I got an interesting e-mail this morning from Chris Coleman, artistic director at Portland Center Stage. Coleman took issue with my recent review of PCS’s The Thugs, in which I objected to the show’s depiction of homosexuality:

Kelsey Tyler’s depiction of Bart, the office homo, was particularly offensive. I would’ve hoped progressive Portland had moved past the days of treating homosexuality like a running gag, but based on this production I’m forced to conclude otherwise: Bart wears a pink shirt and a fanny pack and when he makes a reference to a past relationship with another man, it’s delivered like a punchline.

Coleman responds:

I was… troubled by your comments about the character of “Bart”. As a homo resident here in Portland I was puzzled by what you found untruthful or offensive about a gay man being flamboyant, funny, bitchy, gossipy or the most stylish person in the room. Certainly “progressive Portland” (your words) is home to many homos who enjoy hiking, skiing, softball, rugby and even fly fishing. But amazingly, the population also boasts a wide variety of people just like Bart (I can point you to the appropriate bars if you’d like introductions). To pretend that homosexuals in the 21st century have suddenly all become more masculine than David Beckham is preposterous. What I love about being gay in this day and age is the opportunity afforded to celebrate all of ourselves – the ball player and the sissy within each of us: no apologies needed.

I think this brings up some really interesting issues. Coleman is right: I’m not here to tell anyone they shouldn’t be flamboyant or bitchy just because to do so is to act in accordance with a stereotype. On the other hand, I think that when theater (or film or tv or whatever else) is dominated by stereotypical representations, it becomes a problem. Read Coleman’s full e-mail, and my response, after the jump.

On Feb 15, 2007, at 11:29 AM, Chris Coleman wrote:
Hey Allison:

Read your review of The Thugs in this week’s Mercury. I was, obviously, disappointed that you didn’t care for the play. I think its pretty hilarious – but everybody is entitled to their own assessment. I am notably proud that we premiered two works this month that were developed right here in Portland at our Just Add/Water Festival. Part of the fun (and risk) or producing new work is that you get to celebrate its freshness, while knowing that only rarely does gestation occur without flaws apparent.

I was more troubled by your comments about the character of “Bart”. As a homo resident here in Portland I was puzzled by what you found untruthful or offensive about a gay man being flamboyant, funny, bitchy, gossipy or the most stylish person in the room. Certainly “progressive Portland” (your words) is home to many homos who enjoy hiking, skiing, softball, rugby and even fly fishing. But amazingly, the population also boasts a wide variety of people just like Bart (I can point you to the appropriate bars if you’d like introductions). To pretend that homosexuals in the 21st century have suddenly all become more masculine than David Beckham is preposterous. What I love about being gay in this day and age is the opportunity afforded to celebrate all of ourselves – the ball player and the sissy within each of us: no apologies needed.

Personally I found Bart’s character hysterical – having worked many years as a temp in my early days of theatre making.

Perhaps what “progressive Portland” needs more of is a sense of humor. Just a thought.

My best,

Chris

From: Alison Hallett [mailto:ahallett@portlandmercury.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 12:53 PM
To: Chris Coleman
Subject: Re: The Thugs Review

Hi Chris.
I put a lot of thought into my comments about Bart—being offended on someone else's behalf isn't something I usually take it upon myself to do, and I certainly have no problem with gay men expressing themselves in whatever manner they choose. What my objection boils down to is that I'm tired of seeing homosexuality used as a comic foil: The mere fact that a character is gay should not in and of itself be funny. I saw Burt's character as pandering to a straight audience's idea of what a gay person is like, and milking cheap laughs from the stereotype. That, to me, has little or nothing to do with accurately representing all the many shades of gayness, and more to do with reinforcing a status quo in which gay men are only embraced if they conform to certain expectations (that they be funny, effeminate, and wear pink shirts).
Thanks again for your feedback, though! I'll work on the whole "sense of humor" thing...

Alison

From: chrisc@pcs.org
Subject: RE: The Thugs Review
Date: February 15, 2007 1:37:15 PM PST
To: ahallett@portlandmercury.com

I guess I see humor as one of the myriad ways that gay men have created armour as a means of survival through the years. So it makes me happy that the gay guy is funny. But I hear your points.

My best,

Chris