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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 2000)
fohrnary 1 fl, POOfl » tM tja it icks in Blues \ued from the cover me about the Portland production of ay. ps for an Alabama Sky is a huge, costume- top-heavy show. I change clothes every leave the stage— 14 times! do you prepare for shows? depends on my level of fear and anxiety ___ hd the character. For this show, 1 didn’t what was going on in the gay community ^ | g the Harlem Renaissance. 1 ed how vibrant, prevalent and J it was. It was amazing the mt of work that those individ- ^B p ro duced, and the regard in they were held was extraor- dw What’s wonderful about Guy? He’s this openly gay, nonapologetic, terribly practical, well-centered, well-rounded, straight forward, witty, funny, charming, strong, pas sionate, central character who happens to be gay...a character with a voice that is close to my own. What is it about Guy’s character that you admire most? His fearlessness. He gets bashed, but it doesn’t break his stride. He’s out of work, but he still lives as though he were living in Paris drinking champagne. His best friend says and does some pretty despicable things to him, but he’s very forgiving. And finally, his courage. To be that well-adjusted is what 1 love. I get to le play is set in 1930. W hy irlem so alive at that time? ■ was just reading the other day t the night life, the parties, the H ies— it was incredible. W hite H ms and the mafia filled Har- with lots of money. T here was b i d d e n interest in fine art that an Americans were creating, came very vogue and fashion- Many of those artists had moneyed patrons. T h a t’s 1 the art got out to America and ■ rest of the world. Bdow many people are in the ■jf Angel (Cynthia Jones) and Guy (Timothy McCuen Piggee) share a laugh te two central characters are and Angel [a blues and jazz singer], ly’re best friends. They were both prosti- J s in Savannah, Georgia, and they moved ■ o Harlem as part of the great migration l r World W ar I. In all, the play has two Ten and three men, all A frican Ameri- | What is the play about? It’s about dreams. I What is your character’s dream? | Guy cannot abide living in a country that not value him first of all as a black lan being, second as a homosexual, and id as an artist. So it’s his agenda to move to is and design clothes for Josephine Baker, it’s his dream. inhabit someone for two and a half hours that is supremely well-adjusted. What’s Guy’s flaw? H e’s perfect. You want him to be your friend more than anyone— if I only knew that man. I only hope to lead a life as clear as that charac ter’s. He’s a survivor. Being black in this soci ety, particularly at that time, it was hard; he had to survive. Why an “Alabama sky”? There’s a young man who shows up on the scene from Alabama who initiates the play’s complication. What do you still have to do to get ready for the show? drive with Pride Guy had a conch. I might have to have my hair relaxed if I can’t find the right wig. Guy is a designer. So he’s not about to be out of fash ion. He was very much the vanguard of fash ion. It was relaxed. You looked like Billy D. Williams or Cab Calloway or Duke Ellington or Langston Hughes. They’d use lye or other chemicals on their hair. Do you like your job? I adore my job. I’m the luckiest man in the world. I’m also a full time faculty member at C or nish School of the Arts in Seattle. I teach text analysis and audition techniques. It’s great to have some impact on a student’s life. I’m instantly a part of something very ancient— it’s the gift that you must give back. I love it. Make your sales pitch to potential theatergoers. You have an opportunity to see and learn some thing you don’t often get a chance to see.... How often do you get to actually see a posi tive portrayal of a gay character in a lead role? You’ll get to hear Josephine Baker’s music, you’ll get to listen to Duke Ellington, and you get to submerge yourself in a time period and subject matter that you may not know. This play is terri bly witty and funny, it’s fun to watch, and it’s beautiful to look at. Karen Gjelsteen’s set is phenomenal, and Jeff C one’s costumes are amazing. If you’re gay in Portland and you don’t come to see this show, you’ve truly missed out. It’s for you, for crying out loud! T h at’s why I hope the GALA night is really well attended. I think it’s an opportunity for Portland to come out and support something that is wonderful, positive. And you get to see Timothy Piggee, who looks damn good! ■ B lues A l a b a m a S ky previews Feb. for a n 19 through 24, opens Feb. 25 and runs through March 18 in the Newmark Theatre of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, 1111 S.W. Broadway. For ticket information, call (503) 274-6588. The special G A L A performance for the gay and lesbian community is Feb. 29; it is followed by a party with the cast at Frontline (formerly Hamburger Mary’s), 1135 S.W. Washington St. L ake P erriguey is a Portland attorney and culture maven. He can be reached at lake- jameslaw@yahoo. com. DO YOU THINK YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY BECAUSE OF BEING GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL OR TRANSGENOERED? Tin Mediation PHot Progran would Uki to help. W e 're available to help Schedule your appointm ent today with: C h r is t in a S ig w a r t r» 503 - 256-3700 3 9arden studio away from everything? ^ !t a kitchen where cooking is a joy? d * house with a soul? REY REECE DEALERSHIPS OLDS-ISUZU-VOLKSWAGEN-USED Design That Fits... Kenneth Moholt-Siebert Building Design 2021 S.E. Salmon • Fbrtland 235.5127 clsigwart@hotmail.com 122nd & East Burnside www.vwcitv.net resolve conflicts or problem s at work, in housing, or public accom m odation. Confidential consultation and mediation services are free of charge. The City of Portland wonts to help resolve discrim ination problems. For m ore information, call M ediation Pilot Program , 274-9886 or TTY 1-800-735-2900
