14 Comments
User's avatar
Mommadillo's avatar

I saw La Cage aux Folles on its initial run at a little arthouse theater in San Francisco, and recall being amused by the middle-aged man, obviously there with his wife, who got up and walked out about 15 minutes in. (she stayed)

He missed one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen in my life, and much as I love and respect Robin Williams, his remake doesn’t hold a candle to the original.

If you’ve never seen it, try to get the subtitled version rather than the dubbed version. I like getting the original actor’s voice and emotions useful even if I don’t understand the words.

Expand full comment
Kay-El's avatar

Who will want to perform at the Kennedy Center now that Trump’s taint has befouled it? Lara Trump? You couldn’t give tickets away.

Expand full comment
Notreelyhelping's avatar

And NO ALBEE!

Someone should, however, produce Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” at the Kennedy Center. I suggest they market it as a children’s show.

Expand full comment
WTH Is Going On?! Chris Berrie's avatar

This article made me want to watch all the films referenced again.

Expand full comment
Myra Donnelley's avatar

Richard Grennell is a gay man who would have happily ushered "fellow homosexuals" up the path to the gas chamber and then been utterly surprised when prodded by guns and bayonets he, too, was forced to "bring up the rear".

Expand full comment
Kari Bentley-Quinn's avatar

It astonishes me that anyone thinks there can be theater without queerness. It's built into the damn thing.

Expand full comment
Dissembling Bling's avatar

Certainly a comparable ‘othering'

Expand full comment
Sherry's avatar

Indeed! It’s a feature not a bug.

Expand full comment
SethTriggs's avatar

And at its base this is why a lot of conservatives bash art (and don't consider artists people worthy of respect...or even people). The arts are one way that vulnerable minorities convey their voice and their visibility. Same ethos we had in media where for many years if you were Black, your only viable role was as a servant.

Great article and exposure of quislings like Ric Grenell.

Expand full comment
Sherry's avatar

First it’s the gay theatre and next it’s the esteemed Black plays like Raisin, works by August Wilson, James Baldwin or Toni Morrison. Or especially the reimagining of plays written by white playwrights with an all Black cast. Gypsy with Audra McDonald would never be allowed. Fences played by white peoples would a-ok.

Expand full comment
Lesley's avatar

hard to overstate either Fierstein's impact or guts, defiant and proud in the Reagan era as AIDS raged. so important to highlight the heroes who over decades have stood tall with integrity in their truth, in this era of appalling capitulations.

Expand full comment
Linda1961 is woke and proud's avatar

When I read the Grenell quote, I thought of Orwell's "we have always been at war with East Asia." Ha! Ha! Google wanted me to correct "Grenell" to "Grendel," somehow that seems appropriate, as anyone it the maladministration is a monster.

Expand full comment
Pope Buck I's avatar

Let's just hope we never have to face his mother.

Expand full comment
llamaspit's avatar

And also Orwell's Animal Farm, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

Expand full comment