mattbaume
patreon
Bonus video! How gay can Broadway get?
🕑 Added 2021-09-19 17:00:04 +0000 UTCJust TRY to shut me up once I start talking about showtunes, I DARE YOU.
In this overlong bonus video, we take a look at some of the queer stuff happening on Broadway in the 1970s, from the first openly gay villain (played by Star Trek's Rene Auberjonois! Hear him sing here!) to the fun fancy farce that is the show tastefully entitled Gulp! You know a musical's going to be good when it has an exclamation point in the title. (This is how I was tricked into seeing Oh! Calcutta! many years ago, which I do not recommend.)
Incredibly, I forgot to talk about the insanity that is Let My People Come in this video, so we'll just have to save that for next time. But you will get a heaping helping of Hepburn!
Until next time, my Peters, Pauls, and Marys.
Matthew
PS: If the embed doesn't work for you, try this link:
https://youtu.be/dZ7xd2Vv4mk
Comments
Laura Estrada
I think he should actually have Randy Rainbow on.
Myles D. Widmer
If it wasn't Bugs Bunny pining over the calla lillies, it was another WB character (but it was totally Bugs). I loved imitating him when I was a little kid. I never would have heard of Katherine Hepburn at that age. Keep looking; I know it's out there somewhere. BTW I discovered your channel just last week and I love your work! The first I saw was about "Bewitched", and I'm hooked. Thanks Matt
Bob Zormeir
I feel like comparisons to Randy Rainbow aren't negative.
Nicole Brett
Could you send me the link to this one as well please
QueBijoux
More! These videos are so much fun to watch, and informative to boot.
Matt Baume
Ah! I'm so glad to have first-hand confirmation about it! Thank you!
Jim Phillips
Well, that was a trip down memory lane! I moved to NYC in the mid-70s (from the Midwest) specifically to get into theatre. I even remember auditioning for "Gulp!" Thought it would look good on the resume after my previous two shows: "Snap!" and "Twanger!" (neither of which was gay). I did do a later Glines production called "My Funny Uncle Albert" written and starring the drag queen from the late 1970s holding a sign saying "Not Every Boy Dreams of Being a Marine."
Jim Phillips
That's the plot to Boy Meets Boy. I saw it a few times in NY. Not unusual for a hit on the "lavender circuit" on one coast to spawn a production on the other coast.
James Polk
Oh Matt! I’m getting my life from all this, especially with my knowledge of Hirschfeld and stage 😁
Trevor
I loved Rene. Such a talented performer. I first saw him in Benson on TV and loved him in The Big River musical soundtrack. He gave his all to every performance. He also said something that I try to keep in mind in performing and other aspects of life: “Show me a man who’s afraid to make a fool of himself and I’ll show you a man I can beat every time.”
Logan Vickers
I subscribed specifically for this video! I would love more Broadway stuff🥰
Artemus
More please & thank you:)
Matt Baume
Eeeek I realize now I actually confused a few details between those two films! Thanks for the heads up, I'll talk a little about that in the next video.
Steve Teeter
Matt: I saw a gay musical in Los Angeles in a fairly small theater that in my memory seems a lot like “Boy Meets Boy.” The year was 1976 [he typed with emphasis] and I am absolutely certain that it was that year. This too was a madcap comedy set in the 30s, but I can remember only one detail. There’s a theater trope I’m sure you know. The homely, mousy lady librarian in glasses who nobody takes seriously, but who has dreams. At the end of Act I she gives a speech to the audience alone on stage, declares she’s going after her dreams, turns her back on the audience, throws aside her glasses and lets loose her hair, then turns around and now she’s drop dead gorgeous. Exactly the same in the show I saw. Shy, mousy guy in glasses who falls in love with the lead but has no chance. He gives that speech, turns his back, throws aside his glasses and makes a few adjustments, turns back around and he’s so fucking hot. Sophisticated hot, in a tuxedo. And the lead does fall in love with him. If this was indeed the same show, that must mean they staged two productions at about the same time, in New York and L.A. Wouldn’t that be interesting!
Al Garcia
I would absolutely watch a whole series of you just relating interesting facts about queer stage productions and their ties to film and tv tbqh!! It’s always so much fun to watch your videos because of the details you provide and especially because of your wonderful energy! Thanks for another great bonus vid~! (Now time to look up more Tommy Tune videos)
Fred Maxon
One of my biggest celebrity crushes is Katharine Hepburn in male drag in Sylvia Scarlett.
Deanna McMillan
I know that Katharine Hepburn purchased the rights to The Philadelphia Story in order to revive her career, but I didn't know that she'd done the same with Stage Door. Interesting!
ScoobySnacks
Thank you for another amazing video. You have such great energy and enthusiasm and like the side track connections I learn so much
Matt Baume
ARGH, I was really hoping they'd fixed that. Added!
Nini L
When you mentioned Alice on Twitch, my brain didn't recognize the show. Until I saw your video and then I was like "Oh, hell. I remember watching that in syndication!" The second I saw Mel. (I was really young back then) Now that is a flashback if I ever experienced one. As for Broadway, because I've lived in the sticks my whole life, I can honestly say I know very little. So, I totally love videos like this. I learn a lot. Some of these shows sound so much fun to experience. I wish I could have seen them.
Rory Chalcraft
The Birdcage starred Robin Williams and Nathan Lane
Linley J
My personal favourite gay 70s musical is In Trousers! It's the prequel to Falsettos and a really enjoyable listen!
Bryan Blough
Hi, when u get a moment, can u do a non-embedded link? Thanks 👍
