CDiitmctmp..
W e'll still b e here In the morning
The songs 6>/Intimate Friends range from tear-jerking torch
songs to hysterical satires; some expose the hypocrisy
and prejudice o f our own culture.
B Y
B R A D Y
J E N S E N
in the anthology Gay Plays,
William Hoffman (author of As Is)
makes a distinction between “ gay plays“
and “ gay theater.“ Gay plays, he explains,
are ones “ whose central figure or figures
are homosexual or one in which homosex
uality is a main theme,” while gay theater
is a “ production that implicitly or expli
citly acknowledges that there are homo-
I
sexuals on both sides of the footlights.”
Intimate Friends, a new production which
recently completed a lengthy run in Seat
tle, manages to excel as both a gay play
and as a gay theater production. Seen in its
second-to-last performance in Seattle in
June, Intimate Friends provided a memor
able night of song, dance, and adventure.
Intimate Friends is a musical revue, tag
ged a “ celebration of gay and lesbian
lifestyle.” Twenty-four songs, six per
formers, three musicians, and a stylish,
almost whimsical set form the elements of
this rich and varied exploration of what it
means to be gay today. There is no plot or
story with action to advance: rather, each
song is a miniature drama. The characters
and stories are gay — they concern our
hopes, fears, and experiences. The show is
also a production of gay theater which ex-
plicity states that there are, in fact, gays on
and offstage. Intimate Friends is also just
plain good, perhaps great, theater. Not
“ good for gay theater,” but a solid, well-
conceived and executed piece of legitimate
theater.
The show is the child of New York
emigre Miriam Moses, who wrote the
music and lyrics for the entire production.
Explaining her show, Moses states, “ It
starts from the premise that we are normal
people. We look at our lives the same way
straight people look at their lives. We feel
the same emotions, dream the same
dreams, have the same problems and reach
for the same happiness. This show is an
opportunity for gay people to experience a
theater piece that has universal themes, but
with the reality of homosexuality as the
basis for those themes.”
Moses explains that she wanted to give
her audience “ a chance for us to feel our
own feelings and love who we really are.”
The songs which compose Intimate
Friends accomplish this goal. They range
from tear-jerking torch songs to hysterical
satires. In some numbers, Moses exposes
the hypocrisy and prejudice of our own
culture. “ She’s One Helluva Guy” re
minds us that the oft-maligned drag queens
and the leather dykes whom “ some sisters
would rather not see” were, in fact, the
first to arm the barricades for gay
liberation.
Of course, prejudice and hypocrisy are
not confined to gay society. In the rousing,
almost patriotic “ The Military Song,” the
cast sings the praises of being gay and in
the Army. I almost expected the flag to
unfurl at the end of Act I. and considered
enlisting on my way home. It is classic
satire, definitely camp, and inside we all
know that’s the way it really is.
S
Distinctive limited edition fine art prints
and original paintings by internationally
established artists.
CARTE R
A R C A N D
1318 Northwest 23rd Avenue, Portland
Open Tuesday-Saturday, Noon-Five or by appt.
503-2 7 4 -0 1 2 1
At its best, Intimate Friends picks up
some very-familiar facets of gay life and
blesses it with beauty and dignity. The
show-stopper is “ Rising With the Wind,”
sung with eloquence and grace by J. Stegar
Thompson as a man dying, presumably
from AIDS. Moses gives us a lyric which
is both powerful and sensitive, without
ever slipping into the maudlin. In fact,
Intimate Friends never falls into precious
sentimentality.
Author Carol Orlock will be
autographing and reading
her new book THE
GODDESS LETTERS ,
Sunday, August 16th from
3-5pm at
The cast demonstrates amazing versatil
ity, the three men and three women per
form in ensemble, in duets and trios, and
solo numbers with equal skill. Each per
former has several chances to shine in
humorous and dramatic settings. Moses
treats the audience to a tango, a soft-shoe
number, a country scorcher, and more, and
the cast consistently rises to each chal
lenge. Under the direction of Peggy Shan
non and choreographer Kate Allen, the
cast really puts on a show with sparkle,
warmth, and personality. Intimate Friends
never fails to entertain.
I must confess, I had listened to a tape of
Intimate Friends perhaps a dozen times
before seeing the show. I knew my favorite
songs literally by heart, and I was enthused
and enchanted before I set foot in the thea
ter. Once there, I got caught up in the
excitement of seeing, for the first time, my
experiences and feelings brought to life on
the stage. Since that night, I have listened
to this show perhaps a dozen dozen more
times and it remains fresh and vibrant.
Intimate Friends is about more than
lifestyle, it’s about life, gay life. One re
viewer in Seattle headlined a favorable
notice with “ A Plea for Acceptance.” I
fervently disagree. Intimate Friends never
begs, never pleads for anything. It is hon
est and genuine, and audiences — gay or
straight — can find in its simple melodies
and ear-catching lyrics a large measure of
the truth about what it is to be a gay man or
lesbian.
The original cast o f Intimate Friends
will perform fo r two weekends only Sep
tember 17- 20 and September 24-27 in the
Portland Center fo r the Performing Arts’
new Delores Winningstad Theatre. An
opening night gala will be held September
17 to benefit the Phoenix Rising
Foundation.
Intimate Friends will be the first produc
tion in the new theatre. The cast will tour
to Vancouver, B.C .following the Portland
engagement.
•
CAROL O RLO Cfo
►
The classic tale of anguish and
love between mother and daughter
1431 N.E. Broadw ay
P o rtlan d , OR 97232
(503) 284-1110
A F em inist
Bookstore
& More
Mon.-Sat. 11-7
Sunday 12-5
NATURAL FIBRE CLOTHING
"h a v e you h eard
th e y 'v e e x p a n d e d !"
1
00
3
o
o
X
JS
new market village
2nd ave. • 228-16^3 • open dai
' > - <•
'
w*
tBMf *•
a
-
Just Out. 21 . August. I987