Here are a few more cast recordings that work with Pride weekend. All of these shows feature gay characters. They are also shows that I think are lesser known, or at least less popular.
Taboo - and speaking of amazing costumes... This show was throughly trounced here in the US, however it did well in the UK. That makes sense as the show is about the London club scene in the 80's. The characters are a mix of gay, straight, and unknown. The music and lyrics are by Boy George. He also played performance artist/club icon Leigh Bowery in both the UK and US productions. The UK production was written by Mark Davies, and adapted for the US stage by Charles Busch. Yes, there are a few Culture Club songs in the show but I think you will be surprised to hear the variety of styles. And yes, the lyrics are somewhat pop-song in style but they fit the show well. If you look on youtube, you can watch a full production that was filmed professionally (with French subtitles.) It was a new production in a much smaller space and a more intimate show. I found it quite good, and Boy George is really good as Leigh Bowery.
The Last Session - I was introduced to this show through a friend of mine who heard a bootleg. Yes, it is one of those underground shows that few people know about, but more should. And those few people are usually raving about how good and powerful it is. And it is. The recording I have is called "Living in the Bonus Round." It is an authorized bootleg and features songs from The Last Session. So, what is this session? A singer/songwriter is diagnosed with AIDS, decides to commit suicide to end his battle with the disease but wants to do one final recording session. The show takes place in real time, and the music has a great gospel/pop sound with a piano base to it. It was written by Steve Schalchlin with a book by Jim Brochu. Yes, it is based on real life experiences of Steve Schalchlin. It is quite a moving and wonderful piece.
Moving and wonderful is also how I would describe A Man of No Importance. This show is written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with a book by Terrence McNally based on a 1994 movie. It tells the story of an amateur theatre group doing a production of Oscar Wilde's Salome in a church, despite the churches objection. The leader of the group, played by Roger Rees, slowly realized and accepts that he is gay during the show. And one of his love interests? Robbie, who was played by Steven Pasquale. mmmm - we love Steven here at MnTheaterLove! It is a really great score and story. Hopefully it will be done again here in the Twin Cities at some point.
The next two/three albums are all by one artist - Stephen Sondheim. If you look at his catalog, there are very few of this shows (if any) that have an openly gay character. I believe the first gay character he wrote is in Road Show/Bounce/Wise Guys/Gold! What I find most fascinating about this show is that there are two recordings out, from two different versions and they are both good (in their own way.) It is a great chance for us theatre fans to see how a show progressed between two productions. Sure, neither production has been to Broadway which makes it more interesting. The show is about two brothers at the start of the 20th century. It follows them from the gold rush in Alaska, to the creation of Boca Raton in Florida. One of the brothers is gay and falls in love. I believe that Sondheim himself has said that it is the first love song for two men that he has written. For more delightful and very interesting reading about the progress of this show, please read Sondheim's book "Look I Made a Hat."
The final work I want to quickly bring to your attention is Sondheim on Sondheim. Yes, it is a musical revue of all Sondheim music, with some new arrangements, and a new song "God." The reason for this selection is simple. Sondheim is gay and this show tells his story. It is a musical revue with anecdotes told by a video-taped Sondheim. Plus the cast is amazing!! If you don't have this in your collection yet, and you think it is just another Sondheim collection - you are wrong and need to fix the situation soon. It is very good and very enlightening and really enjoyable!
so, there you have it. That is just a little bit about some great shows that are appropriate for the Pride season, and any season.
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