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Richmond Triangle Players Gets In The Socially-Distanced Holiday Spirit

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Richmond Triangle Players’ Christmas show is happening in a different context this year, one that requires limited seating. Nonetheless, with The Santa Closet, RTP’s usual LGBTQ twist on the holidays remains intact.

Richmond Triangle Players’ 2020 holiday production, The Santa Closet, is a Christmas play with a few unconventional twists. 

One is something you may guess from the title; the play mixes themes of LGBTQ identity with the mythology of Santa Claus. Two, every role in the play is performed by just one actor. And three — the play is being performed in-person during a pandemic that has shaken up the live entertainment industry throughout 2020.

Director Nora Ogunleye is making her directorial debut during a time when most rehearsals have to be done over Zoom. But that has done nothing to dampen her excitement.

‘’It’s just been such a warm, loving experience,” said Ogunleye, a former JMU theatre major and Richmond Triangle Players actor, who performed in last year’s Christmas play, Times Square Angel. 

The Santa Closet, written by Jeffrey Solomon, is performed as a series of “interviews” conducted by a reporter trying to solve a Christmastime scandal. The conflict centers on a boy named Gary, who sends a heartfelt letter to Santa asking for something out of the ordinary — a sparkly doll. How Santa Claus responds will call his own identity into question. 

“One of the biggest themes is identity versus self-concept,” Ogunleye said. “How we are perceived by others may not align with how we see ourselves.”

The play will star actor Eddie Webster, who was also in Times Square Angel. His alternate, Levi Meerovich, will perform on select nights. 

Philip Crosby, the executive director of Richmond Triangle Players, says that their holiday productions are always unconventional, LGBTQ-focused, and a lot of fun. 

“We take a skewed view,” Crosby said. “A little vinegar in the treacle of Christmas, and always with an LGBT twist.”

Ogunleye says that she hopes the play will be a safe space for LGBTQ people in uncertain times. 

“This is a scary time,” she said. “The play should be a warm, comforting space.”

Ogunleye also said that if she had to give the production a movie rating, it would be PG-13 — better for older kids and adults than for young children. 

“At the heart, it is a Christmas story about love and family,” Ogunleye said. “But it does go into some dark topics, and has some explicit language.”

Richmond Triangle Players, which describes itself as the longest continuously-operating LGBTQ theatre in the Mid-Atlantic, perform in the Robert B. Moss theatre in Scott’s Addition. Opening night for “The Santa Closet” will be Friday, Nov. 20, and performances will continue every weekend until Dec. 19. Lower-priced preview shows will take place on the Wednesday and Thursday before opening night. 

According to Crosby, the theatre seats 90 people under normal circumstances, but the seating has been limited to 27 people in order to allow for social distancing. Masks must be worn inside the theatre.

Tickets for The Santa Closet can be purchased at Richmond Triangle Players’ website, https://rtriangle.org/

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

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With the So.Queer Playwright Festival, Richmond Triangle Players want to elevate the voices of Southern LGBTQ writers through extensive workshopping and development to make their plays the best they can be.

Are you queer? Are you a writer from the South? Then enter the So.Queer Playwright Festival! This year, Richmond Triangle Players will be debuting the So.Queer Playwright Festival, a biennial competitive festival of LGBTQ works, and they’re looking for submissions.

RTP has been a longstanding safe space in the Richmond area. Since 1993, RTP has helped Richmond explore the notions of equality, identity, affection, and family across the spectrums of sexual orientation and gender through theater.

Lucian Restivo, the artistic director for RTP, was able to give insight into what they are looking for that will make a submission rise above the rest. First, it has to serve RTP’s mission. “We produce LGBTQ works,” Restivo said. “So it does have to fall in the family, if you will.” Second, RTP is looking for a Southern playwright.

Other than that, though, RTP is looking for everything under the sun; anything from avant-garde out of the box works to something more traditional. Resitvo made a point to stress that RTP isn’t looking for the perfect play; rather, they’re looking for a perfect playwright to fit with the So.Queer Festival’s mission.

“We’re looking for a voice, a playwright, a person, rather than a perfect script at this point,” said Restivo. “We are going to be spending a lot of time on the concept, dialogue, and structure of the work in the months to come with this playwright. So we’re really looking for a voice, at the end of the day.”

From Richmond Triangle Players’ production of Chandler Hubbard’s Molly House. Photo by John MacLellan.

One such playwright was Chandler Hubbard. When RTP was looking to do a test run for the festival, Hubbard had several scripts that fit the mold of what they were looking for. They ultimately decided on his play Molly House. Once the choice was made, RTP and Hubbard spent the next four months doing workshops with new casts and rewrites to perfect the piece.

The workshops would last for four hours, which Hubbard said was more than standard. “Most theaters you have to work around people’s lives,” he explained. “So the fact that they were willing to give so much of their time to this was really helpful. That’s a very generous thing to give.”

The festival focuses specifically on Southern LGBTQ playwrights, and Hubbard agrees that it is very important to do so. He feels that the South has a different worldview that hasn’t quite caught up to 2020 yet.

“I was so… I don’t want to say ‘brainwashed,’ but it’s this culture that you live in and you don’t think of how to expand beyond it,” Hubbard said. “The sort of horse-blinder straightforwardness and one-track mindedness of Southern culture, I think, prohibits that sort of growth.”

Hubbard said that the South needs someone to take off those blinders and tell people how the world really is. In light of recent events, Restivo agrees that there are some blinders that need to be removed.

“I think that the nation has gone through a collective consciousness awakening,” Restivo said. “I really want to see works that reflect that as we go forward… I’m hoping that we find really strong BIPOC writers through this process, [that] we can present them and help them develop their work, so they can get published more and produced more.”

From Richmond Triangle Players’ production of Chandler Hubbard’s Molly House. Photo by John MacLellan.

Hubbard feels a similar way. In fact, when asked if he would be entering this competition, he said he would most likely abstain since his voice has already been heard. “I think a woman’s voice, a person of color’s voice, a trans person’s voice [would be better],” he said. “I think it’s time for someone else to take control of the narrative. And I hope they do.”

Restivo hopes so too, and says RTP intends to be an all-inclusive safe space for the community. The pandemic has certainly affected RTP’s ability to fill the same role in the community it once had, but according to Restivo, they are still working to help the community in any way available to them under the current circumstances. As for the So.Queer Festival, it will go on, even if this year’s edition has to be virtual.

RTP encourages any and all people who fulfill the So.Queer Playwright Festivals requirements to enter. “Be open,” Restivo said. “We’re really looking for everything. Whether or not it’s just a seed of an idea and you really only have 15 pages to submit, or it’s a full-fledged concept and full scripts that you’re submitting. We’re really open to all possibilities.”

To enter your screenplay for the festival, visit soqueer.org. Submissions are due by Oct. 9th.

Top Photo by John MacLellan

Stonewall Rising: Showing Support With Pride

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Last weekend’s Stonewall Rising march was an act of solidarity by Richmond’s LGBTQ community, which took this opportunity during Pride Month to march in support of Black lives.

On Saturday, June 27, Richmond’s LGBTQ community commemorated the last weekend of Pride Month with a march demonstrating solidarity with the Black community of Richmond and beyond. Stonewall Rising: LGBTQ March For Black Lives was organized by a variety of Richmond LGBTQ advocacy and support groups, including Diversity Richmond, the Richmond LGBTQ Chamber, Nationz Foundation, Black Pride RVA, VA Pride, Equality Virginia, Virginia Anti-Violence Project, Southerners On New Ground, Health Brigade, Minority Veterans of America, Richmond Triangle Players, Richmond Lesbian Feminists, and Stonewall Sports.

The march began with a gathering at Diversity Richmond on Sherwood Ave, where local LGBTQ activist Rebecca Keel rallied the crowd with a speech about how the LGBTQ rights movement began 51 years earlier — almost to the day — at Stonewall Inn with a riot against police oppression. After a few other speeches, the crowd formed up and began marching toward the Richmond Police Training Academy on Graham Rd, just over a mile away from Diversity Richmond.

Jennifer McClellan speaks at Richmond Police Training Academy.

The crowd, which numbered at least 1000 at the peak of the protest according to local LGBTQ activist Joseph Papa, carried signs featuring slogans like “Black Trans Lives Matter” and “Pride For Black Lives,” as well as posters depicting Breonna Taylor and Marcus-David Peters. The protest was greeted at the Police Training Academy by a line of police in riot gear, but things remained peaceful. Several leaders spoke to the assembled crowd, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McClellan. Alexsis Rodgers, who is currently running for mayor of Richmond, was also in attendance. The evening ended with a march back to Diversity Richmond.

Here are some photos of the evening’s events, captured by Richmond photographer David Kenedy.

Rebecca Keel.

How Central VA’s LGBTQ Community Is Responding To Coronavirus

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Plans are changing. Alternate arrangements are being made. Around Richmond and central Virginia, LGBTQ organizations are adjusting to the restrictions required by coronavirus. Here’s what you need to know.

From the tediousness of sheltering in place to the terrifying implications of lost income to the frustrating experience that shopping for basic necessities has become, COVID-19, aka the novel coronavirus, is messing all of us up. Not only are members of the LGBTQ community at higher risk for infection by COVID-19, LGBTQ people are more likely to be on the lower end of the economic spectrum, and therefore to face unpleasant consequences of the current economic slowdown more quickly than most.

With all of this going on, we felt it was important to let everyone know what’s happening with the many LGBTQ advocacy and support organizations around Richmond, as well as all of our favorite LGBTQ-centered night spots and entertainment venues. Here’s what we know right now.

Richmond LGBTQ Chamber

In light of the need for social distancing, the Richmond LGBTQ Chamber (formerly known as Richmond Business Alliance) has cancelled all scheduled events for at least eight weeks. The upcoming volunteer meeting has been moved to a conference call. “In these difficult times it is imperative that we support one another,” said Richmond LGBTQ Chamber President Natasha Crosby in a statement. “We pride ourselves on the Richmond LGBTQ Chamber being YOUR chamber of commerce and want you to know that we are here to support you during this time.” The Chamber has created a relief fund for members of the Chamber experiencing financial hardship, and will be giving micro-grants starting mid-April. To apply for assistance, email [email protected] The relief fund is also currently accepting donations at Richmond LGBTQ Chamber’s website.

Diversity Richmond

All aspects of Diversity Richmond, including Diversity Thrift and Iridian Gallery, are closed for the next two weeks. Scheduled events are on hold, and Diversity will be monitoring the situation between now and the end of the month in order to decide on any further action. “Stay safe and help take care of your friends,” the organization said in a statement.

Richmond Triangle Players

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Richmond Triangle Players have postponed the opening of their next production, Sugar In Our Wounds, until mid-May. However, gift certificates are available for purchase at RTP’s website, and are a great way to support the theater as it gets back on its feet. “As always, we are grateful for your ongoing support and hope to see you at the Theatre soon,” said RTP Executive Director Philip Crosby in a statement. “Stay safe. Stay home as much as possible. And wash those hands!

Equality Virginia

The first year of Democratic control in the General Assembly brought a slew of legislative victories for Virginia’s LGBTQ community, but unfortunately, coronavirus has prevented Equality Virginia’s celebration. The annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 28, has been cancelled. If you bought a ticket, information on obtaining a refund is available at EV’s website. “We deeply empathize and share the disappointment our community will feel regarding this decision, especially our OUTstanding Virginians whose unique contributions to LGBTQ equality would have been celebrated at the Commonwealth Dinner,” the group said in a statement. “We honor their passion, dedication, and accomplishments which together help to build a stronger, more vibrant LGBTQ community in the Commonwealth.”

Side By Side

Virginia’s advocates for LGBTQ youth have made extensive changes in order to accomodate the ongoing situation where coronavirus is concerned. The organization’s office is closed for the foreseeable future, and all drop-in hours have been cancelled. All support groups for Richmond and Charlottesville have moved to online virtual groups using Zoom. New youth can still join — more information on joining support groups and on additional support available, including G-chat, individual counseling, youth support lines, and much more is available at sidebysideva.org/covid19.

Additionally, Side By Side is looking for volunteers to help show LGBTQ youth stuck at home with potentially unsupportive families some online love. “

“We are calling on our LGBTQ+ community and amazing allies to post a video showing your pride or your love for LGBTQ+ youth with #PrideAtHome and tag Side by Side to show your support,” the group said in a statement. “Let’s remind our youth that they are fabulous and loved and that being proud of who you are can happen anywhere!”

Health Brigade

Health Brigade has moved to remote operations. All events on-site have been cancelled until further notice. If you have an appointment for the medical clinic, staff will be in touch with you about alternate arrangements. New patients are not being accepted at this time. Individual therapy sessions are being held by phone; all groups have been suspended until further notice. Transgender Health Services is operating remotely, and is not accepting new clients, but is available for contact 9am – 5pm Monday through Friday. STI/HIV testing, comprehensive harm reduction/needle exchange, starting new patients on PrEP, Transgender Health Services intakes, and Ryan White Part B Intakes have all been suspended until further notice. More information on Health Brigade services during this time can be found at healthbrigade.org/covid19update/.

“We have been receiving heart-warming inquires from our funders and the community at large. In a time of such uncertainty, people want to help their neighbors most in need,” Health Brigade Executive Director Karen A. Legato said in a statement. “The best way to help us is to DONATE. As a private, non-profit clinic, we do NOT receive federal funding. If you can give, we promise, we will put your gift into providing patient/client/community care.” That link to donate is here; many of the most vulnerable members of our community rely on Health Brigade for health care; if you’re in a position to help, we highly recommend that you do so.

Planned Parenthood

As of right now, Planned Parenthood is remaining open. They ask that if you have a fever, are experiencing symptoms that might be connected to COVID-19, or have traveled recently, that you call before any appointment and consult with staff on next steps. They also ask that clients come alone to appointments, in order to minimize risk to staff and other patients. But they are making a point to be as available as possible.

“One of the reasons you have chosen Planned Parenthood as your health care provider is because of one simple standard: our doors stay open,” said Virginia League for Planned Parenthood Medical Director Dr. Shanthi Ramesh in a statement. “We care. No matter what. We are open. We are here for you. We know that health care is a critical piece of your life and your community and that there are many things that are uncertain about the days and weeks ahead. We are open for services such as abortion care, urinary tract infections, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and urgent primary care concerns.”

“Just know that we are doing everything we can to make your life easier and get you the information and care you need. Whether we provide services online, by phone, in person or chat/text, we’re here with you.”

Nationz Foundation

Nationz Foundation’s current office hours are 10am – 5pm, by appointment only. They are continuing to provide HIV and STI testing during these hours, but are not accepting walk-ins in order to protect staff and clients. Appointments can be made by calling (804)716-7597. “We will continue to Aim to Inspire during these difficult times and encourage our community to as well!” Nationz said in a statement.

Babes of Carytown

Babes remained open for carryout and delivery throughout March, but as of April 1, have decided to close until further notice.

Godfrey’s

Godfrey’s has been doing Virtual Drag Brunches from 11am-2pm on Sundays, so you’re not entirely deprived of your drag brunch goodness — it just comes through Facebook and Instagram now. They’ve also been hosting Virtual Drag Shows on Wednesday evenings at 8pm; tonight’s will feature raffles for gift certificates to drag brunch when all this mess is over. So tune in and get your Paypal or CashApp ready to send in those tips!

Barcode

Barcode are offering their full menu for takeout orders, and have delivery available through Grubhub. To place an order, call Barcode at (804)648-2040. “We are practicing safety and caution for our staff and clients,” Barcode said in a statement. “Thanks again for your continued support.”

Fallout

Fallout is currently open from 6pm to 12am for takeout. Their full menu is available, and staff can meet you with food curbside by request. To-go orders can be placed by calling (804)343-3688. All events have been cancelled until further notice, including the regular Wicked Wednesday drag night. Fallout merchandise is available online for purchase, as are gift cards, and a portion of the purchase price for both will be reserved for employees.

“We are working out a way to support the staff as much as possible if a mandated shutdown/shift loss becomes a reality,” Fallout management said in a statement. “Please also consider supporting local artists, performers, sex workers. There are several orgs forming to give mutual aid, especially in the queer community, keep an eye out for those and donate where you can.”

VA Pride

While VA Pride hasn’t had to cancel any events as yet, they are currently working with The Holli Fund on a Virtual Happy Hour, to be held Friday, March 20 from noon to 7pm. The goal of the online event is to raise money for those from the food industry whose incomes have taken a hit due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. More information on that event, and how you can donate, can be found here.

“VA Pride is currently reaching out to local and state officials and is working with local relief efforts to see how we can best leverage our resources, networks and connections to help,” said VA Pride President James R. Millner II in a statement. “We will keep you informed of our efforts and will ask you to join us when the time is right. We are also going to be sharing information on relief efforts already underway so you can access them if you need to and support them if you are able. We are committed to do all we can to ensure the safety, health and well-being of not just our LGBTQ family, but of our entire RVA community.”

Would you like your organization included on this list? Does information on this list need to be updated? If so, please send an email to [email protected] We will be updating this list with new information as we receive it.

Top Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

The Cake at Richmond Triangle Players

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The Cake
by Bekah Brunstetter
February 12 – March 7, 2020

Sponsored by Carreras Jewelers
A proud part of the city-wide Acts of Faith Festival

Della makes cakes, not judgment calls – those she leaves to her husband, Tim. But when the girl she helped raise comes back home to North Carolina to get married, and the fiancé is actually a fiancée, Della’s life gets turned upside down. With her church upbringing bearing down on her, she can’t really make a cake for such a wedding, can she? For the first time in her life, Della has to think for herself. From one of the writers of the TV smash This Is Us.

Directed by Dawn A. Westbrook; featuring Terri Moore, Gordon Bass, Nicole Morris-Anastasi and Zakiyyah Jackson

https://rtriangle.org/

Gay(RVA)NYE: Ring In Your 2020 in Proper Fashion

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Get the most out of your new year and say goodbye to the 10’s in proper fashion with our GayRVA guide to the best New Year’s Eve parties this town has to offer!

As 2019 ends and a new decade is set to begin, we all want to have the best New Year’s Eve possible. For plenty of people, this means traveling to some bigger city: New York for the ball drop in Times Square, DC for the big parties, maybe Atlanta where it’s not so cold… but what if you just want to stay in Richmond this year?

Well, if you choose to do so, you’ll not only be missing out on a boatload of travel time and related expenses, you’ll find plenty of amazing things to do and enjoy right here in the good ol’ RVA. If you ask us, it’s really the best way to go.

Here are the best places in Richmond to have yourself a truly wonderful New Year’s Eve.

PLF’s Decemberween at Diversity Richmond

This one’s at the top of the list every year, and I can’t imagine that’ll change anytime soon. The Party Liberation Front’s Halloween-in-December shindig is always the place to be for the arrival of the new year, and it’s because the group never fails to pull out all the stops for this affair.

This year is no different! Dozens of DJs on three different stages will ensure that the music never stops. There’ll be fire performances outside to keep you from getting chilly, as well as mutant vehicles, food trucks, art installations, three different bars, and a whole lot more. It’s a totally immersive experience that will tantalize all five senses for eight full hours! Don’t miss this one. Tickets are $66, and worth every penny. Order here.

Black Pride RVA’s New Year’s Eve Bash 2020 at Studio Two Three

This New Year’s Eve, Black Pride RVA is doing it up right over at Studio Two Three. Their decade-ending event will be a Black & White Affair featuring food, champagne, party favors, and more. Everyone will be dressed to the nines for this one, and you’re sure to enjoy every moment. Tickets start at $25 — order here.

Scott Wichmann at Richmond Triangle Players’ Robert B. Moss Theatre

If you’re looking for a memorable musical affair that summons up the glittering showbiz days of yesteryear, Richmond Triangle Players has got you covered this year, with two performances by “Mister Showtime,” Scott Wichmann. Wichmann’s charismatic flair will lend a special vibrance to his performance of Rat Pack classics, and he’ll have some special guests and a trio led by Musical Director Ryan Corbitt to kick things up a notch and make it a show worthy of wrapping up the decade.

Wichmann will perform two different shows on New Year’s Eve, one at 7 PM and one at 10 PM, so whether you want to wrap the evening up early or stay out all night, there’s a showtime that’ll work for you! Tickets start at only $10, and can be purchased here. Grab yours now!

Godfrey’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

There are all kinds of places you can go for this occasion, but sometimes nothing feels as right as the place you visit regularly all year. That’s why the Godfrey’s New Year’s Eve throwdown just might be the best place to be in this whole town on December 31. They’ll be throwing a big drag show, along with some great year-end drink specials and a cash balloon drop at midnight, so there’ll be plenty to enjoy all evening. The economically-minded should make a note that the cover doubles at 11 PM — so show up by 10:59 and party all night!

Fallout’s New Year’s Eve Masque

Shockoe Bottom’s #1 fetish club is continuing their tradition with this Masquerade Ball featuring drinks, DJs, and plenty of awesome outfits. The line for drinks might be long once this one gets going, but there will be a secondary cash-only bar, so if you’ve got some legal tender in your pocket, you can avoid the rush!

Fallout strictly requires attendees to wear formal and/or fetish clothing, and a mask, so make sure you’re properly attired, or you might be turned away to hang with the normies. No one wants that! While Fallout is members-only, non-members can be guested in by friends who are members, or message their facebook to obtain a one night pass. It’ll be worth it.

Roaring 20s NYE at Kabana Rooftop

Over in the straight world, the arrival of 2020 seems to be a big occasion for “Roaring 20s” themed events, and Kabana Rooftop, atop the Hampton Inn downtown, certainly looks like the most promising of these. They’ll feature music all evening, headlined by a performance from virtuoso violinist and turntable-spinner DJ Manifesto. Plus there’ll be champagne toasts, party favors, and a live feed of the ball drop — so you don’t have to watch it at home. Tickets start at $35, and if you don’t want to find your way home afterward, Hampton Inn offers special rates for suites directly attached to Kabana, so you really can make an entire night of it.

Belle Epoque at Quirk Hotel

But hey, maybe the roaring 20s aren’t even retro enough for you — maybe you want to take things all the way back to the late 19th century. If so, Quirk Hotel has you covered with their Belle Epoque-style evening, featuring music by DJ Ant Boogie, a custom gin & tonic bar, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and everything else you love about NYE parties. For $25, you can drop in to Quirk around 10 PM (tickets here), or if you really want to do it up right and proper, you can kick the evening off with a 5-course New Year’s Eve dinner at Maple & Pine, Quirk Hotel’s in-house restaurant. The prix-fixe meal is $99 per person (tickets here), and includes entrance to the Quirk event, so that’s your whole evening covered!

Noon Year’s Eve at Lamplighter featuring No BS! Brass Band

Are you the sort of person who’d really rather avoid leaving the house on New Year’s Eve at all? That’s understandable — the roads are hardly the safest on that evening, and lord knows a lot of people do not know how to stay within their limits. Fortunately, even if you’re completely uninterested in being out of the house after dark, there is some fun still to be had over at Lamplighter’s Addison Street location. Specifically, No BS! Brass Band will be showing up late in the morning on December 31 to play tunes and get the party rockin’ for a ball drop on the Lamplighter roof at noon! So there you go — you can take part in a joyous year-ending event with the sun still high in the sky, and head home secure in the knowledge that you’ve done your carousing for the year.

Top Photo by Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash