July 23, 2004

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

eveningsout

ERIC MULL

Come on, lucky 7

Floating craps games. "Luck Be A Lady Tonight." Nathan Detroit. Sky Masterson. The Salvation Army.

It's the 1940s all over again as Porthouse Theater on the grounds of the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, presents Guys and Dolls, running through August 8.

"It's a very well-constructed musical in terms of the story," said openly gay producing director John R. Crawford, also the director of Kent State University's School of Theater and Dance. "I had never seen it on stage. We did a production with students a couple years ago."

"It's fun, enjoyable, and comes at a time when we can all use a little entertainment," he said, noting the diversity of the cast, which includes AfricanAmerican leads, Latino and gay actors and a crew as varied as Northeast Ohio itself.

"It's certainly been an inclusive sort of group," he mused.

Crawford has been at Kent State for 16 years, and the director of the School of Theater and Dance since 1996. Be-

fore moving to Ohio, he took his doctorate in Dance and Dance Education at Temple University and was a performer in Philadelphia.

"[The theater] is a place where I could be creative, explore other worlds," he said, explaining its appeal to LGBT people. “It was a safe place, an accepting place, a tolerant place." For more information on Guys and Dolls at Porthouse Theater, call 330-929-4416 or log onto www.porthousetheatre.com.

Out & excellent

Continued from facing page

—Anthony Glassman

bespeak pop brilliance. Melodies are attractive and in the groove, arrangements superb, and lyrics the kind that make you want to lis-

Outstanding New Recording, ten. From the lightness

Instrumental

Metropolitan Klezmer, Surprise Finds

Although the Jewish word klezmer literally translates as "vessel of song," the term has come to signify the Jewish dance music played at weddings, parties and festivals. Thus it comes as a surprise to discover this marvelously produced disc alternating between the exuberantly upbeat and slower, far more introverted selections. The 20 tracks include songs drawn from historic Yiddish film, scratchy 80-year-old 78s of theater mu-

sic, the musical Oliver, and tape recordings of vocalist Deborah Karpel's grandfather Phillip. Sometimes introduced by excerpts from the original material, the impeccably performed selections are graced by a love and reverence that make listening a spiritual experience.

Outstanding Producer

Jinx Titanic, Super 8 Cum Shot and Super 8 Cum Shot Vol II

Exactly what makes Jinx Titanic a better producer than anyone else is not clear from Vol II. Regardless, his frequently nasty, cum-

stained vocals prove that not all bad boys are straight. Beneath the cigar-breath lyrics are automatic rifle riffs of raucous electric guitar, drums and bass guaranteed to kill your house plants. If you like some-

one who talks dirty, rubs your face in raw queerness, and has a good time in the process, by all means shoot your load on Jinx Titanic.

Outstanding Songwriter

Michael Holland, Beach Toys Won't Save You

The songs on Michael Holland's fourth disc, all written, produced, and arranged by him, span an impressively diverse range of styles and feelings. Taken as a whole, they

of "Boys Say Go" ("Miss Thing will hit the streets tonight") to the darkness of "If She Really Loved You,' there's a depth here well worth exploring. OutSong of the Year

"Honest World" by Catie Curtis

"Honest World" brought me close to tears. Written in 2002, this previously unreleased song addresses the pernicious affect of socalled born-again Christianity and societal oppression on LGBT love. One of twelve cuts on Curtis' Acoustic Valentine assemblage of original love songs penned between 1988 and

2002, the song's final kicker, "Some day I trust love will make an honest world of us" says it all. To this recently married critic, the "Honest World" section about lesbian and gay marriage seems prescient of the present turn of events. Curtis' fine voice and superb diction are wedded to a clear vision of what our community needs. You really must hear this song. Brava!

OutMusician of the Year Alix Olson

Guitar-wielding, spoken word folk poet Alix Olson receives this honor as much for her artistry as for what she has done with it. The woman tells it like

it is on two CDs, as well as in performances around the county. With backing from such acoustic musicians OutMusic Award recipient Pamela Means, Olson's

breathy recitations lay bare the underbelly of American life. As a veritable model for queer youth, Olson has graced the cover of Ms. magazine and received the “Visionary Award” from the D.C. Rape Crisis Center for her "exceptional commitment to the promotion of social justice." Thank you, Alix.

Romantic. Intriguing. Jubilant.

PI!M

det

BLUE MOON

OVER THE GARDEN OF

GOOD & EVIL

GARDEN PARTY 15

FRIDAY, JULY 30 AT SIGNATURE*

The hottest event of the summer returns on the night of a blue moon. Romance, mystery and magic await you at the fifteenth annual installment of your favorite party!

Benefactor Admission

$100, Party Begins at 6:30pm An Extra Hour of Savannah-style Fun and Spirits!

Benefactors will enjoy complimentary signature martinis, bountiful hors d'oeuvres, an auction preview and an exclusive perfomance by the incomparable duo of Kathy Harvey and George Foley.

Guest Admission

$50, Party Begins at 7:30pm All guests will enjoy our (in)famous live and silent auctions, a fabulous dinner by the former executive chef of the Baricelli Inn, performances by the David Loy Band and dancing -all in our re-created Garden of Good and Evil!

Performers from Cleveland Public Theatre will make special appearances

throughout the night keep an eye on

the Garden's “statues!”

39000 Signature *Drive in Solon

AID

BODY

Kathy

THE

PERFORMERS

Harvey

THE

and

Foley

George

ENTERTAINMENT

Band

The David Loy

THE

ROMANCE

Signature

Courtesy

Art,

THE

Travel,

Signature

AUCTIONS

Antiques

& More

RSVP TODAY

www.lgcsc.org 216.651.LGBT 888.GAY.8761

LESBIAN GAY COMMUNITY CENTER OF