Confessions of a Mormon Boy

Test 2

2007-01-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

This is another test.

Test

2007-01-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

This is a test.

Altanta Run

2006-07-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Salt Lake City after a quick and fun run in Atlanta, GA at the 14th Street Playhouse. I was there for four weeks. This time the show was produced by Joe Spotts who also produces Emmy-nominated comic genius Leslie Jordan's "Like a Dog on Linoleum." I met some wonderful people in Atlanta. It was nice to see that the play resonates with Southern Baptists. The last time I was in Atlanta was 1989. I was there for 6 months as a Mormon missionary waiting for my visa to go to Portugal. It was nice to be in Atlanta on a different mission. My that city has grown since the 1996 Olympics! I was living in midtown, the heart of gay Georgia. I don't know if the boys are hotter in Atlanta or Chicago. Everyone sure is nice in Georgia. Next time I'll have to visit when it is not so hot.

I'm now back home writing and writing getting ready to do a reading of my new show MORMON AMERICAN PRINCESS at the Sunstone Symposium on August 12th. Sunstone is like a Mormon Fringe Festival. Next I do CONFESSIONS OF A MORMON BOY in Austin, TX at Arts on Real. I hear so many great things about Austin!

My play is being published by Alyson Books in October. You can buy it now at Amazon.com. Or wait to buy an autographed copy from me in the fall.

Oh! And I started a new advice column. It is published monthly in Salt Lake's oldest GLBT newspaper "The Pillar."

Atlanta Run

2006-07-31T11:40:00.001-07:00

Atlanta Run

2006-07-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

2006-05-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

I am now somewhere over the rainbow...well I'm certainly not in New York City anymore. I'm in Salt Lake City. I just got back a few days ago after the run of a lifetime. It's heaven being with my kids...and yet I miss the City. I have a tradition with my kids here in the City of the Saints. On Sundays I take them to "Music and the Spoken Word", the longest continuous radio broadcast in history. For over 76 years the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has put on a show for the world at Temple Square. It is one of the great constants in the world. Every Sunday at 9:30, glorious music and pithy, benign sermonettes presented by "America's Choir." We go hear the choir and then go to brunch at the Market Street Grill. I believe in exposing my kids to Mormonism through the choir because it represents the very best of the people from whence we come.

So there we are at the Conference Center (the largest indoor religious facility in the world--you can check your facts on this) yesterday and the choir sings, for its final number, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." My son who is 10 leans over to me an whispers, "They're good, but not as good as Judy Garland." I responded with a question, "And do you know who her daughter is?" He answered confidently, "Liza Minelli!" Now that is a son of a gay man. He has earned his gay merit badge!

The last show I saw before leaving NYC was a new Off-Broadway one-and-a-half person play called "The Property Known as Garland." I enjoyed it and meeting Adrienne Barbou after the show.

If the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (with all its closeted gay members) can sing a Judy Garland song, there is hope in the world!

Long Island

2006-04-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

Last night I spoke an event for Long Island Community Fellowship. I spoke to a mixed crowd of about 100 about overcoming spiritual abuse (SA). I used to try to overcome SSA (Same Sex Attraction). Now it's just SA. (Not to be confused with Sex Addicts Anonymous or Sexual Compulsives Anonymous...not that there is anything wrong with SAA or SCA!) Rev. Dr. Shane Hibbs is a dynamic leader there in Long Island. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his partner and the members of the fellowship. Fellowship is so important to a spiritual life. We cannot do it alone. We are looking at ways to bring me to Long Island to do my show. It was the first time I've been out of the city in nearly 5 months!

NY Outer Critics' Circle Award Nomination

2006-04-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

I'm grateful to have been nominated for the NY Outer Critics' Circle Award for Solo Performance. I'm in good company--in the presence of some powerful shows and actors.

Dim Sum

2006-04-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

Spoke at a service this morning on the Upper East Side. What a rainy day! Then went to Dim Sum in China Town with my good friend, Ira Gilbert. What a fun, new experience. Ira invested in my play and has been my dear friend since the Fringe Festival. He is an attorney at Paul Weiss. Then went to BJ's to walk the dogs. Then worked out (David Barton Gym). Everyone works out there. Quite social. Ethan Hawke was there today. So was Michael Lucas! I've made lots of friends there...but sometimes it's a bit intense. It's like working out at a club.

I've been to lots of theatre lately. "Sweeney Todd" last Wednesday, "The Wedding Singer" last Thursday, "Los Big Names" on Friday, "Bridge & Tunnel" last night. Seeing "Drowsey Chaperone" on Monday and "Light in the Piazza" on Wednesday. Trying especially hard to see all the one-person shows I can before I leave town on May 3rd. I plan to see Sandra Bernhard on Saturday, "Garland" and "JAP Chronicles" as I can.

Spending the night in tonight, trying to organize for the week. Just finished "I Am Not Myself These Days" by Josh Kilmer-Purcell (Brilliant) and will start "Son of Man" by Andrew Brewer tonight.

I have so much to do this week. One day and one thing at a time.

Soulforce

2006-04-19T07:20:00.001-07:00

Last night I finally got to meet Mel White, founder of Soulforce! I met him at a fundraising event at BED (a fabulous club that is lined with canopied beds a la Miami South Beach). I was the auctioneer at the event where I sold "dates." It was my first time doing this. We had 11 guys that we auctioned off with tickets to shows. I got $750 for one guy. It was all in good fun and taste. We raised $2,600! The woman I sublet for, Lorna Kelly, was Southeby's first female auctioneer. She gave me lots of pointers and they all worked. Lorna is so extraordinary. She does tons of charity auctions and goes to India frequently to work with the poor. It has been such a blessing staying at her apartment during the run of the show. She is good friends with my friend, writer Andrew Harvey, who lives in the same building.

I've been adjusting to not doing the show. I'm feeling a bit more tired in the mornings than usual. Either I'm pregnant, or my body is finally saying I need to stop going at the furious pace these last 5 months have required.

The weather is so gorgeous. I find myself taking extra time to walk outside, especially near Central Park.

Gonna finally see some theatre now that my show has closed. Off to see the revival of Sweeney Todd tonight with BJ. (Hi, BJ!)

Soulforce

2006-04-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Closing Day

2006-04-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

We opened on Super Bowl Sunday and closed yesterday, Easter Sunday. I am very proud of our New York run and am excited about future projects, including the tour we are putting together now.

It was a gorgeous day yesterday. I love spring in New York. I live Upper West Side right now and strolling along Central Park or Park Avenue with all the tullips up is just sublime.

Yesterday I went to the big Easter service at St. Bart's on Park Avenue, then brunch at Brasserie in the Seagram's Building. Then I checked out the Easter Bonnett stroll on Fifth Avenue. Then off to do the matinee and evening shows. The last show felt so good. I feel in many ways that I reclaimed the heart of the show...that had been directed out at the beginning of the run. Afterward I went to a dinner party at Sophie Mclean's, the French Forum leader I impersonate in my play. It was so wonderful to spend most of the day with BJ.

Met John McDaniel at the show the other night!

Annie

2006-04-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

Last night I had pizza with Aileen Quinn (the original Annie from the movie "Annie") and Michael Stevers after the show. I get to meet so many cool people doing the show here in New York.

Tomorrow night Bishop Gene Robinson comes to see the show, flying in from New Hampshire. He was going to see it April 26th, but since we close Sunday, he's seeing it early. What a great man out to make a huge difference and lead by example.

Tonight is Gay Singles Night. We have the best time after the show downstairs in the Huron Club!

Sirius Satellite Radio

2006-04-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

Last night I was on the "Derrick and Romaine Show" on Sirius Satellite Radio. Derrick grew up in Salt Lake City and Romaine grew up in Wyoming. So it made for very fun in-humor for the rest of the country. There we were, all from the Mountain West, taking NYC radio by storm on the 36th floor of this huge building on Sixth Avenue. Took calls from all across the country from AZ to UT to PA.

I explained to one caller who was Mormon and going into reparative therapy for being gay that thinking that being gay is a choice is like thinking the earth is flat. When it clicks that being gay indeed is not a choice, its a quantum leap in thought and reality--the earth is indeed ROUND and the earth also revolves around the SUN! (Thanks Catholic Church!) When this quantum leap in thought occurs, when the paradigm shifts...it will rock your world. And the entire Restored Gospel is in question...and then God becomes so much more mysterious and bigger and more full of grace than anything we could imagine before. And our personal choices THEN become much more meaningful and committed, too. I'm waxing philosopher today.

The spring weather in NYC right now is sublime. I can't believe all the flowers.

See everyone at the show tonight! Only 8 shows left.

Last Monday Night Talk-back

2006-04-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I was joined by Emmett Foster (Emmett: A One-Mormon Show) and Rich Merritt (Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star) for my last "Non-Traditional Family Night Talk Back). These have been so much fun. We taped it to use someday for the DVD. It was one of the most lively discussions we've had yet. The audience for the show was incredible! In the audience were many friends from the past: Jennifer Simard (from my freshman year at the Boston Conservatory), Anne DeFazio (from "Grandmosphere" when we worked at the MGM Grand Adventures in Las Vegas), and Gregg Smith (from Utah Shakespearean Festival days). It's so wonderful how this show has brought so many people from my past back into my life. I've felt isolated for a long time being on the road and dealing with "life."

After the show BJ and I went to see "Candice Cane." Wow! What a performer. I'm still getting educated in the ways of gay pop culture. When you come out at 30, there is a lot you haven't seen. I have to admit I'm just now watching "Torch Song Trilogy."

We are definitely closing this Sunday, so do get your tickets soon to see it here in New York. We've had a beautiful run. I will be returning to Salt Lake City the first part of May to be near my kids, write, and get ready for touring the show.

We made Chuck and Paul honorary Mormon Boyz last night. Chuck Turner III has been the best stage manager I've ever had. And Paul Gauntt has seen the show like 30 times. So we gave them certificates and black 2(x)ist underwear like I wear in the show. It's the new gay "Mormon Underwear!"

Taping Show

2006-04-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we taped/filmed both shows...three cameras and all the bells and whistles. Don't know what we will do with it all, but we have it at least for possible DVD sales down the line. We had wonderful audiences and I'm very pleased with the two performances. The crew was so good to work with. Everyone was so professional and nice...most of them work at HBO. The director just shot "The Woman in White." Met Junior Vasquez after the show!

WE ARE CLOSING APRIL 16TH. We opened on Superbowl Sunday and are closing on Easter Sunday. It has been a fantastic run and experience doing the show in NYC. No on to other cities and to start working on some writing projects that I've been behind on.

Edward Albee

2006-04-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

I met Edward Albee last fall at the Ritz Carlton downtown at the gala benefit for SAGE where he was being honored. After dinner I walked to his table and introduced myself. To my surprise he was totally available to talk:

Steven: "Hello, Mr. Albee. Thank you for being so extraordinary. I'm a gay Mormon playwright."

Edward: "How do you reconcile THAT?"

Steven: (without missing a beat) "I'm an oxy-Mormon."

Edward: (pause) "Very GOOD!"

Sandra Bernhard

2006-04-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

I met Sandra Bernhard at her Opening Night Party at Splash last night. What a force of nature. I can't wait to see her show. As a solo artist, I am fascinated by all of our styles. Whenever I see how someone else does it, it helps me get clearer on my own style. Sandra was very sweet to me as I welcomed her to the season and congratulated her on her Off-Broadway show.

We are filming the show this Saturday, both shows. I need great audiences! Please come out and support us at 2:00 and 8:00. Three camera shoot. We are hoping to capture the show Off-Broadway for distribution later. Many of my film team work at HBO...so the professionalism is first rate...and the quality should be exceptional. My director just filmed "Woman In White". So come be part of the action this Saturday.

Today is my daughter's birthday. She's nine years old today. Happy Birthday, Gee-Gee. I love you!

Joey Reynolds Show

2006-04-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful day off yesterday filled with production meetings and promotions. Went to NextWorks last night at Lounge SoHo where I met lots of new friends. Then I was on the "Joey Reynolds Show" of WOR talk-radio. I was on the show with Josh Kilmer-Purcell, author of "I Am Not Myself These Days." I can't wait to finish that memoir published by Harper Collins. I get the meet the neatest people sometimes. I especially love to meet other writers!

Lortel Awards

2006-04-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

I am so amazed by how many folks from around the world get to see my play. Last night I met a couple from Australia who made my show a "must see" part of their trip. Also a couple from England last night.

Our "Non-traditional family night" went great last night. More and more stay for the talk back. Last night a "Mormon" couple came from Florida. He is gay. They are working out their relationship. Each couple must negotiate their own "Brokeback" marriages.

Emmett Foster joins me for the talk-back next week. He did his "One-Mormon Show" at the Public Theatre years ago. Then the next week we have Rich Merrit of "Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star".

We are into our FINAL WEEKS!!!! So get your tickets now before we close and go out on tour!

Met Jr. Vasquez at GLAAD media awards. He's pinning down a time to see the show. I'm so inspired by his sobriety.

The Lortel Awards eliminated the "solo show" category this year (if you happened to see the nominations today). Looks like our $400 application fee didn't get us the nomination we were hoping for. Perhaps our Off-Broadway production just wasn't "non-profit" enough for these awards. How can they eliminate a category and keep our money? (The application fee for the Pulitzer Prize is only $50!) It's hard to believe that there wasn't a single solo show this year in New York to warrant the category... Things get so political. I'm confused by all of these "not-for-profits" that POSE as commercial theatre on and off Broadway. If a not-for-profit meddles in commercial theatre, it makes perfect sense that the not-for-profit Mormon Church (and others) should continue to meddle in politics. As I say in my show, the Mormon Church is a "socio-economic-political-tax-exempt-multi-national corporation posing as the Kingdom of God on earth." We've got a bunch of not-for-profit theatres here in New York posing as commercial ventures and then nominating themselves. Perhaps we should just be socialized theatre like Europe. Then we can just swallow the hollow art that so many non-profit theatre professionals want to dish out. Hollow art and hollow religion. That's the American way. And afterall, I am THE Mormon American Princess...

Comedy

2006-04-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

Last night (after the show) I went to Adam Sank's "Electro Shock" Comedy at Therapy to watch stand-up. I LOVE STAND UP! Can't wait to get back to the mic someday.

Norway

2006-03-31T19:55:00.000-08:00

One of my best friends from high school, Kristine Berg, flew in from Norway today just to see the show. She flies back tomorrow. Kristine was a foreign exchange student who lived with a Mormon family in our neighborhood growing up in Las Vegas. We took many acting and dancing classes together. We've been having the best time catching up! She has two kids and is an attorney there in Norway. She looks like a beautiful Russian spy out of a James Bond movie. Lucky for her husband, I'm gay!

I've had the most incredible week. My kids left on Tuesday. It was one of the best visits we've ever had. The pictures we took in Central Park with the daffodils are priceless. So much to say...but I have to get to bed. I could and should write more about the visit with the kids. I'm the luckiest dad in the world.

The Lizzard

2006-03-26T05:02:00.000-08:00

"The Lizzard" was on the front row Friday night. My play is a true story told onstage by the man who lived the story. But what makes for the most bizarre reality theatre is to have others from my story there watching me portray them and relive the experience. Especially people you never thought you'd see again. I have had the "dirty blonde", my father, my ex-wife, my former mother-in-law, and clients including the UN Ambassador and now the Lizzard. It makes for an extremely honest show when you have those kinds of guests. But sitting next to the Lizzard was my former escort "boyfriend" I mention in the play who I never thought would see the show. Now that that has happened, I believe in miracles for better or worse even stronger. The original cowbow from the Village People was there Friday night, but he is not in my play!

The Lizzard was wearing his kimono and gave me flowers at the curtain call. Life is stranger than fiction and that is why I write autobiographically.

My children came to New York Saturday morning so I am juggling being daddy and work. I love it!!!!!

There is a group called "Straight Spouse Network" that came to the show yesterday matinee. It was wonderful talking with them. I will post information about their organization on my site soon.

Here's to going to the Episcopal Church today with my kids, sending them to Altar Boyz, and then my two shows. The kids saw "Wicked" last night. So glad to see Eden Espinoza doing so well. We played opposite each other in a musical at the York Theatre years ago.

I can't believe I get to live this full life. If a former escort can get his life back, so much is possible. By the way, I am still working on getting "Possibilities" up and going. It will be a support group to help sex-workers transition out of the sex industry.

"Finding Your Own Voice"

2006-03-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

I often have mail waiting for me in my dressing room when I get to the SoHo Playhouse each night. Last night there was a letter from "Theatre and Media Arts" at Brigham Young University. BYU is the church-owned University where I earned my BFA in musical theatre. I was intrigued and surprised to still be on their mailing list. Not only am I an excommunicated Mormon, but I'm not the proper example of what a BYU Theatre Alumnus should be--an openly gay Mormon doing a show about it all Off-Broadway. Nevertheless and notwithstanding, I was kinda excited to open the letter and see what was inside. Inside there was a colorful flyer about an upcoming lecture by a famous documentary filmaker and author with the title: "Finding Your Voice: Where Stories Come From." The irony that as I am finding my voice it has absolutely no place at Brigham Young University where the entrance to the campus has a statement: "The World Is Our Campus." I am hoping that someday I might get to do my show at BYU (as I was asked to do at the University of Connecticut where I was a student also)! Just pointing out a few paradoxes in the life of an Oxy-Mormon. Again, I am very impressed with how many active and "jack" Mormons come to see my show even in New York City.

Again, a wonderful audience last night. Hoping some of the boys in town for the Black Party will take some time out to see the play.

For the record, my hair is by Alfieri Salon here in NYC. www.alfieri.com

Whirlwind

2006-03-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

What a whirlwind of shows and promotions lately! I'm sorry I haven't been able to write more in my blog. I'm currently getting ready for my kids to come to town...on top of 8 shows a week and producer duties. I've been meeting the most wonderful people lately after the show. I'm so moved by the stories I hear. Met an Amish man who was totally disowned by his family and community for being gay.