voice
georgia
VOLUME 12•ISSUE 24
About the cover:
Cover photo by Russ Bowen-Youngblood
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PO Box 77401 • Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365 BUSINESS Principal/Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com EDITORIAL Editor: Katie Burkholder kburkholder@thegavoice.com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Sukainah Abid-Kons, Brammhi Balarajan, Melissa Carter, Jim Farmer, Divine Ikpe, Emma O’Loughlin, Fletcher Varnson PRODUCTION Art Director: Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com SALES Sales Executive: Dixon Taylor dtaylor@thegavoice.com Sales Executive: Jim Brams jbrams@thegavoice.com Business Advisor: Lynn Pasqualetti Financial Firm of Record: HLM Financial Group NATIONAL ADVERTISING: Rivendell Media 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com Publisher Emeritus: Chris Cash FINE PRINT
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4 Editorial March 4, 2022
EDITORIAL
Shifting the Narrative: Queer Art Emma O’Loughlin Art by and for queer people has always existed; however, its acceptance into mainstream culture has often come at the cost of authenticity. The creation of queer content for queer people brings into question who is creating this content. Some would argue that queer content created by straight people is not queer content at all, but a misguided attempt to showcase an (unclear) understanding of the LGBTQ experience. To really examine who this content caters to, we must take into account a multitude of factors, including the way it affects how the LGBTQ community is viewed by the rest of society. When content such as “Love, Simon” or “Brokeback Mountain” is thrust into the spotlight, it can be more harmful than helpful, because while the intention may be to be inclusive, this type of representation can often provide inauthentic representation of the queer experience and/or reinforce negative stereotypes about the queer community. When content created by and for queer people is brought into the mainstream, it provides representation that hasn’t historically been seen by the masses, adding fresh perspective and breaking down old stereotypes. This brings to light the question: “What’s the point of creating queer content for straight people at all?” You might have heard of the term to “queer” something, i.e. “queering Shakespeare.” It’s more than just turning “Romeo and Juliet” into “Romeo and Julio.” This dichotomy of “queering” traditionally hetero content adds a whole new layer of history and intersectionality to the issue of who this content is for. These issues aren’t black and white; they’re extremely nuanced. In this day and age as more Black, Indigenous, and other minority creators are being given the representation they should have already had, we’re seeing a new generation of creators striving to bring more inclusivity to the art we consume through a lens of intersectionality. While intersectionality is not a new concept by any means, the changes that we see the world and, more specifically, the United States going
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / MIKHAYLOVSKIY
through right now are slowly being reflected in the art that is being brought into mainstream culture. This raises the question of how we are to engage more authentically with this type of art without tokenizing and culturally appropriating. How can we bring queer content into the mainstream without tokenizing the queer experience for capitalist consumption? More importantly, can we? When examining these types of questions, we must take into account cultural trends and capitalist practices in order to get a clearer picture. Engaging more authentically with art starts when we ask ourselves to reexamine what’s missing from the art we currently consume. What do we as queer people want to see more or less of? Are we looking beyond the parameters of what is considered mainstream? Do we engage with content that isn’t created in our country, and if we choose to, in what ways can we decentralize Westernized content from our current circulation and understanding of what queer content is available to us? How are we supporting queer artists who create art for queer people?
Due to the oppression that queer people have experienced throughout time, representation can often feel like straight people finally “letting us” tell our own stories. Of course, representation is important, but if nonLGBTQ people want to provide us with said representation, we can tell our own stories instead of turning our experience into something more easily digestible for those who are not queer. Lil Nas X is an artist I believe has mastered this, as his content is unapologetically queer while still being in the mainstream. And just because a queer artist is in the mainstream, that does not necessarily mean their art is for straight people, or even just for queer people. Art is an expression of ourselves and our lived experiences, and the beauty of art being subjective means it can fit into multiple categories at once. Emma X. O’Loughlin is a new regular Georgia Voice columnist. Raised in the queer community, she is a performing artist and recent graduate of Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she received a degree in musical theater. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
Help us evaluate a new approach to HIV treatment
with the DYNAMIC (research) study. If you recently learned that you are living with HIV, joining a clinical research study may be one option for you to consider. You may qualify for the DYNAMIC study if: • You are at least 18 years old. • You have been diagnosed with HIV. • You have not started treatment for HIV.
Participation is voluntary. If you join this study, you can change your mind and leave at any time. It is always best to discuss a research study with your doctor first so he or she can help you decide if the study may be right for you.
There are other requirements you will need to meet. The study doctor will review these with you.
Investigational medications and study-related tests and procedures will be provided at no cost.
The DYNAMIC study is testing an investigational medication in combination with an approved HIV medication. By joining a study like DYNAMIC, you can help move HIV research forward.
To learn more, visit dynamichivstudy.com or call:
Infections Disease Specialists of Atlanta Abraham Khalio 404-297-9755
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NEWS BRIEFS Staff reports Read these stories and more online at thegavoice.com.
Georgia Senate Passes Transphobic School Sports Bill
The Georgia Senate has passed SB 435, legislation preventing transgender students from participating on gendered sports teams that align with their gender identity. According to the AJC, the Senate backed the measure along party lines with a Republicanled vote of 32-22. This is the first time a bill similar to this has had a vote by the full Senate chamber. The bill was introduced by Sen. Marty Harbin to create “fairness” for girls who play school sports. Advocacy organizations like the New Georgia Project (NGP), however, say that the bill is an “assault on transgender youth.” “This transphobic piece of legislation intentionally misrepresents everything we know about gender in order to discriminate against transgender student athletes — specifically trans girls,” Maxsim Ealy, NGP’s Communications Specialist, said in a statement. “These aren’t professional, or even amateur, athletes we’re talking about here. These are children. The point of participating in extracurricular activities like football or basketball is to teach the principles of determination and teamwork. This legislation only teaches students that transgender people deserve discrimination for no other reason than their desire to play a game.” “Not only is this horrible, but it also potentially violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,” they continued. “Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy, in any education program or activity receiving federal assistance.” If passed by the Georgia House of Representatives and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, the law would impact public and participating private schools in Georgia. Sen. Kim Jackson, Georgia’s first LGBTQ State Senator, recalled her experience in youth sports as a lesbian woman on the floor, likening the character attacks on gay athletes to SB 435. 6 News Briefs March 4, 2022
SB 435 would prevent trans students from participating on gender-affirming sports teams. PHOTO BY PEXELS.COM “In the early 2000s, adults said really cruel things to me about gay athletes,” she said. “They made straight athletes feel afraid by suggesting a gay athlete would touch them inappropriately during games. As I stand here today, the very same accusations and mischaracterizations that were hurled at me 20 years ago are not being used to harm a new generation of children. I want you to know that they were wrong to be afraid of us and to deny our dignity then. And they are wrong to be afraid of you and to deny your dignity now.” In a May 2021 interview with Georgia Voice, Shannon Clawson, the Outreach Manager at Georgia Equality, called bills like SB 435 “solutions in search of a problem.” Harbin, who took no questions from colleagues during the debate, has appeared to confirm this, as he has said he was not aware of any real transgender students who took the spots of cisgender girls on school sports teams. The bill now goes to the House for consideration. The House currently consists of 107 Republicans and 77 Democrats.
GLAAD Reveals LGBTQ Voting Motivations and Attitudes with New Poll
GLAAD has released their 2022 LGBTQ Voter Pulse Poll, which gauges and tracks motivation, enthusiasm, and issues ahead of
the 2022 midterm elections. According to the poll, 83 percent of LGBTQ likely voters said they would probably or vote in the midterm election this November. Compared to the 2020 presidential election, 48 percent said they were more motivated to vote in this upcoming election. When it comes to the issues most important to LGBTQ voters, COVID-19 response topped the list. 32 percent of all polled selected it as one of the most important issues that candidates for office must address in 2022. This could be due to the impact COVID-19 had on the LGBTQ community. 46 percent of those polled said they experienced increased mental health issues due to COVID-19 (particularly among 18–24-year-olds at 64 percent), 27 percent increased their personal debt to make ends meet, 23 percent tested positive for COVID, and 23 percent reported they had a close friend or family member die due to COVID-19. Among other important issues to LGBTQ voters is jobs and the economy (28 percent), healthcare (25 percent), the environment (23 percent), inflation (19 percent), racial justice (18 percent), voting rights (15 percent), and LGBTQ equality (11 percent). TheGeorgiaVoice.com
LOVE WHAT IS LEFT UNSPOKEN,
MARCH 25–AUGUST 14 | HIGH MUSEUM OF ART | HIGH.ORG
What Is Left Unspoken, Love will present contemporary artworks that address the different ways the most important thing in life—love—is expressed. As poet and painter Etel Adnan wrote, love is “not to be described, it is to be lived.” The exhibition will feature nearly seventy works, including paintings, sculpture, photography, video, and media art, by more than thirty-five international artists.
What Is Left Unspoken, Love is organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. F U N D I N G P R OV I D E D BY T H E
Taylor Family Fund
PREMIER EXHIBITION SERIES SPONSOR
PREMIER EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS
BENEFACTOR EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS
ACT Foundation, Inc. Sarah and Jim Kennedy Louise Sams and Jerome Grilhot Dr. Joan H. Weens Estate
Robin and Hilton Howell
Rina Banerjee (Indian, born 1963), Take me, take me, take me … to the Palace of love (detail), 2005, plastic, antique Anglo-Indian Bombay dark wood chair, steel and copper framework, floral picks, foam balls, cowrie shells, quilting pins, red-colored moss, antique stone globe, glass, synthetic fabric, shells, and fake birds, courtesy of the artist. © Rina Banerjee.
NEWS
High School Musical Theater Competition First in the Nation to Add Non-Gendered Acting Category Katie Burkholder The ArtsBridge Foundation’s Schuler Awards will include the nation’s first ever nongendered category.
Schuler Awards is the nation’s first program of its kind to institute such a change.
The Schuler Awards is a statewide high school musical theater awards program designed to increase awareness, advocacy, and support for Georgia’s arts education programs, to develop and foster growing talent by providing learning and performance opportunities, and to cultivate and nurture productive relationships among Georgia’s promising thespians and educators.
“This category will recognize and celebrate students of any gender who performed in supporting roles in their school’s production,” said Angela Farr Schiller, the director of arts education for ArtsBridge Foundation, “and the two highest-scoring students will be jointly awarded as this year’s recipients for the supporting performer award, a change to greater serve Georgia high school musical theatre students who identify across the entire gender spectrum.”
Starting this year, the awards will include a nongendered performance category, combining previous categories of supporting actress and actor into a supporting performer category. The
This year’s Schuler Awards will take place on April 21 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Red carpet arrivals and live musical performances will be broadcast statewide live
8 News March 4, 2022
via Georgia Public Broadcasting. High school theater students and departments will be judged in 17 categories with finalists to be announced in March. The categories include direction, music direction, orchestra, lighting/scenic design, sound, lighting, technical execution, showstopper, choreography, ensemble, overall production, costumes, and best performances by a leading actress and actor, supporting performers and a featured performer. In 2021, the competition added a Show-Must-Go-On Spotlight Award. The leading actress and actor winners will travel to New York City as Georgia’s entrants for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards program and participate in the awards show at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway on June 27.
This year, 50 public and private high schools will be participating. Fulton County leads the entries with 10 competing schools, followed by Gwinnett with seven and Cobb with six. Participating schools span 18 of Georgia’s counties. “While just over half of the Shuler Awards competitors are from Metro Atlanta high schools, it’s exciting to see participating schools spanning our state, from Brunswick on the southeast coast to Calhoun in the northwest Georgia mountains,” said Farr Schiller. “While many aspects of the Shuler Awards uphold longstanding traditions, format updates also enable participating schools, our volunteer adjudicators and the ArtsBridge Foundation team to work smarter not harder with a fun and fair competition for everyone.”
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
NATIONAL NEWS
White House Reiterates Concern for LGBTQ Ukrainians after Russia Invasion Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association
LGBTQ Victory Institute President Annise Parker on Thursday echoed calls for the U.S. to protect LGBTQ Ukrainian activists and other vulnerable groups.
A Biden administration official said the U.S. has “engaged directly” with LGBTQ Ukrainians and other groups that Russia may target if it gains control of their country. “We have engaged directly with these populations to direct them to programs that offer emergency assistance to address relocation, medical expenses or other unexpected costs,” the official told the Washington Blade. “And we have engaged with allies and partners to try to ensure that those who must flee Ukraine have somewhere to go.” The official noted that “based on Russia’s past behavior, it is reasonable to expect that Russia’s authorities would target those who oppose or are perceived to oppose the Russian government’s actions or policies, and/or belong to groups of persons targeted for repression inside Russia. The aforementioned would include leading Ukrainian officials, Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, independent journalists, anticorruption activists, vulnerable populations such as members of some religious and ethnic groups, and LGBTQI+ persons.” “We are also concerned about the safety of persons with disabilities in any conflict situation,” said the official. “We have warned and will continue to warn groups in the categories we think could be targeted based on our understanding of Russia’s past behavior and our knowledge of Russia’s plans in order to enable them to protect themselves or move to places where they might be safer,” added the official. “We’ve been warning the Ukrainian government of all that may be coming, as well.” The official spoke with the Blade less than two days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
“We call on the United States and our allies to ensure the unique vulnerabilities of Ukrainian LGBTQ leaders and civil society are part of all diplomatic talks and negotiations. Their safety must be paramount,” said Parker in a statement. “The future of Ukrainian democracy depends on it.”
Young women with rainbow flags attend the Equality March, organized by the LGBT community June 23, 2019 in Kyiv, Ukraine PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / DMYTRO LARIN The U.S. earlier this week in a letter to U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Russia plans to target LGBTQ Ukrainians and other vulnerable groups the Biden administration official noted to the Blade. A Russian government spokesperson on Tuesday described the claim to the Blade as “propaganda.” The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality and Ukraine Caucuses in a letter they sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said they are “particularly concerned for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Ukrainians and other marginalized groups in Ukraine.”
protected as this crisis unfolds,” it adds. The letter notes Ukraine in recent years “has made great strides towards securing equality for LGBTQ people within its borders and is a regional leader in LGBTQ rights.” These advances include a ban on workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and efforts to protect Pride parades. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last November pledged his country would continue to fight anti-LGBTQ discrimination after he met with President Biden at the White House.
“There is an impending humanitarian emergency in Ukraine and Ukraine’s partners — including the U.S. — must take action to protect Ukrainian lives, with a particular focus on minority communities,” reads the letter. “LGBTQ Ukrainians as well as Ukrainians with disabilities, the elderly, and other marginalized groups face greater hurdles in seeking safety as a Russian incursion into Ukraine begins.”
“LGBTQ civil society in Ukraine is robust and visible with numerous LGBTQ groups officially registered as non-governmental entities,” reads the letter to Blinken. “While there is still work to do, these advancements stand in stark contrast to Russia’s positions on LGBTQ equality. Increased Russian government influence on the lives of Ukrainians is likely to be incredibly harmful to the rights of LGBTQ people in Ukraine.”
“We must safeguard the rights of marginalized people in Ukraine and ensure they are
The State Department has not responded to the Blade’s request for comment on the letter.
The Global Equality Caucus, a group of LGBTQ elected officials from around the world that fights discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, share Parker’s concerns. “We are concerned that Russia’s subversion of Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty has put human rights defenders in the country at immediate risk,” said the group on Friday in a statement. “We call on governments worldwide to recognize the humanitarian impact of this invasion and to take necessary action to ensure any Ukrainian at risk of persecution can be guaranteed safety elsewhere.” A Wider Bridge and more than a dozen other LGBTQ Jewish organizations in the U.S. and around the world on Friday condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and expressed their “solidarity with the people of Ukraine.” The groups, along with the Global Equality Caucus and the Victory Institute, are also concerned for LGBTQ Ukrainians and other groups, including Jewish Ukrainians, inside Ukraine. “The Ukrainian Jewish and LGBTQ communities face particularly acute vulnerabilities,” reads the groups’ statement. “They have historically been marginalized and continue to face ongoing discrimination. We are deeply concerned that LGBTQ people overall and LGBTQ Jews, in particular, will be subject to scapegoating in what may become a vast humanitarian crisis.” March 4, 2022 National News 9
presents
March 18-22, 2022 With the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra Cobb Performing Arts Centre
Experience one of ballet’s grand romantic ghost stories—a tale of love, betrayal, madness & passion. For tickets go to atlantaballet.com or call at 800-982-2787. Groups of 10+, email groupsales@atlantaballet.com Supported by:
Jessica Assef & Denys Nadak.. Photo by Rachel Neville.
2022-23 SEASON |
SEDUCTIVE
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ADVENTUROUS
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LEGENDARY
Das Rheingold production rendering: Erhard Rom
BREATHTAKING
MADAMA BUTTERFLY | DON GIOVANNI | CANDIDE | DAS RHEINGOLD
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SPRING ARTS
Spring Theater, Arts, and Music Roundup Katie Burkholder
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations
Fox Theatre March 8 through 13 The electrifying, new smash-hit Broadway musical follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silkysmooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. Buy tickets at foxtheatre.org.
A Chorus Line
City Springs Theatre March 11 through 27 A Chorus Line is a stunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerhouse number after another. Buy tickets at cityspringstheatre.com.
Bina’s 6 Apples
Alliance Theatre March 11 through 27 Bina’s family grows the finest apples in all of Korea. But when war forces her to flee her home, Bina is alone in the world with just
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations COURTESY PHOTO BY FOX THEATRE six precious apples to her name. Can these meager possessions help her find her family? Buy tickets at alliancetheatre.org.
When Last We Flew
Out Front Theatre March 17 through April 2 After stealing his local library’s only copy of “Angels in America,” misfit teenager Paul locks himself in the bathroom and begins reading the landmark play. He soon finds that his life and the lives of those around him in his small Kansas suburb are about to take flight, and over the course of a seemingly ordinary day, extraordinary things start to happen. Buy tickets at outfronttheatre.com.
Legacy of Light
Bina’s 6 Apples COURTESY PHOTO BY ALLIANCE THEATRE 12 Spring Arts March 4, 2022
Synchronicity Theatre March 18 through April 10 Two women scientists from different worlds — France in the 1700s and modern-day New Jersey — share the common bonds of motherhood, ambition, balance, and love. This relevant and contemporary comedy
takes us through the science of planets, dark matter, philosophy, and fertility, as it explores what women contribute to the worlds of science and family. Buy tickets at synchrotheatre.com.
I AM ATL Woman
7 Stages March 25 through 27 “I AM ATL Woman” is Giwayen Mata’s premier performance work dedicated to the actual lived experiences of our native Atlanta company members and audience members alike, who in addition to being southern women, have also grown up in families with significant African diasporic identities. Buy tickets at 7stages.org.
What is Left Unspoken, Love
High Museum March 25 through August 14 This exhibit, featuring contemporary artworks from 1987 to 2021, address the different ways the most important thing in life — love — is expressed. Buy tickets at high.org.
Intimate Apparel
Actor’s Express March 26 through April 17 In 1905 New York, an independent woman creates beautiful lingerie for clients that range from white society mavens on the Upper East Side to prostitutes in the Tenderloin district. As she works toward her dream of opening a beauty salon for Black women, she earns the trust, respect and friendship of her diverse customers. And when she enters into a romantic correspondence with a mysterious pen pal, her quest for empowerment and self-actualization takes unexpected turns. Buy tickets at actors-express.com.
Bottoms Up! Drag Brunch with Roxxxy Andrews
City Winery March 27 Enjoy this boozy drag brunch featuring special guest Roxxxy Andrews from “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” hosted by Wussy Mag. Buy tickets at citywinery.com. CONTINUES ON PAGE 14 TheGeorgiaVoice.com
Rubyversary APRIL 10 @ 3pm & 7:30pm
APRIL 30 @ 2pm & 7pm
CITY SPRINGS BYERS THEATRE
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
This exciting Rubyversary show will include some of the favorite songs the AGMC has performed over the last 40 years. Our previous Artistic Directors will join the celebration by returning to conduct some of their favorite pieces. In addition to past favorites, we will be premiering several new pieces, including one by legendary Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, as we look toward the future of this chorus. With a featured performance by a Broadway superstar, and WSBTV’s Jorge Estevez as the Master of Ceremonies, this is certain to be an unforgettable event.
Finding Home captures the many concepts of what home is to individuals. There are so many songs that speak of and to the concept of home, whether that is the place you grew up, where you live now, the people that mean the most to you, your home town, your chosen family, heavenly home, or your country. Whether you are running away from home, coming back home, or searching for home, it has is special place for you.
For information and tickets visit
www.VoicesOfNote.org
SPRING ARTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Tribute Concert
The Grand Theatre April 9 In honor of the Booth Museum’s Kenny Rogers exhibit, they will host a tribute Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers concert featuring Dave Karl, a member of Legends in Concert in Las Vegas, as Kenny and Karen Hester, who recently won “Clash of the Cover Bands,” as Dolly. Buy tickets at boothmuseum.org and thegrandtheatre.org.
AGMC’s Rubyversary
City Springs Byers Theatre April 10 This exciting Rubyversary show will include some of the favorite songs the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus has performed over the last 40 years. Buy tickets at voicesofnote.org.
Snow White
Atlanta Ballet 2 at Gas South Theater April 15 through 17 Magic Mirror on the wall, which enchanting fairy tale ballet will be enjoyed by one and all? In this one-hour ballet version of Snow White choreographed by Bruce Wells, audiences will enjoy following the young heroine and her prince as they outwit the schemes of the Evil Queen. Buy tickets at atlantaballet.com.
Todrick Hall: The Femuline Tour
Atlanta Symphony Hall April 22 Multi-talented LGBTQ icon Todrick Hall brings his international tour to Atlanta. Buy tickets through at todrickhall.com.
BenDeLaCreme is… READY TO BE COMMITTED COURTESY PHOTO BY VARIETY PLAYHOUSE
BenDeLaCreme is… READY TO BE COMMITTED
Variety Playhouse April 27 “RuPaul’s Drag Race” icon BenDeLaCreme comes to Atlanta on her spring tour with this one-queen extravaganza blending burlesque, comedy, and original music with her signature Terminally Delightful charm. Buy tickets at bendelacreme.com.
AWC’s Finding Home
Grace United Methodist Church April 30 The Atlanta Women’s Chorus will perform songs that speak of and to the concept of home, whether that is the place you grew up, where you live now, the people that mean the most to you, your hometown, your chosen family, heavenly home, or your country. Buy tickets at voicesofnote.org.
Homos, Or Everyone in America
Todrick Hall OFFICIAL PHOTO 14 Spring Arts March 4, 2022
Out Front Theatre May 5 through 21 “Love is love” — but is navigating it any less complicated today? Told through interweaving glimpses into the life of an everyday couple unexpectedly confronted by a vicious crime, this play is a fearless,
funny, heart-on-its-sleeve examination of the moments that can bring two people together — or pull them apart. Buy tickets at outfronttheatre.com.
“Bootycandy” is an audacious series of subversive vignettes that explore what it means to grow up gay and Black in America. Buy tickets at actors-express.com.
Roe
TRADING PLACES
Horizon Theatre May 6 through June 12 In turns shocking, humorous and poignant, Roe reflects the fierce debate over Roe vs. Wade through the personal journey of “Jane Roe” herself. This historically sweeping play by award- winning author Lisa Loomer cuts through the headlines to reveal the twists and turns in the amazing true story of Roe in the years following the fateful decision. Buy tickets at horizontheatre.com.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Atlanta Symphony Hall May 6 through 7 Join the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for the ultimate cinematic experience as the movie is displayed on a 40-ft screen while the symphony performs the film score live. Buy tickets at aso.org.
Bootycandy
Actor’s Express May 12 through June 12
Alliance Theatre May 25 through June 26 Inspired by the iconic and beloved 1983 Paramount Pictures film, “Trading Places” is a hilarious and contemporary musical reimagining of the prince and pauper fable. Billie Rae Valentine, a savvy hustler down on her luck, and Louis Winthorpe III, a minted commodities-trading firm director, have their lives deliberately switched by the devious Duke brothers to settle a petty bet in an outrageous debate of nature versus nurture. Buy tickets at alliancetheatre.org.
Fannie
Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre June 14 through July 10 Fannie Lou Hamer was the baby of her family, who were sharecroppers with 19 children before her. After working on plantations for most of her adult life, she joined the Civil Rights movement. Three years after attending a rally, she co-founded a new political party to advocate for Black voting rights. Buy tickets at truecolorstheatre.org. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
SPRING ARTS
The Ins and Outs of DIY Curation and Freelance Artistry “When you’re curating something, if you have an excess of applications and you’re gonna have to cut down some, it’s worth making sure that there is diversity in the things that you’re choosing,” Avers said.
Divine Ikpe On the weekend of February 12–13, The Bakery hosted “Oh Baby,” a Valentine’s Daythemed DIY exhibit curated by Abbie Argo, Hannah Hendricks, and Chrysta Avers. Avers is a multimedia artist who makes anticapitalist, introspective queer art. She started curating shows in college at Oglethorpe University because there were so many talented artists there who had nowhere at the university to showcase their work. Argo was in the same class as Avers and was also active in the Oglethorpe arts community, but did not curate their first exhibit until 2019 with the Y2K and ’90s-themed “Lisa Freak” show at The Bakery. In addition to curating, Argo is a queer nonbinary and disabled “folk pop” artist who primarily creates digital and acrylic work. Hendricks is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores religious trauma, accessibility to health care for women, and more. She first started curating shows during the last year of her undergraduate program, when she won a grant to work with a nonprofit. She spent the whole year helping to set up exhibits every month and creating a database of local artists to reach out to. Although she has curated before, “Oh Baby” was her first public installation. The three spoke to Georgia Voice about the ins and outs of DIY art curation, gave a behindthe-scenes look at what goes into local, queer-dominant exhibits like “Oh Baby,” and provided useful tips for others who want to embark on creating their own exhibits. Local galleries will have open calls for exhibits. Those looking to curate their own exhibit can also approach the gallery directory either through email or in person to pitch their exhibit idea. Local DIY venues are generally the best bet for someone just starting out. Knowing someone at the venue might speed up the process, but it’s not necessary. 16 Spring Arts March 4, 2022
The finances of art can be difficult to navigate overall, but there are a variety of ways to assure that you actually get paid for your work. Too often do people approach artists for commissions and then ghost them once it’s time to pay. In order to prevent that from happening to them, Avers has clients pay half when the draft sketch is done and the other half when the full piece is done. Argo always gets their money upfront, and Hendricks charges per hour. Once you decide your rates, be transparent about them. You can even share a price breakdown with the client if you feel like you need to. Limit the number of edits you’re willing to do within your agreed price point. Argo suggests a three-edit limit: “If you want more than this from me, then I’ll have to get more money from you.” A sliding scale is also a helpful tool to increase accessibility to the artwork. From left: Hannah Hendricks, Abbie Argo, and Chrysta Avers.
PHOTO BY DIVINE IKPE
Three months is the bare minimum of time needed to really put together a quality show from beginning to end. It’s not just choosing and hanging up art; it’s also making a call for art forms, marketing, making flyers, and more.
Argo said. “The world is such a serious place to be right now and … art [should] be a direct pushback against that. I think to be silly is a direct rebellion against how shitty Earth is right now.”
When deciding on an exhibit theme, a curator has to decide whether it will be serious or more lighthearted. They must pay attention to the current art trends or what important social issues people feel passionate about and will move them to attend the show.
There are a lot of costs to DIY exhibition. One typically have to front their own money, and it takes up immense personal time as well. It’s a risk, because whether it will pay off or not in the end is up in the air. When choosing artists, having an open call for art is a great way to ensure diversity and proper representation in a show. A wide variety of artists typically respond, especially to shows that are free.
“I am very passionate about silliness … when I pick a theme. It’s like, does it make me laugh? Will it make other people laugh?”
“Artistic creation has value unto itself,” Argo said. “I think that’s a major issue that a lot of artists are experiencing right now, especially those who are trying to make it their fulltime job or even their part-time job. People who don’t understand the time and energy it takes to hone a craft will look down on art as something that isn’t a ‘hard’ medium. It’s just not valued in the way that [careers in] STEM and things of that nature are valued. Artists deserve to be paid for their time and energy; it’s something that we all use every day whether we realize it or not and it’s worth being paid for.” Find Avers’, Hendricks’, and Argo’s art on Instagram @toolshedbaby, @hauteofdeer, and @sedangogh, respectively. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
PRESENTS
Through the Years:
KENNY ROGERS’
Photographs of America
Over 60 Photographs of amazing landscapes, working people, and celebrities
On view through July 10
KENNY & DOLLY
Tribute Concert
Featuring Karen Hester as Dolly (Clash of the Cover Bands winner on E!) & Dave Karl as Kenny (from Legends in Las Vegas) BoothMuseum.org/KennyRogers
SPRING ARTS
From Economic to Abstract: Meet New Artist Joe Micacchione “[My art is like] the way I live my life: it’s very abstract with pops of color. I was never really drawn to realism. For me, I just start with a blank canvas and let my emotions direct what happens. There’s beauty in the chaos, which is fun.”
Katie Burkholder With a background in finance, the last thing Joe Micacchione expected to find himself doing today is art. Yet the brand new, selftaught abstract artist is making a name for himself in Atlanta with his colorful and expressive pieces. For Micacchione, his art represents his decision to take newfound control over his life and create joy for himself. By December 2021, he had spent seven years in the world of finance, graduating from UGA and working at companies like Fidelity and Invesco. However, he left the industry after the sudden realization that he wasn’t happy.
— Artist Joe Micacchione to be creative,” he said. “… This has been super scary. It hasn’t been smooth sailing, but I would say — for me at least — the complacency was where I found my darkest times. When you do something that you’re not accustomed to, there’s an excitement that builds. The only way to get that excitement is to go out there and do it. For everybody out there reading this, if there’s anything you’ve been wanting to do, there’s never a right time. You just have to get out there and try it, because what is failure other than growth?”
“Out of [my career], I got into a darker place, a little bit of depression and wondering what I was going to do for the rest of my life,” Micacchione said. “I wasn’t happy with work.” It was in September when he decided to do something about his depression and picked up a paintbrush. “[My painting practice] developed over a month into something I did every day,” he said. “I started realizing that [painting] was what made me the happiest and work was something I dreaded five days a week. So, I started reevaluating my focus, and that became painting.” The artist was immediately drawn to abstract art. His pieces consist of bright swirls, shapes, and swaths of color spanning a variety of techniques. He sees the medium as a means of expressing himself and his life philosophy. “[My art is like] the way I live my life: it’s very abstract with pops of color,” he said. “I was never really drawn to realism. For me, I just start with a blank canvas and let my emotions direct what happens. There’s 18 Spring Arts March 4, 2022
Artist Joe Micacchione PHOTO BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD beauty in the chaos, which is fun.” As an expression of self, Micacchione’s art is also influenced by his sexuality. Living on the outskirts of heteronormativity as a gay man has more easily allowed him to pursue a nontraditional path for himself, one that is defined by his desires and passions and not what the external world expects of him. “My sexuality has heightened creativity,” he said. “It’s pushed me to think outside the box and realize the traditional box is not where I
need to be living. That’s where a lot of my depression came from: I was constantly trying to live in a box that someone else determined was right. That’s why I got into finance. Being a gay man, that has taught me that maybe nontraditional is the best way.” Micacchione hopes that his art and his story will inspire others like him to forgo society’s expectations in pursuit of what truly makes them happy. “There’s space in the art world for everyone
Micacchione’s work is available for purchase on his website, jpmicacchione.com, starting at $425, and will be on sale at the Scott Antique Market March 10 through 13 at the Atlanta Expo Center (3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE). He also offers commissioned work where clients can customize the piece they’d like down to the size, color palette, and technique through his website. Micacchione is also doing pieces for the Schenck School for students with dyslexia and Pace Academy’s silent auction in April. For those looking to engage with his art on a deeper level, Micacchione posts behindthe-scenes clips of his artistic process on his Instagram, @j.micacchione. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
A WORLD PREMIERE PLAY FOR ALL AGES
MAR 11–27, 2022
on the COCA-COLA STAGE Often mesmerizing, always heartwarming — a story of one girl’s difficult quest for a place to call home. By
LLOYD SUH
Directed by
ERIC TING
“A must-see” – Star Tribune
“Brimming with heart and vivid characters.”
MAY 25–JUN 26
– Pioneer Press
on the COCA-COLA STAGE
A hilarious world-premiere musical inspired by the beloved film, directed by Kenny Leon. Book by
THOMAS LENNON
Music & Lyrics by
ALAN ZACHARY & MICHAEL WEINER
Choreography by
Tickets on sale now at
FATIMA ROBINSON
alliancetheatre.org // 404.733.4600 1280 PEACHTREE ST NE // ATL ANTA , GA 30309
Directed by
KENNY LEON
SPRING ARTS
A Conversation with Pianist, Composer, and Conductor Adam Burnette Sukainah Abid-Kons Adam Burnette is a pianist, conductor, and composer from Chatsworth, Georgia. He has worked across the United States, from the Kennedy Center to Indiana State University, and in Europe. His work was recently featured in NewMusicShelf Anthology of New Music: Trans and Nonbinary Voices, the firstever volume of songs written by and/or for transgender and nonbinary people. Quotes have been edited for clarity. Content warning: suicide. How and when did you first get into music? I think I was always destined to be a musician. I started playing piano when I was three, and I think I was just sort of obsessed with it. There was a teenager who played, and I was just infatuated with what she was doing and with the sound, my parents never really encouraged it, so I just sort of found it myself. I started playing when I was really young, I took one year of lessons when I was five. In sixth grade, I took one year of lessons with this lady who taught classical music. But I couldn’t read music, so I mimicked what she was doing, and after six or seven weeks I would learn a piece [of music]. My teacher was just throwing music at me, and that’s how I learned how to read it. It was sort of trial-by-fire. In tenth grade, I started taking lessons again with a teacher who offered me a full scholarship. The first year it was one lesson a week, and then we started doing two lessons a week. I auditioned at Indiana University and got in. I started choral conducting, and then got into opera conducting and orchestral conducting and I made my debut at 25 at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra. Did you ever find music to be a comfort or type of therapy during difficult times in life? I was playing probably like six hours a day, 20 Spring Arts March 4, 2022
Pianist, composer, and conductor Adam Burnette COURTESY PHOTO and luckily my family never told me to stop. I would wake up in the morning and play before I had a shower, and at night I’d still be playing before bed. I think it’s something about the vibration of the string hitting the key that’s therapeutic, and I just caught onto that at a very early age. [Music] is my identity. Have you found that the classical/ contemporary music world is inclusive of musicians who aren’t straight and/or aren’t cis? Is it a diverse career field at all in this regard? Yes, in the opera world, it’s a nonissue, and it’s fantastic. We’re all in it for the music. If it’s good music it’s good music, whoever wrote it. I think the music world is very inclusive … I’ve played with musicians from all over, Russia, China, Korea, Tunisia, South Africa, Australia, and they’re all fun! There’s a certain universality that we all have, it’s all about the music. One of your upcoming projects is being included in a trans and nonbinary music anthology. What significance do you think it holds for the classical music world?
I think it’s much more important than the classical world. I think it’s good, but I think it’s a statement much larger than the classical world. It’s important for people to see this. What about the anthology made you want to submit your work? I had this childhood friend named Mark, and he was so authentic, and I really dug that. I knew I was gay at four [years old], and I never told anybody. But in 7th grade, I met Mark, and in 8th grade, he was the first person I told. I didn’t see him for 20 years, but then one day I heard he was in town, and we met up again. I could tell that he had lived a very troubled 20 years, that he had really struggled. He had always been in-between, which is why I think he was nonbinary. We’d had a really good day that day, we’d gone up on the mountain and skipped rocks and had a great time. Then I found out that I had gone to bed, and he had killed himself. The next day I sat down at the piano, and I wrote a piece. There were no erasures, it just came out. The last line [of the piece] says that the
birds have died, the flowers will no longer bloom, everything green has died, and now he can cry. I don’t know, that just really spoke to me. I just regret that Mark’s mother passed away two years ago, and she couldn’t see this piece that was written for her son. If you can tell me, I’d love to hear about what your next project is or might be? Do you want to stay in the classical genre, or would you ever consider branching out? I’ve always composed, it’s always been sort of a hobby. Last year I had four pieces published. I was always kind of nervous to send my music out, rejection is pretty harsh and also because compositions are like your children, and if people don’t like your children, it’s not a great feeling, you know? I finally just had the gumption to send stuff out, and it ended up being pretty successful. And hopefully, that will remain the case and the trend will keep going. Finally, who is your favorite composer and why? Bach, all the way. He did it all, man! TheGeorgiaVoice.com
SPRING ARTS
LGBTQ Media Representation at an All-Time High: Some Shows to Watch of queer characters over the years. The 18th season continues the buildup of the relationship of Amelia and Kai, a queer couple whose relationship saw its beginning this season as we watched their casual flirting turn into something more.
Brammhi Balarajan A recent GLAAD report revealed that LGBTQ representation in television is at an all-time high. The number of LGBTQ individuals that appeared on scripted broadcast television jumped to 11.9 percent, up from 9.1 percent last year. Within the LGBTQ community, lesbian women were the most represented on screens. Additionally, there were 42 total regular and recurring trans characters on television platforms. Meanwhile, LGBTQ individuals of color increased on broadcast, but trended downward on cable. Streaming services continue to meet GLAAD’s challenge that ensure that more than half of LGBTQ characters are also people of color. With increasing LGBTQ representation, there’s a vast array of LGBTQ stories to delve into no matter the genre. Here’s a dive into LGBTQ-inclusive shows to binge-watch over the next few months. Whether you’re looking for a workplace comedy, a comingof-age story, or a mature drama, we’ve got something for you.
Dollface
Stella Cole (Shay Mitchell) gets the spotlight in the premiere of the second season of “Dollface” as viewers zoom in on her burgeoning relationship with Liv (Lilly Singh). Since Shay mostly dated men last season, the focus on a queer relationship and a greater emphasis on her sexuality adds much needed nuance to the show. Viewers will watch as Stella shifts away from the party lifestyle she’s grown so accustomed to and faces the prospect of a family and serious relationship for the first time. For South Asian queer teenagers who grew up watching Lilly Singh on YouTube, Lilly Singh and Mitchell portraying queer characters is healing and transformative for the inner child in us all. 22 Spring Arts March 4, 2022
Where: Hulu When: Streaming now
Good Trouble
The cast of Hulu’s “Dollface.” PUBLICITY PHOTO Where: Hulu When: Streaming now
Euphoria
One of Gen Z’s newest addictions, “Euphoria” in its second season grapples with the highs and lows of high school, including the characters’ turbulent relationships with drug abuse, family issues, harmful relationships and more. “Euphoria” follows protagonist Rue (Zendaya), a queer woman, and her love interest Jules (Hunter Schafer), a trans woman. As we watch them grapple with their traumas and explore their relationships, this show will pull at your heartstrings and keep you invested — even if you’re typically not a fan of high school shows. Where: HBO Max When: Streaming now
How I Met Your Father
This spinoff of “How I Met Your Mother” features an all-new cast that follows Sophie (Hilary Duff) as she tells the tale of how she got together with her children’s father. Unlike in “How I Met Your Mother,” we know that the father is one of the men who appear in the first episode, although it’s a mystery as to who. Ellen, a member of the
core friend group, goes through her journey of beginning to date after her divorce from her ex-wife and experiencing the pains and joys of dating in the bustling city of New York. Ellen’s disastrous but relatable dating experiences are refreshing for anyone who’s ever been on a dating app. Where: Hulu When: Streaming now
Space Force
Forget “The Office.” “Space Force” brings the workplace comedy-drama to new heights. The series follows efforts to expand the United States armed forces with a brandnew Space Force that works to launch a satellite into space. Head Scientist Mallory (John Malkovich) is openly gay and works with the supporting cast of scientists and workers to explore new realms amidst the chaos of workplace dynamics. Where: Netflix When: Streaming now
Grey’s Anatomy
“Grey’s Anatomy” and its ever-evolving group of doctors are back once again with season 18. The show has featured a variety
“Good Trouble” is a more mature spinoff of “The Fosters” for those longing for a more adult vibe. It follows Callie and Mariana and their group of friends in their communal living abode. More explicit and crass than its predecessor, this show doesn’t hesitate to tackle hard topics and strives for the unconventional. Intersectionality is at the forefront, and there’s plenty of queer representation, including Alice Kwan (Sherry Cola) and Gael Martinez (Tommy Martinez). These characters are not relegated to a side plot, but are rather given their own unique storylines and relationships throughout the series. Where: Hulu When: Streaming now
Love, Victor
Based on the hit movie “Love, Simon,” “Love, Victor” follows a completely new cast. After a move, Victor (Michael Cimino) tries to come to terms with his sexuality and his burgeoning feelings for Benji (George Sear) despite his relationship with Mia (Rachel Hilson). Luckily, Victor has a support system in awkward but lovable Felix (Anthony Turpel) as he navigates the pressures of school and family. “Love, Victor” shows some muchneeded representation of queer characters of color, and Victor’s storyline is immensely more relatable for queer viewers of color. Watch out for a guest appearance from Simon! Where: Hulu When: Season 3 premiering June 15 TheGeorgiaVoice.com
2021–2022
UPCOMING CONCERTS
CANDLER CONCERT SERIES KITTEL & CO.
From Bach to Bluegrass Friday, March 18 | 8 P.M.
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS WIND ENSEMBLE with Simon Crawford-Phillips, piano Saturday, April 9 | 8 P.M.
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Wind Ensemble © Benjamin Ealovega
COMING SOON SCHWARTZ CENTER 20TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT
TICKETS | 404.727.5050
schwartz.emory.edu/voice
Anne-Sophie Mutter © Cory Weaver
SPRING ARTS
‘It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful’: Jack Lowery’s Debut Looks at Gran Fury’s Art and Propaganda Fletcher Varnson Jack Lowery’s debut book, “It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful: How AIDS Activists Used Art to Fight a Pandemic,” clears up a hitherto opaque view into Gran Fury, a collective of artists who designed famous images for the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) in the 1980s and ’90s. But more than that, Lowery explores the boundaries between art and propaganda, taking Gran Fury’s posters and seeing how they can represent both the beauty of a painting and the vulgarity of a political slogan. Gran Fury first started in New York as the Silence=Death Project. Its famous 1987 poster featuring the movement’s name and the pink triangle used to signify homosexuals in the Holocaust had a powerful impact on public consciousness and brought attention to the AIDS pandemic. However, as this poster — along with much of Gran Fury’s later work — has become historicized, it is often presented devoid of the historical and personal contexts from which it was born. “I think a lot of people encounter Gran Fury’s work in a museum setting,” Lowery told Georgia Voice. “In particular, it is often divorced from Gran Fury’s mission. Their work was meant to be used, it was meant to be out in public. But it also was meant to be about what was happening in the AIDS crisis and ACT UP at that moment, or how the work speaks to it or reflects it or challenges it or pushes it forward. That’s something I see missing a lot.” “It was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful” occupies this vacant space Lowery saw in the conversation about Gran Fury, illuminating contexts often left in darkness. Lowery states in the book’s introduction that he will follow the 11 individuals who made up the collective, but his telling of their story begins with the partners and friends they lost. In this way, “It was Vulgar & It Was 24 Spring Arts March 4, 2022
Above: Author Jack Lowery PHOTO BY BY GREGORY WIKSTROM; Right: “It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful” COURTESY IMAGE Beautiful” emphasizes not just the creative minds behind the art but the personal and sociopolitical forces that propelled Gran Fury in its mission to fight against AIDS. Indeed, Gran Fury had an explicit mission with its art that makes it teeter on the edge of propaganda. Avram Finkelstein, one of the founding members of Silence=Death and Gran Fury, even says in Lowery’s book, “Before anything else, I am a propagandist,” and that he “will do anything to get a point across.” Gran Fury was a part of the battle to bring attention to the AIDS crisis and to eliminate the disease; its posters were designed using marketing tactics to make participating in this battle as appealing as possible. Distinguishing the collective’s art from propaganda is thus a difficult task. “All art is forcing some idea onto you,”
Lowery said. “Looking at art is agreeing to let someone force their ideas onto you, in a way. I think propaganda has a more predetermined outcome that it wants to elicit out of you. It has a more ‘I want you to think this’ attitude, where art is less predetermined about what it wants you to think or do after having seen it.” But when it comes to Gran Fury, this distinction between art and propaganda seems to fade away. After all, the subtitle of Lowery’s book is “How AIDS Activists Used Art to Fight a Pandemic,” not how they used propaganda. “Gran Fury would use the terms art and propaganda interchangeably,” Lowery said. “Some of their pieces leaned toward one side more than the other. But I don’t think they have to be exclusive.”
Gran Fury’s work does indeed show that art’s suggestiveness and propaganda’s messaging do not have to be in conflict with one another. As Lowery shows in his book, when Gran Fury started as the Silence=Death Project, its work was meant to bring attention to AIDS, to get people discussing and thinking about it so as to destigmatize the disease. Asking people to talk and demanding them to think a certain way are two different things. “One thing that Gran Fury did that I found myself continually compelled by when writing this book was that what they were often trying to do was to get people to think differently about a particular issue or topic and not just tell you to vote ‘no,’” said Lowery. Lowery works alongside Gran Fury in “It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful,” getting people to think differently about the group’s work and the AIDS epidemic by providing insight into lives of the collective’s members and the community of people they helped to survive. “It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful” will be published by Hachette Book Group, Inc., and released April 5. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
Join us MAR 20 | SUN: 3pm
A new way to Symphony! A Group for LGBTQ & Friends $55/person includes: • 1 concert ticket • Post-concert private cocktail reception • Musician Meet & Greet $20 for current ticket holders
R. STRAUSS: Death and Transfiguration
MOZART: Requiem
Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor Martina Janková, soprano Sara Mingardo, mezzo-soprano Kenneth Tarver, tenor Burak Bilgili, bass ASO Chorus
aso.org/ unison 222-AD-GA Voice.Unison.indd 1
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
2/24/22 2:45 PM
March 4, 2022 Ads 25
JIM FARMER ACTING OUT
Tyler Perry’s Newest ‘Madea’ Movie Makes History with Gay Character Jim Farmer Tyler Perry has been playing his “Madea” character for more than 20 years, first on stage and now in film, but the latest film in the franchise makes history. For the first time, in “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming” — which is now streaming on Netflix — the series has a gay character, played by actor Brandon Black. In the new comedy, Perry reprises his titular role and plays others in his family as well. The film also stars Brendan O’Carroll, who plays the character of Agnes Brown. As they all gather together for a happy day, some secrets come to the surface. Black plays Tim, Madea’s great-grandson. He is coming to her house to celebrate his graduation and being his college’s valedictorian. “He is stressing about that, but he also has something he needs to announce to his family and that would be that he is gay,” Black told Georgia Voice. “That overshadows the speech for him.” The actor said there are gay people in most families, so it makes sense to see a gay greatgrandson here. As an out actor, he is happy that he got a chance to play the role. “This movie has a message for everyone,” Black said. “I feel that everybody is represented. Everyone will see themselves in this movie and you see everyone accepting Tim for who he is.” As the writer and director of the film, Perry agreed. “I have been working with Covenant House many many years and a lot of those kids there were LGBTQ+ kids who were put 26 Columnist March 4, 2022
“Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming” PUBLICITY PHOTO out of their house because they were gay and ended up homeless and in the streets,” Perry said. “I have a house in Wyoming and there is never a time when I land there don’t think of Matthew Shepard and what he went through. To take a character that is so iconic to so many people and have her embrace and love [her great-grandson], I hope that is an example that is set for many people around the world.” The character of Madea has changed since he first brought her into the world, Perry said. “Over the years she’s still got the heart and the soul and all the things she has had in the beginning,” he said. “For me, she is about making people laugh, to use the laughter as an anesthetic to get to real issues that are plaguing us. So I think she has become open to things in life. That has come with age and wisdom.”
Yet Perry wouldn’t want to keep returning to the character if it were just to make people laugh. He wants to do good with the character. “Once you are laughing, you find yourself open and unarmed and relaxed and able to hear things,” he said. “That is when I like to drop a message in every now and then. One of the most important ones here is living your life, for Tim and also his mother, who is in love with a younger man. Live your life. You have one chance at this — go for it.” Black was part of the ensemble of the LGBTQ-inclusive “Dear White People,” also on Netflix, which was his first foray into a long-term TV role. “It was an amazing experience,” he said. “It was exciting to be on something for four
years and explore this character, who was very religious. I was playing with why that is, in my own head. I personally believe Pastor Kordell was gay, but it never gets revealed, so for me it’s the fun of justifying why he is so intense about preaching the word.” “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming” was made at the prolific Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios, also the shooting location for several TV series. For Perry, it’s been an extraordinary year. He was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy Awards in 2021 and is also part of the comedy, “Don’t Look Up,” which is nominated for a Best Picture Oscar as well as a SAG Award for Best Ensemble.
MORE INFO “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming” is now streaming on Netflix.
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JIM FARMER ACTING OUT
New Film, ‘Give or Take’ Explores Gay Themes; Out Performer Plays Central Role in ‘The Barber of Seville’ Jim Farmer Prolific actor Norbert Leo Butz has won two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, for “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “Catch Me if You Can.” He has also been seen on television in the Emmy Awardwinning “Bloodline,” co-starring Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Sam Shepard, Linda Cardellini and Sissy Spacek. It was while working on that series that he received the script for “Give or Take,” his newest film. In it, Martin (Jamie Effros) returns home to Cape Cod after the death of his father, Kenneth, and discovers that his father was in a relationship with Ted (Butz). The two men have to navigate a difficult situation and future as they prepare for a funeral and the selling of a home. Butz was looking for something lighter to do after “Bloodline” and loved the script by Paul Riccio and Effros right away. “It moved me and made me laugh,” he told Georgia Voice. “It was a very honest depiction of grief, of what everybody has to reckon with at some point. Ted has lost his partner of several years. While they were not married, they had what they thought
“Give or Take” PUBLICITY PHOTOS was a common law marriage.” The actor especially loved the film’s tone. “It is interspersed with such gentle humor that it keeps it from being disgustingly sweet or melodramatic or too heavy-handed,” he said. “The characters were generous hearted, even though they are flawed and some of them have some big character defects.” The character of Kenneth (seen only in photos) has had a full life identifying as a straight man. After his wife passes away, in his 60s he falls in love with a man and re-identifies as a gay man. “He meets Ted and the two fall in love, but there is a class difference between the two men — Kenneth is a wealthy lawyer, there is a class difference,” Butz said. “He is a lawyer and Cape Cod was where he had his summer house. Ted was the landscaper.”
Actor and singer Joseph Lattanzi plays Figaro in “The Barber of Seville.” 28 Columnist March 4, 2022
Because of COVID-19, Butz saw the film for the first time a few weeks ago at the film’s premiere. He’s excited that, thanks to streaming, the film will reach a wider audience.
After growing up in Mableton and moving away to pursue his professional performing career, Joseph Lattanzi is back in the area again, now living in Atlanta. He stars this week in the Atlanta Opera’s “The Barber of Seville.” The baritone plays Figaro, the titular figure. “It’s a romantic comedy,” Lattanzi said. “My character is the man about town. He has his hands in everything and is helping his friend, the count, woo Rosina. It’s silly. The plot of these Italian operas exists just to have great music.” Lattanzi loves the Atlanta Opera and when there is the opportunity to stay in town and do a show there, he jumps at the opportunity. Before this he was in “Pagliacci” under the Opera’s Big Tent. “Seville” is right in his wheelhouse. “I love the blood and guts of other operas, but what I love about Italian opera is that it’s fun and fast paced,” he said. He also feels “Seville” has longevity: “Rossini wrote very accessible music. This opera, this overture has been used a lot all over commercials and pop culture.”
The Atlanta Opera gig is Lattanzi’s first playing the central character. He also appeared in the world premiere production of the opera “Fellow Travelers” in 2016, which dealt with the McCarthy era “lavender scare,” when gays and lesbians were fired from government jobs. He created the role of Hawkins Fuller, who fell in love with another man, and has performed it many times. As a gay man, it was particularly important to him. “These two men find, against the backdrop in time, it’s not possible to have the love and a relationship that we are able to have today.” In high school, the performer always thought he wanted to get out of the South and never come back. Yet his family is here and he’s back and happy, especially seeing how the city is changing and growing.
MORE INFO “Give or Take” is now available on DVD and digital/VOD “The Barber of Seville” Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre March 5–13
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March 4, 2022 Ads 29
MELISSA CARTER THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
The Birth of my Love for Music Melissa Carter There was a wonderland in my home growing up that wasn’t always available to me. My entrance into this favorite place of mine depended on the mood of one teenage boy: my brother. It was in his room that I wanted to hang out, and if I wasn’t being too much of an irritating younger sister, he’d let me. It was a very 1970s bedroom, with blue shag carpet to match the walls and a neon-hued aquarium. I was much younger and would park on his single bed while he rocked in a red-leather chair beside a wall-filling stereo unit. Often, he had his headphones on while I’d stare at his fish, but as I grew older and less fidgety those visits became the catalyst for my love of music. My brother had a large vinyl collection back when vinyl was modern and the artwork and detail that went into the covers alone is truly a lost part of our culture. Our relationship evolved into us playing the albums over his tall speakers and staring at nothing while immersed in the language of rock guitars and drum solos. Noticing and maybe even appreciating my interest in music, he began to quiz me on which artists sang what songs. Those artists included Rush, Alice Cooper, Poco, the Eagles and Led Zeppelin, but the band I wanted to listen to most was the Beatles. They had been broken up for less than a decade at this point, so Beatlemania was still pulsing with energy and a hope for a reunion. My brother had all their LPs and I combed through them, comparing music and hairstyles over the years they were made. Passion is contagious, so his love for and knowledge of the Fab Four rubbed off on 30 Columnist March 4, 2022
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me. When John Lennon was shot, I sat in my brother’s room for a worldwide moment of silence in his honor. My brother eventually graduated from high school and moved away to college. His bedroom turned into a guest room, and the stereo and aquarium went away with him. I was very fortunate to have grown up in an environment with family members who outwardly expressed their love of the arts. I’ve written before about my mother’s lessons, and my brother’s influence directly affected the course of my career as I began to work at a radio station in high school. Today, with the touch of a button on my phone, music can be played throughout my entire house. I also received a record player and some vinyl for Christmas last year, and I have that set up in my living room as well. You can’t discount the influence you have on a child when it comes to their future habits, and if you’re an artistic person at all, showing someone your love of music, your drawings or poems — even if they are a bratty little sibling — could be the best time you’ll ever spend with them. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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