The Purple Circuit promotes GLQBT
and feminist theater and performance.

A dark, absurdist comedy about the revolution that happens in Lucifer’s domain on that day in 1992 when the Pope apologized to Galileo Galileo, leaving him free to exit. Is this the exception that proves the rule, or will all Hell break loose?

Part of Vital Signs, New Works Festival Series 3

April 27, 2003
Vital Theatre, NYC

Christopher Borg (Hank), Kevin Held (Barry), Eileen T’Kaye (Muriel), Kurt Bauccio (Ward), and Frank Anthony Polito (Greg) image: ?

Two roommates find their friendship and apartment up for grabs thanks to a trick with a penchant for plants and bedtime stories.

April 12, 2003
Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, New York, New York

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Welcome to the Shiva Arms, a run-down Hollywood apartment building that’s home to the most dysfunctional group of tenants in all of Hollywood. Actor and writer Doug Motel portrays 11 colorful residents; from a punk rocker and a “B” movie actress, to a crusty 86-year-old retired negative cutter. Based on a true story, Motel’s band of misfits takes us on a hilarious and touching spiritual odyssey.

The original 1998 L.A. production won an L.A. Weekly Award for “Best Solo Performance” for writing and acting, as well as a Theater L.A. “Ovation Award” for “Best Writing of a World-Premier Play.” It was also nominated for the Ovation Award for “Best Actor and Best Production.”

April 12, 2003
Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, New York, New York

A fun evening of songs performed by Kerry Carnahan, Kevin Chinn, Kym Hoy, Reggie Lee, Dina Moshita, Jennifer Paz and Alex Selma. Plus a special performance by the group At Last. And to spice it up, words by prominent L.A. playwrights will be read along the way.

May 3, 2003
Los Angeles Theatre Center, Los Angeles, California

Boom Boom (Michael Lynch), Timothy (Jamison Lee Driskill), Ceil (Chris Andersson) image: © 2002, Blandon Belushin

A depiction of events on Christopher Street, NYC, outside a gay bar, which triggered the beginning of the modern-day gay rights movement, and an end to putting up with second-class citizenship.

Cast includes: Chris Andersson*, Jonathan Cedano, Joe DeFeo, Desmond Dutcher*, Jamie Evermann, Ashley Green*, Douglas Gregory, Kevin Held, Michael Lynch, Terrence M. McCrossan*, Cheryl Orsini, Adam Raynen, Bruce Ward*, Chris Weikel* [*members of Actors Equity]

May 15, 2003
The Eagle, New York, New York

A warm-hearted, semi-autobiographical play about the comically complex and wry relationship between Mindy Levy, a full-time Jewish mother, and her gay son Brad. A moving story about love and friendship. An audience discussion on coming out issues with the writer-performer follows the performances.

At the Columbus National Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival, MotherSON won “Best Solo Performer,” “Best Play-writing for a Solo Work” and “Audience Favorite.” Also, Solomon was nominated “Best Actor” by the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee in Chicago.

Jeffrey Solomon wrote the Jim Henson/ABC-TV pilot for “CityKids,” as well as for “Tribeca” (FOX), “Davis Rules” (ABC) and original projects for Nickelodeon and the Children’s Television Workshop. He has appeared in “Growing Up and Other Heroic Deeds,” “Blues is for Boys” (Robert Patrick), “Men of Manhattan” (John Glines), and with the Italian folk theater Igullari Di Piazza.

May 17, 2003
Princeton University’s Frist Campus Center, Princeton, New Jersey

Buddy is magically transformed into a human being when his Fairy Dog Mother overhears Buddy’s master confiding in the pooch about the improbability of finding a perfect mate in New York City. The story is a brutally shocking and a warmhearted fairy tale, following the wide-eyed hero into the complex world of human nature.

Widely produced, Robert Chesley’s plays include: “Hell, I Love You,” “Night Sweat,” and “Jerker, or the Helping Hand” The producer for the readings is Mission Theater Company (a.k.a. CO.Mission), Daniel Luna and Stephanie Bok, founders and co-artistic directors. Director Luna will be using the unpublished script, which includes a narrator not in the originally produced version, as well as casting and other changes.

Cast includes: Spencer Aste*, Sandra Berrios*, Stephanie Bok, Steven J. Clopper, Yuval David*, D. Rubin Green, Joey Wysokowski (*Actors Equity). Staged reading, followed by discussion.

May 19, 2003
South Oxford Space, Brooklyn, New York

image: ?

The story follows five years in the lives of a former drag queen and his loving partner who take in three runaway teens — two gay and one transgender boy. While touching on the serious issues of these kid’s lives, the play is primarily a warm and funny look at this unconventional family.

May 29, 2003
The Bank Street Theatre, New York, New York

Josh has spent three years trapped on a deserted resort island. Matt washes up on shore after escaping from an oversexed gay cruise. While the basics of survival are taken care of by following the directions in Martha Stewart Living, Josh has managed to cope with the loneliness by changing his persona … repeatedly. As he starts to grow feelings for Matt, Matt questions his stability, and wonders if Josh really likes him, or it’s just a Love of Last Resort.

May 31, 2003
Celebration Theatre, Hollywood, California

Letters is a SATP original piece based on letters written by the loved ones of those who died to the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Project members will perform and present “Songs.” Members include: George Box, Robert Richardson, John Russo, Donna Des Isles, Kate Bell, Tom Boles, John Russo, Brad Wages, Daniel La Porta, Michael Moshier, Milt Alter. It also features area artists, Michael Bajjaly, Jeff Kin, Catherine Randazzo, Nathan Rifenberg, Charlie Schwartz and Mary C. Turner.

All the panels from the Sarasota/Manatee Community AIDS Quilt will be displayed throughout the building, and the names of those that have died will be read.

June 1, 2003
Clark Building (next to Robards Arena), Sarasota, Florida Sarasota AIDS Theatre Project, Garry Allan Breul, director, 941-365-6348, garallan@msn.com

This event is in conjunction with Pride Fest 2003 and will benefit the MCC POZ M4M Support Group, the Sarasota AIDS Theatre Project, and The Community AIDS Quilt (Bethesda House).

June 2, 2003
Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota AIDS Theatre Project, Garry Allan Breul, director, 941-365-6348, garallan@msn.com

The evening features the New York premiere of Racelis’ one-act, plus works by other writers.

June 4, 2003
Theatre-Studio, New York, New York

image: ?

An East German girlie boy named Hansel, who lives in the hope of finding his “other half,” agrees to a sex-change operation in order to go to the U.S. with an American G.I. The operation is botched and Hansel, now Hedwig, is left neither man nor woman. His search for love as the “internationally unknown song stylist” is both hilarious and heart-breaking.

The show features Randall T. Stevens as Hedwig and Andrea Lang as Yitzak. The rock band, “The Angry Inch,” includes music director Rod Carlson on keyboards, Luann Cravens on bass, Bill Hoover on guitar, and Roselle Ledesma on drums.

June 6, 2003
Blue Barn Theatre, Omaha, Nebraska

Maddie, a femme lesbian dressed to maim, sits on a barstool and gives her two cents (and then some) about the dilemmas of the dating scene and the pressure from peers to be “PC.”

June 11, 2003
Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In a school bathroom, three teenage girlfriends deal with sexual innuendo and harassment from a popular boy.

June 13, 2003
Live Girls!, Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington

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Burlesque, bawdy, provocative and uproariously funny, Le Boudoir is a cultural institution for Montreal’s local lesbian community and an entirely unique performing arts experience. Le Boudoir celebrates burlesque and music hall traditions, providing an opportunity ripe for the reversal of normal social order and uncensored expression.

Burlesque, provocateur et hilarant, Le Boudoir est une pièce remarquable où le grand art et la comédie se rencontrent. Crée en 1995 par Miriam Ginestier, Le Boudoir est devenu une institution culturelle pour la communauté lesbienne de Montréal, mais aussi une expérience unique dans le monde de la scène artistique nationale. Au moment de sa 10ème édition anniversaire, ce spectacle anachronique et paradoxalement intemporel, reprend le style des spectacles de cabaret à ses heures de gloire, cíest à dire au moment où ils étaient un divertissement grand public.

Cast includes: Shelagh Albert, Mimi Blais, Annabelle Chvostek, Nathalie Claude, Miriam Ginestier, Mary Ann Lacey, Tonja Livingstone, Alexis O’Hara, Alyson Vishnovska.

June 18, 2003
Le Lion D’Or, Montreal, Canada

Pandora Scooter, Gabriel Shanks image: ?

Premieres at the 2003 FUSE Festival: A Celebration of Queer Culture. After the New York performances, Scooter and Bootlick will be touring through the 2004 elections. Atlanta and Baltimore are planned.

June 28, 2003
HERE Arts Center, New York, New York

Charles Deitz and David J. Cruse image: ?

Humor and emotion abound in a story about widower Harry Mitchell and his son Jeff. They live together and Harry plays a welcome matchmaker for his gay son. While the characters are haunted by loneliness and homophobia, their everyday lives are filled with universal familial joys, pains, loves and irritations.

Cast includes: David J. Cruse (Jeff Mitchell, the son), Charles Deitz (Harry Mitchell, the father), Karen Root (Joyce), and David Bilon (Greg). Recommended for mature audiences.

July 11, 2003
Center Playhouse, Freehold, New Jersey

Three archaeologists exhume remnants of language, vestiges of relationships and cultural ruins from the ancient, lost civilization of Amurika.

The show consists of a diverse terrain of one-act plays, and highlighting the evening is Harold Pinter’s “Mountain Language.” The shorts feature the acting talents of Travis Bedard, Brad Cooreman, Micaelee Ellswythe, Kevin B. Johnson, Shaun Landry, Leo Lawhorn, Sarah Mitchell, W. Jay Moore, Chris Symonds, and Daniel Weiss.

August 1 and 2 are benefit performances for the Mary Mason Memorial Lemonade Fund (for critically ill Bay Area theatre folk). These two shows also include a comedy set by Shaun Landry, Oui Be Negroes, members of the Summer Shorts cast, as well as prize drawings.

July 11, 2003
Exit Mainstage, San Francisco, California

top: Alan Safier, Robert Pine, John Durbin, Brian Carpenter, Georg Stanford Brown front: Seamus Dever, Loren Freeman, Steve Doss, Adam Huss image: Ed Krieger

A 30-year reunion brings the “boys” together for a serious occasion. They may be older and wiser, but they are every bit as sharp-tongued, hilarious, outrageous and entertaining as ever. Three new, younger men force them to deal with generational issues, aging, loss, alcoholism, sexual liaisions, friendship and, most importantly, love.

Mart Crowley’s long awaited, and highly-anticipated sequel to his landmark play, “The Boys in the Band,” is finally here.

July 18, 2003
The Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, California

photo source: Jack Magee

Harry is excited because a director just offered him a role in a new play. The director, however, is his “higher self,” and the play is “this lifetime on earth.” Will Harry get trapped in his role, or will he remember his Spirit?

Hart-Browne has received two LA Weekly Awards, two AGLA Awards, and seven other theater awards for excellence in acting. This hilarious and thought-provoking, powerful adventure of one gay man’s spiritual journey tours nationwide.

Also, see our article: Touring Performers

August 16, 2003
Foothill Center of Religious Science, Sierra Madre, California

image: David Ford

One actor hilariously performs twenty citizens of Aberdeen, Mississippi, a Twin Peaks-ish town of secrets and mystery. When Viola Haygood is kidnapped, everyone’s got motive, opportunity, but who’s the culprit? Journey into small-town psyches, and big-time dreams.

Part of the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival (a production of The Present Company)
Frank Blocker: blockerfm@aol.com

August 9, 2003
The Red Room, New York, New York

art by Howard Cruse    Igor Goldin, Jamie Heinlein

Directed by Mark Finley
Produced by Barry Childs and
TOSOS II in association with
Out Professionals as part of
FringeNYC 2003

A four person cast portrays a cavalcade of comic characters in this riotous send-up of Dickens. A story of great good fortune with Christopher Borg*, Igor Goldin*, Jamie Heinlein*, Ellen Reilly (*courtesy Actors Equity).

Aug 10, 2003
The Linhart Theatre, New York, New York

A staged reading of Terrence McNally's “Love! Valour! Compassion!” will be presented (by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service). This very funny, Tony award-winning play, gathers eight gay men at a summer house to celebrate the holidays. Also on the program will be “Voices of People with AIDS,” a 20-minute theatrical compilation, and selections from “The Gay 90s Musical.” Plus, there will be additional surprises throughout the evening.

The Sarasota AIDS Theatre Project, is a group of people who are infected, or affected, by HIV/AIDS. All proceeds benefit the Bethesda House Quilt Project, AIDS Manasota, and the Sarasota AIDS Theatre Project.

September 5, 2003
Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Sarasota, Florida

Brett Douglas, Ellen Reilly, Desmond Dutcher photo source: Mike Doyle

Lurid hype and vicious headlines are generated by professional rivalry. Things turn ugly when a bet between highly influential theatre critics, Morgan Rydell and Brian Bradley, degenerate into a no-holds-barred war for control over public opinion. Part homage to Broadway legend Ms. Peters, and part commentary on the power of the yellow press, no one is spared in this over-the-top satire.

Playwright Bell won a 2003 OOBR Award for “What the F**k!” Directer Borg won a 2003 OOBR Award for “What the F**k!” and “A Prefect Relationship.” The cast includes Ron Bopst¹, Brett Douglas, Desmond Dutcher¹, Ellen Reilly, Mark Ruggiero¹, Michael Silva, Dayna Steinfeld¹ (¹Actor’s Equity Association members.)

September 5, 2003
The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, New York, New York

A flamboyant academic pulls out all the stops in an attempt to hold on to a delectable young waiter with a mind of his own. The play has also delighted audiences in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

September 17, 2003
Theatre-Studio, Inc., New York, New York

Steven Mason and Wes Ferguson image: John Bernard

Cast includes: Brandon Bateman, Hunter Lee Hughes, Marc Cameron, Rayne Aspengren, Regan Forston.

September 18, 2003
Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, California

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Fundraiser for Durham’s AIDS Community Residence Association/ACRA, Includes a post-performance conversation with Tim Miller and Prof. John Clum.

Also, see our article: Touring Performers

September 18, 2003
Manbites Dog Theater, Durham, North Carolina

image: Geoffrey Goodridge

An autobiographical decathlon of laughter and tears performed by Rich Kiamco. This romp exposes how a queer, Filipino boy escapes the cornfields of Illinois to the streets of New York City, and embarks on a global odyssey among fashionistas, millionaires, and con artists, in search of love, enlightenment, and the perfect shade of beige.

The play is part of the Seattle Fringe Festival

Also, see our article: Touring Performers

September 18, 2003
Northwest Actors Studio, Seattle, Washington

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Kenny is head over heels in love with Paul, the man of his dreams, but not only does Paul still claim to be “straight,” he won’t even tie Kenny up! A story of love, friendship and the pursuit of handcuffs. A world premiere, this romantic, sexual comedy explores true love, growing up, and “tying the knot.”

September 19, 2003
Cornelia Arts Building, New York, New York

Performers include: Kevin Dulude, Kevin Rettig, Lily Sauvage, and singer Steven De Muth. The focus is on parodies of Wilde’s work and life, and his response to them. A benefit for The Performing Arts Collection of the ONE Institute.

October 11, 2003
ONE Institute & Archives, Los Angeles, California

image: Jim Crosby

A middle-aged insurance salesman, Philip, brings home a gorgeous young man, Buck, for an afternoon tryst. The (perhaps supernatural) Buck takes Philip on a breathtaking, life-altering journey into long-suppressed and hidden desires. Intelligent, erotic, powerful, provocative, and terrifying.

Cast includes Adam Mervis and John Rengstorff. This critically acclaimed play was originally produced by The Glines in 1997.

October 18, 2003
Chashama Theatre, New York, New York

image: ?

All her life she dreamed of fame and fortune. She’s still dreaming. Join Coco in an evening of song and monologues as she ponders her life, travels, obsession with the Little Mermaid, and continues her pursuit of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, but (above all) Cash.

October 23, 2003
The Renberg Theatre, The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza, Los Angeles, California

Emily Sarpa (Vampyrette), Lisa Joyce (Dracula), Alexandra O’Daly (Vampyrette), Ana Berry (Vampyrette) image: Maxwell Graham

Bizarre and offbeat, this version of Dracula completely re-vamps Bram Stoker’s classic novel. First produced in 1987, this is the story of two sexually repressed women who find the freedom and passion of the vampiric world in the late days of Victorian London.

Cast includes: Ana Berry (Vampyrette), Stephanie Bratnik (Mina), Jason Fleitz (Simmons), Lisa Joyce (Dracula), Leslie Kies (Lucy), Micah Lane (Seward), Cobey Mandarino (Van Helsing), Alexandra O'Daly (Vampyrette), Blair Robertson (Various), Emily Sarpa (Vampyrette), Seth Unger (Harker) and John Walter (Quincey).

October 22, 2003
Athenaeum Studio Three, Chicago, Illinois

Brian Townes, Gus Ibranyi, Paul Domineske, Justin D. Quakenbush, Danny Stessen image: Bernie Doyle

The scheduled bill includes rock and cabaret artist Jeanine Tolve, Mac Award winner Michael Vaccaro, Jonathan Hoop, and singer Brett Russo.

There will be an auction, and, as part of a look at the cyber boy world of M4M4NOW, you will meet its hot boys Mike Del Bene, Paul Domineske, Gus Ibranyi, Justin Quackenbush, Danny Stessen and Brian Townes.

October 26, 2003
The Web, New York, New York

A concert focusing on peace and harmony in the world, featuring traditional folk music from South America, Asia, Eastern Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. ASL Interpreted.

November 7, 2003
Zipper Concert Hall, Colburn School of Performing Arts, Los Angeles, California

Bruhs Mero and Gean Harwood Derek Travis Collard, Scott Evan Davis, Jason Summers image: ?

A one-hour musical that traces the remarkable real-life relationship of Bruhs Mero and Gean Harwood, who met in New York in 1929, and remained together until Bruh’s death in 1995.

Gean, now 95, has offered his full support and keen interest to this project, and will be honored at the opening night performance.

Cast includes: Derek Travis Collard, Scott Evan Davis, and Jason Summers.

November 17, 2003
The Center, New York, New York

A performance crafted from several pieces of Tim’s earlier work, as well as brand new material, honoring the Harvey Milk’ influence through several generations. Marking the 25th anniversary of his assassination.

Also, see our article: Touring Performers

November 22, 2003
New College of California Theater, San Francisco, California

Hedda Lettuce (Joan Crawford), Jef Valentine (Christina) image: Billy Douglas

A parody of, and a tribute to, the Golden Age of Hollywood, when movie stars were the most important people on earth. On Christmas Eve, 1944, Joan has recently been fired from MGM, and is looking forward to the live radio broadcast from her Brentwood mansion, to be hosted by her friend and gossip monger, Hedda Hopper. The broadcast goes badly as Joan is plagued the never-ending arrival of uninvited celebrity guests such as the Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland, Gloria Swanson, Hattie McDaniel, Carmen Miranda and Ethel Merman, who take the spotlight singing their favorite holiday songs. The broadcast ends with a surprise present from Joan’s children, which puts “Mommie Dearest” over the edge.

Cast includes: Hedda Lettuce (Joan), Jef Valentine (Christina), David Bicha (Christopher Crawford), Mark Enea (Maxine Andrews, Carmen Miranda), Trauma Flintstone (Patty Andrews, Gloria Swanson), Matthew Martin (Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis), Judy Garland), Mark Sargent (Laverne Andrews, Edith Head, Ethel Merman), Tom Shaw (Liberace), Nikki Starr (Hattie McDaniel) and Drew Todd (Hedda Hopper).

November 20, 2003
Theatre Rhinoceros, San Francisco, California

Actor-activist Michael Kearns, who has chronicled AIDS for the past twenty years, will honor World AIDS Day (December 1, 2003) with a compilation of his monologues. The cast includes Carol Ardura, Bill Chrisley, Ed Evans, Zo Harris, Tim Mack, Ric Parish, and Tony Zarrillo. Reading is followed by a question and answer with Kearns.

November 30, 2003
Studio A, Silverlake, California

An hour full of passion, courage, pain, and love. Hear stories of the human experiences of people that have suffered and survived AIDS.

These dramatic readings are a commemoration, and immediately follow the Annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil in 5 Points Park across the street from the Theatre.

The Sarasota AIDS Theatre Project is composed of people that are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, and present materials that are concerned with the welfare of people with AIDS.

December 1, 2003 - park vigil and theater readings
Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Sarasota, Florida

Actor-activist Michael Kearns will perform monologues from 1988 to the present, depicting the disease’s insidious trajectory. One of the first artists on record to respond to the AIDS crisis, Kearns has addressed the plague in his work during the past two decades. He has amassed an unparalleled body of work that encompasses theater, film, television, and publishing.

“I wish there was a reason to stop doing what I’m doing,” says Kearns. “But, more urgently than ever, AIDS needs to be in our consciousness. People are still becoming infected and dying.”

December 1, 2003
Mosher 1 hall at Occidental College, Eagle Rock, Calif.

Kate Clinton image: ?

Ms. Clinton offers her scorchingly funny take on America’s insane politics, crazy families, and the sometimes crazy-making experience of being gay in America.

December 5, 2003
The Renberg Theatre, The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza, Los Angeles, California

Kimberly Elaine Crowe, Jodi Kirkpatrick, Michael Gee in “Christmas with the Reagans” part of “Christmastime is Queer Again” image source: Larry Dean Harris

A comedic and dramatic collection of short plays that take place on Christmas Eve in a Los Angeles gay and lesbian bar. The shows are filled with romance, satire, and feature cross-cultural, cross-generational connections, plus a full variety of traditional and nontraditional families.

Cast members include: Jerry Banks, Guy Bracca, Kimberly Elaine Crowe, Carolann Dipirro, Mark A. Espinosa, Michael Gee, Darrell Geer, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Steve Howard, Jodi Kirkpatrick, Derek Charles Livingston, Susie McCarthy, Johnny Smith, John Strickland, Lisa Temple, Brian Van Vranken, and Alecs Vildosola.

Christmastime offers new works by Playwrights 6 principals Laura Black, Larry Dean Harris, Amy Heidish and G. Bruce Smith, as well as guest writers Nathan Clum and Steve Luther. Playwrights 6, founded in 1999, is the first, and possibly the only, playwright-managed theater company in Los Angeles.

December 5, 2003
Celebration Theatre, Hollywood, California

With guest artists Joanna Gleason and Vox Femina Los Angeles, and the more than 200 voices of the Chorus. This concert will feature some of the most-loved holiday production numbers seen during the past 25 years, including the final appearance of the imaginative “12 Days of Christmas” with the larger-than-life puppets, “The Foamettes.” This is the first of three shows in the Chorus’ “25th Silver Anniversary” season. (See “Festival” section below.)

December 19, 2003
Alex Theatre, Glendale, Califorbia