Brian Charles Rooney, Chad Hoeppner and Jo Ann Cunningham in ‘Edward The King.’ Photo: Carlos Gastavo Monroy.
Broadway’s ‘Cry-Baby’ is absolutely rollicking fun—with an emphasis on the abs. Plus: a rare Tennessee Williams treat.
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By Dustin Fitzharris
Friday, May 09, 2008
If you’re glum because the Tribeca Film Festival ended, this news will bring you out of your funk: The second annual GAYFEST NYC hits the Big Apple from May 14–June 15 at the TBG Arts Center.
This five-week event, featuring five new works by LGBT authors or authors who spotlight gay issues, is one of the few premier LGBT play festivals in the country. It’s the only one in New York (such import at the tender age of two!).
“GAYFEST NYC’s mission is to develop new voices for the LGBT community and expand the reach and accessibility of both emerging and established playwrights, composers and lyricists, while providing high-level entertainment to a very discerning and supportive audience,” said festival co-producer Jack W. Batman.
This year’s Main Stage selections include “Edward the King” by David Brendan Hopes, directed by Sidney J. Burgoyne; “Spill the Wine” by Brian Dykstra, directed by Margarett Perry; and “Jumping Blind” by Philip Gerson, directed by David Hilder. Two additional plays will be produced in the Studio Theatre: “The Wrath of Aphrodite” by Tim O’Leary, directed by Martin Casella and “Steve Hayes’ Hollywood Reunion,” written by and starring Steve Hayes and directed by Vincent Cardinal.
In just two years, GAYFEST NYC has established an international audience. This year the festival received dozens of submissions from hopeful writers all around the world. Choosing which to produce proved to be a more exhausting challenge this time around. Instead of selecting three plays like last year, two additional productions have been added to the billing.
One of the things the literary committee seeks out when selecting a script to produce is a story that can have legs outside the festival.
“We’re looking to support these new playwrights—or some of them not so new—but playwrights who can’t get their work considered so their work can go on,” Batman said. “We’re looking to develop these new voices in the American theater who can tell our story.”
GAYFEST NYC is also committed to giving back to the community. Once again, proceeds from the festival will go to the Harvey Milk High School, a New York City public high school that provides a traditional educational environment for teens in crisis or at risk of physical violence or emotional harm, mainly due to their sexuality. Last year GAYFEST NYC awarded 11 scholarships to graduating seniors and developed an after-school acting program. Their goal this year is to match or better their scholarship fund.
In addition to supporting the community, GAYFEST NYC is focused on “getting the word out.”
“I would like to see more and more exposure for the pieces in the festival,” Bruce Robert Harris, co-producer of the festival said. “It’s important that we grow, we educate and we entertain. We’d like to see the festival grow into other cities.”
For festival passports and individual tickets for all productions visit Theatermania.com or call 212-351-3101. For more information log onto GAYFESTNYC.com. The TBG Arts Center is located at 312 W. 36th St.
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