The idea of following the stories of four young gay men who are raised as members of a Baptist church in Texas is certainly fertile enough stuff for a play on its own. But, with SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES, playwright Del Shores muddies this basic premise with a non-linear, and at times illogical, presentation that generates a modicum of laughs, but misses the mark dramatically. Although I'm usually a fan of unconventionality, I think Shores pushes too hard here, and the opportunity to create something truly memorable is lost in the process. However, Citilites Theatre has put together a fitfully funny and heartfelt production that makes the most of this decidedly uneven material, and it benefits greatly from a number of strong performances as well.
Del Shores News
The 2011 Garland Award recipients were announced today, honoring the best of Los Angeles theatre. Under the voting system each Garland winner was named on at least three critics' 'Best of 2010' lists. Each critic listed up to five nominees for each category except performance, up to 10 nominees for performance in musical productions and 10 for straight plays. Here are the critics' lists, minus the winners. The critics who voted are Jeff Favre, Hoyt Hilsman, Travis Holder, Eric Marchese, Dany Margolies, Dink O'Neal, Melinda Schupmann, Madeleine Shaner, Les Spindle, Neal Weaver, and Jennie Webb. Back Stage thanks them, as we hope you will when you see them this year, for their perpetual devotion to Southland theater large and small.
Citilites Theatre proudly presents its production of SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES, Del Shores' hilarious and touching follow-up to his cult favorite Sordid Lives (stage play, movie, and TV series) at The Gaslight Theater @ 358 N. Boyle Ave. 63108 opening March 11, running through March 27.
the RRAZZ room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premier nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Classic Soul, R&B, Traditional Pop, Jazz, Comedy, Revue and Cabaret entertainment.
Actor/singer Jim J. Bullock, best remembered for the role of Monroe in the 80s sitcom Too Close for Comfort will be appearing @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's Saturday March 5 with his all new cabaret act. Jim has had a varied career in television over the last twenty-five years, also making regular appearances on Hollywood Squares and doing a talk show with Tammy Faye Baker. He has always gone back to his theatre roots and recently did the Broadway and cross country tour of Hairspray. In our chat he talks about what inspired him to do the club act at this point in time and his overall love of the theatre. His great off-the-wall sense of humor is still in tact, as he had me laughing throughout.
The issues of gay marriage and fidelity in marriage in general are explored with humor, intelligence, and a genuine optimism in David L. Ray's Caught, now extended at the Zephyr Theatre through April 3. Fans of Del Shores and Southern Baptist Sissies will see parallels. Growing up Southern Baptist and homosexual do not mix. In Ray's play it's the fundamentalist church that damns to hell any marriage which is not a foundation for family and family values. Putting religion aside, the more urgent message in Caught becomes the support system, the compassion that one should have for another. DeGruccio's expert pace and a top-notch ensemble keep the dramedy riveting and equally entertaining.
Citilites Theatre proudly presents its production of SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES, Del Shores' hilarious and touching follow-up to his cult favorite Sordid Lives (stage play, movie, and TV series) at The Gaslight Theater @ 358 N. Boyle Ave. 63108 opening March 11, running through March 27.
Annie Potts (Designing Women) heads the cast in the World Premiere of AfterMath, Elliott Shoenman's comedic drama about a widow trying to help her children, and herself, deal with the mess her husband left behind when he jumped into the Hudson River. A guest production at the Odyssey directed by Mark L. Taylor.
Annie Potts (Designing Women) heads the cast in the World Premiere of AfterMath, Elliott Shoenman's comedic drama about a widow trying to help her children, and herself, deal with the mess her husband left behind when he jumped into the Hudson River. A guest production at the Odyssey directed by Mark L. Taylor.
The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premiere nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Classic Soul, R&B, Traditional Pop, Jazz, Comedy, Revue and Cabaret entertainment.
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2010 (Dec. 1, 2009 - Nov. 30, 2010).
The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premiere nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Classic Soul, R&B, Traditional Pop, Jazz, Comedy, Revue and Cabaret entertainment.
The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premiere nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Cabaret, Jazz, Comedy and Popular music entertainment.
The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premiere nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Cabaret, Jazz, Comedy and Popular music entertainment.
The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premiere nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Cabaret, Jazz, Comedy and Popular music entertainment.
The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premiere nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Cabaret, Jazz, Comedy and Popular music entertainment.
JD3atrical Productions is thrilled to announce that with this extension of YELLOW, Shores' favorite David Steen will be joining the cast as Bobby Westmoreland and now, his plays have appeared on LA stages for over eight collective years!
The RRazz room at Hotel Nikko is San Francisco's premiere nightclub, offering the finest in world-class Cabaret, Jazz, Comedy and Popular music entertainment.
Del Shores, creator of the cult favorite TV series Sordid Lives (starring Olivia Newton-John, Rue McClanahan, Leslie Jordan and Caroline Rhea), brings his hilarious one man show to New York City.
Comedic actor Leslie Jordan is best remembered internationally for his recurring role as Beverley Leslie in TV's Will & Grace (2001-2006) for which he won the coveted Emmy Award. On stage in LA, he has starred in Del Shores' Southern Baptist Sissies as Peanut and in Sordid Lives as Brother Boy - also in the film and cable TV series in the same role - to popular and critical acclaim and in his own productions of Like a Dog on Linoleum and My Walk Down the Pink Carpet. In our talk, he tells us about his newest touring Christmas show Deck Them Halls, Y'All, which will open at the Renberg Theater of the Gay and Lesbian Center in LA on December 16, as well as other future projects. Jordan is so funny, I have to really watch it and try to control my laughter; otherwise, we'd still be talking.
