|
PROVINCETOWN GUIDE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| DIRECTORY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provincetown :: Friday, September 10th 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Albert Carey and Tim Wolff. |
The Sons of Tennessee Williams
The East Coast Premiere
By Laura Shabott
July 25th, 2010
The Paramount was buzzing with anticipation for Tim Wolff’s East Coast premiere of his film, “The Sons of Tennessee Williams”. Well over 100 people attended with cocktails in hand and beads around their necks chatting it up with film star Albert Carey and our very own (and the world’s) Varla Jean Merman. Festival Curator and Director David Kaplan brought the film to town as a kick off fundraiser for the upcoming Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival September 23-26.
| Well over 100 people attended with cocktails in hand and beads around their necks. |
|
In its fifth year, the 2010 festival has garnered international attention, bringing the best and brightest aficionados’ of Tennessee Williams to Provincetown. In concert with this year’s theme, ‘Under the Influence, Wolff’s ‘The Sons of Tennessee Williams” was a great pick for the fundraiser.
The lights dimmed to Varla Jean Merman (Jeffery Roberson) talking about his love of New Orleans and how the men in the movie paved the way for him to be a female impersonator. He spoke about their struggle, well before the pivotal Stonewall event, as the beginning of freedom for homosexuals in the South.
|  David Kaplan and Jef Hall-Flavin. |
|
A deftly constructed documentary, “The Sons of Tennessee Williams” tells the true story of New Orleans female impersonators in the late 1960’s.They were allowed to dress during Mardi Gras but arrested any other time of the year. The film chronicles the raids and arrests by police at secret transvestite parties, illegal at that time in the South. They found a way around the law by forming a men’s club, or Kree and holding an annual ball.
The ball was a fantastic event with a reigning king and queen. You will have to see the movie to believe the feathers, sequins, hats, gowns and displays that made these invitational balls the most coveted event in all of New Orleans. My hat is tipped to Tim Wolff for creating a vibrant, soulful film with beautiful cinematography and a compelling story. “Sons of Tennessee Williams will be showing Sunday, August 1st at 5pm at the Crown and Anchor’s cabaret. A must see.
Festival Director Jef Hall-Flavin invited the audience to get Passes and talked about the upcoming festival. The ten productions take place throughout Provincetown, in a church, on the street and other outdoor venues. The theme ‘Under the Influence’ is the thread though Curator David Kaplan’s choices. Individual tickets for productions in the TW festival go on sale August 1st. Their user- friendly website has great information about this year’s productions and how to get tickets.
After the show, I spoke with Board President and Director Patrick Falco about “The Case of the Crushed Petunias”, a favorite William’s play in last year’s festival. He will be going with the cast to present their production at a Mississippi Festival in September. How great is that?
When World Class Theater knocks on the door of our fair village, it’s a great thing. Please attend, donate or volunteer in support of the 2010 Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival September 23-26th. You’ll be glad that you did.
www.twptown.org
www.onlyatthecrown.com
Columnist Laura Shabott loves to write about Provincetown and the people that make it so special.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arts & Theater
Classes
