|
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 |
|
Los Angeles Scene by Bill Kaiser May 2007 |
|
Lush Life The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles presented a change of pace concert in April with “The Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn.” Billy Strayhorn co-wrote many songs with Duke Ellington, as well as orchestrated many melodies for Ellington’s band. Strayhorn also happened to be gay. The chorus did a fabulous job of turning Strayhorn’s solo-sung compositions into choral works of great beauty. Plus, there was a lot of great choreography. The show was directed by Joanna Gleeson at The Alex Theatre in Glendale. Silent Partners Also in April, there was an intriguing reading of “Silent Partners” by Charles Marowitz at The Workmen’s Circle in West LA. The play delves into the relationship between Bertolt Brecht and his young American adherent Eric Bentley. It was a revealing evening of information about both men. Barry Dennen played Brecht and seduced the audience. J.D. Cullum played Bentley, and he, and the rest of the cast, did a fine reading. A west coast production of this show certainly should be encouraged. Incidentally Mr. Bentley, who is 90+, just won the “Robert Chesley Lifetime Achievement Award” along with Chris Weikel, who was also honored in NYC at “The Publishing Triangle Awards.” Victor Bumbalo, the director of The Chesley Foundation, is a nominee for his play “Questa” at the upcoming “Lambda Book Awards” along with Tim Miller and Steven Fales. Anatomically Correct
Jason Graae does a fantastic solo show, “Graae’s Anatomy” at the El Portal Theatre in Noho. Don’t miss his final shows on May 21-22, 2007. Gemini
Currently running at Celebration Theatre in Hollywood is the 30th anniversary production of “Gemini” by Albert Innaurato. Box 27
In Noho, the Glaad awarding-winning “Box 27” by Michael Norman Mann, which is about the anti-gay “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy, returns to the Actor’s Forum in Noho. Throwing Rubies
The Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood is showing “Throwing Rubies” by Terri Sissman. Margaret, a retired bank officer and new volunteer, is assigned to Jeffrey, a gay man with AIDS-related tuberculosis. Separated by the worlds they inhabit, Margaret and Jeffrey are drawn together, and their unlikely friendship bolsters Jeffrey’s struggle, and allows Margaret to face a buried past of forbidden love and loss. Heavenly
T’n’T Classics Books has re-released a wonderful Lesbian comedy, “My Blue Heaven” by Jane Chambers. This is a show that deserves productions. Culture Series ONE Archives launches a new “Culture Series.” As coordinator of the series, I hope to bring diverse voices of artists and archivists, performers and historians and writers and activists to the events.
May 20, 2007 - 2pm
June 17 - 2pm
July 15 - 2pm
August 19 - 2pm
Everyone is invited to come to these free events. If you have edgy people who you would like to suggest for future events, contact me at purplecir@aol.com |