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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 2, 2000)
▼ W o m en in t h e W o o d s ne of the religious right wings most infa mous anti-gay slogans is “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” Comedy writer Paul Rudnick {Jeffrey, In & Out, Adtlams Family Values) took the rhyming phrase as a challenge, and he set out to write the newest stage version of the most sacred of Christian doctrines, the Holy Bible. Not the King James version of the world’s best selling book, hut more like the Queen James version. Producer-director Don Horn and his com pany, Triangle Productions, are debuting The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told through June 24. None too concerned with any charges of heresy, Horn describes the unconventional comedy show as “a love story between two gay boys that just happens to interweave the Bible. We meet Adam alone in the garden— in a jockstrap— then along comes Steve. When they are kicked out of the garden, they become nude and discover a new world.” O an openly gay actor who’s appeared on Port land stages for the last three years. He notes that, at heart, the show is a love story. “The backdrop is this framework of 2000 years of biblical history, but 1 get to explore the lifelong partnership. "liiat's what the show is about to me,” he explains. "The issues that Adam and Steve deal with are the same kind of issues that any long-term relationship deals with: how you respond to things that go on in your life in a different way, and how to respond to differences between what he wants and what I want. In this particular case, it happens to be his relationship with God. I don’t want to play second fiddle to God. I don’t think that the play is about gay people or straight people or atheism or religion. It’s about a relationship.” Teufals also appeared in the Rudnick play / H ate Hamlet. “He’s a wonderful playwright, and the show is incredibly funny and intelligently written,” the actor says. Triangle Productions debuts '2000 J uly 20-23 • Join with 100+ lesbians for a magical women-only weekend at Breitenbush Hot Springs resort in Central Oregon, 2 hours drive from Portland • Cozy heated cabins and 3 delicious vegetarian meals daily • Hot springs pools (open meadow and tiled tubs) and lithium sauna • Hiking trails through Oregon’s old growth forest • Swimming hole with crystal clear cold water • Massage available • Workshops/discussion groups on anything 2 or more people want to talk about • craftswomen space • amazing talent show • drumming circle • dancing 4 days/3 nights - $240 per person 3 days/2 nights - $160 per person P R E S E N T E D BY THE C O N C O R D C O M M U N I T Y AURORA CHORUS J O A N S Z Y M K O , OF C H O I R S STEVE EINHORN D I R E C T O R Sun. June 18,2000 2 S H O W S : 4 & 7:00 PM The Most Fabulous S to ry E v e r Told by Michael Teufals (left) and Jefferson Davis Their misadventures include booking pas sage on Noah’s ark during the legendary flood and falling into the clutches of an Egyptian Pharaoh during the time of Moses. They even show up as a couple of joke-cracking wiseguys at the Nativity. But lest you think gay men were the only queers present for the creation of life on earth, Horn promises some sisterly fun as well. Adam (Jefferson Davis) and Steve (Michael Teufals) also meet Jane (Angela Keene) and Mabel (Tracy Scottel), who, according to Horn, “think that they are the only ones in the gar den. Jane’s not nude either— because she needs pockets— and Mabel thinks that Adam and Steve are ugly women without breasts." Later in the play, Jane and Mabel are mar ried by the disabled lesbian Rabbi Sharon, whose slogan is "oy, gay!” The first act is a retelling of the Good Book, while A ct 2 takes place in a present-day New York loft. T he characters are the same, implying that perhaps they are reincarnated kindred spirits. “It’s definitely a grown-up show. My grand mother’s not coming,” laughs Michael Teufals, A ndy M angels As for his nude scenes, Teufals laughs and admits that he has “been working out six days a week for the last six months.” He adds: “Being naked on stage is not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I’m still a little wary of my friends and co-workers— who come to support me at all my shows— seeing my ‘block and tackle.’ ” Actress Angela Keene, who plays Jane, gets to have a birthing scene, as well as a lesbian love scene on Noah’s ark that hints at bestiality. “I’m not very butch,” she admits, “but this is a very tough woman, and that’s fun. The character has a lot of power and that’s a really fun thing to explore.” Acknowledging the controversy the play might engender, Keene points out that “the subject matter seems controversial, but the play is a comedy. It’s always good to keep an open mind. It might not change anyone’s opinions of the way the world is, but it might at least make people consider different points of view.” Producer-director Horn has one caution for the audience: He notes that Most Fabulous is “quirky fun, but the subject matter— especially concerning the Bible— may not be for every one.” Also, given the play’s scenes with male nudity, adults may want to think twice before bringing children...or childishly prudish adults. ■ T he M ost F abulous S tory E ver T old plays through June 24 at Theater Theatre, 3430 S .E . Belmont St. in Portland. Tickets are $17 at the door or $15 in advance, available from the box office, (503) 239-59/9, or from Fastixx. A ndy M angels is a longtime Portland enter tainment writer with three books and hundreds o f com ic books and magazine articles to his credit. You can write to him at A M angelsSW @ aol.com . FI RST UNITED Tiri/ETC. I lv l\C I METHODIST. 1838 SW J E F F E R S O N • GENERAL ADMI SSION $12 IN OTHER WORDS. REELECTIONS COFFEE & BOOKS. N E W RENAISSANCE BOOKSHOP. CHORUS MEMBERS. AT THE DOOR OR CALL 7 2 1 - 0 2 6 2 . INFO: w w w . c o n c o r d c h o i r s . o r g / a u r o r a . h t m Take Dad out to r a Father's Day C ruise! W e Y/ m eet a i in e r iv e r ! Portland Enjoy Sunday brunch, daily lunch or dinner on the Portland Spirit. Perfect for out-of-town guests. Group hookings and private yacht rental. C om m itm ent Ceremonies available. R eserv atio n s and in fo rm a tio n ( 5 0 3 ) 2 2 4 - 3 9 0 0 o r ( 8 0 0 ) 2 2 4 - 3 9 0 1 . 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