Getting familiar with Matthew Lopez and "The Whipping Man"

Playwright Matthew Lopez started out as an actor, but found that writing used his talents best.
Playwrights like Matthew Lopez have a keen eye and ear for what turns audiences on, and, it turns out that Matthew has a finely tuned sense of irony and humor as well. Here's a video he recently shared. This takeoff on Dreamgirls by Israel Cortez (who could be his stunt double) is a hoot, a real knee slapper. Creative souls need lots of clever nourishment to keep the good stuff coming, and the video proves that good performances are a lot more than just lip synching.



While the Matthew Lopez drama The Whipping Man is serious rather than funny, it is a fascinating look into a subject you have probably never thought about.

Lopez likes to write about underdogs ... people who don't make it into the history books but are somehow caught up in the wheels of historic events. One of his plays is about a young man dealing with the after-effects of a gay-bashing. Another is about a New York family of Puerto Rican performers who are evicted from their home in 1959 to make way for Lincoln Center. The Whipping Man tackles an even more arcane subject.

Berkshire Cast for The Whipping Man: CLARKE PETERS, LE ROY McCLAIN and NICK WESTRATE at Barrington Stage Company

It's about a post-Civil War Jewish Confederate soldier and his former slaves, who share his faith. He returns home to find the place in ruins, but with his now freed slaves still there. Filled with twists and turns, Lopez's play examines Caleb's moral ambiguity, Simon's guileless loyalty to his former owner, John's ideas as a newly radical freeman, and the approaching Exodus in the post-Emancipation South. The production will feature Clarke Peters (HBO’s Treme and The Wire), LeRoy McClain and Nick Westrate. Christopher Innvar directs the Barrington Stage production at Stage 2 ( 36 Linden Street , Pittsfield ).

To read more about Matthew Lopez and the reasons he wrote this play, visit my primary site, Berkshire On Stage

In San Diego: Matthew Lopez (front) with actors Charlie Robinson, Avery Glymph and Mark J. Sullivan. The West Coast Premiere of The Whipping Man runs at The Old Globe May 8 - June 13, 2010. Photo courtesy of The Old Globe.

The Whipping Man has just begun rehearsals at Barrington Stage Company. There will be several low cost previews beginning on May 26 with the official opening May 29. (NOTE: Now opened to universally positive reviews, it has been selling out and the run has been extended to June 17.) It has had an almost simultaneous opening at the Old Globe Theatre is San Diego. Lopez was just named playwright in residence for that company.

For more information and tickets, visit Barrington Stage Companyand while you are at it, be sure to check out Berkshire On Stage for the latest performing arts news and reviews.

DJ Dennis da menace to DJ "Faux Q" Black and White Dance Party

Another great event for the LGBTQ community and its allies
organized by Quite Queer and Timothy Michael Kushi.

Quite Queer and Wet have gotten together (the first time publicly!) to throw a kick-ass queer dance party on Saturday May 15, another in their series of fun dance events in the Berkshires.

There's great news, too. DJ Dennis da menace has been announced as one of the spinners. DJ Absent is another.

Dennis da M will bring his special brand of turntablism to Jaes where the dancing begins at 8:30 and goes to 1:30.

Dennis da Menace will make your feet happy this Saturday at Jae's Spice for the QQ "Faux Q" Event.
This naughty master of music is well known in Spanish Harlem for the good times he brings with him. His choices have strictly urban creds and are tinged with hip hop, reggae and latin beats. Having been at this for several years now, he's a rising celeb, in demand in Miami, California and other hot spots of the club scene.

Sample the danceable soundblends on his MySpace page and then try to resist his only Berkshires appearance next weekend.

Suggested dress theme is black and white, with maybe a little creative use of red.

And if you need more incentives, remember there will also be a Chinese raffle with the chance to win some amazing prizes, a professional photo booth to get photos so you can remember this magical night forever, and some useful and interesting party favors courtesy of Wet! lubricant company. Full open bar for 21+ too.

Advance ticket prices are $8 for 21+ and $12 for 18+. Admission at door: $10 for 21+, $15 for 18+ Check out their Facebook page for more details.

Gay Teens Plan Semi-Formal Ball, Face Down Homophobia

Since this column began people have said that the Berkshires are very LGBTQ accepting and that there really wasn't much need to cover the "out" scene, gays and lesbians being well integrated into the community.

That's pretty much true, but there are still some problems.

For example, today's Berkshire Eagle had a wonderful story by Jenn Smith on the "Crooked" event. It's a LGBTQ Prom being organized by the Live Out Loud Youth Leadership Project of Western Massachusetts. It will take place at Jae's Spice in Pittsfield on Friday, May 14.

But within an hour of this upbeat and factual article being published, the hatred began. The paper's Topix comments linked to the story started to accumulate gay bashing comments. Anonymously of course. The haters are mostly nervous nellies who would never dare sign their name to such vitriol.

The cover of anonymity the Eagle provides these nabobs enables them to act as the Berkshire's own shadow Ku Klux Klan. The KKK wore hoods to conceal their identity and avoid being held responsible for their terrorist tactics. So too does the Eagle provide cover for these cowards. Already several comments have been deleted because they contained clearly hateful and threatening comments. The Topix columns will remain a haven for the local lynch mob until they require people to sign in and identify themselves before posting. The fact that this has not happened after repeated requests to do so can only prove that the Eagle would rather have the hatred and controversy than rational community discussions in their public forums.

The same people who cheered when the original Jae's closed are now threatening to boycott it. And promising violence outside the event. Fair minded people will remember that Jae's has provided a warm welcome for everyone, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or any other divisive term.

While I defend the right of these Topix dwellers to their own narrow version of free speech, it is perverse how they would refuse other Americans the right to free assembly. Or the pursuit of happiness. How un-American. How un-Berkshire like.


Lincoln's concepts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness still is lost on some people. They probably think the wrong side won the Civil War.
Here is a smattering of some of their comments: "Sure to be a big fight out side SPICE the night of this venue
SICK...a pedophile's delight....Go back in the closet." Some of the more colorful ones are gone, I will not repeat them here.

The article can be found here. It is titled "A Chance to be Yourself."

"This ball is purposely being launched during prom season to offer an additional venue for LGBTQ kids and allies to go to feel safe. Our dance aims to provide an avenue where couples of all types can be celebrated in a safe setting," said Kelly Shuff-Heck, who co-advises the Live Out Loud Youth group.

In recent weeks we have read about controversies over gay and lesbian teens being refused permission to attend proms in other states, and though there have been no overt refusals in the Berkshires, the undercurrent of disapproval still deters many students from participating. "We wanted to have a dance where you can be yourself and have fun," said Tiffani White, a student of the Pittsfield Adult Learning Center and a Live Out Loud member.

La Cage, Sean Hayes get Tony Nominations

Robin De Jesus of La Cage: "The last time I was nominated, I ended up in therapy."
The 64th Annual Tony Award nominations gave a huge boost to the Broadway revival of La Cage aux Folles with 11 nominations. The new Bill T. Jones musical Fela! tied La Cage with 11 nominations of its own. La Cage is in the running as Best Revival of a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Robin de Jesus, and Best Lead Actor in a Musical for both Douglas Hodge and Kelsey Grammer.

There were other gay favorites getting the honor. Elton John's Next Fall (he and David Furnish are producers) received several nominations including one for Best Play. Next Fall's director, Sheryl Kaller got a Best Director nod.

Meantime a battle of the Broadway divas is shaping up as both the legendary Barbara Cook (Sondheim on Sondheim) and Angela Lansbury (A Little Night Music) are in the running for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

From soap operas to the stage: Levi Kreis.
Gay performers being recognized include Levi Kreis frm Milion Dollar Quartet for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Sean Hayes for Best actor in a Musical, for Promises, Promises.

Sean Hayes already has a mantel full of awards.
The full slate of nominees and a more detailed story is now posted on my Berkshire On Stage website.

Great Food and Company - the BSCC Potluck May 5

The Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition will be hosting their bi-monthly potluck dinner on Wednesday, May 5th at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Church on Wendell Ave in Pittsfield. This in-person social event supplements its online presence (Website and Facebook) and is free and open to all members of the GLBTQ & Allied Communities. You don't have to be out, or even gay to attend this traditional Berkshires social event. Just bring an open mind.

Attendees need only bring a food dish to share, themselves, witty conversation and charm. Donations to the coalition are always appreciated.

Just prior to the potluck, the Board of Directors will hold the monthly board meeting at the Unitarian Church from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

The Board will be discussing several important upcoming events, including the Live Out Loud Youth Project's Youth Ball on May 14th, and BSCC's Annual Fundrasier to be held on June 19th. Both events will take place at Jae's Spice. The Board meeting is open to the public, with the last 15 minutes of the meeting for community questions, comments, and input.