Tim Miller's US

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/10/04 at 1:15pm

I saw the opening of Tim Miller's new show "US" last night, which also launched the 25th season of P.S. 122 (of which Tim is a co-founder). If you're not familiar with Tim, he's an award-winning performance artist known for his politically charged work dealing with issues of sexuality, gay rights, body image, and gender issues -- he's one of the fathers of so-called radical queer theatre. He is probably best known for being one of the NEA 4 -- Tim, Holly Hughes, Karen Finley and John Fleck -- 4 performers who had their NEA grants rescinded after their work was deemed obscene by certain conservative senators. They sued the government, took their case all the way to the Supreme Court and won.

In his latest piece "Us" -- which should be of particular interest to many members of this board -- he explores his life long love of Broadway musicals and how the favorite cast albums of his childhood (Gypsy, Hair, Oliver, 1776, Fiddler et al) helped to form and shape his perceptions of the world around him as a young gay boy and in his later adult life. This theme is interwoven with many thought-provoking ruminations on gay marriage and gay rights in general, US foreign policy from Vietnam to the present day, immigration rights for gay foreign nationals (Tim, who's American, may have to leave the country very soon in order to be able to stay with his partner of 10 years, Alistair, who's Australian with a visa about to expire), and so much else. It's a very smart and entertaining performance that I think many of you would would enjoy greatly.
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0436/solomon.php

Updated On: 9/10/04 at 01:15 PM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/10/04 at 1:39pm

I"m very excited to see this show. Love me some Timmy Miller.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/14/04 at 11:18am

Here's a nice review of the show from today's Times:
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2004/09/14/theater/reviews/14us.html