Posted on 11/26/2001 6:35:50 AM PST by truthandlife
In the beginning, there is nothing. Then the Stage Manager comes out giving commands.
``Monday, go. Thursday, Garden of Eden, go.''
With dramatic music in the background, in come lighting, props and the First Man.
``Who am I?'' asks Adam. ``Where am I? Am I gay?''
As Adam (John Hensley) makes a feminine gesture with his hand, the audience roars with laughter. This is Genesis according to Paul Rudnick, who in The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, the second presentation at the Fifth Lesbian/Gay Play Festival, gives vent to the statement ``God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.''
A co-production of The Public Theatre and the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, Most Fabulous, which had a good run Off-Broadway, is often hilarious, at times philosophical and mostly self-deprecating.
Despite drawbacks -- an unappealing auditorium and a mixed bag of acting talent -- this production, directed by Kate Powers, plays well to its strength: Rudnick's witty dialogue.
As you might suspect, there's no Eve in this Garden of Eden. Adam's co-created fellow human is Steve (Greg Harrison), and they happily play and cavort. In the absence of the snake and the apple, the Stage Manager (a convincing Teresa Alexandra) orders a physical reaction that propels the men to want sexual contact. (Discovery of their sexuality, including Harrison's rubbing of his genitals, are the only scenes in the play that could make some in the audience uncomfortable.)
But soon Adam and Steve realize to their horror that they are not alone in the garden. Jane (Sabrina Reed) and Mabel (Valerie Silidker) also live as a couple, and the four continue through the Biblical ages -- with scenes such as The Flood, The 39th Day and The First Christmas Eve -- until they get to the 20th Century.
Most Fabulous raises issues of concern to gay couples, such as having children and how gays fit in organized religions. But it always treats these with humor.
``They have children, we have taste,'' quips Adam.
Standing out from the rest of the cast is Hensley, who easily adopts the role of the inquisitive Adam, delivering his funny lines with timing and nuances.
Other highlights include Merry Jo Pitasi as Rabbi Sharon, the lesbian and handicapped talk-show rabbi; Sabrina Reed singing Ave Maria as Jane, and Scott Serven in his multiple roles.
The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told is not a play for everyone. It contains explicit sexual descriptions and its humor relies heavily on gay stereotypes. Yet its comedy can produce a good belly laugh.
For more information, visit The Gay and Lesbian Center's Web site: www.glccftl.org.
A ids
Y et
Though I'm sure the list of attendees who are also FR members is small, I do have one intriguing query. This group calls themselves a "Public" theatre group -- Where do they get their funding, praytell? How much of their "livelihood" is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts? If they receive "public" funding for this trash, THEN it becomes OUR issue - as OUR money has been funneled to this trash WITHOUT our consent. Make sense?
:) ttt
AB
Makes a lot of sense and should be investigated.
What about Madam and Eve? Two lesbians sounds more probable.
Wait a minute--now there's cloning. Nevermind.
Religious people all over the world are being ridiculed by these intolerant gays. It is not funny and we shouldn't be affraid to denounce them.
Hello!!! It's blasphemy and it's offensive! I assure you, God is *not* laughing, and those who did/are will not be with HIM on judgement day.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.