Why Do (Many) Gay Men Love Musical Theatre?- Page 3

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 4:23pm

Being a part of the gay community, I find that black gay males are not as into the theatre as white gay males. A lot of my black gay male friends have no clue what is going on in the theatre world. I do work at the Denver Center of Performing Arts as a Chair for an organization that works with the black community. It is not easy to get Afican Americans into the theatre as a whole. One would think gay black males, and females would see more theatre, but I think it is just a cultural thing. It has always been looked at as something white people do. And I have been told that by many black gay men over the years. I was known as "Miss White Woman" (No Joke!) because I liked the theatre! I always said "If it isn't Patti LaBelle in Your Arms Too Short to Box With God", black folks aren't going to the theatre. My partner in the 80's was, and still is (!), black. I had to go to the theatre alone because he, and my friends, had no interest. But the show we DID see together? The afformentioned one starring Ms. LaBelle. So it is not just a gay thing, but a cultural one as well. Just my 2 cents!

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 4:29pm

How would you like it if you told somebody you liked somthing "straight" and then they asked you "and you're gay???"

Honey, you're the one who said you get "pissed off" when people ask if you're gay. "Every time," in fact.

Updated On: 3/20/06 at 04:29 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 4:38pm

OK...2 more cents! I was just discussing this with friends. A lot of young gay men are not into theatre (unless they get free tickets). At least that's how it is here. We have started a showtune night at a local gay bar on Monday's (y'all stop by tonight!!!) and we have started to see a lot of new faces and have gotten a lot of young gay males and females very interested in the theatre. Since I am known to be a Chair at the DCPA, a lot of people have been coming to me asking a lot about the theatre. Some have taken the step of seeing their 1st show, loved it and will return. I feel like Oprah and her book club!!! I say "See the show", and they do!!!

Updated On: 3/20/06 at 04:38 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 11:04am

It gets old. I usually see 3-4 shows in the winter(I saw Sweeney Todd on Feb. 2, Avenue Q on Feb. 26 & Hairspray on March 9) because the tickets are really cheap. Last week, I had two co-workers insist that I was gay simply because I enjoy the theater. They said if I wasn't gay, how come I go to more musicals than sporting events. I responded by saying that the theater can, and usually is, cheaper than a NBA or NFL game. It's hard to defend myself sometimes to certain people.

[stanton]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 11:19am

I think because in real life lots of gay men hold in emotions. We watch what we say and how we say it when we are not in a gay friendly area. I think in musicals attracted me is because (well Broadway does have some of the best songs ever written and recorded) no matter what a charector is feeling they express it by singing. Musicals are just the best shows to ever see. You always have some sort of an emotional experience! Musicals to me is always a great escape!

This is just my reason why (as a gay man) think on why gay men lovie musiclas.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 11:22am

As a gay i am going to write my oppinions. I love musical theatre for the same reasons i enjoy movies. It is a release looking into someone else's life for an hour or two. The times we live in are ****ty and i just feel like it is a great release.

I just think people who like to spend time doing cultural things get slapped in the face with a branded stereotype which is terrible but we do live in a society of labels.

Has anyone read Love!Valour!Compassion! ?

[Attendthetale331]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 3:04pm

I'm a straight man and I like theater...

[sciguy]

Posted: 3/21/06 at 3:26pm

Another straight guy who loves the theater.
And yes....people question my sexuality.
just my two cents!