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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1988)
Michael Kearns: California dream man In a solo turn, Kearns dynamically portrays a fantasy man for phone-sex enthusiasts B Y T I P P I H O L D O N or Michael Kearns, the ship has come in. He’s the only openly gay actor working regularly in films and television. He’s also a pivotal force in the country’s gay theater move ment, as both organizer and actor. Presently, he’s touring in his autobiographical play. The Truth is Bad Enough, and in James Carroll Pickett’s Dream Man. It appears things couldn’t be better— indeed, they were much worse. Take the early ’70s, for example. He and his lover at the time had moved from Chicago to Hollywood with the hope of turning Michael into a star. Eventually, things shaped up and he landed a role on The Waltons, playing John Boy’s college confidant. The part proved short lived. Some speculated that his being openly gay had something to do with it. At the time he was becoming known as the title character of The Happy Hustler, a book his lover had penned under the alias Grant Tracy Saxon. Obviously inspired by Xaviera Hollander’s The Happy Hooker, the book touted itself as “ the intimate and erotic autobiography of a stud for hire . . . a modem Whoratio Alger.’' When Warner Books wanted a model for the book's cover, Kearns got the job. Although wholly a work of fiction, the book was pushed as fact and Grant Tracy/ Michael received the dubious pleasure of pro moting the book on TV talk shows, from Tom Snyder to Phil Donahue. Stardom, as it was. had arrived. Keams was a mess, though; he was abusing booze, drugs and sex while continuing in a deteriorating relationship with his lover. “ There are far more tragic lives than mine,’ ’ he says. “ It’s just that I did it all to myself. It was self-loathing.” It wasn’t long before his work in F Michael Kearns television stopped altogether. So Keams turned to theater, where he ap peared in Robert Patrick’s T-Shirts and Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy, which garnered him raves. His career was on the upswing, but Keams was still abusing drugs and alcohol. Then, in 1982, he took control and entered a recovery unit; he’s been clean since. In fact, he’s culled his experiences into the play The Truth Is Bad Enough, which had a lengthy run in Los Angeles. Since his recovery Keams has been dedicated to gay theater, either on stage or behind the scenes. Last year, his production of Robert Chesley’s7er/tercaused an FCC controversy over obscenity when segments of it were aired on KPFK-FM in Los Angeles. “ Words arc not obscene,’’ Keams responded; “ homophobia is." His involvement in gay activism and theater reached new heights this past summer when he and several others organized Purple Stages, southern California’s first “ celebration of gay and lesbian culture.” Between Aug 21 and Sept ■ 27 nearly two dozen shows from all over the country made it to Los Angeles to perform in the festival, some at their own ex pense. Keams was pleased with the festival’s success; he says plans are underway for Purple Stages to return in 1989. In the meantime, Keams does spots on tele vision. He has appeared in The Fall Guy, Cheers. Murder, She Wrote, and in the Joan Collins TV movie The Making of a Male Model. The jobs support him so he can continue his work in o»v theater. Fine Artwork Originals Handpainted silk \J> scarves and clothing Handcrafted jewelry Drums, masks, and other ritual artwork ! Tapes • Cards >5v Dream Man is one such endeavor. In it. play wright James Carroll Pickett has used phone sex as the basis of a work of intense emotion and insight. Brashly. explicitly gay. Dream Man has been in Kearns’s repertoire for several years. “ Ido roles that I believe have something to say,” he explains. “ I want to continue as I am. 1 don’t need anything beyond the fulfill ment I’m getting — except 1 love limos.” Dream Man will play March 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. sharp at Echo Theatre. 1515 SE 37th (off Hawthorne). Advance tickets are $8 and are available at CC Slaughter's, Music Millennium, Broadway Flowers and Tickets, the Cascade AIDS Project office and Echo Theatre. Tickets are $10 day of show. The event is wheelchair accessible and will be interpreted for the hearing impaired. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cascade AIDS Project. For group discounts or more information, call 231-1232. • 233 NE 28th Portland, OR Mon-Fri 12-7 Saturday 10-6 01 Utonvr\4 At 231 -3726 BUFFALO GALS Unwinding, women's style Each o f the Wave's rooms has a brass plate on the door honoring a woman who contributed financially to the establishment's partnership kitchen (the kitchen table is the hub of many informal gatherings). Or, reservations can be made at the area’s many restaurants. or a woman who enjoys a taste of luxury Each of the Wave’s rooms has a brass plate and who is fond of walks on an ocean on beach, the Enchanted Blue Wave on Washing the door honoring a woman who contributed financially to the establishment’s partnership. ton’s Long Beach Peninsula is just the place. Grandma’s Room, located on the main floor, is One of the most luxurious getaways around and a small, private room with its own separate an easy two-hour drive from Portland, this bed- entrance and bath. The most spacious of the and-breakfast offers women the elegance of a bedrooms is the Archer-Harrison Room, which bygone era in an atmosphere guaranteed to boasts a king-size eight-poster bed and adjoin wash away stress. ing marble bathroom with a marble-lined Each of the spacious rooms in this tum-of- shower large enough for a party. the-century mansion is appointed with well- The Wave sits on three acres of oceanfront preserved antique furniture, and nearly all boast property in Seaview. Wash., where winter an expansive ocean view. A fully enclosed hot storm-watching is as popular an activity as the tub. nestled against the house, provides a sooth Garlic Festival and the International Kite Festi ing complement to invigorating beach walks. val in summer. The dunes area around the man This is a home where many amenities are sion harbors pheasants, deer, raccoons, and vari thoughtfully provided. A complimentary bottle ous migrating birds. of chilled champagne or sparkling juice will A visit to the Enchanted Blue Wave should be help the transition from road to relaxation. preceded by reservations. The house is periodi Rowers can be delivered to your room if you’re cally rented by groups for meetings, retreats, marking a special occasion. Breakfasts are rituals, etc. offered at 10:30 so guests may enjoy a leisurely From November to April, a special rate is morning. Special dietary requirements are available during the week (Sunday through respected in meal preparation. Thursday): three nights for the price of two The atmosphere in this Victorian home is (holiday seasons excluded). Room rates range casual. Guests are welcome to prepare their from $46 to $66 • afternoon or evening meals in the spacious BY KATHLEEN U. BOYLE F Ursula LeGuin March 5 3 pm at Int'l Women's Dav Booth Celebrate International Women's Day with us and two dynamic authors! Starhawk March 27 8 pm at the Bookstore author of Truth or Dare, Dreaming in the Dark & Spiral Dance A Feminist Bookstore & More 1431 N.E. Broadway Portland, OR 97232 (503) 284-1110 Mon.-Sat. 11-7 Sunday 12-5 Just Out • 21 • March 1988
