by lisa lipsey
marriage, family, kids— stuff we have been doing for a long time but have not seen on the stage.”
Written by Tom Donaghy,Boys and Girls is a
comedy about gay family drama… Or is it? The Diversionary Theatre dubs it as a tale of two
couples in their early 30s, one lesbian and one gay. Each has complicated histories to overcome as they “struggle to grow-up, settle down and raise a child…not necessarily in that order.” Director Shana Wride has approached this show with a deli- cate distinction. This is a comedy of human family drama where the characters happen to be gay. And we all know what she means, right? I’ve said
it before: I am a 34-year-old, full-time worker bee, a writer on the side, an auntie and a procrastinator (much to my editor’s dismay). I’m going on my sixth year of marriage, we’re thinking about hav- ing a kid and, oh yeah, I happen to be gay. This is the new era. Could my generation of gays
be the first ones to move LGBT theatre from plays about coming out, social injustice, pride…to the mundane side of living? Normal, boring “straight” things such as half-conversations about who is cooking dinner or taking the kids to school, while spitting out toothpaste and rinsing our mouths? I am thinking that could be great. Why? Because we have everyday lives and struggles beyond being gay. Yes, it gets better, but life isn’t easy for any human. I’ve celebrated and I feel out and proud, that about sums up my 20s. Now I am settled in and living my life. (Not necessarily my gay life…unless you count softball Sundays). Wride, who is in her 50s, is tracking our commu-
nity’s generational changes and she is intrigued, “This script is a new voice in LGBT theatre—a new voice about marriage, family, kids—stuff we have been doing for a long time but have not seen on the stage. This is a new challenge. It’s a lovely coincidence that the characters happen to be gay. How do we talk about the lives of LGBT people,
20 RAGE monthly | FEBRUARY 2014
“This script is a new voice in LGBT Theatre— a new voice about
THE COURAGE TO BE EVERYDAY VULNERABLE
DIRECTOR SHANA WRIDE GETS VULNERABLE WITH BOYS AND GIRLS
that is not solely about being gay or coming out? Every decade gets to address different issues. In gay theatre you can see this great trajectory across the decades.” Another unique element of this show that
excites Wride is playwright Donaghy’s linguistic style. “This show is very conversational, very real. It’s sort of like an indie film. It’s like walking into someone’s living room. Donaghy has created incredible dialogue and dynamic relationships.” Having been an actor her whole life and a direc-
tor the last six years, Wride says, “It is a natural pro- gression for an actor to direct if part of what excites him or her is being a storyteller if they understand that every night with an audience is different, a moment that cannot be altered or recreated. That is the exciting and fun part of being on stage. As an actor you are one piece of the pie, the director bakes the whole thing.” From her director hat, Wride says, “I am scared
to death to work on this show. There are not the usual bells and whistles that you can easily rest on and hide behind. The show is funny, but there are no men in drag, no huge coming out scenes or angry mommy moments. No showy cabaret or over-the-top funny performances. This show is about real and raw people; kids and marriage and responsibilities. Telling the story of real people is challenging. It makes me feel very vulnerable.” Wride is navigating the unexplored, the new
gay age. When Boys and Girls first debuted in New York City in 2002 it was way ahead of its time. Are we ready now? Wride is, “I am building this quartet, putting together a family. I love these four charac- ters, their journey. And I love the four people who have been cast.”
Boys and Girls runsThursday, February 20 through Sunday, March 23 at the Diversionary Theatre. For tickets and more information call 619.220.009 or go
todiversionary.org.
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