It’s spring, it’s Friday night, you’re all dressed up, and maybe you’d like to pick up a hottie before heading out to Flourish to dance your little buns off. Tonight’s your lucky night because Courtney Trouble is screening her latest campy porn flick Bordello at ATA and all sorts of queers, including the film’s stars, will be in attendance. I know, I know, you’re thinking, “But what about the plot?”. Murder mystery, and I’m pretty sure that the creative approach to handling suspected murder weapons wouldn’t pass muster even on CSI Miami.
For those of you who like their entertainment live, and not just virtual, two of the film’s stars will be giving a bonus performance before the screening. And for an even more interactive evening, flirtation, note-passing and asking out the hot queer sitting next to you will be encouraged by the film’s promoters.
Courtney Trouble will be giving away fun stuff all night, and liquid courage in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms will be available.
Check out the very NSFW website for Bordello here.
ATA (992 Valencia at 21st St, SF CA 94110) hosts video screenings and performances by emerging and established artists.
In addition to having killer chops as a musician, Julie Wolf is quite possibly the nicest person you’ll ever meet. She’s currently the Musical Director for Berkeley Rep’s Girlfriend, a musical about a budding romance between two gay teens. If you’re lucky enough to get tickets, you’ll also have the joy of seeing her perform with her all dyke band (Julie – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals; Shelley Doty – lead guitar, backing vocals; Jean DuSablon – bass; ieela Grant – drums). I interviewed her on the set of Girlfriend, and we discussed how this musical is totally sweet and how Berkeley Rep is totally rad.
This whole show is full of fabulous queers. Todd Almond wrote the musical, which was inspired by Matthew Sweet’s 1991 album Girlfriend. He’s got some serious gayboy street cred, which you can see by his mashup of Bach and Dolly Parton here. Todd also recently released a cd of his own work, Mexico City, which you can buy online or at the show.
Berkeley Rep is also a great place to see live theater. Good sightlines, and an intimate feel without being claustrophobic. They have special discount tickets for the under 30 crowd. Food and alcohol, including, yes, hard liquor (!), are available in the lobby. And in stroke of genius, you can preorder your gustatory delights before the show starts, and have them waiting for you at intermission. Check out their trailer for Girlfriend:
The skinny: Nefarious plastic surgeon plans to take over the world with his army of femmebot Stepford Wives.
Why it’s fabulous: Drag queens and Bunraku puppeteering.
Just the facts, Ma’am:Brava Theater San Francisco, CA, thru April 17, 2010, $20-35.
From the sharply executed choreography of the opening number to the witty lines of the final scenes, the energy of the Scalpel! cast is unflagging and infectious. And considering that injuries resulted in a considerable reworking of the cast since opening night, it’s all the more impressive. Leanne Borghesi in particular does a standout job as the maid Martha (she was originally cast as the reporter Kitty Kelly Brown). But the secret star of the show is Emily McGowan as the ancient, tottering Fritzy. With deadpan delivery and epic comic timing, McGowan owns the stage with her brilliantly feeble stiffness.
In the second act, the Bunraku comes into full play, with puppeteers assisting in the wonderfully choreographed fight scenes. No details here; you’ll have to see it – and enjoy it – for yourself. But the puppeteers make possible some of the best (of the many) pop culture references in the show.
Designers:Scenic Designer – Matt McAdon; Costume Designer – Abra Berman; Choreographer – Tina Banchero; Fight Choreographer – Dave Maier; Light Designer – Cathie Anderson; Sound Designer – Sound Productions.
Cast members:David Bicha, Leanne Borghesi, Laurie Bushman, Deena Davenport, Juan De La Rosa, Mike Finn, Marilynn Fowler, Arturo Galster, Cindy Goldfield, Jordan L’Moore, Emily McGowan, Sarah Moore and Katie Rubin.
Band members:Peter Fogel, Peggy L’eggs, Christian Matthews, Jeff Mitchell and Tim Perdue.
Puppeteers:Joe Cassserly, Karla Hargrave, Thomas John, Todd Young and Phillip Sebastian.
“Gay Hindu Hip Hop – these three things make me, however, they don’t allow for one another. This is my attempt at fusing these elements of my being (and my imaginary friends) onto the stage.” In small, delicate strokes, transgender performer D’Lo reflects upon what it means to be a person of color, to be gay and to be from an immigrant minority. In his critically acclaimed work Ramble-Ations, opening Wednesday March 17th, 2010 at Brava Theater, D’Lo also raises a much larger question about what it means to live in America, where one’s national, ethnic and cultural lineage is constantly challenged by assimilation and normalization.
The charismatic and charming D’Lo plays all the roles in this nuanced multi-character piece, including his befuddled and bemused mother (see video above for D’Lo’s transition from son to mother). Written by D’Lo and directed by Adelina Anthony, Ramble-Ations runs thru Saturday April 3rd – see www.brava.org for complete details.
