Was I Ever That Young?

[mrdreamjeans]

The 34-member cast of "Wonderful Town" includes 8 interns. The octet (four young men and four young women) ranges in age from 14-19. They're an eager group and their excitement at being part of a major production, touches everyone. They are doing excellent work, though one of the young guys needs to focus and cheer down:) I find it interesting that three of the youngins (male) identify themselves as Gay and are out to family and friends. They all came out at 14! I was speaking to one of the other actors, expressing my surprise at this fact. He's a college theater professor and said that while it's admirable that the Gay teens are so assured and certain, the lack of a closet door actually hinders them in in their acting studies. Because they haven't struggled with coming out or experienced any hardship, they have no frame of reference to play straight. I'm pondering that ... I've never played Gay for pay ... Interesting point ...

Part of the interns' charm is their desire to fit in ... to be fully included in the process of putting the show together, to have the same level of professionalism expected of them, to not be isolated because of their age. They want to be treated the same as everyone else. I agree. Though there are boundaries. They are, after all, teens and inappropriate behavior with them is verboten. Sometimes, their naivete comes shining through and leads to funny moments. During yesterday's tech, I was sent upstairs to the hair department. Chris, the young bearish hair assistant, gave me a close cropped hair cut and shaved parts of my beard. I'm now sporting a mustache and muttonchops and to my surprise, I really like it on me:) When I came back to the stage, the interns came rushing up to me and the following exchange occurred:

15-year old female intern eager to show her knowledge): "Wow, Neil, I really like the pork chops!!!"
Me: "Ummmm...Thank you?"
17-year old male intern out to prove the female intern wrong : "Silly, they're not pork chops, they're lamp chops!" LOL!

Oh well, they kept getting closer ... Was I ever that young? Regardless, I had a picture taken with the new look, wearing my police hat. I'll post it soon!

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I think Gary and you are correctly shooting holes in the conversation. I think I've done a poor job in providing the context of the discussion ... the three Gay teens are all fem which was also part of the conversation ... We were discussing Gay men playing straight who have never kissed a girl, who have never hidden at all ... My snippet is part of a larger chat, but I did question the logic. However, I deferred to Timothy. He's on the front line and was speaking honestly ... from his experience ...

It is called ACTING ... however, you'd be surprised how many men in musical theatre do not get leading roles because they are Gay and the perception, no matter how terrific they are/would be, is that audiences won't believe them as straight. In casting, it is most often Gay directors who won't cast Gay men as romantic leading men.

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

That begs the question then:

Do you think that that is why you've never landed a leading role, because of your sexuality?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It's a good question, Tim. I have done romantic leading man roles, but before I knew you. The performer you've seen and known as your former partner has always been a character actor. My looks have always worked against my voice. Character look ... leading man voice. Red haired, stocky, facial hair ... not tall, dark, slender and handsome ....

I've been very useful in the chorus because I am skilled at creating lots of characters quickly, I have a big, flexible voice with lots of range and I can dance. Leading men and women are often pigeonholed. They may get the celebrity and attention, but don't work as often. I have always chosen work ... to make a living ... to do whatever it takes to pay the bills. I don't honestly believe that I've been the target of discrimination because of my sexuality ... at least in the theater. I have in corporate America. To tell the truth, I don't hide my sexuality, but I also never think about it on stage. I simply try to do the best, most skillful job I can.

I also avoided the casting couch when I was younger and would today if an offer came my way ... I'll tell you a story about a missed opportunity because I didn't go that route. I could have been on BWAY if my standards had been less.

Your question pushed a couple of buttons ... Mostly, because I realize that you perceive me one way, when the reality is/was another. I've been very successful in my career. The reality is that the success had been gained by acknowledging the truth in what I bring to the table.

HUGS!

fair but unkind question

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

Whatever the truth to that question, it seems unkind coming from you, Tim, who, perhaps more than other people, know what Neil can do?
There are politics in the art and design fields just like in corporate, may be more so. That's a fact people in those fields live with and try to get around instead of fighting it - which they should. Ever heard of casting couch? Ego trips? I can tell you stories... But the answer to your question really is: It ain't over til it's over. Neil may well have a few surprises up his sleeve? Stay tune.

Detour on a worthy and TRUE point

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

I caught this comment which deserves a detour as I was leaving:
"It is most often GAY directors who won't cast GAY MEN as romantic leading men" - This is true OFTEN ENOUGH! Whatsup with these queens??? I've seen this happen in the Arts, and in fashion too - of all places!
These queens are UNCLE TOMS who feel that they need to be hard on other queens just cuz we're gay. And they won't cast gay men in leading romantic hetero roles because of their own low-self-esteem as gay men.
It happened to a friend of mine in NY who's a good actor. And years ago in Houston, I dated an emotionally 'tortured' director - not to mention physically down at the Rip Cord on Sat night - who 'actually' expressed this very sentiment. I waited til he neared climax, then got up and left right before he came.