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Paredyse paradox

Wrestler coy on private life but sees himself as gay inspiration

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‘The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity’
Through Sept. 30
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
641 D Street, NW (7th & D)
$35-$67.50
202-393-3939

James Long in costume as Paredyse, his wrestling alter ego in the ring now at Woolly Mammoth’s ‘Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity’ production. (Photo courtesy Long)

In the high drama world of professional wrestling, James Long is better known as Paredyse. With peacock-colored eye makeup, skimpy trunks and painted nails, this self-described “fabulous, flamboyant, femmeboy phenom” isn’t your everyday wrestler.

He prances and flirts, occasionally stroking a vexed opponent’s rippling abs before executing a devastating missile drop kick; but unlike the gender-bending villains of wrestling past, Paredyse is the baby-faced fan favorite.

For Long, who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor of fine arts degree before sashaying into the wrestling ring, Paredyse is partly an exercise in creative expression.

“When you start in the business your character is vanilla, you’re just a cog in the wheel used to build up more veteran wrestlers,” says Long, who is rumored to be straight but opts not to reveal his orientation during his interview with the Blade. “But as time passes, an evolution takes place and you’re able to develop your own character by trying out new things, and eventually people come to know and hopefully like him.”

Receptive to new challenges, Long is currently making his theatrical debut in Woolly Mammoth’s season opener “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” as both actor and wrestling trainer to the cast. Set against the pro wrestling scene, Brooklyn-based playwright Kristoffer Diaz’s critically acclaimed comedy tackles racism and the trappings of stardom. Woolly’s production, staged by top local director John Vreeke (who is gay), features company member Michael Russotto (also gay), Jose Joaquin Perez, Shawn T. Andrew and Adi Hanash.

Long plays three wrestlers: A generic villain; Billy Heartland, an all-American boy; and Old Glory, a sort of grizzled older guy wrapped in the flag. Making the jump from the wrestling ring to rehearsal room was relatively smooth, says Long, 30. “Wrestling may look disorganized and chaotic, but in fact it requires a lot of discipline, so it wasn’t hard for me to settle in and get to work. This is my first play ever. I tried out for ‘Fahrenheit 451’ in high school and didn’t make it so I figured theater wasn’t for me. I was wrong. The director and cast have been great about involving me in the process and allowing me to work on my characters. It’s been awesome.

“As far as wrestling on stage goes, we’re determined to make Woolly’s production a hard-hitting, unforgettable spectacle. It will feel real and not like staged combat. Audiences will see something new and amazing every night.”

Director John Vreeke says, “The performance parallels between the worlds of theater and wrestling are greater than most people think. [Long] is a natural performer … he does it every time he comes into a wrestling arena/ring. And it’s not just his athletic ability. It has more to do with his ability to improvise, play the audience and create character. He does all of that all the time. It’s a great fit for our work in theater.

“In addition,” adds Vreeke, “[Long] is our technical advisor on all levels of production: acting, lights, video and sound. He lets me know when we get it right.”

Long grew up in Woodbridge, Va. During his college years in Richmond he started wrestling in a hip, highly attended, late night underground league.

After graduation, he and a couple of buddies moved to St. Louis and began training in earnest. Soon Long began wrestling for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), an independent professional wrestling promotion best known as a proving ground for its up-and-coming wrestlers. OVW serves as the official developmental territory for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

Today, Paredyse boasts a big and growing following. Among his many female and male fans (better known as “Paresytes”) more than a few carry heavy torches for the brawny and heavily made-up wrestler.  And many find Paredyse sexy and funny, his sissy shtick may not be for everyone. Asked how he’d respond to those who might find his creation an offensive stereotype, Long responds, “I’d mention the 18-year-old fan who told me that Paredyse inspired him to come out of the closet. Then I’d tell them about the mid-western and southern audiences who boo the homophobic wrestlers who are intolerant of Paredyse in the ring.

“Ultimately, I know it’s just wrestling, but when he’s not punching his opponents in the face, I hope Paredyse can help people to understand it’s cool to be you and not be ashamed of who you are.”

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Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

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(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

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Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, January 31

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.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

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 information, email [email protected]

Wednesday, February 4

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 7 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 details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, February 5

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.  

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D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers listed for sale

Move follows months of challenges for local businesses in wake of Trump actions

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Pitchers is for sale at an undisclosed price. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

A Santa Monica, Calif.-based commercial real estate company called Zacuto Group has released a 20-page online brochure announcing the sale of the D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own.

 The brochure does not disclose the sale price, and Pitchers owner David Perruzza told the Washington Blade he prefers to hold off on talking about his plans to sell the business at this time.

He said the sale price will be disclosed to “those who are interested.” 

“Matthew Luchs and Matt Ambrose of the Zacuto Group have been selected to exclusively market for sale Pitchers D.C., located at 2317 18th Street, NW in Washington, D.C located in the vibrant and nightlife Adams Morgan neighborhood,” the sales brochure states.

 “Since opening its doors in 2018, Pitchers has quickly become the largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ bar in Washington, D.C., serving as a cornerstone of D.C.’s modern queer nightlife scene,” it says, adding, “The 10,000+ SF building designed as a large-scale inclusive LGBTQ+ sports bar and social hub, offering a welcoming environment for the entire community.”

It points out that the Pitchers building, which has two years remaining on its lease and has a five-year renewal option, is a multi-level venue that features five bar areas, “indoor and outdoor seating, and multiple patios, creating a dynamic and flexible layout that supports a wide range of events and high customer volume.”

“Pitchers D.C. is also home to A League of Her Own, the only dedicated lesbian bar in Washington, D.C., further strengthening its role as a vital and inclusive community space at a time when such venues are increasingly rare nationwide,” the brochure says. 

Zacuto Group sales agent Luchs, who serves as the company’s senior vice president, did not immediately respond to a phone message left by the Blade seeking further information, including the sale price. 

News of Perruzza’s decision to sell Pitchers and A League of Her Own follows his Facebook postings last fall saying Pitchers, like other bars in D.C., was adversely impacted by the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard soldiers on D.C. streets   

In an Oct. 10 Facebook post, Perruzza said he was facing, “probably the worst economy I have seen in a while and everyone in D.C. is dealing with the Trump drama.” He told the Blade in a Nov. 10 interview that Pitchers continued to draw a large customer base, but patrons were not spending as much on drinks.

The Zacuto Group sales brochure says Pitchers currently provides a “rare combination of scale, multiple bars, inclusivity, and established reputation that provides a unique investment opportunity for any buyer seeking a long-term asset with a loyal and consistent customer base,” suggesting that, similar to other D.C. LGBTQ bars, business has returned to normal with less impact from the Trump related issues.

The sales brochure can be accessed here.

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