FEATURES

FOR GAY CATHOLICS

... and non catholics too

DIGNITY-CLEVELAND

P.O. BOX 18479 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44118

791-0942

HIGH GEAR/APRIL 1977

PAGE 20

OUT ON THE TOWN

By Aaron Ross

GODMOTHER'S H

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How are us gays faring in the entertainment world these days? The answer is in the stars. Chita Rivera and her three handsome guys played to our "interests" and as a result received countless ovations opening night at the State in Play House Square. To consider Chita's act as a gay one is a misnomer for the material and the performance is designed to appeal to anyone who appreciates quality entertainment. But, chauvenistically, I'd like to think that we as a group appreciate this type of act even more than the "straights". Let me try to analyze why: Chita and her boys are strictly Broadway with the style, the training, the staging that only comes after years of back-breaking experience in rehearsal halls and various night club and theatre stages. We have empathy with this life-style and can identify with the players who leave their small towns (and narrow understandings) to find acceptance with their own kind. And when "our own kind" makes it we cheer. And they in turn with knowing looks a gesture here and there lets us know that they're "playing for us". And so do their words and references. "Bananas" "Trashy". "Buns".

that are stroked, played with. Microphones that act as phallic symbols. All this and more from a double meaning disco lyric to "All That Jazz" from Chita's "Chicago" show are directed to "those in the know"

US! In lesser "straighter" hands the relationship between Chita and her boys would be sexual. But here we have Chita referring to herself as Mother to her boys keeping them in lineand watching over each other as a family with the underlying idea that, like in any family, she and the boys are allowed to stray and do their thing. Chita's act is the latest in an evergrowing entertainment concept and that is to be true to the "trashy" "campy" gay world that spawned the entertainment. In the 20s and 30s the concept started with the works of George Gershwin, Larry Hart, Noel Coward and Cole Porter all as gay as society then would let them be. Then the dancers started to take over. First there was Jerome Robbins. Then Bob Fosse. And most recently Michael Kidd (director of The Chorus Line). As dancers they knew and were part of the gay world. And they honestly con-. Iveyed that world in their works. The result: shows like Sweet Charity, Let My People Come, Chicago, Mame, Chorus Line and acts like "Chita Plus 3".

Speaking of dancers let's not forget that our own Cleveland Ballet Company will be appearing at the Hanna Theatre Friday thru Sunday, April 22 thru

for

Those of us who have seen this Company perform in their last two engagements know the thrill of seeing "our own" do such a fantastic job. What sets the Cleveland Ballet apart from other ballet companies? The verve, enthusiasm and energy that they display in every movement. Remember how they cockily, brashly, tilted their heads up, and gave out with a broad grin that shouted to the world "We did it us Cleveland, Pennsylvania, and towns in between, have the skill, the nerve, the flash and dash, to compete with any ballet group anywhere. And we're doing it in Cleveland a city that supposedly couldn't appreciate ballet and we're playing to

packed sold-out houses to cheering standing ovations. because our kind of people are out there liking us, wanting us. needing us." And we do need them. And I'm referring now strictly to High Gear readers. Because being "gay" is as much cultural as it is sexual. So thank you lan Horvath, Dennis Nahat, Bob Noll, and all the others involved in the company. You've made the Hanna (when you're there) a new social, cultural and entertainment oasis for all of us yearning for esthetic enrichment in our gay lives.

Being New York born and raised and a theatre-going freak I also can't wait for these upcoming attractions:

NOW THRU APRIL 24 MY FAT FRIEND at the Dobama Theatre on Coventry and Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights (932-6838 for info.) This is a show all gays should see because it's a TENDER comedy about an odd, but likeable assortment of people of whom one is a savvy homosexual, the other a pretty but too plump bookstore owner, and the other an aspiring author. When the savvy gay goes in pursuit of an attractive young customer it's gayer than gay it's hilarious. The director is Ron Newall, and in the cast are Mary Ann Sheboy (SHEBOY . what a name!), Charles Goodwill, John Klein and Charles St. Clair. See it and enjoy. It's one of the rare current Broadway comedies that treat us KINDLY.

APRIL 12-17: Porgy and Bess at the Hanna Theatre. This is the Houston Grand Opera Company's production of this Gershwin Classic that received rave reviews on Broadway just recently. It's the first time this American folk opera has been presented as Gershwin conceived it over 3 hours longnothing cut.

Sinatra, great songs, professional showmanship GO! And 12,000 Clevelander's can't be wrong. Because of this response last month he is returning with new songs.

SUN. APRIL 17: A Party With BETTY COMDEN AND ADOLPH GREEN at Masonic Auditorium. Two performances: 2:30 and 7:30 pm. This is the duo responsible for ON THE TOWN, WONDERFUL TOWN, BELLS ARE RINGING, DO RE MI, SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING, 'APPLAUSE AND HALLELULAH BABY ON BROADWAY AND THESE MOVIE MUSICALS: SINGIN IN THE RAIN, THE BAND WAGON, ITS ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER, BELLS ARE RINGING, GOOD NEWS AND THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY. If you like Broadway GO! Presented by The Cleveland Play House. Call 795-7000 for Info.

APRIL 19-24: RAY CHARLES and his orchestra plus other acts at the STATE THEATRE on Playhouse Square. A legend arrives. If you like jazz, blues, and great vocal artistry GO! APRIL 25-30: The Metropolitan Opera at Public Auditorium. Cleveland is only one of eight cities the Met visits on tour. Here's your chance to don that tux and gown and strut..

For other than theatre freaks there's George Carlin coming to The Front Row, and a hundred and one rock acts (more than any city outside of New York). So get out on the town and have a gay ol time.

MYSTICAL CAPTIVE

I saw you today wearing that same sad-eyed melancholia. You seemed a helpless captive. Are you?

I don't remember you this way. Once upon a time

thru August fields

your spirit danced a joy-song. We were a magic pair spawning magnetism all but visible.

You and I are linked tho we spin our separate worlds as I depend on Time that swept you away to redeem itself by whisking you again into my path.

For now I'm Cinderella after midnight;

I'm that helpless captive caught in undue bondage; gleaning all my pleasure from a glance.

APRIL 1217: MEL TORME at the State Theatre on Playhouse Square. With Warren Covington's Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers. If band sound, aneu

April 24 for five performances. you like the big band sou

Nordhäuser

Kornbranntwein