Best of the Fest

Highlights of the 2009 Philadelphia GLBT Arts Festival, May 28-31

by Carolyn Huckabay

With more than 20 performances crammed into three days, the 2009 Philadelphia GLBT Arts Festival is a bit overwhelming. Our favorites are below; tickets can be purchased online at traversetheater.org or at the door. All events are at 119 Arts Center, 119 South St., and cost $15 ($10 for students) unless otherwise noted.

- Carolyn Huckabay

Opening Night Celebration

CLASSICAL
Gorgeous, talented Academy of Vocal Arts grad Elspeth Kincaid sings Bizet, Schubert and more, with organ prelude by gorgeous, talented festival organizer T. Desiree Hines. Wine-and-cheese reception to follow. Thu., May 28, 8 p.m., $30, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.

The Women

READING/DRAG SHOW
Clare Booth Luces all-female play about Manhattan socialites has been made into a movie twice (Joan Crawford starred in the original; Eva Mendes took over in 08) which means its just as relevant today as it was in 1939. But its never been done in drag till now. Fri., May 29, 8:30 p.m., Crowne Plaza, 1800 Market St.

Obscene

THEATER
Ian Mozden presents a one-man tale of self-castration thats meant to make us uncomfortable. Watch out for graphic imagery, full-frontal nudity and splosh, whatever that means. Fri., May 29, 10 p.m.; Sat., May 30, 9 and 11 p.m.; Sun., May 31, 7:30 p.m.

Stubblejumper

FILM
This 48-minute docudrama focuses on Doug Wilson, who in 1975 started an LGBTQ group on his college campus and ended up the unlikely poster boy for Saskatchewans gay-rights movement. Fri., May 29, 10 p.m.; Sat., May 30, 9 p.m., $8

Starlight Supply

THEATER
Philadelphia actor/director/producer Shawn OShea, founder of Writing Man Productions, debuted Starlight Supply at the 2007 Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and reprises the half-hour show here. Watch for a character named William William Williams. Sat., May 30, 4 and 7 p.m.; Sun., May 31, 5 p.m.

Vaughn Lindquist

OPERA
Who knew Franz Schubert was gay? Acclaimed baritone Vaughn Lindquist explores works by LGBT composers or those who are believed to be, based on historic investigation. Fun fact: Aaron Copland was a self-proclaimed pederast. Sat., May 30, 5 p.m., Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.

Sonso & Pierrot Meet

DANCE
Before heading to Chicago, Marcel Williams Foster spent time as a Pig Iron Theatre intern. His improv/dance/theater fusion introduces a Tanzanian scientist and a Franco-American clown who fall in love at first sight, become entwined like a pretzel, and must dance it out before living happily ever after. Sat., May 30, 1 p.m.; Sun., May 31, 6 p.m.