Just out., February 18, 2000, Image 1

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Seattle-based reperto­
ry actor. In Portland
Center Stage’s pro­
duction of Blues for an
Alabama Sky, he plays
the lead role of Guy
Jacobs, a gay costume
designer with Parisian
dreams who works at
the notorious Cotton
Club.
Blacks In Blues
Pow erful new gay-themed play explores
a slice of A frican A m erican history
by
L ake P erriguey
P
ortland theatergoers will have a rare opportunity
beginning this month to see Pearl Cleage’s Blues
for an Alabama Sky, a powerfully emotional play
with a gay leading character.
Set during the Harlem Renaissance in 1930, the
tale focuses on the lives and dreams of five African
American characters who epitomize the struggles and
victories during that era. Themes in the play include
homosexuality, racism and abortion, which are still
loaded issues today.
I met recently with Timothy McCuen Piggee, an
openly gay, incredibly handsome and charming
Timothy, how are
Timothy McCuen Piffle«
pW am K ™ 8
The people here are so genuine and warm. Coming
from Seattle, it is very refreshing.
Why did you leave New York?
My ambition was never really tied to the city.... 1
didn’t want to dance in a horseshoe formation behind
Ruth Brown on Broadway. I wanted to have a reper­
toire of roles, I wanted to do Shakespeare, musical the­
ater, August Wilson, Strindberg; I wanted to see how
far I can stretch.
After a while, I found that living in New York takes
such energy to survive. Once, I was sitting in Central
Park one day and noticed for the first time that it was
autumn all of a sudden, and I had completely missed
the transition of a season.
Did you encounter pressure to change your body
for roles?
In terms of daytime TV, casting directors would say,
“You haven’t had this surgery, you need pec implants.
We’re either going to sign you up with a big old train­
er, or why don’t we just get you some surgery, take the
shortcut.” I wasn’t willing to cut myself for anybody.
Continued on Page 31