The Purple Circuit promotes GLQBT
and feminist theater and performance.

Richie Sandino, Jason Hull, Terry Huber, John Ferrare, Kam Sisco, J. Stegar Thompson, Mark Demry image: Jim Strait

Written by Terrance McNally
Directed by Jim Strait
Produced by Desert Rose Productions, Inc.

When famous dancer/choreographer Gregory opens his Dutchess County summer house for three summer weekends, his old friends troop out from law offices, rehearsal studios and AIDS clinics to sun themselves by the lake.

When John, Gregory’s rehearsal pianist, and a frustrated composer, introduces his young lover Ramon, and his dying twin, James, to the company, the results are uproarious humor and abundant pathos.

All proving that old friends can be both a blessing and a curse.

Contains nudity and adult situations.

Cast includes: Mark Demry, John Ferrare, Terry Huber, Jason Hull, Richie Sandino, Kam Sisco, J. Stegar Thompson.

1995 Tony Award - “Best Play.”
1995 Drama Desk Award Winner - “Outstanding Play”
1995 Obie Award Winner - “Playwriting”

Janaury 16-February 15, 2015 - Friday, Saturdays 8pm; Sundays 2pm
The Desert Rose Playhouse, 69620 Hwy 111, Rancho Mirage, California
Wheelchair accessible
$30 evenings / $28 matinees
Information: paultaylor@desertroseplayhouse.org
Information/Reservation: 760-202-3000

Mitch Hara image: Ed Krieger

Written, produced and performed by Mitch Hara
Directed by Terri Hanauer

Adam Astra is a flamboyantly gay actor, whose past seems to constantly seep into his present. Breaking the fourth wall, Astra gleefully spoons out tales of his soul-sucking childhood, monstrous substance abuse, rampant sex, and crashed cars. He does all this while auditioning for “Death of a Salesman.”

Father and son forgiveness is at the heart of Mitch Hara’s “Mutant Olive,” an hilarious, heart-wrenching and triumphant solo performance.

January 22, 2015
Lounge Theatre, Hollywood, California

Adrienne Powell, Steph Van Vlack, Reanna Armellino image: Theater for the New City

Written by Barbara Kahn
Directed by Robert Gonzales, Jr. and Barbara Kahn
Produced by Theater for the New City

“Women of the Wind” explores the lives of three women, who worked on the “Gone with the Wind” movie. This play exposes the racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia that hounded their professional and private lives.

African-American, Butterfly McQueen, who played Prissy in GWTW, appeared in the production of Barbara Kahn’s first play, “Gravediggers of 1971” (co-authored with Ray Hagen) at LaMaMa E.T.C. Barbara recalls: “She was a professional, gracious and generous to us ‘youngsters,’ and I witnessed the talent she had that was never fully utilized in Hollywood. The Prissy character defined and confined her career, obscuring her years as a dancer and Broadway actor.”

Ona Munson, who played brothel owner Belle Watling in GWTW, had three career-protecting opposite-sex marriages she hoped would deflect attention from her intimate relationships with other women.

Alla Nazimova, born in Crimea, studied with Stanislavski until it was discovered that she was Jewish. Jews were banned in the Moscow Art Theatre. Emigrating to the U.S., she introduced Ibsen to American audiences and had great success as an actor and director. She was hired to coach some of GWTW’s screen tests. Eventually, she was sidelined from major roles, and saw both her fame and income suffer.

Cast includes: Zoe Anastassiou, Reanna Armellino, Ben W. Davis, Robert Gonzales Jr., Rose-Emma Lunderman, Adrienne Powell, Steph Van Vlack, Brian F. Waite, Jonathan Weirich.

Playwright and co-director Barbara Kahn’s award-winning plays have been produced in the U.S., France and Germany. She has directed in New York, Paris, and at the National Theatre in London.

Co-director and actor, Robert Gonzales, Jr. is a singer trained in musical theater (legit and opera), an actor, dancer, director, choreographer and music director. He has originated roles in six productions written by Barbara Kahn.

February 5, 2015
Theater for the New City, New York, New York
Information: presskahntnc@aol.com

poster: ???

Written by Tommy Smith
Directed by Chris Fields
Produced by Echo Theater Company

Composers Piotr Tchaikovsky, Arnold Schoenberg and Carlo Gesualdo attempt to balance the chaos of their creativity with their need for love. Set simultaneously in 20th century Austria, 18th century Russia, and 17th century Italy, “Fugue” interlaces the composers’ tales of ill-fated romance in counterpoint. This play is a polyphonic telling that reveals each man’s breathtaking genius, as well as the demons that drive their creativity, and the lengths to which they went for their personal relationships; three real-life love triangles in a passionate tale of intrigue, jealousy and music.

It is interesting to note that Tchaikovsky had a sham marriage to Antonina Milyukova, and a romance with his true love, his nephew Vladimir “Bob” Davydov. Under Czarist rule, just like it is in today’s Russia, homosexuality was a grave criminal offense, forcing Tchaikovsky to hide his affections.

Playwright Tommy Smith and director Chris Fields are the team behind last season’s “Firemen,” which was named one of the “Best Stage Plays of 2014” by Los Angeles Times theater critic Charles McNulty. Says director Feilds: “Tommy has woven together a fascinating story about creativity, sex and violence. Each of these men is dealing with an obsessive inner chaos that, at once, fuels his genius and destroys him.”

Cast includes: Troy Blendell, Alana Dietze, Jesse Fair, Karl Herlinger, Justin Huen, Eric Keitel, Christopher Shaw, Amanda Street, Jeanne Syquia.

February 14, 2015
Atwater Village Theater, Los Angeles, California
Information/Reservation: 310-307-3753; boxoffice@echotheatercompany.com

Tym Moss image: David Zanes

Book, music and lyrics by Michael Penny
Directed and music direction by Rick Leidenfrost
Produced by David Stallings and MTWorks Newborn Festival, New York City

Two gay men, one younger, and one considerably older, sell things at a Raleigh, North Carolina flea market. Offered the contents of the home of a recently deceased individual, in exchange for cleaning the property, the men discover the house completely filled with vintage porn. As they sort through this treasure, they make discoveries about the deceased, who is a notorious peeping Tom, and some truths about themselves as well.

Cast includes: Tym Moss, Chris Leidenfrost.

February 24, 2015
North Academic Center at The City College of New York, New York

Andrew Crowley, Kathryn Bezella, V. Shayne Frederick, Tom Wilson Weinberg photo source: Kevin Broad

Songs written by Cole Porter, Tom Waits, Stephen Trask, Tom Wilson Weinberg, and others
Directed by Andrew Crowley
Produced by Tom Wilson Weinberg

We sing of our origins, our travels and our landings; where we’re from, where we’re headed, as well as the songs we sing along the way. Around the world in 80 minutes? Come LAND and SEE.

Kathryn, Andrew, Shayne and Tom are singers-about-town who last appeared, on the same stage, when Cabaret Vérité premiered in November 2014. Tom is the composer of “Ten Percent Revue,” “Get Used To IT,” “Bruhs and Gean,” “The Teachings of Chairman Rick,” and “Eleanor & Hick.”

Cast includes: Kathryn Bezella, Andrew Crowley, V. Shayne Frederick, Tom Wilson Weinberg.

Proceeds benefit William Way LGBT Center.

April 18, 2015
William Way LGBT Community Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Information: 215-732-2220; cabaretverite@gmail.com

Jallen Rix photo source: Jallen Rix

Written by Jallen Rix
Directed by Richard Jessup
Produced by Desert Rose Productions, Inc.

Sexologist Jallen Rix brings his innovative queer sex positivity to the stage in a ground breaking solo performance piece. It is part memoir, part sex info, and part Faerie ritual. Dr. Rix deftly exposes the damaging sexual shame and stigmas our society still dumps upon the innocence and benefits of self-pleasuring.

Cast includes: Jallen Rix

For two decades, Jallen Rix was a full-time singer and songwriter. He now teaches graduate students at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco.

Says Jallen Rix: “It’s been quite the experience to recreate for audiences key moments in my childhood, where sexual shame got its start, in the context of religious abuse. Storytelling transcends a classroom and allows a vulnerability to which anyone can connect. I love it!”

This special presentation contains nudity and adult language and situations.

May 23, 24, 2015
The Desert Rose Playhouse, California
Information: paultaylor@desertroseplayhouse.org
Information/Reservation: 760-202-3000

image: ?

Written and directed by John William Schiffbauer
Produced by New York International Fringe Festival

A popular conservative talk show host inadvertently insults a young gay guest on air.
As she and her producer are forced to confront an uncomfortable Hollywood double standard, they must also deal with the fallout between one another.

“The God Gaffe” was inspired by Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s real life departure from “The View.”
It make its world premiere in the 2015 New York International Fringe Festival.

Cast includes: Hannah Beck, Tom Giordano, Vincent Torres.

Playwright and director John William Schiffbauer has performed Off and Off Off Broadway, as well as regionally.
His original plays have been featured in many festivals. In July 2013 he directed and produced an Off Off production of *Hamlet* at the Hudson Guild Theatre.
His original full-length play, “Live Broadcast,” is available from the Dramatists Play Service.

August 19, 2015
The Players Theatre - Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre, New York, New York

Garnett Smith, Wendy Cohen image: Jim Strait

Written by Joe Orton
Directed by James Strait
Produced by Desert Rose Productions, Inc.

Lovers Hal and Dennis rob a bank and stash the cash in Hal’s father’s home. McLeavy, Hal’s father, is reeling from the recent death of his wife and preparing to bury her. Faye, Mrs. McLeavy’s murderous nurse, has designs on McLeavy and his money. Truscott, the zany police inspector, comes to the McLeavy home to investigate the bank robbery. Laugher and mayhem ensue!

The first smash hit by Britain’s “Bad Boy” of theater, LOOT is a delightfully dark and brilliant satire of polite society, authority, and religious morality.

Cast includes: Garnett Smith, Wendy Cohen, Jason Hull, Tim McGivney, Tom Warrick, Allan Jensen.

September 25, 2015
The Desert Rose Playhouse, Rancho Mirage, California
Information: paultaylor@desertroseplayhouse.org

An open letter to Dear Pope Francis, You are cordially invited to Cabaret Vérité III: Our Family Meeting, a musical revue about families: traditional, non-traditional and sometimes dysfunctional. Our songs and stories will entertain your open heart and inquisitive mind. Your presence would be heavenly. You have raised questions avoided by your predecessors for centuries. We too have questions. What makes a family? What does a family look like? Who can be a parent or a child? Is there such a thing as a family of one? Serious questions deserve funny answers. Our cast of five is a family of its own engaged in a joyous project relevant to the Church’s World Meeting of Families. It would be a miracle if you join us. Most sincerely, Andrew Crowley, Messapotamia Lefae, Jaye Sanders, Ibrahim Vicks and Tom Wilson Weinberg for Cabaret Vérité

Jaye Sanders, Tom Wilson Weinberg, Messapotamia Lefae, Andrew Crowley, Ibrahim Vicks photo: Kevin Broad

Words and music by Tom Wilson Weinberg
Directed by the cast
Produced by Aboveground Theater

A convening of the Cabaret Vérité III: Our Family Meeting, on the evening before Mass on the Parkway. You, your family and Pope Francis are invited to join us for mirth and music celebrating families united in joy, commitment, feuds, family drama, and endless love.

Andy, Messy, Jaye, Ibrahim and Tom will sing, dance, and preach to the choir about the many kinds of families we know and love. If you’re married, or if you’re “un,” bring your daughter and bring your son. Bring your dear one and bring your queer one, your macho mother and sissy brother, lassie, laddie and sugar daddy. Everyone’s welcome at Our Family Meeting.

Cast includes: Andrew Crowley, Messapotamia Lefae, Jaye Sanders, Ibrahim Vicks, Tom Wilson Weinberg

Our Family Meeting is a benefit for William Way LGBT Center.

September 26, 2015
William Way LGBT Community Center Ballroom, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Information: 215-732-2220, cabaretverite@gmail.com

image: Demian

Written and directed by Kevin Michael West
Produced by RUC LGBT

Over the years, three same-sex couples struggle, to overcome the obstacles that DoMA created in their lives.

“DoMA” was the acronym for “Defence of Marriage Act,” however, it could well have been called “The Destruction of Certain Families Act.” It became Federal law in September 1996, and was finally declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2013, This play captures the grand sweep of American history by depicting the lives of ordinary gay Americans, during the time DoMA was active and most destructive.

Cast to be announced.

This production is a reading.

Kevin Michael West is a two-time, semi-finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. His gay-themed play “Top and Bottom” enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles, Provincetown and New York City.

September 26, 2015
Rockville United Church, Rockville, Maryland
Information: kevinmichaelwest@yahoo.com

David Stallings as Lady Macbeth, Antonio Minino as Macbeth photo: Michael Dekker

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Tom Slot
Produced by Fab Marquee Productions

The days of political correctness have forced a prudish Queen Duncan to employ generals of all genders, races and sexual orientations into her army. Yet these times are still filled with the nepotism and prejudices of the past, and General Macbeth struggles to be seen just as competent as his straight counterparts. With the conviction and support of his husband, and the predictions of greatness and power bestowed upon him by a trio of enslaved witches, he goes down a dangerous path of betrayal, greed and murder.

The Macbeth husbands and the Macduff wives are at the center of Tom Slot’s “LGBT Multicultural” re-imagining of Shakespeare’s most infamous tragedy, exploring gender bias while preserving the original text.

Cast includes: Olev Aleksander, James Edward Becton, Susan G. Bob, Adam Galloway Brooks, Jennifer Fouche, Taylor Graves, Antonio Minino, Elisabeth Preston, Shetal Shah, Lavita Shaurice, Jacob Stafford, David Stallings, Jonathan West, and Stephanie Willing.

The actors playing the Macbeths (Antonio Minino and David Stallings) are married in real life.

October 8, 2015
The Theater at the 14th Street Y, New York, New York
Information: fabmarqueeproductions@gmail.com

Chris Andersson , Michael Lynch photo: Duncan Pflaster

Written by Doric Wilson
Directed by Mark Finley
Produced TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence)

Taking place in New York City’s Greenwich Village district, on June 28, 1969, shortly before the first brick was thrown at the Stonewall Inn, Doric Wilson’s legendary satire follows the exploits of the cruisers, drag queens, undercover cops, dykes, hippies, mobsters and bystanders (innocent and otherwise), as they catapult toward the moment that changed the course of history.

“Doric Wilson was present at all three nights of the Stonewall riots. His vision is unique among Stonewall chroniclers in that ‘Street Theater’ is not so much a play about what happened, as it is about what made it happen. It focuses less on who-did-what, to whom, and zeroes in on why we fought back in the first place. And that’s something I don’t think we can ever afford to forget.” - Mark Finley, artistic director of TOSOS

Cast includes: Christopher Borg, Joshua Kenney, Rebecca Nyahay, Eilis Cahill, Joe MacDougall, Chris Andersson, Russell Jordan, Jeremy Lawrence, Michael Lynch, Tim Abrams, Ben Strothmann, Desmond Dutcher and Johnathan Cedano.

October 14, 2015
The Eagle Bar, New York, New York
Information: byrne.harrison@gmail.com

Dedrick Bonner photo: ??

Written by David Ruben and Nick Rubando
Directed by David Ruben
Produced R&R Productions

Allow us to take you on a rambunctious ride through the world of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. With brand new parody lyrics, and in-your-face comedy, come experience “The Phantom of The Opera,” as you have never seen or heard it before.

Besides, “Not Phantom, The Musical!” is so much more fabulous. Our Phantom features a beautiful cast of triple threats, including the self-proclaimed star of the show, Dedrick Bonner, as Carlotta.

Cast includes: Nick Rubando, Dedrick Bonner, Kate Bowman, Amanda Hootman, Juan Lozano, Monica Ricketts, Eric Geller, Nic Lanier, Mitchell Turner, Samantha Labrecque.

October 28, 2015
The Cicada Resturant, Los Angeles, California
Information: 818-245-6108; nick@notphantomthemusical.com

QueerWise ensemble photo: QueerWise

Written by QueerWise
Directed by Michael Kearns
Produced by Moon Mile Run Productions

While QueerWise’s material encompasses HIV/AIDS, “We Laid Our Bodies Down” more vividly probes the immeasurable emotionality that continues to impact the lives of LGBT individuals who grew up with the disease.

This show is presented in honor of World AIDS Day 2015.

Since 2000, director Kearns has teamed with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on a number of World AIDS Day events.

QueerWise is a writing collective, and spoken word performance group, comprised of out lesbian and gay seniors living in Los Angeles.
      Click here see members read their scripts:
      vimeo.com/user13879019/videos

November 29, 2015
Skylight Theatre, Los Angeles, California
Information/reservation: 213-761-7061; tickets@skylighttheatrecompany.com

David Trudell photo: The Skylight Theatre

Written by David Trudell
Directed by Michael Kearns
Produced by The Skylight Theatre, in association with Moon Mile Productions

Treat yourself. Raise a glass and raise some hell, with David Trudell.

Inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” David is visited by three renegade spirits of the Past, Present, and Future, who encourage him to remain his authentic gay self, rather than enroll in Father White’s Conversion Therapy Institute in Texas.

December 13, 2015
The Skylight Theatre, Los Angeles, California
Wheelchair accessible
ASL Interpreted
Information/reservation: 213-761-7061; tickets@skylighttheatrecompany.com

Written by Dustin Lance Black

A chronicle of the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8, which stripped same-sex couples of the right to legally marry their partner.

Usually produced as a staged reading, the play allows an audience to witness the Proposition 8 trial. Witness inequality and discrimination unequivocally rejected in a court of law, where truth and facts matter. Hear the testimonies which clarify that marriage equality is a basic constitutional right.

Vimeo: " ‘8’ the play" - trailer 4:27

Writer Dustin Lance Black won an Academy Award in 2009 for his script of “Milk.” He is also a founding member of American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), which was the sole sponsor of Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now known as Hollingsworth v Perry), the successful federal suit to nullify California’s Proposition 8.

This play has multiple performances around the country.
Information on current productions and how to produce it yourself: “8” the Play

See Web site for GLBT comedy listings in San Francisco, as well as worldwide.

QComedy Showcase occurs on the first Monday of each month.
Mama Calizo’s, 1519 Mission St., San Francisco, California
Information and comedy bookings: Nick Leonard, 415-533-9133; nickdammit@gmail.com