Romeo and Hamlet Opens 2010 GayFest NYC

By Adam Hetrick
06 May 2010

GayFest NYC, the fourth annual celebration of stage works by LGBT writers, launches with Romeo and Hamlet May 6 at the Abingdon Arts Complex.

The U.S. premiere of Romeo and Hamlet by R. Jonathan Chapman and Kevin Stefan runs through May 16. Sidney J. Burgoyne directs the comedy about marriage equality told in the style of William Shakespeare. This time the star crossed lovers are almost Romeo and Juliet, except Romeo meets the dashing Danish prince Hamlet at the ball instead.

The world premiere of F.J. Hartland's Mother Tongue follows May 13-23. A young painter must chose between his new lover and his mother who dreams of a career as a stand-up comedian.

Steve Hayes: Tired Old Queen At The Movies: Live! will run May 24-26. Hayes, John K. Bixler and special guest stars dish on classic movies, offering trivia, an insider's look at the films and what it's like to be a gay boy "raise by Warner Brothers."

The final offering is the world premiere musical This One Girl's Story, running May 27-June 6. Janki (Side Show, Miss Saigon, Actors Fund Hair) will helm the work that has a book by Bil Wright and music and lyrics by Dionne McClain-Freeney.

All proceeds benefit scholarship programs for students of the Harvey Milk High School.

Festival Passports and individual tickets are available by phoning (212) 351-3101 or by visiting GayFestNYC. The Abingdon Arts Complex is located at 312 West 36th Street in Manhattan.