It’s not just Awards Season in the land of New York City theater–June is also Pride Month. While NYC Pride’s official events don’t kick off until the 23rd, now is the perfect moment to explore all the LGBT theater events taking over the city.
Broadway has been out and proud for quite a while now, and if that’s your interest, there are plenty of perfect shows for you there. Fun Home, the 100-minute musical based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel, features the story of Broadway’s first lesbian protagonist and her closeted gay dad wrestling with his sexuality. This revolutionary young show, which first premiered last year at the Public Theater, joins glitzier gay-friendly musicals such as Kinky Boots and Hedwig and the Angry Inch to prove that LGBT theater is more than just fabulous men in drag.
But if you’re interested in experiencing a fresher, more accessible New York Pride theater experience, there is plenty more in store for you this month. We have gathered together ten exciting theatrical events, both Off-Broadway and exclusive, one-time shows that will get you pumped for the Pride Parade at the end of the month. What are you most excited to see?
Off-Broadway
Consent
A new play about sex, power and intimacy in the 21st century, Consent follows Ron Sullivan, a former NFL football player who has recently made some changes. Ron came out as gay, separated from his high school sweetheart, and moved into a Soho loft. Now a chance encounter with Kurt, a sexy Yale law student, seduces him into the murky waters of consent. Consent opens June 2 at the Black Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center.
The Twentieth Century Way
Based on a little-known incident in LA history, this theatrical thrill ride explores the collision of reality and fantasy as two actors juggle various roles to entrap homosexuals for “social vagrancy” in the public restrooms of 1914 Long Beach. But are they actually entrapping each other? The two-hander stars Will Bradley and Robert Mammana and plays through July 19 at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre.
Ruthless! The Musical
Broadway lovers (and haters) rejoice, because the funniest and bloodiest musical about what it takes to make a child a star is returning to Off-Broadway in just a few short weeks. Tina Denmark is a pretty, charming and diabolical eight-year-old girl who “was born to entertain,” and will do anything to play the lead in her school play. But she’s got competition for the sassiest girl in the show–slick and overbearing potential agent Sylvia St. Croix, played by a drag-tastic Peter Land, will do anything to find and claim the next big show business star. Ruthless! The Musical begins previews on June 25 at St. Luke’s Theatre.
Significant Other
Jordan Berman would love to be in love, but that’s easier said than done. So until he meets Mr. Right, he wards off lonely nights with his trio of close-knit girlfriends. But as singles’ nights turn into bachelorette parties, Jordan finds that supporting the ones you love can be just as impossible as finding love itself. Roundabout Theatre Company’s Significant Other plays at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center through August.
Shows for Days
It’s May 1973 when a young man wanders into a dilapidated community theater in Reading, PA. The company members welcome him–well, perhaps only because they need a set painter that day. He then proceeds to soak up all the idealism and the craziness that comes with being part of a struggling theater company with big dreams. Featuring ultimate Broadway diva Patti LuPone, Shows for Days opens June 6 at Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center.
Unique Events
Broadway Bares: Top Bottoms of Burlesque
Broadway Bares, the unrivaled evening of sexy striptease that benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will celebrate its 25th spectacular edition with Broadway Bares: Top Bottoms of Burlesque, a show inspired by the golden age of Broadway. In a lavish and thrilling extravaganza, this show will feature a cast of colorful characters for every desire and fantasy. Broadway’s iconic personalities–from devilish divas to charismatic casting directors, luscious lyricists to studly stagehands–will combine the naughtiness of burlesque with the razzle-dazzle of Broadway. The 2015 edition will fill NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday, June 21.
Fantasy
This NYC Pride official event immerses you in a burlesque masquerade fantasy in New York City’s newest gem, The Diamond Horseshoe, on Friday, June 26. Hidden beneath Times Square, this $20 million club showcases some of the best performance artists, lighting, sound and special effects in New York City. Special performances and secret acts will be going on all night long, and masquerade masks are recommended! This will be the first official Friday late night event of NYC Pride.
Distorted Pride
The Laurie Beechman Theater continues its long-running late night hit Distorted drag series with the the 4th Annual edition of Distorted Pride starring Holly Dae, Bootsie LeFaris, Pixie Aventura and Brenda Dharling. An outrageous Las Vegas-style parody revue, Distorted Pride twists together some of the gayest and most iconic moments from Hollywood cult classic films, the legendary music divas of yesterday and today and Broadway blockbusters with jazz hands galore. This 75-minute nonstop extravaganza features high-energy dance numbers, comedy, dazzling costumes and lip-syncing “ladies”. Performances are on Fridays, June 12 and 26 at 10pm at The Laurie Beechman Theater inside West Bank Cafe.
Bette Midler at Madison Square Garden
Who better to celebrate Pride with than Bette Midler? The multiple Grammy Award-winning singer and legendary performer will return to the stage for her first major tour in a decade. The show will feature material from Midler’s iconic career and material from her new album, “It’s The Girls!” – a glorious tribute to girl groups through the ages. “It’s The Girls!” features everything from the swinging sounds of WWII-era Andrews Sisters and 60s super-groups like the Supremes and the Shirelles to 90s hit makers TLC. The classic diva hits the stage on June 25 and 26.
Daddy’s Boy
This walk-through, immersive art installation is a maze created with with video, found objects and words. Walk at your own pace through the House of Terror of Michelangelo Alasa’s childhood into his magical “safe place”. Within this sacred place, Alasa’ shares with you the personal arc of his life journey from childhood sexual abuse through redemption. Daddy’s Boy is cathartic in nature and will make you confront your own deepest secrets, darkest desires and biggest triumphs. It plays June 25-27 at the Duo Multicultural Arts Center.
