Cruel Intentions continues through June at Uptown Players
Queer stories and creatives can fill up your June calendar
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
rich@dallasvoice.com
So, no — queerness in theater and dance and onstage isn’t groundbreaking. But during Pride, it adds just that many more ways to celebrate our LGBTQ community. Whether through coincidence or by design, Pride month is filled with notable performances, with some already underway (hi, Uptown Players) all the way through the end of June (hi, Turtle Creek Chorale).
And we’re here for all this month’s stage offerings that add a little extra gay touch.
Through June 11: ‘Cruel Intentions the ’90s Musical’ by Uptown Players
Set to ’90s hits and based on the movie, this take on Dangerous Liaisons finds itself set in a prestigious high school where teens set out to basically ruin other people’s lives through passion, revenge and lies — just like any high school. A co-production with Stage West at the Kalita Humphreys Theater. UptownPlayers.org.
Through June 17: ‘The Way She Spoke’ by Undermain Theatre
Queer playwright Isaac Gomez wrote this one-woman play, transporting the story to Juárez, Mexico, where an epidemic of violence toward women continues. Based on Gomez’s intimate interviews, they set out to give voice to women who suffer in silence. Undermain.org.
choreographer Ben Needham–Wood’s work is featured in Bruce Wood Dance’s ‘Grace.’ Photo by Brian Guilliaux
Friday, June 2: ‘Divas’ by The Women’s Chorus of Dallas
The Women’s Chorus of Dallas presents a cabaret night of pop music amid a lush backdrop for this concert and fundraiser. The concert also features a silent auction and wine pull with proceeds benefiting the organization’s programming and operations. 7:30 p.m. at Texas Discovery Gardens. TheWomensChorusOfDallas.com.
Friday and Saturday, June 2-3: ‘Acis y Galatea’ by American Baroque Opera
Queer-owned American Baroque Opera presents this Spanish comic opera as part of its season of “Mighty Women.” Based on Ovid’s story of the myth in his Metamorphoses, ABO presents the show for two performances only at Arts Mission Oak Cliff. BaroqueOpera.org.
Saturday, June 3: ‘The BIG Dance’ by Dallas Black Dance Theatre
Dallas Black Dance Theatre closes its 46th season with this annual fundraiser that will showcase a fusion of Latin and Afro-Latin cultures. The night will include live music by Havana NRG!, salsa band Fusion Latina and Mariachi Zacatecas. Plus, company dancers will celebrate the mix of cultures, too. Sam Santiago and his husband, Enrique G. Cobian, are the event’s honorary chairs. 7 p.m. at the Meyerson. DBDT.org.
June 8-25: ‘The Last Truck Stop’ by Kitchen Dog Theater
This world premiere at Trinity River Arts Center centers on a trucker-turned-truck-stop-owner and a gun-toting postal carrier who argue whether to go or stay in their desert town. Fun fact: Two queer cast members are also partners in real life. KitchenDogTheater.org.
June 9: ‘Ballet BC’ presented by TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND
This performance will be a full circle for Dallas-trained dancer Michael Garcia (he/they), who was born in McAllen and now dances with this British Columbia company. He trained at Plano’s Dance Industry Performing Arts Center and at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. 8 p.m. at the Winspear. TITAS.org.
June 10 and 11: ‘Grace’ by Bruce Wood Dance
The company closes its season with the world premieres of “And Heaven and Nature” by Artistic Director Joy Bollinger, and “GHOST” by Emmy Award–winning choreographer Ben Needham–Wood. The program will also include the return of Bruce Wood’s “Rhapsody in Blue” at Moody Performance Hall. BruceWoodDance.org.
June 14-18: ‘Xanadu’ by Lyric Stage
Campy musicals are just the perfect thing for Pride Month. Lyric Stage presents this retro musical about a muse who lands on Venice Beach and ends up in a roller disco. Performances at the Majestic Theatre. LyricStage.org.
June 15-July 2: ‘I Wanna F*cking Tear You Apart’ by Stage West
Sam and Leo are besties until a stranger enters the mix, and you know how that goes. A friendship is put to the test in this Fort Worth regional premiere touted as the “love child of Friends and Will and Grace.” StageWest.org.
June 16-July 2: ‘Cabaret’ by Art Centre Theatre
Keep adding these musicals to your Pride calendar, because this classic show performed in Plano is pretty much iconic in the queer continuum. ArtCentreTheatre.com.
June 23-July 26: ‘The Butterfly’s Evil Spell’ by Hip Pocket Theatre
Gay poet Federico Garcia Lorca’s story about unrequited love plays out in a whimsical setting of insects at this outdoor Fort Worth stage. HipPocket.org.
June 29 and 30: ‘What Happens in Vegas’ by the Turtle Creek Chorale
But does it stay in Vegas if the guys are singing about it? The Turtle Creek Chorale performs with special guests the Stockton Helbing Jazz Initiative at Moody Performance Hall. TurtleCreekChorale.com.
What did we miss? Email rich@dallasvoice.com for additional listings to be added online.