Arts & Entertainment
‘Fair Haven’ subtle, effective
‘Reparative’ therapy drama screens April 23 at HRC
Actor Tom Wopat in ‘Fair Haven.’ (Photo courtesy Reel Affirmations)
“Fair Haven” is a thoroughly engaging movie that tackles a difficult topic (the devastating impact of “reparative” therapy) with a surprisingly light hand and admirable subtlety.
The film tells the story of James Grant (Michael Grant), a promising young pianist who has been sent to reparative therapy by his concerned conservative parents. He returns home to work in the family apple orchard run by his gruff father Richard (Tom Wopat) and starts dating Suzy Thomas (Lily Anne Harrison), the preacher’s daughter. An unexpected and unwelcome encounter with his ex-boyfriend Charlie (Josh Green) forces him to reassess his dreams and desires. (Washington Blade interviews Wopat here.)
Director Kerstin Karlhuber handles her first feature-length narrative film with considerable assurance. Her sense of timing is confident and firm. The deeply emotional story is given room to breathe and unfold at its own pace. Several wordless sequences are beautiful duets between the director and her actors, allowing the characters (and the audience) to sort out their conflicted feelings.
Her visual style is also compelling. Working with cinematographer Jason Beasley, Karlhuber captures both the lush beauty of the Vermont countryside and the cramped confines of small town rural life. The recurring overhead shots of James in his childhood bedroom, for example, help to define the character and give the film momentum.
The script by Jack Bryant is generally strong. Bryant and Karlhuber wisely show James’ conversion therapy sessions in a series of flashbacks. This shows how the lingering effects of the deep psychic trauma inflicted on the young man continue to haunt him while allowing the present-day story to move along more quickly. The dialogue is natural and unforced and captures the rhythms of New England speech well.
Unfortunately, the resolution, while ultimately believable, comes a little quickly. While the scenes of Richard wandering the orchard by himself and James sitting alone in a pasture are lovely, more dialogue would make the final scenes flow more smoothly. Likewise, the backstory is not entirely clear. James’ relationship with his late mother is not well-defined and the sequence of events before and after his involuntary commitment is confusing. Likewise, the original music by Christopher Farrell often doesn’t seem to match the mood of the scenes or the personality of the characters.
Despite these challenges, Karlhuber gets strong performances from her lead actors. Tom Wopat’s stern performance may be a revelation to fans who remember him as Luke Duke or know him as a suave singer. Wopat sympathetically captures a laconic New England farmer unsure of how to handle rapidly changing circumstances. He also sings on the soundtrack during the final credits. In a similar manner, television and theatre actor Gregory Harrison is calmly effective as the sincere (and sincerely homophobic) doctor who tries to return James to the straight and narrow based on a very narrow reading of the Bible.
Michael Grant, who already has a string of impressive credits, turns in a strong performance as the troubled teenager. He is also, apparently, a talented pianist who performs his own keyboard work. Green and Harrison are both fine as unintentional rivals for James’ affections.
“Fair Haven” is a moving film that deserves great success on the LGBT festival circuit and in theaters after its world premiere here in D.C. Director Kerstin Karlhuber and her cast and crew tell a timely tale with appropriate style and simple grace.
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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