Surviving the pandemic XV: the spotlight at the end of the tunnel

15 - July 2021 -

We are about to enter Stage 3. Life is about to go back to normal.
 
Sort of.
 
I had sincerely hoped that the last "surviving the pandemic" missive would be the final one. But here we are at 15, one for every month of lockdown so far. And no guarantee that there won't be more, I've lost track of how many events, productions and online endeavours I received press releases for were conditional on restrictions being lifted. And most of them either never saw the spotlight of day or were severely hobbled in execution.
 
Yes, there will be grand reopenings of theatres, restaurants, bars, cinemas and even bathhouses, but there is a very big "but "attached.  All will be subject to capacity restrictions in order to facilitate social distancing, possible physical barriers to enforce social distancing, mask mandates, potential vaccine passport requirements, temperature checks, etc, etc. And it could all change in the blink of an eye if the gullible group of anti-vaxxers keep listening to wild conspiracy theories and fulfil their Darwinian demise as incubators for new variants. But let's be optimistic and hope that "Surviving the pandemic XVI" never needs to exist.

The innovative Outside the March theatre company (The Flick, The Tape Escape, Dr Silver, Mr Burns) has fashioned a hybrid option with a remount/re-envisioning of the hit show Stupidhead. The charming musical is available as a live 'radio' broadcast or as an intimate backyard performance. The broadcast is a weird and wonderful adventure as the creators/performers Katherine Cullen and Britta Johnson, who also created Dr Silver, may be disembodied but they still manage a presence that demands attention. Stupidhead is the musical debut of a dyslexic aspiring musical theatre star. She, and the performers, claim a lack of innate talent, but the cracks in the vocals and the production allow magic to flow through. It is impossible to tell what is due to ineptitude and what is actually carefully crafted.

Stupidhead is hilariously funny, heartbreaking and finally empowering, but it also functions on multiple layers. A vicious satire on self-centred confessional cabaret pieces and wannabe uplifting testimonials, Stupidhead also elevates those egotistical art forms by doing it with panache and with cleverness that outweighs the earnest striving for attention. Before ending with a power ballad "Don't Give Up," which is as outrageously flawed as it is moving, listeners are treated to the patter of "Is This Where Puppet People Get Picked Up?", an audition for Jesus Christ Superstar that has to be heard to be believed, and excerpts from The Tales of Edwin and Forswith, a damaged riff on Winnie the Pooh. The meta levels don't get in the way of Stupidhead being a very entertaining and emotionally satisfying musical. And the 'radio' format works beautifully enough that I wish I had a backyard. The live digital performances continue until Friday, July 16 and the "At Your Place" performances run Tuesday, July 20 to Sunday, August 1. outsidethemarch.ca

CBC Gem is streaming the 8th annual Future of Film Showcase which highlights young filmmakers who are stretching their wings and the boundaries of short cinema. This year's showcase features three filmmakers telling queer stories. Kourtney Jackson's Wash Day has a trans star as part of a trio of black women negotiating their self images. Aziz Zoromba's Faraway, which screened at both Slamdance and Inside Out, explores the agony and the ecstasy of a closeted Arab man and the resultant estrangement from his family. Callahan Bracken's My Head Aches When I Look Too Long may be the shortest of the three queer films, but the lively animation questions our reliance on technology, specifically cell phones, and how it affects our sex lives and self image. The Future of Film Showcase streams until Thursday, July 22. gem.cbc.ca

The Hamilton Fringe Festival is an ambitious mix of online offerings and intimate live performances. Any readers having a backyard in Hamilton, or access to a backyard in Hamilton, can avail themselves of Hutch & Hamilton, the latest production by stellar  queer comedian Paul Hutcheson who never fails to slay in his quirky, kinky way. There is also comedy online with a new play by Steven Elliott Jackson (The Seat Next to the King, Point and Click, Threesome, Real Life Superhero) entitled The Laughter. Jackson had great success at last year's Toronto Fringe with two online productions, The Cage and Sarah/Frank, so this two-hander chronicling a fateful and hilarious meeting backstage between Lucille Ball and Lou Costello will benefit from experience and style. Jackson has a knack for turning history into thought-provoking drama, The Laughter will be well worth the digital journey to Steeltown by way of old Hollywood. The Hamilton Fringe Festival 2021 continues until Sunday, July 25. hamiltonfringe.ca

The Toronto Fringe Festival has a new moniker, the Digital Toronto Fringe Festival, and is divided into Fringe On-Demand, KidsFest On-Demand, Fringe Primetime, and POSTSCRIPT Live(stream). The lottery for the 56 digital presentation slots was adjusted this year so that fifty percent of the slots went to BIPOC artists. A quick perusal of the catalogue finds the usual assortment of daffy and delightful experiments, all brimming with potential. While instantly enticed by the musicals Evil Hot Rod - A Psychobilly Radio Musical ("not recommended for children under 12") and Every Young Adult Novel Ever: The Musical, the must-see is Taborah Johnson's The Incredible Adventures of That Nice Canajun Gurl. Anyone who has heard Johnson sing will attest that her voice is a wonder of nature and her diva tendencies are enough under control that Stupidhead satire will not apply. Drag comedian Selena Vyle is also on hand with Broken Hearted Girl, recounting "the relationships that have shaped and shifted her self-perspective and mental health, through a visual album of original music." The Digital Toronto Fringe Festival runs from Wednesday, July 21 to Saturday, July 31. fringetoronto.com

With live music venues also struggling to reopen, there is an opportunity to delve into the rich history of Toronto's live music with the ON-FOOT app. The app guides one through a neighbourhood and provides photos, anecdotes, stories and musical selections honouring the bars and nightclubs that have made Toronto the world-class music city it was pre-pandemic, and will be post-pandemic. ON-FOOT has teamed up with Denise Benson who not only chronicled music/nightclub history in her book Then & Now, but also created much of that history as a prominent DJ and promoter. The new tour is titled Toronto ‘Gaybourhood’ Music Tour and the selection of artists represented is mouth-watering, including Barry Harris, Rough Trade, Cozmic Cat, Greek Buck, Jackie Shane, The Hidden Cameras, Owen Pallett, Vivek Shraya, Regina Gently, Witch Prophet and Stratavarious. An incredible chance to wander the Village and beyond while experiencing our incredible queer musical history. ON-FOOT can be downloaded for free at the App Store and Google Play, tours start at $1.99.

Worthy of an app all its own (think Grindr meets Recon meets BroadwayHD but infinitely more fabulous) is the late lamented Club 120. The iconic club/community hub was done in by the pandemic but from the ashes rises Mandy's Bistro. The illustrious Mandy Goodhandy (Just Call Me Lady, Just Call Me Lady: The Musical) has taken over the lease of the space formerly known as The Old Nick. The opening date has yet to be announced and the details are still being ironed out but will include "Great food, portions & prices. Live music, open-stage, comedy and Friday night late-night karaoke party." Goodhandy is the most gracious and glamorous hostess that this fair city (and beyond) has ever seen, so anticipation is high and we're all excited to see the songstress comedian back on the stage where she belongs. Mandy's Bistro, 125 Danforth Ave.

There are many spotlights as we approach the end of the tunnel.