Six Characters in Search of a PlayDel ShoresNew Conservatory Theatre CenterDel Shores“I’m a storytelling thief,” confesses the ever-smiling, hands-flying “minor gay celebrity” (his words) standing just a few feet from his already enraptured audience – about fifty of what must be hundreds of thousands of loyal fans of Brother Boy, Bitsy Mae, Latrelle, Sissy, LaVonda, and ‘Bubba’ … [Read more...] about “Six Characters in Search of a Play”
New Conservatory Theatre Center
“When Pigs Fly”
Howard Crabtree’s When Pigs FlyConceived by Howard Crabtree & Mark WaldropMark Waldrop (Sketches & Lyrics); Dick Gallagher (Music)New Conservatory Theatre CenterDavid BichaIf we are to believe the opening scene, it all began when his Springbrook High vocational counselor, Miss Roundhole, suggested to a starry eyed Dream Curly (aka Howard Crabtree) that he could look … [Read more...] about “When Pigs Fly”
“The Mystery of Love and Sex”
The Mystery of Love and SexBathsheba DoranNew Conservatory Theatre CenterKenny Scott & Linda Maria GirónCharlotte and Jonny, who have been pals since they were nine, now are dormie buddies in college and about to host her parents for a ‘heatless’ dinner (aka salad and French bread sans the butter they forgot to buy). That she is white and Jewish and he is black and … [Read more...] about “The Mystery of Love and Sex”
“It’s Only a Play”
It’s Only a PlayTerrence McNallyNew Conservatory Theatre CenterThe Cast of It's Only a Play“The party of the year for the play of the century” is getting louder and louder on the floor below, with celebrities galore in attendance for the opening night’s post-play celebration (Al Pacino, Rosie O’Donnell, Barack Obama, the Pope -- just to name-drop a few). The casts of The … [Read more...] about “It’s Only a Play”
“Still at Risk”
Still at RiskTim PinckneyNew Conservatory Theatre CenterThe Cast of Still at RiskAs the final decade of the twentieth century was just beginning, an article in the July 16, 1990 New York Times reported that in the U.S., “212 cases of full-blown AIDS are diagnosed every day; there is one AIDS death every 12 minutes; and a new case of infection every 54 seconds.” At a time … [Read more...] about “Still at Risk”
“Le Switch”
Le SwitchPhilip DawkinsNew Conservatory Theatre CenterRyan Vásquez & Steve Rhyne“Welcome to Library School. When you leave this program you will be able to classify everything.”And with that, David in his trademark cardigan of questionable colors and accompanying bowtie begins his first lecture of the new term. When he goes on to tell the librarian novitiates, … [Read more...] about “Le Switch”
“This Bitter Earth”
This Bitter EarthHarrison David RiversNew Conservatory Theatre CenterH. Adam Harris & Michael HannaGrief over a devastating loss unfolds as a series of sometimes disconnected memories whose recall follows no particular timeline in Harrison David Rivers’ riveting, moving This Bitter Earth, now in its world premiere at the New Conservatory Theatre Center. As one man’s … [Read more...] about “This Bitter Earth”
“Warplay”
WarplayJC LeeNew Conservatory Theatre Center JC Sclazo & Ed BerkeleyHow inevitable is it that most boys will play war when they are kids, that plastic helmets and swords will be badges of honor to wear, and that lifelong bonds will often form with other guys as they tumble on the fields of backyard battle? And how likely is it that those same boys will grow to be men … [Read more...] about “Warplay”
“Sordid Lives”
Sordid LivesDel ShoresNew Conservatory Theatre CenterLuke Brady, Marie O'Donnell, Cat Luedtke, Michaela Greeley & Scott CoxNow who’s to judge who’s a saint or a sinner,Lord, it’s tough enough to trudge from brunch to dinner....It’s a bitch sortin’ out our sorry little sordid lives.Mama’s dead: Tripped over GW’s wooden legs while screwing him in a cheap motel. GW’s … [Read more...] about “Sordid Lives”
“Everything That’s Beautiful”
Everything’s That’s BeautifulElyzabeth Gregory WilderNew Conservatory Theatre CenterMattea Fountain as MorganSomething happens unexpected, unplanned, unwanted. Change. Immediately, the surrounding system is in transition – neither in the state of what was once nor in the state of what might someday be. Emotions follow rollercoaster tracks. Communication … [Read more...] about “Everything That’s Beautiful”
“Leaving the Blues”
Leaving the BluesJewelle GomezNew Conservatory Theatre CenterDesiree Rogers as Alberta HunterWhat does a nurse who is told to retire at age seventy (but who is really eighty-two since she once lied about her age) do next with her life? Half singing, half whispering, she tells her unseen patient with some evident sadness, “Trouble, looks like I had it all my day ... looks … [Read more...] about “Leaving the Blues”
“Daniel’s Husband”
Daniel’s HusbandMichael McKeeverNew Conservatory Theatre CenterDaniel Redmond, Nathan Tylukti, John Steele Jr. & Michael MonagleThere are Hallmark-like phrases that pop up daily in our lives on one of those obnoxious Facebook-posted posters that that we habitually ignore, scrolling quickly to a much more interesting cat video or picture of someone’s latest meal. “Live … [Read more...] about “Daniel’s Husband”
“Avenue Q”
Avenue QRobert Lopez Y Jeff Marx (Music & Lyrics); Jeff Whitty (Book)New Conservatory Theatre Center The 2017 "Purple" Cast of Avenue QEd Decker, Artistic Director of New Conservatory Theatre Center, begins his program introduction with “It’s the final, final, final ‘Furwell’ tour of Avenue Q, now in its fourth year of the company’s holiday productions. However, one … [Read more...] about “Avenue Q”
“Casa Valentina”
Casa ValentinaHarvey FiersteinNew Conservatory Theatre CenterThe Cast of "Ladies" of "Casa Valentina"The tall, curly-headed twenty-something with boyish face is greeted at the door of the bungalow inn by hostess Rita, “Grab a dish towel, and make your dreams come true.” Later her husband George adds, “Welcome to the best weekend of your life.” With tentative … [Read more...] about “Casa Valentina”
“On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”
On a Clear Day You Can See ForeverBurton Lane (Music); Alan Jay Lerner (Lyrics); Peter Parnell (Book)Based on the Original Book by Alan Jay LernerNew Conservatory Theatre CenterChris Morrell, Melissa O'Keefe & William GiammonaDespite its title, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever is one musical that has had a stormy past. The much-touted 1965 opening with music by … [Read more...] about “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”
