Friday, June 24 & Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:30pm
Cast
(In Alphabetical Order)
Travis Cheek
Travis Harold Coles
Hannah Dodson
Cami Nicole Hall
Justin P. Kent
Gwen Leahy
Taylor Mercier
Magnolia Minxxx
Treyla Trash
Written, Produced, and Directed by
Rick Garman
Musical Director
Brandon Kaufman
Lighting and Sound Director
Erin Muller
Spotlight Operator
Toria Nicole Shaw
Special Thanks
Savannah Children’s Theatre
This Show is Lovingly Dedicated to Max Coles for His Support, Love, and Friendship
And to Jon Fryman, Mary Herczog, and Chris Trousdale for Their Inspiration
The First City Pride Center was born in 2017 out of a need many of us felt for connection, support, and understanding of who we are, not just as members of the LGBTQIA+ rainbow but as proud Savannahians as well. It was a desire to create a community. One that would welcome everyone with open arms, without judgment or reservation, allowing us to come together and work as one to provide crucial services, to find a way to connect, and to amplify our common voices .
We opened our doors as a collection of service providers under one roof and over the next three years, these organizations developed a relationship that would eventually unite them as one. In 2020, the Savannah LGBT Center became the First City Pride Center and unified First City Network, Savannah Pride, Jeffrey’s Place, and the Center into one cohesive organization.
Today, the FCPC stands ready to be Savannah’s home for the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s not just a building, it’s people. It’s our past, our present, and our future. We are doctors, accountants, and construction workers. We are the sons and daughters of the Stonewall riots, the AIDS crisis, and the fight for marriage rights. We are students, professionals, and essential workers. We are gay, lesbian, trans, pansexual, and allies. We are worthy, we are enough, we are not going to be silent, we are never going to forget where we’ve been, and we are never going to stop moving toward where we want to be.
We are Savannah. We are family. We are First City Pride Center.
To learn more, become a part of our organization, or donate, please visit us online at FirstCityPrideCenter.org
Set List
“I’m Coming Out”
Magnolia Minxxx, Ensemble
“I’m Coming Out” was written by Chic founders Niles Rodgers and Bernard Edwards for Diana Ross after they went to a nightclub and saw several Diana Ross female impersonators. While Ross initially feared releasing the song would her career, she has since gone on to become a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and the song has become an empowering anthem for the community.
“I Am What I Am”
Treyla Trash
I”Am What I Am” is from the Tony Award Winning Musical “La Cage aux Folles,” written by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein, both out, open, and proud members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The hit movie “The Birdcage” starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane was based on this show about a gay couple who owns a drag nightclub and must hide who they are when their son brings his girlfriend’s ultra-conservative parents to visit.
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”
Justin P. Kent
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and became one of Elton John’s most enduring hits. John has been a proud leader, advocate, and cheerleader for the LGBTQIA+ community and the issues we face, including his groundbreaking work fighting AIDS.
“You Don’t Own Me”
Hannah Dodson
This was one of singer Lesley Gore’s biggest hits, recorded when she was only 18 years. Gore came out in 2005, revealing that she had been in a relationship with jewelry designer Lois Sasson for more than 30 years. The two remained together until Gore’s death in 2015.
“No Matter What”
Travis Harold Coles
Written and performed by the openly gay Calum Scott, he describes this song as his most personal, tracing his real-life journey of coming out to his parents and friends. Of the song, Scott said, “I want to help people, I want to inspire people, I want to make people more compassionate.”
“Born This Way”
Cami Nicole Hall
Lady Gaga co-wrote “Born This Way” as what she calls her “this is who the fuck I am anthem,” and it has since gone on to become an inspiration for the LGBTQIA+ community around the world.
“Brave”
Gwen Leahy
“Brave” was written by Sara Bareilles and Jack Antonoff and was inspired by the struggles that a close friend dealt with when they came out as gay. The song has gone on to become an LGBTQIA+ anthem.
“Rise Up”
Taylor Mercier
In an interview with the Windy City Times, Day said: “I think “Rise Up” resonates with so many people, including the LGBT community, because it talks about perseverance. It talks about persevering through struggle, criticism and rejection. It’s a simple message of determination for yourself and others, and I think the simplicity of that is what resonates with people the most.”
“True Colors”
Ensemble, Featured Soloist Travis Cheek
In interviews, singer Cyndi Lauper has said “True Colors” resonated with her because of the death of her friend, Gregory Natal, from HIV/AIDS. Years later after its recording, Lauper co-founded the True Colors Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating LGBT youth homelessness.
INTERMISSION
“Good as Hell”
Travis Cheek, Ensemble
Lizzo wrote “Good as Hell” to celebrate what it means to be different from the norm and to embrace that difference. The singer, who says she is unable to label her sexuality due to the spectrum of sexuality, is a huge LGBTQ+ advocate and regularly performs at Pride events around the world.
“Do You Wanna Dance”
Trey Norris
Written by Bobby Freeman in 1958, “Do You Wanna Dance” was covered by Bette Midler in 1972. Midler has been an icon for the gay community since she got her start performing in the gay bathhouses in New York City in the 1970s. Since then, she has gone on to become a fierce, outspoken advocate LGTBQIA+ issues. She remains one of our community’s greatest allies.
“Roar”
Hannah Dodson
“Roar” is co-written and performed by Katy Perry, who was awarded Human Rights Campaign’s National Equality Award in March 2017 for her tireless efforts championing LGBTQIA+ rights. She dedicated another of her songs, “Firework,” to the “It Gets Better” campaign aimed at combatting the harassment of gay youth.
“Don’t Rain on My Parade”
Gwen Leahy
If you don’t know how this classic from the musical and film “Funny Girl” connects to the LGBTQIA+ community, we’re taking away your gay card. One word: Barbra.
“I’m the Only One”
Cami Nicole Hall
Written and recorded by openly gay artist Melissa Etheridge, the original music video from the song released in 1993 featured the singer performing at a nightclub in which several couples, including same-sex couples, are seen making out.
“If That’s Your Boyfriend”
Magnolia Minxxx
“If That’s Your Boyfriend” was written and performed by openly bisexual, Grammy-award-winning artist Meshell Ndegeocello. Her song “Leviticus: Faggot,” about a young man who is thrown out of his house for being gay and later commits suicide, generated controversy upon its release in 1996 and was banned on many radio and TV stations.
“For Forever”
Rick Garman and Travis Harold Coles
“For Forever” is from the musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” written by the openly gay Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It was sung by the character of Evan Hansen, originally played on Broadway by openly gay artist Ben Platt. The show won six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Actor.
“Love Shack”
Justin P. Kent, Hannah Dodson, Gwen Leahy
“Love Shack” was the biggest hit for The B-52s, a group consisting of openly gay singer Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, and Keith Strickland. Wilson’s brother Ricky was also a member of the band, but died of complications due to AIDS in 1985.
“This Is Me”
Taylor Mercier
Featured in the film “The Greatest Showman,” “This Is Me” was also written by “Dear Evan Hansen” composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It has become an anthem for the LGBTQIA+ community, with album producer Greg Wells saying in an interview with The Advocate that his best friend growing up, “was gay and couldn’t hide it. We both got beat up all the time. There was no song like this for him.”
“You Will Be Found”
Ensemble
“You Will Be Found” is another song from “Dear Evan Hansen” that has become an empowering message of hope for the gay community.
“We Are Family”
Ensemble
“We Are Family” was written by Bernie Edwards and Niles Rodgers of the group Chic and recorded by “Sister Sledge” in 1978. It’s message of solidarity and inclusion has made it one of the most enduring anthems for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Cast
Travis Cheek as Bailey, Featured Soloist
Travis Harold Coles as Harper, Friend
Hannah Dodson as Jessie, Riley, Choir Member
Hannah Dodson is currently a junior at Georgia Southern working towards her BA in Theatre! Some of her recent acting credits include The Laramie Project (GSU), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Collective Face), and Janet and Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show (Bay Street Theatre) as well as numerous Bay Street Cabaret shows! She recently made her directorial debut with Time Flies at GSU!
Cami Nicole Hall as Parker, Aubrey
Cami Nicole Hall was raised in rural Indiana and has been performing since she was born (just ask her mom). She grew up singing around the world with the prestigious Logansport Children’s Choir. Her first role in a musical was as a flying monkey in The Wizard of Oz, but some of her favorite roles to portray include The Cat in the Hat in Seussical and Marty in Grease. This Hoosier has been in the peach state for 12 years: paralegal at Morgan & Morgan by day, sound engineer at the Bay Street Theatre by night. When Cami isn’t on stage, you can find her watching wild birds with her wife and taking too many pictures of her dogs.
Justin P. Kent as Hayden, Avery
Justin has been in Savannah for 20+ years, and lives here with his beautiful wife, Valerie, and wonderful son, Logan! He is the co-founder of Odd Lot Improv, which has been performing in Savannah for over a decade. His most recent and favorite stage role was Don Quixote in Man Of La Mancha at the Asbury Theater. He can also be seen in all Tenacious Theatrics Productions online at tenacioustheatrics.com. He also has regular pictures of him drinking coffee on his instagram: @grandmoffjustin
Gwen Leahy as Max, Ellis, Choir Member
Gwen Leahy is ecstatic to be a part of The Bay Street Cabaret . She is an ex-competitive award-winning actress and choral singer, having competed in many one act play, literary, and GMEA competitions throughout her high school and college years. Most recently, however, she has been thrilled to take part in the Bay Street Theater’s annual productions of The Rocky Horror Show, which she has been cast regularly in since 2017. She also is lucky to work backstage with the Club One Cabaret as the resident show DJ and light operator. She thanks everyone for coming out to support the Cabaret and cannot wait to get on with the show!
Taylor Mercier as Lee, Noah
Taylor Mercier is greatly joyed to finally be taking the Club One stage! Baltimore-raised, Taylor has sung across the east coast – stretching from Boston to Savannah. Even while studying opera under great sopranos Dr. Tamara Tucker and Mary Anne Barcellona in Annapolis, Taylor always found a home in Broadway. From performing roles such as Maureen in Rent and Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, she shows great sensitivity and versatility. Taylor has taught voice and piano for 8+ years and can be seen as a featured soloist in I Cantori, a member of the Savannah Sacred Quartet, as well as a staff singer at Skidaway Community Church. She currently attends Georgia Southern University for Music Education, and deeply loves her beautiful company at home with her 30+ house plants, 5 pets, and dynamite partner, Mandee.
Magnolia Minxxx as Kai, Drew
This burly bombshell hit the scene with The Savannah Sweet Tease Burlesque Revue when they began in 2013. She tours with her troupe, performs at festivals, produces all kinds of shows, including the all POC here in SAV and took home crown as the winner of the very 1st Edition of 1,2,3,TEASE!” She was awarded “The Cyclone” Award from RedBone herself in 2018 at Discordia Days & was crowned with “The Golden Smile” Award at GLCC 2018 and the Golden Edge Award in 2020. She’s a classy, sassy, sexycool burlybombshell with a taste of twisted melanin magic that earned her all three X’s in her name (keeping you coming back for more).
Treyla Trash as Agatha, Mason
A native to Savannah, Trey is an active member of The Bay Street Theatre, Collective Face Theatre Ensemble, and is the assistant General Manager at Club One Jefferson. His passion for music and stage gave birth to a drag character known to downtown Savannah as “Treyla Trash,” and is often seen at the Club One Cabaret on Thursday or Sunday evenings. You may have seen him as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Christopher Boone in Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, or Guilliano in Big Love. Trey’s passions include classical music, reading, and the art of female impersonation.
Written, Directed, & Produced by Rick Garman
Rick Garman grew up in Iowa but moved to Los Angeles as soon as he was old enough to be sure that his parents couldn’t send a sheriff to bring him back. He studied theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his writing debut with a stage production 17 Days which was produced in Los Angeles and in small theaters around the country. His second play Mountains won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Los Angeles Theater Production. Rick has published several novels including three volumes of the Savannah-set Interitas series and has written or produced more than two dozen movies for the Hallmark Channel and other networks including A Shoe Addict’s Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart; Valentine in the Vineyard starring Rachael Leigh Cook and Brendan Penny; and Christmas at Pemberley Manor starring Jessica Lowndes and Michael Rady. He currently resides in Savannah and is thrilled to be producing the Bay Street Cabaret.
Musical Direction by Brandon Kaufman
A Savannah native, Brandon Kaufman studied music at the Savannah Arts Academy before attend the University of Georgia where he earned a degree in Music Composition. Since graduating Brandon has worked primarily as a musical director for local theatre and performing arts programs, directing the music for over 100 productions across 13 years of professional experience. Alongside music directing, he maintains a voice & piano studio, accompanies local church services, and occasionally works as a staff accompanist for Georgia Southern University.
