Redwood Curtain continued the company’s brief (but always memorable) runs of eclectic, musical cabarets with last weekend’s two performances of “A Queer Cabar-Gay!” — the first in its new, shared space with NCRT at the 5th & D Street Theater. And while doing so, expanded on the “gender turn-about” of Broadway musical characters that RC staged in 2022, “A Miscast Cabaret,” when the musical numbers initially, specifically written and performed for male or female actors were reversed. So, that meant that — no matter the gender of the Redwood Curtain performers — they could choose to sing any iconic song ever sung in a Broadway show, no matter “who” had originally been the character who sang it.
And, what a delight it was for both performers and audiences to be able to experience a fresh take on the music — and especially, the lyrics — when heard in a different context. Because there have always been “underlying gender possibilities” from many composers of both popular and musical theater songs, that have always been there “for the taking.” And, most importantly, why should some of the most wonderful songs ever written not be both available, but “appropriate” for any actor/singer to sing (and express their feelings) for another person they cared about, whoever they might be? But, unfortunately, for far too long, this wasn’t the case.
And, although it still takes some “artistic bravery” to do so, Redwood Curtain has never backed away.