"Hate" is a word that is contrary to the life and message of Jesus Christ – yet that is what legions of LGBT people painfully encounter in many Christian churches around the world. It's a conundrum, to be sure, one that playwright Del Shores explores in his poignant, powerful and very funny "Southern Baptist Sissies" that had its Michigan premiere last weekend at Ferndale's new Ringwald Theatre.
The show opens in a church with four cherubic 12-year-old boys singing a traditional Baptist hymn. But behind the fresh-scrubbed smiles and uplifting tune hides a terrifying secret: The boys are gay, and sermons delivered by the preacher promise hellfire-and-damnation for "abominations" such as themselves. So it's not surprising that each is struggling in his own way to reconcile his blossoming sexuality with his church's rigid teachings. Nor is it shocking when narrator Mark Lee Fuller, now an adult standing inside the Calvary Baptist Church in Dallas, explains, "This is the place we learned to hate ourselves."
The irony, of course, isn't lost on Mark, who even as a youngster challenged certain theological tenets of his church. "How do you embrace something that doesn't embrace you?" he asks.
It's a question many of us ponder all our lives – and Shores, the gay son of a Southern Baptist preacher, attempts to provide some answers. But it's not always an easy plot to follow, as the playwright randomly shuttles his audience from one time period to another, often leaving us wondering "when" we are. (In fairness, Mark – the narrator – warns us about the nonlinear storytelling early in the show.)
What ultimately engages us, however, is Joe Bailey's incisive direction – plus the heart-touching performances of his cast. Working from a script filled with equal amounts of witty one-liners and gut-punching pathos, Bailey and his actors find the humanity in their characters and deliver a very moving morality play for gays and straights alike.
With all the right moves, Joe Drake is delightful as both Benny Watson and his drag persona, Iona Traylor. It's a sweet role, sweetly played.
Steven West is totally believable as T.J. Brooks, who works with the Lord to eradicate all signs of being a sissy. (The decision to also use West as the stripper, however, is confusing to the audience and does not serve the show well – despite how delicious he looks nearly naked.)
And Chad Hetzel pours out his heart and soul with great conviction – and gives Mark a near-flawless Texas accent.
But it is Joe Plambeck who provides the night's most touching and remarkable performance as the shy and deeply pained Andrew Ford. It will haunt you long after you leave the theater.
Excellent support is given by Bill McCarthy as the fiery Preacher. And superb comedy relief is provided by the two-person Greek Chorus of Melissa Beckwith and Jamie Richards who play barflies Odette Barnett and "Peanut" LeRoy.
REVIEW:
'Southern Baptist Sissies'
Who Wants Cake? Theatre at The Ringwald Theatre, 22742 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Fri.-Mon., through June 25 (except June 8-9). Contains adult themes. Tickets: $10-$15. For information: 248-556-8581 or http://www.whowantscaketheatre.com
