Shameless plug: I'm in a show called Half Life by Awaken! Performances and Half Life Productions at American Theater Company . Go to halflifeplay.com for more information and some pictures. I play the partner of one of the women who's returned from the Gulf War. The story is based on Tracy Baim's book and adapted for the stage by Bev Spangler from the screenplay by Catherine Crouch. It is based on true facts regarding the Gulf War (the first one, not the recently, unprovoked, I have to finish what my Daddy started, so I can give my rich friends more kickbacks by raising gas prices, while lining my own pockets war). Anyhow, Strap This On for my return to the Chicago stage:
The Top Ten Reasons to See Half Life Besides the Free Air-Conditioning
10) Women in uniform: lots of neatly pressed clothing, tight pants, tight shirts and stern discipline.
9) Women of color. That's right, a variety of colors with a cast that has more women than men.
8) Actors: there's a group of actors that may or may not be lesbian, bi-sexual, tri-sexual, etc.
7) Physical contact: there are women kissing on stage and shows of intimacy and it's not a tape of Girls Gone Wild Military Style.
6) Political relevance: real faces (and bodies) of those servicemembers that were discharged before the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was created. Careful, there are hints that maybe the policy might not be in the best interest of the country. In fact, according to government research, lesbians and gays do not have an adverse affect on their unit but actually contribute to their betterment. Go figure.
5) Women in uniform (and men for those gay men, straight men, bi-curious, whatever). Yes, ma'am, no ma'am, yes ma'am. Whatever you say, ma'am.
4) Closeted lesbians. It's a nice reminder of Ellen: I'm out, I'm in, I'm out, I'm in so I can make people love me again, non-politically, I'm not interested in being your poster girl lesbian.
3) Nudity. Well, there could be. I'll be sure to unzip someone by accident. Let me know the night you're coming.
2) Depiction of a positive long-term relationship between two women. Quick, name another play that does this.
1) Two women fighting it out onstage with plenty of sexual tension and innuendos to make The Accused with Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis look like a kindergarten friendship.
Lisa Rock can be reached at StrapThisOn@aol.com . Half Life is running at American Theater Company from August 27-September 18. Call (773) 275-2036 ext. 2 for showtimes and tickets.