theatre A-LISTS
think it’s a really strong piece of theatre. I have this amazing cast, which I’m just thrilled with…four people I’ve never worked with before and two whom I have.
But...no Beth Grant, no Leslie Jordan (laughter).
Rage: As a playwright, how long has the premise for Yellow been stewing for you?
DS: You know what? This play kind of just hit me last summer. I was planning to write another play called This Side of Crazy, that I still probably would write at some point. Then, a circumstance was revealed to me. It was something that I knew part of the story but not the entire story. I took that and coupled it with another friend’s story. It just became very clear that this was a strong play for me. It just kind of poured out of me. I was rather quick with this one. It wasn’t like Southern Baptist Sissies, which took me forever to write, just because it was so painful (laughter).
Rage: Does the title Yellow tie into cowardice or a negative connotation?
DS: Yeah, it does. That’s part of it. Then, it actually has something to do with the color. If I told you what that was…it would be like a spoiler.
Rage: What do you consider the most exciting aspect of putting together this new play? [Previews began May 29]
DS: Well, I guess just being back in the theatre after seven years. I haven’t had a new
play since 2003. It is thrilling to be back where I feel most at home. I always say I grew up in two places, the church and the theatre. My mom was the high school drama teacher and my dad was a Southern Baptist preacher. It’s the first time I’ve ever worked with kids. The younger cast is just so good. And, honestly, casting David Cowgill [Cowgill was Odell in Sordid Lives: The Series] and watching him do crazy, crazy good, dramatic work that nobody is going to be expecting. He’s just brilliant in this play.
Going Straight for the Drama with Yellow
by bill biss
DEL SHORES
Recognizing the LGBT life experience with humor and pathos, Del Shores has etched
out a phenomenal career as a playwright, director and activist. His work has been engrained in our memory with plays such as Southern Baptist Sissies and Sordid Lives. Returning to his first love, which is the theatre, Shores has written a new play aptly titled Yellow. The scenario deals with a seemingly perfect family in Mississippi and what follows when the unexpected happens and tragedy strikes. His depiction of the West- moreland family is one that will strike a chord for many as secrets, lies and cowardice are exposed. With Yellow officially opening on June 7 at The Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood, Shores took the time to answer a few questions from The Rage Monthly about his latest play, Yellow.
The Rage Monthly: You are so well known for realistic yet comical plays. How would you describe Yellow? Is this a departure from your previous work?
Del Shores: There still are lots of laughs in it, especially in the first act. Then, the play
takes a turn. There are still some laughs though. I don’t know how to write without humor.
Rage: That’s good to know. I thought you went more dramatic with this play.
DS: It is more dramatic. There are scenes that have no laughs in them…because of the scenes. There is absolutely no way. But, I don’t think my fans will be disappointed. I
Rage: Please tell me about the role of Timothea Parker played by Susan Leslie.
DS: She plays this Pentecostal Fundamentalist mother and she has this very… uh…
gay (laughter) son. It’s never addressed that he is gay. In her mind, he’s just defying her in a lot of ways. As I do many times, there is an antagonist that you feel compassionate toward during the end of the play. What is wonderful about Susan is that she is just such a strong comedic actress. She’s grounded this character in complete reality to the point where it’s a little scary. And allowing herself to not be very pretty…I always love when actors are willing to play with me that way (laughter).
Rage: Please describe the core of Yellow?
DS: I think that all families have some secrets. I feel the audience is going to be very
interested in the decisions that were made. Those decisions that prevented a very big secret from being told, then having to be disclosed. It’s ultimately about what keeps a family together and what destroys them. I really wanted to paint a picture with these people. I wanted to take their circumstances and show an American family.
Yellow
May 29-July 25
The Coast Playhouse 8325 Santa Monica Blvd.
yellowbydelshores.com 1.800.595.4TIX
(l to r) David Cowgill, Kristen McCullough, Luke McClure and Evie Louise Thompson
Luke McClure
JUNE 2010 | RAGE monthly 17
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