Playbill News: Re-Launched Gayfest NYC to Take Place May 9-June 2

Re-Launched Gayfest NYC to Take Place May 9-June 2

By Zachary Pincus-Roth
February 15, 2007

Gayfest NYC, a festival of plays and musicals that has taken place in the past but is re-launching this year, will be presented at the TBG Arts Center May 9-June 2.

The festival — which includes new works by LGBT authors or works that spotlight gay-friendly subject matter — is produced by Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman.

Board members of Gayfest NYC include Terrence McNally, Kate Clinton, Charles Busch and Mario Cantone.

The main productions are:

Revolution
By Michael D. Jackson
World premiere
May 9-14
According to press notes, the play "depicts the events leading up to the gay liberation movement ignited by the Stonewall Riots in June of 1969."

Competing Narratives
By A.B. Asher
World premiere
May 17-21
"A reclusive straight-appearing former gay activist and his exuberantly gay life partner are visited one day by an African-American journalist who appears white and who is harboring a long-held secret he is finally determined to reveal."

A Kiss From Alexander
Book and lyrics by Stephan DeGhelder
Music by Brad Simmons
Co-produced by Dennis Grimaldi Productions
New York premiere
May 24-June 2
A musical about a director "staging Alexander Was Great!, an over-the-top gay musical that portrays the ancient Macedonian world conqueror as a royal party animal."

Three readings are still to be announced. The festival has also established a new scholarship fund for The Harvey Milk High School.

A cocktail party will take place April 13 to kick off the festival and to raise funds for the scholarship. The event will feature a presentation of short excerpts from a few festival offerings. For details about the event call (212) 868-5570.

TBG Arts Center is located at 312 West 36th Street in Manhattan. Tickets to the festival will be available by calling (212) 351-3101. For more information visit www.GAYFESTNYC.com.