And now for something completely different. From now through the fall the Bailiwick Repertory is offering its second annual late-night and off-night Gay & Lesbian Series. According to producer Mark Amenta (who performs in the series), the four plays are not just for gay and lesbian audiences: They say a lot about what it`s like to look different and still feel just like yourself. Amenta: ”The series gives a broad portrayal of gay lifestyles, covering men and women and dealing with everything from the AIDS crisis to the life of a drag queen. For non-gays it should provide a crossover look at the sheer variety of gay and lesbian life and the difficulty of reducing it to a formula. It isn`t all decadent or super serious; the plays even examine the stereotypes that gays use to fight the stereotypes they get.”
Amenta describes the fare:
”Jerker” by Robert Chesley (running through June 16): ”For people who are curious about phone sex and how it affects two San Francisco men, this play has a lot to say.”
”Adam and the Experts” by Victor Bumbalo (through Aug. 5 and pictured above): ”It shows how the AIDS crisis tests a friendship almost to the breaking point as Adam visits bogus experts to try to save the life of his dearest friend.”
”Secrets” by Rebecca Ransom (July 15-Aug. 5): ”It should satisfy the curiosity of people who want to know what lesbian love is like (which is not that different from other kinds). It traces a bi-racial relationship from 1930 to 1939.”
”Drag Queens on Trial” by Sky Gilbert (Sept. 8-Oct. 20): ”Much like
`Torch Song Trilogy,` this is a look at the campy backstage world of three female impersonators, like those who perform at Chicago`s Baton show, who find themselves accused of wearing the wrong wardrobe. Of course they`re always playing parts; the play shows how this lying to protect the truth can be both weird, fun and real.”
For information about the series and its schedule call 883-1090.
