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evening'sout

This 'Butterfly' is cast with Asian singers

by Richard Berrong

Cleveland Madame Butterfly is a celebration of diversity. The composer, Giacomo Puccini, reworked David Belasco's racist, demeaning text and, clothing it in profoundly beautiful music, created a work that for a century has been breaking down the barriers caused by prejudice and distrust of differ-

ence.

Audiences are regularly moved to sympathize with and even weep for someone whom, because of her difference, they might otherwise dismiss and disdain.

It is therefore fitting that with its latest production of this work, Cleveland Opera is celebrating diversity as well. All of the principal Japanese roles have been cast with Asian singers.

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I spoke with one of them, gay tenor Shieh-Yih Lim (Goro), and he waxed lyric about the authenticity that will make these performances special, even for those who have seen the opera before.

Director Victoria Bussert, known to area audiences for her remarkable productions of musical shows at Great Lakes Theater Festival and Cain Park, has brought in choreographer David Shimotakahara to instruct even the Asian singers on the movements particular to Japanese society.

Lim's face caught fire as he lauded the two Asian sopranos alternating in the role of Butterfly for their command of the small gestures that will be so telling in such an authentic production.

Still at the beginning of his career, Lim

is preparing for ambitious parts, such as the Chinese Prince Calaf in Turandot. He already has a web site, http://www.geocites.com/ Vienna/Strasse/2828, where opera lovers can learn more about him and follow his career.

Meanwhile, those who wish to enjoy what promises to be a particularly enjoyable celebration of diversity can see Madame Butterfly at Cleveland's State Theater March 30 at 7 pm, March 31 and April 1 at 8 pm, or April 2 at 2 pm.

Richard M. Berrong is a freelance writer living in Hudson, Ohio.

Shieh-Yih Lim

Café denizens Timothy Charlton, left, and James Knight have a heated conversation.

A play for people-watchers

by Michelle Tomko

Most people do not flock to North Canton for a queer artistic outlet. But that is exactly what openly gay playwright Jay Spencer is hoping audiences will do March 24 through April 2 when his new play Conversations at the Christopher Street Grille makes its world première at the North Canton Playhouse, where Spencer is board president.

Written by Spencer and his straight buddy Justin Madison, the play is designed to make the audience feel as though they are eavesdropping on the characters as they interact in a café in New York City.

"It's been an interesting process. Coming from a gay perspective and he from a straight perspective and looking at these issues.” said Spencer on writing the project. When asked what he hoped his audience will get out of his work, Spencer replied, "The main part of the story is the guy coming out to his mother. I'm hoping they get how difficult that is and what a struggle people go through to do that.”

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Safe schools program gets its just desserts at benefit

by Michelle Tomko

Cleveland-Supporters of the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center's "Safe Schools Are For Everyone" program gathered at the Art Avenue Gallery at Tower City Sunday March 19 for a benefit dessert reception and raffle. The reception was followed by a private screening of the "Gay and Lesbian Shorts" program, part of the 24th Cleveland International Film Festival.

The SSAFE program is dedicated to creating safe schools that value sexual minority youth. To date, the organization has presented to over 1,700 teachers, administrators, and students.

The event raised $3,500, more than twice last year's return of $1,300. The money raised will go to SSAFE's general fund, where it can be used for things like part time staff and resources.

"It's really wonderful all these people turned out," said Linda Malicki, the center's executive director. "Work with our youth is the most important work we do."

Guests enjoyed luscious desserts, coffee, and tea before donated door prizes were raffled off, along with a grand prize

Melissa

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to be a positive entertainer and a positive personality and whatever. I really enjoy my work and my life. It is hard to sit there and say on some show the political issue that is so dark and creepy. It has been hard. I think I am getting better at it.

Q: For your activism, where do you get your information?

M.E.: On different issues, the information comes from different places. Sometimes I form my own opinion about this. HRC keeps me very informed of things. I read Time magazine. The Advocate comes across every now and then. I check in on things. I travel this country and I find out what is going on from city to city and state to state. I keep informed.

Q: What would you say to those who are not going to be coming to the march for whatever reason, political or disagreement or whatever? What would you say to them to encourage them to come to the march and the concert?

M.E.: Why miss out on such a great time? I do know, having been in the community for so long, that part of what makes us so rich and

of a ticket to the Human Rights Campaign's Cleveland dinner, valued at $150. Among the gifts were baseball hats and T-shirts, books, hair products, bolo ties and a

"Work with our youth is the most important work we do."

"Velma" doll from Scooby Doo, which SSAFE coordinator Judy Maruszan described as "everyone's favorite cartoon lesbian."

The crowd didn't seem to find the shorts as sweet as the desserts that night, however. In the darkened theatre, this reporter heard the comments, "Well, that was short," and "What the hell was that?" The customary applause, which usually happens during the credits of the new films, were absent as well.

powerful is our opinions. We have so many of them. We talk it out and process it and we are all better off for it. We are better off when we can come together and say that, despite our differences, we stand together. There are so many things to get all tripped up and upset about. Let's stand together and show them what a community we are.

Q: Will you have any plans to perform with other people who will be at Equality Rocks?

M.E.: As far as I am concerned, I would love to sing with every single one of them. I have to choose. I haven't yet. It is being finalized, and I think k.d. and I have to do something together.

Q: Can you talk to some of our young readers about the importance of monogamy in a same sex relationship?

M.E.: It is difficult, because I was young and gay before HIV and AIDS really came full-blown into our community. I enjoyed the community. (Laughs.)

It is hard for me to now say, “monogamy is the way." I think education is the way. Be smart and take care of yourself, and [practice] safe sex, and I won't tell a 21-year-old not to go out and sow their oats. That is what they do. Be smart about it.

For more information about the march, contact the HRC or log on to www.hrc.org.