(And he won’t cancel!) Shores returns to his native Texas bruised but busy
RICH LOPEZ | Staff Writer
lopez@dallasvoice.com
Already, 2012 looks to be a busy year for Del Shores. That wasn’t among his New Year’s resolutions, but it has ended up being a blessing for him right now. Having something to do distracts him from those empty moments. After separating less than two months ago from his partner of almost 10 years, singer/actor Jason Dottley, spending quiet times alone was the last thing Shores wanted.
“With something this tragic, I have to stay busy,” he says. “This is a huge tragedy in my life. The depression comes in so I’m taking care of myself by writing or preparing other works. Just keeping occupied is so important. I couldn’t survive otherwise.”
As irony would have it, 2012 could end up being Shores’ biggest year yet. The Winters, Texas, native kicks it off in the Rose Room with a standup performance Jan. 27. For this show, he specifically returned to Dallas to film his performance for an upcoming DVD release. And for good reason: He feels the love here.
“I’d rather just go to Dallas,” he says. “I have the hugest fan base there and I should go back to the city that loves me the most to film the show. I love it so much.”
Just a year ago, Shores started a new phase of his career by adding “standup comedian” to his resume with a performance of his new act, Sordid Confessions, at the Rose Room. In fact, he’s less a comic than whip-smart storyteller, but he acknowledges that audiences who saw him last year should expect new stuff this time.
Does that mean he’s adding some of his recent personal drama to the bit? Not just yet.
“I haven’t yet put anything about it in my show,” he admits. “I can’t pretend that the elephant isn’t in the room, but I don’t plan to disrespect what we had … not yet at least!”
The closest he plans to get right now is reciting some letters of support he received after he announced his divorce publicly last November.
They were genuinely heartfelt, but hilarious enough to add to the show.
Shores is also writing the screen adaptation of his play Yellow, and is completing a new play about four women called This Side of Crazy. He’s also collaborating with his Sordid Lives star (and long-standing best friend) Leslie Jordan on the mockumentary The Happy Hullisters, about a gospel family hanging onto their last shred of fame. The plan is to begin shooting it in Dallas starting in June; Tony Award-winner Levi Kreiss and comedian Caroline Rhea (who MC’d this year’s Dallas Black Tie Dinner) attached to the project.
“I’m getting my acting company back together for this. And I’ll be in the Hullisters!” Shores beams. “I am embracing the actor in me. I’m still in negotiations to do one more Sordid Lives film that would be a sequel to the movie, but a prequel to the series. And I’m hoping to open [the play] Yellow in Dallas as well. Maybe I’ll be busy for the next two years!”
Shores is also in post-production of his play-turned-movie The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife starring newly-minted Golden Globe winner and likely Oscar nominee Octavia Spencer. Spencer is reprising her role she originated onstage for the play as LaSonia (pronounced “lasagna”) Robinson. Shores admits that if she wins an Oscar it could help his movie, but he was already suitably moved by her Globes win.
“This couldn’t have happened to a better person,” he says. “When she won, my daughter and I were sobbing like Mexican women at a funeral.”
When Shores posted a note on his Facebook page last November (it began, “It saddens me to inform you that Jason Dottley and I are divorcing”), the obvious question among his friends was, “What happened?” But even Shores doesn’t quite seem sure. Soon after his announcement, Shores received notes of support, but also some not so friendly. That added to the shock of his marriage ending. (Dottley was contacted for this piece but declined to comment.)
“We were this couple held up to the light as an example of gay marriage in a working relationship,” he says. “I had no idea this was coming.
My marriage ended, just like straight people. I had to start a process of healing.”
But were there no signs, no inkling of what was to happen? Shores searches for the words, but stammers as he decides whether to answer and what to say. And then finally:
“Let me put it this way,” he begins, “I’ve been working in the entertainment business for a really long time, I get a lot of actor-auditions. For some, I come up with reasons I don’t cast certain ones, but the bottom line is, ‘I don’t want you to play this role.’ And so no matter what was said or the reasons behind it, the bottom line was Jason said, ‘I don’t want to be married to you anymore.’ And there was no negotiation on any level.”
For a moment, he pauses. That inevitable lump jumps into his throat and one of Texas’ funniest funnymen all of a sudden isn’t laughing.
“There is never a great day,” he admits, choking up. “There are partial good days but good days … not yet. It happens.”
Creative types have the luxury of turning pain into their art and it’s easy to imagine Del Shores turning this pain into a comic masterpiece. He insists he’ll heal and move on. Eventually. Born gay into a Southern Baptist family in Texas, life hasn’t always been the easiest. And at the very least, he may take the advice of one fan, a straight woman, who wrote him.
“She told me there was one thing good about a breakup,” he says, “New dick!”
Badum-bum.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 20, 2012.
i am a fan of both del and jason but i have to say that del seems to be taken such a classless stance on this that i’ve lost a lot of respect for him.
Del Shores classless, Steve? Seriously? This article makes me so sad for a man in pain. Seems to me like he’s human, an honest man who is hurt. Perhaps you think people who are in the public eye don’t have real feelings. I admire him so much for actually speaking honestly, with truth, while still being devoted to us, his fans, and continuing to work to entertain us. You seem like the one with no class to me and no heart.
I love Del Shores! It’s your straight gal from PS who adores you. Thanks for all the laughs. I hope you know, baby doll, that assholes like Steve will always be around, but there are 1000s more of us who have your back. You’re the real deal, baby, and you aren’t going anywhere. And for the record, his HUGE loss! Can’t wait for more Del in 2012. I can’t get enuf.
SteveATL Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, but sometimes it’s better if they just keep them to ourselves. Del is a public person who had his heart broken. He is allowed to express himself however he chooses. He hasn’t said anything negative about his ex, he has just talked about his feelings and the emotions the break-up brought up in him. He is allowed to do that! If my ex left me after ten years I would have PLENTY of negative shit to say about him and Del hasn’t done any of that. No one knows what happens in a relationship to make it fail outside of those in the relationship. No one should take sides, a failed relationship is very hard and very painful and so we should lift the parties involved with positivity instead of negativity. Stay Strong Del you have brought so much joy and laughter into this world and the world is a better place because of you. I wish nothing but the best for you and your lovely daughters.
@SteveATL- Clearly you did not read the same article nor know either of these men. When your partner comes to you, out of the blue, during the holidays and calculatingly says to you “I don’t want to be married to you anymore” without an explanation, the courtesy of discussion or the common decency of attempt at closure after 10 year together……I would say Del has handled the hand he was DEALT with amazing respect and constraint.
You should always be certain you have the full story before you condemn someone’s actions during a personal and devastating tragedy.
Seriously? The elephant in the room that just came out of the blue. Hmm. Usually takes 2 to tango doesn’t it?
Del Shores has shown amazing strength in dealing with all his recent life changes. Going through something like this is never easy. What is easy is disrespecting and trashing your ex…which Mr. Shores wisely refuses to do. Showing your vulnerable side is what real strength is! My hat is off to him! This is his year!!!
Jason probably realized Dell couldn’t further his career any more so he is at this point looking for someone who can…I’m with Dell on this one…I met Jason and Dell one, Jason didn’t impress me but Dell did
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner! Brett, I think you hit the nail on the head. Young, cute actor realized that older gentleman was no longer useful so he moved on. Del was probably a little naive to think he wasn’t being used.
Right up front, I have to say it, I love Del Shores and he is one our best writers and entertainers. Del, though, must take some responsibility for this relationship ending. He married someone very young, who has proven over and over that he is driven by the need to be famous. Yes, Brett, Del had to know he was being used, but mate, we all know that many times love is very blind or at the very least nearsighted. He then cast him in his series and the truth is, Jason Dottley is simply not a very good actor. I wanted him to be, but even Del could not make “a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” . Del Shores still delivered an incredible show, don’t get me wrong BUT it could have been better with a better actor in the important role of “Ty.” I’m sure Del has lived and learned and I wish him and for us much more entertainment. I will be there to see his show at the Rose Room and cannot wait for his new film! Octavia Spencer is my new favorite actress. Bottom line is talent rises and Del will be remembered and will continue. Although I wish Jason Dottley the best, I’m afraid his best years, the Del Shores years, are behind him.
Um…. Pardon me, but the title of the article indicated it would be about Mr. Shores’ successes, career highlights, hilarious stories and hi-jinx therein, the purpose of which to point readers to the artist’s upcoming DVD and films as must-see entertainment upon their release. Period. You should have left it at that, Voice.
Yes, Del and Jason were champions for equal rights and marriage equality, and I suppose a brief statement to let readers know he’s processing the break-up in a healthy way will have sufficed to complete the story, but this was too much….as evidenced by the insensitive comments that followed.
I’m just sayin.
bitter bitter bitter old queens everywhere.. starting with DEL. I had so much respect for Del until this “divorce” and all he’s had to say, like this. A grown man talking about adding disrespectul material into his show about a marriage he supposedly cared so much about? that’s tacky. but i guess it’s true, you can take the boy out of the trailer park
I agree with you, LULU, but it seems like it was Del that couldn’t keep to the topic. According to the article, Jason declined to comment, apparently Del didn’t have that ability. I agree with you “Yes, Del and Jason were champions for equal rights and marriage equality, and I suppose a brief statement to let readers know he’s processing the break-up in a healthy way will have sufficed to complete the story, but this was too much” TOO TOO MUCH. I wish them both the best. Life’s too short to be all hateful.
It is easy (and very “classless,” to use your choice of adjective, Steve) to sling arrows from behind the safety of your keyboard. You are free to judge. We all are. But, I would venture to guess that you won’t be man enough to go to Del’s show, wait to talk to him face-to-face and call him “classless” in person. Because, you know, if ya did, he would rip you a new @#$#hole using his “classless” wit, intelligence and humor, which you, I am guessing, posess none of. What have YOU done in YOUR life, Steve, that allows you the permission to judge? My guess is that you are a CLASSLESS, bitter old queen who kinda feels jealous that HE could never have a fantastic ten year go with a hot, young hunk.
I believe no comment would imply I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY BECAUSE I AM APPARRENT. “Jason Fan” could be the one who had “no comment” and now does have a comment as an alter ego.
Really people? Enough is enough! Unless you personally know both Jason and Del and know what happened in their relationship you have no room to say anything. Calling Del and Jason names only shows how childish people can be when it comes to celebrity relationships. Del is human, so is Jason. Jason’s choice is not to comment and Del’s is to merely voice that he is hurt. Any of us would be the same way after a ten year relationship ended. If you truly care about these two wonderful men, have the respect to care enough to offer support and nothing else. Only those close to them know what really happened and they apparently want it to stay that way!!!
I have met both Del and Jason and have become a fan of both men. I saw when they were happy together. It saddens me that they’re now apart. I absolutely adore Del. He is a great person and friend. I leave their relationship to them. They will each handle it in their own way. I wish them both the best. I hope that they both find true love, in time. It is not for us to judge either man. I just want to say God bless them both.
I also have met them both and have seen their ridiculously hilarious shows. I love both of them and remain friends with both. Yes, they are celebrity, so naturally they will be tossed about the general public and the media etc. But, they are still REAL people just like you. Who get their feelings HURT TOO! JUST LIKE YOU! And to say either one of these beautiful people are heartless or CLASSLESS, is a direct insult to BOTH of them. I am also just out of a 12 year relationship. Yes, we may have gone our separate ways but, we still love each other. Just in a different way now. No theirs NO sex. But, we remain friends. Del and Jason both knoe life and love, is too precious to be consumed with ill feelings. Yes, they are hurting right now. But, I promise you, they DO NOT HATE each other. And quite frankly, Their personal life is none of my business. But, I do love them both and so, yes, I do follow both of them and make them a small part of my life. Thanks Del and Jason, for your wonderful humor, music and ever hilarious plays and shows. God Bless You Both! I look forward to seeing both of you soon.
Jason Dottley can’t act and he damn sure can’t sing, whats next, a career in porn?? Its obvious he was just using Del.
All I can say is that The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife was fantastic and very emotional, and I’m glad Del is moving on.
Jason Dottley is a master at manipulating his own press and I suggest everybody read between the lines on (most of the) negative comments above towards Del Shores and question the strong possibility that they were orchestrated or posted by Dottley.
I,know in time, the sun will shine again..and love will be there in someone that you never would ever think of happen again…who knows Del… it might me someone who,would not want to hurt you, just love you with all of there heart…. you never know.,Del… it might be me… I have loved you the frist time I saw you…. as Tammy sang “Oh someday the sun will come up and another lonley night will behind me, and no more tears will i cry” ’til i can make it on my own”, Love ya! RANDY LAHAM