'Blackbird': Seth Eisen portrays gay icons
Kimberly Chu
96 Hours, San Francisco Chronicle
What becomes a queer legend most? Certainly not a ratty Blackglama fur, in the case of Seth Eisen's gay musical icons.
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Robert Avila of the Bay Guardian says:
“The intimate Blackbird Funeral Parlour Speakeasy is somber-toned and deceptively hushed, complete with period furnishings, a see-through dressing room, softly flickering altar, and obligatory piano. Only a few moments into Seth Eisen's exceptional one-man cabaret, however, and the place is alive and kicking: doleful aspects of the decor making ample room for a sly, vigorous, soulful performer and a completely unexpected journey through some vibrant underground queer history (backed by fellow Circo Zero alum Sean Feit's sharp musical direction and breezy accompaniment and Alanna Simone's gently humorous and haunting video pieces). Your guide is 100-year-old Jean Malin, author of the notorious 1930s Pansy Craze, 75 years dead and looking fabulous in tails, bold green cravat, dapper purple hankie, and a topping of regal black plumage (costumer Jack Davis demonstrates a genius throughout for turning a shoestring budget into a G-string–supported extravaganza). A multifaceted performer with quick tongue, nimble steps, and hearty voice, Eisen uses drag, dance, puppetry, and performance art techniques to give flight to worthy exotic blackbirds known and forgotten — drag queen Zen priest Tommy Issan Dorsey; sexually ambiguous Danny Kaye; Brazil's inimitable Ney Matogroso; the definitely outré Klaus Nomi; and disco treasure Sylvester, whose live rendition of the Beatles' "Blackbird" at the War Memorial Opera House is one of several standout moments in this rollicking and poignant act of resurrection, insurrection, and homage.” (Avila)
Beyond Chron by Buzzin’ Lee Hartgrave -
BLACKBIRD: A QUEER VOCAL HISTORY This full-length, historical musical, depicts gay performers from the 1930’s to the present. Seth Eisen (the chameleon/trickster in Keith Hennessy’s Circo Zero productions) brings these brilliant maverick performers to life. Eisen takes us from a speakeasy to the Borscht Belt, to a Zen Priest. Not only does Eisen sing, he also Dances during a Danny Kaye number that is just astonishing. While waiting for the show to start, we see Eisen behind a sheer curtain, putting on his makeup. The Theatre itself harks back to the 70’s, when long hair and beads were very in. At the opening, there were several people from that time in San Francisco. It brought back those wonderful memories before You Tube and computers. On a bare brick wall at the back of the stage black & white movies flicker as Eisen performs in front. Eisen brings back the stars that paved the way for Gay Performers with puppetry, hybrid live performance, movement, music, dance, song and storytelling. Eisen gives voice again to these diverse characters. Eisen portrays (Danny Kaye) the questionably gay stage and film star of the 1940’s. Jean Malin led the movement of gay acts in speakeasies in the 1930’s. He initiated the cultural phenomenon called “The Pansy Craze.” Acting as Blackbird’s emcee, Malin (Eisen) serenades his audience into a falsetto spell, stitching together songs about politics, war, race, economics and gay love. Remember, this all took place in the 1930’s. There are many others that Eisen spotlights in this show. Issan Dorsey was a 1950’s drag queen phenomenon. Ney Matogroso was a flamboyant 1960’s Brazilian rock star. Sylvester* became a dazzling, international disco diva in the 1970’s at the time that political activist Harvey Milk reigned as the Mayor of Castro Street. Klaus Nomi stunned NYC & the world in the 80’s as a new wave operatic siren. Then there was Azis, an outrageous Bulgarian pop star that put on an. uproarious gender-bending act. This is a history lesson that is riveting. On a small stage, Eisen gives a brutally honest performance. It’s a freewheeling romp. Not only that – he turns that small stage into a Grand Epic that gives us great insight into the world of “Queers on the edge.” It was a fragile world. It’s a tribute that reminds of Jose, Charles Pierce and others that made a huge impression on what entertainment is today at the Fantasy Club and The Gold Club. Along with Seth Eisen is the fantastic piano playing and singing by Sean Feit. Their duets are magical and seductive. The Beatles song of the same name inspires the shows title. *The disco diva Sylvester sang his gospel version of Blackbird in 1979 at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, encouraging all broken-winged birds to rise, break free and fly, despite their outsider status.
RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! –trademarked- [“A Sparkling show that will get you talking. It’s stirring and riveting.”]
http://www.forallevents.info/leehartgrave/2008/11/bees-in-honey-drown-blackbird-metcalf.html
Previews
Very interesting article by Joshua Rotter of Gay.com
http://zoom.gay.com/viewArticle.do?id=2011&selectedRegionId=7&selectedCountryId=12&selectedStateId=8&
By Sister Dana Van Iquity of SF Bay Times
http://www.sfbaytimes.com/article_p.php?article_id=9444
