By Jan Wahl–
Gay Pride started for me as a child. But it was mixed with anger and resentment towards a society that didn’t get it. My mother was raised in Waukegan, Illinois. It was the 1940s, and her family owned a boarding house where they lived. Mom’s two earliest friends were the kind, gentle men who rented the top rooms. When she was around six, they suddenly left her life forever. You know where this is going. The two men were forced out of town for being a gay couple. My furious grandmother carefully explained it to my mother, and though it was a challenge to comprehend at first. Mom grew to join her own mother as they burned with anger. I heard this story my entire life and watched my mom walk the walk of someone determined to fight for LGBTQ rights.
I grew up in a showbiz world in West Los Angeles. My parents found it easy to have gay friends and colleagues. In the land of movies, TV, theatre, and the rest, the late fifties and sixties amazingly seemed free to this liberally raised, showbiz-loving kid. When I started collecting early movie magazines and demonstrated a fierce passion for Hollywood history, Mom introduced me to designers, technicians, writers, costumers … people who had worked in the Business or still did.
I have warm memories of a couple who worked as an art director and a joke writer, another who filled me in on costume design. We would trade classic Photoplay magazines and other memorabilia while I soaked in their world. Sometimes we’d have tea at homes, or would often meet up at a Hollywood Boulevard bookstore to browse the latest.
These were gays and lesbians, and I was lucky to know them. Add to this my father’s hobby of big band drums. We had a kit in our living room, and those jam sessions were part of this time. Just like Some Like It Hot, there were some great gal musicians, and guys, who would stop by to play Goodman, Ellington, and Miller. Of course, there were always straights mixed in, but this was a delicious stew of intelligent and worldly folks.
Theatre was a big part of life for me, then and always. One of the first shows I ever saw was Annie Get Your Gun, music by Irving Berlin and starring Mary Martin and John Raitt (known later as Bonnie’s father). I loved the strong character of Annie Oakley, as I grew to love all strong women in musicals, from Mame to Fanny Brice. Later, when I worked as a stage manager on the PBS show Over Easy, I got to know the real Mary, a closeted lesbian and a wonderful performer. When she would warm up the studio audience with the song “Getting to Know You” from The King and I, everyone was in love with her, including me.
One of my recent favorite shows was at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre earlier this month. The Book of Mormon brings me back every time, and this was my third time laughing and loving this unusual musical. Written by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, it tells the tale of Mormon boys on a journey to Africa. Though some may find it shocking and offensive, I think it is extraordinary, hip, and very funny. Even the Church itself buys ads in the Playbill, reminding us that if we liked this, we’ll love the real thing! Right.
Sam Nackman portrays Elder Cunningham, a part made famous by Josh Gad in the original production. Sam recently spoke with me for the San Francisco Bay Times about the role. “I know Arnold Cunningham and I are somewhat similar. We are both often too enthusiastic and overuse our imaginations. I might have a bit more social skills, but when I get the laughs, it is just perfect. Elder Cunningham is sweet and has the best intentions.”
I asked Sam about one of the great songs titled “Turn It Off.” He replied, “This is one of the many gay or straight moments, a song that everyone identifies with. It may appear to be about these guys going on their mission, but it is about secrets, rationalizing, profound thoughts. This show brings laughter and great discussion after. The audience tells me how much it means to them, Mormons and everyone else.”
Hey, I’m all about The Music Man, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Company. No matter how you like your musical theatre, The Book of Mormon is one to see.
This month I also enjoyed some stress-free fun in the Wine Country at the gorgeous Sonoma Mission Inn for a Drag Brunch on June 4. I was there with a big hat on for this glamorous, colorful event in the elegant locale. Check out The Sonoma Mission Inn whenever you are in that beautiful area. Drag queens make the world a better place! And speaking of drag, I will be co-emcee with Khmera Rouge for a special free showing of To Wong Foo: Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar at the Castro Theatre on June 28 interviewing Julie’s brother John and introducing a personal video created by Julie. To register for this free event (free concessions too) benefiting the SF LGBT Center and Equality California, go to: https://tinyurl.com/59z974x5
Happy Pride, everyone! Together we fight, stand tall, and celebrate!
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian, film critic on various broadcast outlets, and has her own YouTube channel series, “Jan Wahl Showbiz.” She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Off the Wahl
Published on June 22, 2023
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