Fifth Freedom, 1981-11-01

              THE FIFTH FREEDOM A PUBLICATION FOR THE BUFFALO GAY COMMUNITY NOVEMBER 1981 FREE "The Freedom to love whomever and however we want" Pat Carroll Is Gertrude Stein by John A. Faulring, Jr Pat Carroll is three times a lady. During her recent run of Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, The Fifth Freedom had the pleasure of interviewing her after her opening night performance. We had requested to have an interview with her in a letter welcoming her to Buffalo. Her producer called to say that it would be possible and the item was set. When we arrived, albeit nervous, we were greeted by a very friendly and bubbly Pat Carroll and the producer of the show, Mary Ellyn Devery. In no time at all we were in the middle of a delightful conversation. I won't say interview, as it was a relaxed chat and was very informal and informative. Ms. Carroll was very impressed by the professionalism that she had experienced opening night at The Studio Arena Theater by the entire staff. "It's so important to have good people out front to warm the people up for you," she said, "The staff was on top of everything and made my job a lot easier." She was happy with her opening night, except for some persistant coughers that bothered her. "It sounded like a TB ward. You just wanted to throw them a cough drop or tell them to go get a drink." Apparently they were afraid of missing part of the show. Other than that her opening night Was uneventful. After having followed her tour of the country in the gay press, we had quite a few questions for her about her experiences in presenting the play. FF: Have you had any problems with the Moral Majority around the country, with the underlying homosexual overtones in the play? Carroll: "We have played all over the country, even in the deep South Bible belt and have had no problems with pickets or protesters. Very few reviewers have even mentioned the overtones you mention. "(Fditor's Note: The Buffalo News did mention the Lesbian affair between Stein and Alice B. Toklas in the review they ran of the play. Only the third time it had been so mentioned in all the performances.)" It really isn't a play about homosexuality, lesbians or being gay. It is a play about identity/ The "identity always" theme has even become the way she signs autographs. "Everyone has to find who they are and stay with it ho matter what anyone thinks. In the play we talk about the 29th year and how Gertrude felt that had been the time she had discovered her own identity. Some people never have their 29th year. I had a woman come up to mc after one performance and tell mc. 'I'm 70 and still haven't had my 29th year yet.'" FF: Some gay publications have mentioned that the word gay, or homosexual, or lesbian is not present in the play. Is that planned? Carroll: "It's not that it was 'planned' but it just was not necessary to tell the story I chose to tell. I did not choose to examine and portray Stein's sexuality. Someone else may decide to do so in the future. I chose to examine relationships of different kinds that many people can identify with, and they do. Gertrude herself didn't write about it, it was just there as were many other aspects of her life." She doesn't like labels of any sort. The label of a "gay" play might tend to keep many away from seeing the play that would otherwise enjoy it. She senses some uneasiness in the audience when she talks about her first love affair, her reason for leaving the U.S. and going to Paris, and her relationship with Alice. "Originally the first experience was three pages long and the audience would not have sat through it. I talked with Marty (Martin who wrote it) and told him we had to cut it down. Now it runs less than two minutes, but is one of the most powerful portions of the play. After the initial 'catch' in the audience when they realize the subject matter, the laughter that follows shows an acceptance. They don't want to talk about it in any more detail, but they accept it." FF: Did your friends and family question you as to your choice of subject matter? Carroll: "Many of them felt that I was the 'clown doing Hamlet' and others weren't at all sure who Stein was. When I told my mother who I would be playing she said, 'Is she married to Jules?' It wasn't only a learning process for mc, but for everyone around mc while I researched the play for three years." She also was told that it would never go as a vehicle. The more she looked, the more she was convinced that it was perfect. She never received any outside monies for the project until after it was a reality. "The theater shouldn't have to rely on the government for funding. If it is good theater, it-will support itself." Recently during Senate hearings on funding for the arts, she told this, to those present. It isn't a popular view, but she has shown it can be done. Once word got around about the project many people came forth with money to help out. "Vidal Sassoon's foundation bought $10,000 in tickets for one performance. They gave all the tickets to young students of the arts that might not have been able to see the play. I spoke with them afterwards to encourage their interest in the arts and performing." FF: Do you have a suit pending against someone for infringing on your performance of GS 3? Carroll: "No, I don't. There was a slight problem with the advertising of another production called 'Gerty Stein,' but there is no law suit. I am going to be doing a cable TV version of the play soon, though. It will be a different production, because I won't have the audience participation. We have had a film crew following us all over and will piece it all together to make a documentary on how we got going and will be followed by the play itself." She will be taking the play on tour around the world soon. This is after a 14 month stand on Broadway and this national tour. Carroll is a conservative thinker with liberal attitudes. She feels the right wing has some good ideas, but is frightened of the Moral Majority. "Now it is abortion and homosexuals, but who says that they won't go on to Catholics next. It is very frightening to think of where it will all end." „ . . Joseph Wins Gay Professionals 2nd Annual William Award BY ROD HENSEL Joseph, best known in the Buffalo gay community as the owner of Mc and My Arrow, was awarded the second annual "William Award" by Gay Professionals in a ceremony at the Park Lane Restaurant on October 23. The award is presented annually to a person in the gay community to recognize outstanding contribution and achievement. "At last I know what it means to be truly overwhelmed," said Joseph, in a misty-eyed acceptance speech. He labeled the event as "the most important day of my life." The engraved, sterling silver bowl was presented to Joseph by Attorney William Gardner. Gardner was the first recipient of the award and members of Gay Professionals have since dubbed it "The William" in his honor. He noted Joseph's "great courage" in stepping forward and being open about his homosexuality to show that "Gays are good and decent people." Gardner also called Joseph a role model not only for himself, but for all of Buffalo's gay community. Joseph was chosen as the recipient by a three-member committee of Gay Professionals, which solicited nominations from area Gays. Hanford Searl, a member of the committee, said Joseph was selected for "raising consciousness in both the gay and straight worlds, participating in the Courier-Express series on homosexuals, and writing for-the FIFTH FREEDOM newspaper." He said the committee also noted "his many behind-the-scenes support of gay ventures, projects and aspirations during a trying personal time in his life." Joseph is the treasurer for Gay Professionals and a member of the Board of Directors of the Mattachine Society of the Niagara Frontier Inc. He also serves as G.P.s chief media spokesperson. In addition to opening Mc and My Arrow early this year, he was involved in many of the planning activities for Gay Pride Fest '81. and has been involved in an ongoing effort to form a Gay Businessman's Association in Buffalo. Joseph was one of five people nominated to the committee, according to Searl. John Faulring Jr., editor of the FIFTH FREEDOM and president of Mattachine, was cited for his participation in the current lawsuit to overturn the state's loitering laws and support of gay community causes. Ron Wojciechowski was nominated for his work in Mattachine, with alcoholics, the coalition effort for a gay community center, and his "personal stand to support both the gay men's and lesbian groups." Gardner was nominated to receive the award a second time as a "courageous crusader" in gay legal matters for "awakening consciousness among religious groups." Also nominated was a G.P. member for his "hospitality" to the organization and "constant encouragement to fellow gays in the community." The committee also recognized the achievements of a number of others in the community, including Madeline Davis, Claude Gary, Bobbi Prebis, Ron Silverio and Tom Hammond. About 100 people attended the' ceremony, which was part of the third annual Gay Professionals banquet. Bill Gardner Speaks Nov. 15 on Gay Couple Legal Problems Attorney William Gardner will present a program addressing some of the problems faced by gay relationships from a legal standpoint, at the next Mattachine meeting on November 15. The meeting will be held at the Unitarian Church, Elmwood at West Ferry. The meeting will start at 7:30 and will be proceeded by the regular Pot Luck Supper at 6:30. Everyone is welcome to attend both. Attorney Gardner will discuss problems that can be encountered when gay couples try to purchase life insurance; health insurance benefits for a "spouse;" credit cards and ratings; hospital visitation rights and many other discriminatory problems that gays face when involved with a lover. There will be time for questions and women and men are welcome to attend and talk with Bill about any problems they may have faced. Our Cover: Pat Carroll As Gertrude Stein Our cover this month is a photo of Pat Carroll as Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein. During her recent engagement here, she conducted an interview with us and gave us an opportunity to find out more about her, the play and attitudes that abound across the nation. It was the only in depth interview granted while in Buffalo. The Fifth Freedom is proud to present it to you. Lottery Tickets Can Win Money for Mattachine Mattachine has joined in a program called Cashback, which utilizes lottery tickets that are not winners in the regular game. The tickets are entered in special drawings held periodically and can mean funds to help support our work. If you have any tickets please send them to us c/o the paper. Or you can purchase them at Cornucopia, 569 Delaware at Allen, and just leave the losers with them. Thanks! Continued on page 9