The first half of the 2008-2009 theater season doesn't exactly offer a cornucopia of LGBT shows; still, the several productions that do speak to LGBT subjects are varied and interesting. Consider the following, listed chronologically.
Pictured: The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward II.
—The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lifeline Theatre, through Nov. 2. It's an adaptation of the famous, philosophical horror novella by Oscar Wilde—the Queen Mother of Us All—who skirted the edges of homosexuality in the original just enough to give later adapters ammunition for a gay slant. We don't know what slant Lifeline is taking.
—Chiaroscuro, Bailiwick Repertory, Sept. 24-Oct. 19. Here's a drama in which the Late Renaissance painter Caravaggio ( 1571-1610 ) prefers his hunky male models to be under-dressed and over-inspiring. But then, so did Michelangelo and DaVinci ( who, when young, was arrested for his gay activities ) . Part of the Bailiwick Pride Series, Chiaroscuro runs in repertory with the world premiere of Anna Livia, Lucky in Her Bridges ( reviewed in this issue ) and the late-night comedy Filthy Pervert Seeks Same.
—The Young Ladies of..., About Face, Hoover-Leppen Theatre, Sept. 30-Oct. 27: To kick off her tenure as the new About Face artistic director, Bonnie Metzgar is presenting noted queer theater artist Taylor Mac in his one-man show in which he assumes a female persona, although he doesn't do drag in any usual ( or campy ) way.
—The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward II, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Oct. 1-Nov. 9. Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe ( 1564-1593 ) may or may not have been gay, but he always was in trouble and died young. English king Edward II ( 1284-1327 ) was homosexual ( although the word didn't exist at that time ) , and paid for it with a gruesome death. He also was a terrible, irresponsible monarch. This challenging play—structurally, it's a mess—is in the hands of wunderkind director Sean Graney. FYI: The drawn-and-quartered remains of Edward's last lover recently were identified in England.
—Haywire!, Hell in a Handbag, Bailiwick Arts Center, Oct. 13-Nov. 15. David Cerda once again dons his Barbara Stanwyck cum-fuck-me pumps, or maybe thigh-high boots, playing Circus Queen Miranda Towers in this tale of murder and mayhem under the big top. In circus lingo, 'under the big top' means fucking the sideshow giant.
—This Country's F$cked! or God Damn, America, GayCo and Schadenfreude, Lakeshore Theatre, Oct. 18 and 25 only. In honor of the upcoming presidential election, two of Chicago's favorite independent comedic ensembles offer stand-up, sketch comedy, music and magic to remind us there's still room to laugh through our tears.
—Six Degrees of Separation, Signal Ensemble, Chopin Theatre, Nov. 17-Dec. 20. John Guare's ever-popular contemporary comedy isn't really a gay play, but the central character is gay and—if staged properly—there's a titillating flash of skin when the young man brings home a trick. But, frankly, the play is better than a flash of flesh.
—The Maids, Writers' Theatre ( Books-on-Vernon location ) , Nov. 18-April 5, 2009. This is convicted murderer and literary icon Jean Genet's famous play—based on a case history—about two maids who murder their wealthy mistress. The maids are sisters who indulge in sadomasochistic games and fantasies, which Genet also enjoyed. For all that, The Maids is considered an absurdist exploration of social status and power, not sex.
—Faith, Sandhill Theatre Company, Stage 33, Dec. 4-Jan.4, 2009. A new theater troupe at a new venue offers the Chicago premiere a play by Nathaniel Wright, set on Christmas Eve in the home of the perfect Evangelical family ... except son Jedediah is gay and brings his African-American bf along.
Well, that's the A-list of LGBT shows. There's a B-list, too, not because the productions aren't as good—hey, some of them probably will be better—but because the LGBT angle is secondary, linked only through the sexuality of the authors or artists of the shows. In other words, they aren't queer shows but they probably have some queer flavor.
Since there are so very many LGBT authors, directors, designers, performers and producers, even Windy City Times can't run a comprehensive list. But consider the following shows as special but also representative: Caroline, or Change, the Chicago premiere of an unusual musical with book by very out playwright and activist Tony Kushner, Court Theatre ( through Oct. 19 ) ; The Glass Menagerie, Shattered Globe at Victory Gardens Greenhouse ( through Nov. 2 ) , one of several Tennessee Williams productions due this season; and Amadeus, a big new production of Peter Shaffer's ode to Mozart, directed by Gary Griffin, Chicago Shakespeare Theater ( through Nov. 9 ) .
Also there are Picnic, painfully closeted William Inge's 1950s tribute to longing, desire and firm young flesh, at Writers' Theatre ( through Nov. 16 ) ; Kafka on the Shore, adapted and directed by Frank Galati in his second production based on the work of contemporary Japanese author Haruki Murakimi, Steppenwolf Theatre ( through Nov. 16 ) ; All Shook Up, the Shakespeare-inspired pseudo-1950s musical of Elvis Presley hits, directed and choreographed by Marc Robin and starring hottie Tyler Hanes, Marriott Theatre ( Oct. 1-Dec. 7 ) ; and Cabaret of Desire, a mask, puppet and music performance piece based on the writings of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, Blair Thomas & Co., Storefront Theatre ( Oct. 9-Nov. 8 ) .
