By Jon Marans

Performed at Soulstice Theatre

March 7 - 22, 2014

Directed by Mark E. Schuster

Written in 2009, The Temperamentals tells the story of the founding of the Mattachine Society, the first gay rights organization in the U.S.  The time is the 1950s, with the backdrop of McCarthyism and an environment of conformity a few brave men led by activist Harry Hay and fashion designer Rudi Gernreich decide to step out of the shadows and the closet and form an organization that can allow all gay men to be themselves.  This "intellectual, emotional, and sexual" (The New York Times) play also tells the story of the blooming romance between Hay and Gernreich, and their struggles to keep their love alive.  The play is described as 'Mad Men' meets 'Milk', and "combines savvy context and ascending flights of bittersweet fabulousness" (New York Newsday).

CAST

in order of appearance

Harry Hay - Mark R. Neufang

Rudi Gernreich - Joshua Devitt

Chuck Rowland (and others) - Jacob Dougherty

Bob Hull (and others) - Jake Mace

Dale Jennings (and others) - Jim Lautenbach

PRODUCTION STAFF

Scenic Design - Mark E. Schuster

Costume Designer - Sharon Sohner

Wigs - Anthony Mackie

Vocal Coach & Music Direction - Kaye Mehre

Run Crew - Kevin Gadzalinski

Rehearsal Prompter - Jacob Dougherty

Projections - Kevin J. Gadzalinski

Box Office Manager - Kofi Short

Construction Crew - Jacob Dougherty, Mike Grover, Mark Hanson, Mark E. Schuster, A.J. Simon

Production Photography - Mark E. Schuster

REVIEWS & PRESS

"The Temperamentals" this March with Theatrical Tendencies

- Russ Bickerstaff, Curtains/Shepherd Express, December 28, 2013

"Temperamentals" dramatizes the founding of the Mattachine Society, an early gay rights group

- Matthew Reddin, Wisconsin Gazette, March 8, 2014

Theatrical Tendencies' "Temperamentals" examines being gay in '50s America

- Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 8, 2014

The hard fight for gay rights in '50s America

- Russ Bickerstaff, Curtains/Shepherd Express, March 12, 2014

...and one further note...

During performances of THE TEMPERAMENTALS, we were privileged to have the ongoing support of local author Will Fellows, who generously donated copies of his book, Gay Bar: The Fabulous, True Story of a Daring Woman and Her Boys in the 1950s to our audience members.  This fascinating book tells the story of Helen Branson, who operated a gay bar in Los Angeles in the 1950s - perhaps the most anti-gay decade in American history.  The narrative and situations described in Gay Bar are not unlike what many men faced during the era of THE TEMPERAMENTALS.  

We are in deep gratitude to Mr. Fellows for his generosity, encouragement, support, and friendship during this production.  To order your own copy of Gay Bar, we encourage you to visit the Amazon page here.