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, publisher, editor photo: Demian

It’s been quite a horrendous year without live performance. Theater which we took for granted, especially in cities like New York and Los Angeles, was gone. In a twinkling, it was gone, and show folk were silenced, and, at best, on unemployment.

We can imagine how the London theaters were closed during the bubonic plague, to prevent the spread of contagion. Elizabethan theaters were frequently shuttered during outbreaks, in 1593-1594, which claimed nearly a third of the city’s population. The official rule was that once the death rate exceeded 30 per week, performances would be canceled.

Unlike Elizabethan times, present day theaters and performers have adapted by learning to use “Zoom,” or other crowd meeting programs, and streaming programs. We’ve been given access to theatrical events around the world.

During this time, we’ve lost many creative people to Covid-19, and other conditions, including important voices like:

Jerry Herman
American composer and lyricist, known for his work in Broadway musical theater. He composed “Hello, Dolly!” “Mame,” and “La Cage aux Folles.”

Terrence McNally
American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter. He wrote “Love! Valour! Compassion!” “Master Class,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and “Ragtime.”

Larry Kramer
American playwright, author, film producer, public health advocate, and LGBT rights activist.

Ivy Bottini
American activist for women’s rights and LGBT rights, and a visual artist.

It’s been inspiring to see the innovative ways ways theaters and performers have kept theater alive in these isolated times.

San Francisco’s Theatre Rhinoceros, the oldest continuous LGBTQ+ theater in the U.S., has had weekly one-person, online shows, created and performed by their AD John Fisher for more than a year, from his apartment. They will also be presenting “Gay As They Say” conceived by Mark Nadler, streamed for free on May 21-23, 2021. (See our Openings)

Some theaters, like The Fountain, in Los Angeles are preparing for live performances again by turning their parking lot into an outdoor theater.

The Diversionary Theater in San Diego has been fortunate to renovate their theater during this down time, turning it into a showcase. You can “Take a Seat,” (scroll down, click the Take-A-Seat tab), and take a “take Virtual Tour” (scroll down, click the Photos & Video tab).

The One Archives Foundation has done an online celebrity reading of “The Normal Heart” on May 8, 2021, with a tribute to Larry Kramer by Dr. Anthony Fauci. (See our Openings)

The Bridge Street Theatre, in Catskill, NY, is presenting archival productions of Kaliyuga Arts including Federico Garcia Lorca’s gayest play, “The Public.” Here are 25 videos from Bridge Street Theatre.

Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble will present “I Kissed Chavela Vargas” by Monica Palacios, a live-streamed reading on May 16, 2021.

Michael Kearns has just published a new book, “Whose Afraid Of Michael Kearns,” a collection of three of his plays. See our article Media for Sale.

“The Lady Was A Gentleman,” a play by Barbara Kahn, was published in May 2021. Her plays about real life 19th century breeches role actor Charlotte Cushman. Also in our article Media for Sale.

Our Purple Circuit tagline has always been “See a gay or lesbian show tonight, and when you travel.” Now, I will add, “and support these special spaces, and performers.”