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Welcome to the Archive Version of the online On the Purple Circuit, which ran from 2000-2021. Bill Kaiser founded the Circuit as a newsletter in 1991, and, in 2000, Demian joined as co-editor. Demian programmed the site, expanded the scope of the Circuit, as well as retouched all the images. Demian needed to stop working on the Purple Circuit in order to realize his other projects, such as publishing the book “Operating Manual for Same-Sex Couples: Navigating the rules, rites & rights,” now available on Amazon, and to publishing his “Photo Stories by Demian” books based on his more than 6 decades as a photographer and writer. QueerWise and Michael Kearns have committed to offering a continuation of the Purple Circuit. The new Web address is purplecircuit.org. Bill Kaiser continues as editor and can be reached at purplecir@aol.com Bill and Demian express their appreciation for the hundreds of writers, directors, actors, and publicists who sent their articles and play data. They have toiled mightily to bring our gay, lesbian, trans, and feminist culture into public view, and appreciation. |
| Bill Kaiser, founder (1991), publisher, editor - purplecir@aol.com - 818-953-5096 Demian, associate editor (2000), Web builder, image retouch (since 2003) Contents © 2022, Purple Circuit, 921 N. Naomi St., Burbank, CA 91505 |
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Play it Cool Written by Larry Dean Harris Music by Phillip Swann Lyrics by Mark Winkler Additonal music by Jim Andron, David Benoit, Michael Cruz, Marilyn Harris, Emilio Palane, Joe Pasquale, Dan Siegel, and Larry Steelman Directed by Sharon Rosen June 9, 2006 Celebration Theatre, Hollywood, California
Review by Bill Kaiser |
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The long-anticipated, world premiere of this jazz musical was a triumphant finale to artistic director Michael Matthews’ first season. This production has it all: great story, songs, atmosphere, and acting.
Set in a 1953 smoky, shadowy, gay Hollywood bar called Mary’s Hideaway, the play has an edgy, noir quality. The show has a strong book by Larry Dean Harris, inspired lyrics by Mark (Too Old for the Chorus, Naked Boys Singing) Winkler, and sensational music by Phillip Swann. Additional music was written by Jim Andron, David Benoit, Michael Cruz, Marilyn Harris, Emilio Palane, Joe Pasquale, Dan Siegel, and Larry Steelman.
Author Harris has shaped a cross-section of the 50s community, and director Sharon Rosen has turned them into three-dimensional characters that we care about. These characters are the parents and grandparents of our community. By being “different,” these lesbians and gay men risked exposure to societal hatred, harassment, beating, and arrest.
The five cast members are top-notch with Jessica Sheridan as a standout as club owner Mary, who has a tender heart underneath her tough, butch exterior. Katie Campbell plays Lena, her blonde chanteuse lover. She has a wonderfully sultry singing style and is a knockout. Steven Jangi is both sexy and sleazy as he glides around the stage not missing an opportunity for a pickup. Andrew Pandalion is the young naive newcomer who comes to Hollywood to make it as a singer, but, more importantly, to live a gay life. He admirably foreshadows the 60s liberationists. Rounding out the cast is Henry played compassionately by Michael Craig Shapiro, who is sympathetic to all, but too closeted to come out anywhere but in the murky shadows of the bar.
This entertaining show has you snapping your fingers as it flows like the jazz music … both hot and cool. Don’t miss Play it Cool
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