Jewelle Gomez Brings Gay, Black, & Women’s Lib to Life

by Barry David Horwitz

Where else but in San Francisco can you travel through time, back to Cape Cod in the summer of 1959, and chat with early Civil Rights pioneers? At NCTC, you can eavesdrop on Black and Gay and Women rebels as they are living their liberation.

Did they know they were blazing new trails? Not really. In fact being out and proud, or Black and Beautiful, or an independent woman are ongoing projects. In Jewelle Gomez’ play, we listen in on the anguish caused by 50s rejection and oppression of so-called “minorities.”

Gomez’s play is about healing injuries that go back to the beginning of this country—a long and treacherous journey. Although the witty script could use some more dramatic conflict to spice up the story, the five top-notch actors bring humanity and love to this sweet, lyrical work, artfully directed by Kimberly Ridgway.

The five friends spend the summer of 1959 at Provincetown, at the tippy tip of Cape Cod, as it curls into the Atlantic Ocean. A gay Mecca, P’town provides refuge for people who have been assaulted and denied their rights. P’town promises a new vision.

The friends who return to their summer cottages for a gay summer are former vaudeville singers and dancers, exuberantly reliving their youth with fond memories, photos, and dances. It’s a nostalgic, memory play, depicting their struggles over rejection and racism, with comic flair.

Meet exuberant Buster, played with delicious relish by lively ShawnJ West—who dances his way into our hearts. But Buster still remembers being rejected for being Black, for being gay, for being himself. West spreads a survivor’s light and joy, proudly.

His partner Scottie (heartwarming Matt Weimer) still fears coming out to his father, even though Scottie’s 50 now. Weimer consistently delivers warmth and empathy, with tosses of his hair that say: I don’t care, I will keep on being gay. His charm slowly warms our hearts.

As Lydia, a former dancer, Awele appealingly and affirmatively plays a Black woman fighting for her long-denied recognition. Bright as a new penny, Lydia spreads love, always reaching out to help her friends. She’s an angel from heaven, bringing joy with gossip, memories, and rebellion.

Lydia advises love-lorn Minty (thoughtful Desiree Rogers), who yearns after a lost girlfriend. Rogers shows us a blustery, conflicted woman who is hiding her heart. Will she test the waters of gay Provincetown? Her friends help her to blossom and accept herself.

Finally, young and naïve Anano (sprightly Stephen Kanaski) falls in love with the wrong person. Kanaski makes the ingenue role sparkle with his enthusiasm and bright eyes. The older thespians shower advice, as he cleans out their attics.

At P’town, you get to unpack your fears, your disappointments, your joys, and your hopes—just before the whirlwind 60s. These friends are practicing the revolution before it happened—showing the way to the March on Washington, to Stonewall, to Women’s Liberation. These are the folks who made it possible—at great personal cost. Nice to meet them at last.

“Unpacking in P’Town” by Jewelle Gomez, directed by Kimberly Ridgeway, costumes by Nia Jacobs, lighting by Stephanie Anne Johnson, choreography by Christina Lazo, set & props by Thomas O’Brien, sound by Lana Palmer, at New Conservatory Theatre Center, San Francisco. Info: nctcsf.org – to March 31, 2024.

Cast: Awele (ah-WAY-lay), Stephen Kanaski, Desiree Rogers, Matt Weimer, and ShawnJ West.

Banner photo: Matt Weimer, ShawnJ-West, & Awele. Photos by Lois Tema