The Savannah Cabaret is celebrating Pride with a new theatrical production, "Say Gay! Louder!" with two shows by local entertainers featuring live performances of songs from LGBTQ+ artists, allies, and icons.
Proceeds from the production will support First City Pride Center (FCPC) , which is one of two LGBTQ+ centers in Georgia, and it serves the greater Savannah community and more than 12 surrounding counties.
"This show touches on a lot of issues and the impact they have on our community, and it's crucial at a time like this in terms of supporting the First City Pride Center. They're the whole game here, not only in Southeast Georgia and the coastal community, but in a big part of the Southeast United States," said show producer, director, and writer Rick Garman.
The "Say Gay! Louder!" show will feature monologues, scenes, and spoken word pieces about issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, including anti-drag and anti-trans laws, hate crimes, bullying, coming out, body image, and pronoun usage.
"Supporting the First City Pride Center through attending queer art shows and exhibitions is a fun way to raise money to support our programs and services," said First City Pride Center Executive Director Lawrence Appenzeller.
Covers of songs by LGBTQ+ artists, allies, and icons such as Queen, Katy Perry, Lizzo, Christina Aguilera, Rachel Platten, and more will be in the show. There will be a special choral version of "Proud" by Heather Small as well.
The cast features Molly Alexander, Ethan Goble, Cami Nicole Hall, Andrew Hillis, Justin P. Kent, Gwen Leahy, Lauren Ledger, and Mark Poticny.
"We're dealing with a lot of serious topics in the show and some emotional moments, but it's also a lot of fun. A lot of the monologues are very funny and uplifting. We hope it's going to be uplifting and a call to action so that people are going to walk out of the theater and feel like it's time for a change," said Garman.
Garman said Last year’s show was born in response to legislation that affected the LGBTQ+ community.
"It was crazy before, but now it's kind of scary,” said Garman. “We wanted to do the show again this year in response to some of the things that have happened in the last year, and sort of shine a light on those issues.”
There will be two performances of “Say Gay! Louder!”, Friday, June 23 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 25 at 7 p.m. at Club One’s Bay Street Theatre. Tickets are available now at savannahcabaret.com. All the net profits from ticket sales will be matched 100% by the Savannah Cabaret and donated to the First City Pride Center.
