Theater and Dance's Beautiful Thing

Issues within the LGBT community have always been something to which the student body here at Oberlin has paid attention. And for faculty member and chair of the Theater department Matthew Wright, these issues are personal; he has been fighting against bigoted ignoramuses for many years, and one of the ways he’s currently fighting them is by directing Theater and Dance’s next main stage production, Beautiful Thing, written by Jonathan Harvey.

So, why choose this play, Matthew Wright? “I’m passionate about this play because it’s about young gay people who: 1) are not ignorant to the fact that, in certain circumstances, their gayness subjects them to violence and bigotry; 2) aren’t defeated by this fact; 3) are proud of who they are. The biggest lie/mythology around gayness is that gay boys are all ‘pussies’ (how many times did I hear that when I was growing up!) and wimps, and gay women are all bruisers with no fashion sense. To own one’s gayness and dance under the scrutiny of the public eye is one of the great acts of courage. And, by the way, some of the hottest women in the world are out and proud.”

So why is this “gay play” different from others? “This play is populated with people who don’t blame anyone for their circumstances and who are busy rising above the odds in every moment. And it’s a play that illustrates with great certainty that humor is the saving grace of the gay community. We listen to peoples’ stupidity and endless harangues about the moral reprehensibility of our lifestyles and we say, ‘fuck you, what would you do without my big gay color sense?’ What can be better than that ability to rise above it?”

This is certainly true. Oberlin has a prominent LGBT population, and is often assumed to be a place where people do rise above adversity. So why is it important to do Beautiful Thing on such an open campus? “Oberlin has a reputation as a safe haven for young gay adults. I think that’s deserved. I also think that Oberlin’s status as a ‘gay destination’ makes it vulnerable to unrealistic thinking…Here, in this safe place, we sometimes forget that people are dying because their desires don’t meet with the majority’s approval. I have been the victim of peoples’ bigotry and hate-related violence. I assure you that such horror still happens…and it happens even on this campus.”

And even though a majority of people who will attend this play already support the LGBT community, Wright says that the goal of this play is not just to garner additional moral support: “We may, to a small degree, be preaching to the choir. But the choir needs to hear it so they go out and make the world a better place for everyone.”

But can a sweet, comical play like Beautiful Thing have as big of an impact as other more heart wrenching plays that deal with the same subject matter? “I’m relieved that this play has: 1) a happy ending; 2) an uplifting message; 3) relatively sweet humor. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s important that the Matthew Shepherd stories are out there. I think it’s of historic importance that we have a whole cannon of gay AIDS drama. But I also think it’s important to see two high school boys fall in love and get to have the fantasy fulfilled.”

There are people in the college and community who might feel that by doing a “gay play,” there is an exclusive message being broadcast to the audience. This is certainly not the case, insists Wright: “I once had a colleague tell me that he couldn’t relate to Angels in America because it was a gay love story. My response to that is: does that mean I can’t relate to Romeo and Juliet? I defy anyone to watch the story of Jamie and Ste – this play’s protagonists – and not be affected by their bravery and joyous love.”

Make sure you see Beautiful Thing, running in Hall Auditorium April 22-24 at 8 p.m., and April 24th at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Central Ticketing Services at Hall Auditorium or online. In advance, tickets are $4 for Students, $6 OCID/Seniors, and $8 for the public.  Make sure not to miss what is sure to be an important play in Oberlin’s theater season this year.