Helen Hayes Award for his performance as Angel, the feisty drag queen battling gentrification and AIDS in Keegan Theatre’s production of the rock opera “Rent.” Forum Theatre is in residence at Round House Silver Spring. (forumtheatre.org)
A couple other theaters that always have interesting productions and are worth checking out include 1st Stage Theatre (1524 Spring Hill Road) in McLean, Va. (1ststagespringhill.org), Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D Street N.W.) in D.C. (woollymammoth.net) and Olney Theatre Centre in Olney, Md. (2001 Olney-Sandy Springs Road; olneytheatre.org).
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“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 details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“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 choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
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 7
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 and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
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 Sarah 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.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
Sports
English soccer bans transgender women from women’s teams
British Supreme Court last month ruled legal definition of woman limited to ‘biological women’
The organization that governs English soccer on Thursday announced it will no longer allow transgender women to play on women’s teams.
The British Supreme Court on April 16 ruled the legal definition of a woman is limited to “biological women” and does not include trans women. The Football Association’s announcement, which cites the ruling, notes its new policy will take effect on June 1.
“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and FIFA,” said the Football Association in a statement that announced the policy change. “Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.”
“This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary,” added the Football Association.
The Football Association also acknowledged the new policy “will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify.”
“We are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game,” it said.
The Football Association told the BBC there were “fewer than 30 transgender women registered among millions of amateur players” and there are “no registered transgender women in the professional game” in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Football Association, which governs soccer in Scotland, is expected to also ban trans women from women’s teams.
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
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