Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Pride Theatre

San Francisco has two major gay theatre companies. The oldest is Theatre Rhinoceros. They say they are the world's oldest continuously producing professional queer theater founded in 1977 by the late Allan B. Estes, Jr. The other gay company in town is New Conservatory Theatre Center. They have been producing for 25 years. NCTC is our favorite. We have seen just about every show for the last three years. Their season runs year-round. And they often have three shows running simultaneously on three stages. In addition, they also have and youth and adult conservatory program. There is always something going on at NCTC.

Take Me OutDuring Pride month they always have a creative selection of productions. This year is outstanding. We have seen all three shows and highly recommend them all. The best is their production of “Take Me Out”, Richard Greenberg’s rumination on baseball and the American Dream. It is an interesting story regardless if you like baseball or not. Most of the action takes place in the team’s locker room and showers. Towels fly off everywhere. We saw the national tour of the play several years ago in SF when it was part of the “Best of Broadway” series. We enjoyed the NCTC’s small, intimate production better. If fact we have seen it twice, bringing friends with us the second time.

The next show is a sassy musical review called “Wilde Boys”. Imagine a private gentlemen’s club where Oscar Wilde might visit to see rentboys singing, dancing and bending over for you! The show is written and musically directed by Richard "Scrumbly" Koldewyn, a founding member of The Cockettes, a revolutionary gay drag troupe from the '70's.

The third show is the comedy “Legends!” Two aging divas fight and feud with each other about doing a stage show together. It was written by James Kirkwood. He is best known for writing the book for “A Chorus Line”. While not a great comedy, it is entertaining and enjoyable. The local cast does a great job. Previous troubled productions included Carol Channing and Mary Martin and former “Dynasty” co-stars Joan Collins and Linda Evans.

NOTE: Tickets for select performances are often available on Goldstar Events for half price.

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