GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 16, 1994

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THEATER SPOTS

This season's gay shows

by Barry Daniels

The Professional Alliance of Cleveland Theatres (PACT) is comprised of nine theatres "whose purpose is to promote, support, nurture, and develop alternative theatre companies in Northeastern Ohio." These theatres struggle to provide paying work for professionals who live in the region and provide us with the kind of passionate and committed theatre that sustains community. PACT has published a brochure with this year's seasons and a variety of subscription packages in the September issue of Northern Ohio Live. For information call 961-3117.

This year's seasons follow the general pattern each theatre has established over the years. The most consistently challenging and lively works are offered by the Working Theatre (696-9600) and the Karamu Performing Arts Theatre (795-7077). Dobama Theatre (932-6838) has a solid roster of contemporary playwrights and the Cleveland Public Theatre (631-2727) has scheduled mostly original work by area artists. The Ensemble Theatre (3212930) has opted for a relatively safe season featuring some of Cleveland's finest actors. The Cleveland Play House (795-7000) has apparently selected a season the board wanted: it is hardly anything to please a discerning theatregoer. The Great Lakes Theatre Festival (771-3999), Cleveland's truly distinguished professional company, has planned a superb season of classic plays, filling a much needed gap in the Cleveland theatre scene.

Gay plays are now a regular feature of the Cleveland theatre season. This year the Working Theatre will open with Nicky Silver's witty and dark comedy, Pterodactyls (see facing page). The Karamu Performing Arts Theatre has scheduled the long overdue Cleveland premiere of Cheryl West's Before It Hits Home which deals with AIDS and homosexuality in the African-American community. The Jewish Community Center's Halle Theatre is offering William Finn's musical Falsettos in the context of an AIDS awareness program. Finally, the Cleveland Play House will present the late Charles Ludlam's sublimely queer The Mystery of Irma Vep.

Typically, the words "gay," "lesbian," "queer," etc. are not used in any theatre's press releases describing these plays. (The exception to this is Dobama Theatre, whose press release for George Walker's Escape From Happiness (opening tonight) states clearly, if somewhat awkwardly, that one character has a "lesbian orientation." Apparently the majority of our theatres continue to believe we are unmentionable if not unpresentable.

1995 Cleveland Performance Art Festival applications may be obtained by calling 221-6017. Completed applications are due by October 1 (no fee) or October 10 ($10 fee).

A Transvestite Ball will follow the Saturday, October 8, performance of Pterodactyls. For information on this performance, a joint benefit for the Cleveland Public Theatre and the Working Theatre, call 631-2727.

The Guerilla Theatre has opened its season with a production of Romeo and Juliet that is energetic, youthful, and full of clever bits of staging, if not entirely successful. Director David Hansen is especially adept at capturing the comic effects of the first half of the play. His Verona is the present, and the production effectively uses radio announcements and rock music as a backdrop for the high spirits and passionate emotions of the teenagers.

Unfortunately he has not found a way to make the transition from comedy to tragedy. The production moves from the genuinely comic to awkward self-parody; we end up laughing at the actors and the play rather than with them. There are some fine and original performances. I especially liked Erin Cameron's wry and loving Nurse, Shelley Bishop's punk Mercutio, and Charley Voelker's sly and hip Benvolio. Eric Lee's Romeo was often engaging, although he seemed unable to modulate his high-pitched energy. The production's most damaging performance is Tracey Gilbert as Juliet. She alternated between overdone "girlishness" and screeching hysteria. To director Hansen's credit the verse is excellently spoken.

The production continues through 1 October, at The Actor's Gym, 2393 Professor Street in Tremont, Friday and Saturday at 8pm with a 3 pm matinee on Saturday, October 1. Tickets are $5. For reservations call 574-9002.

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