Blind Prophecy

Tonight involved two after-work events. First, today was the next-to-last official day for our colleague Cady, so we gathered at Ginger’s (formerly Ginger Trois, now under new management) to have drinks and wish her well. The thing about Ginger Trois… they poured heavy. The new ownership isn’t quite so bad, but it’s still a generous dose of alcohol with each drink. I had four Captain and Diets and was feeling it. Usually I can handle twice that without much problem.

It’s sad to see Cady go, but we had a good time at the party.

More exciting, you may remember that I’ve blogged before about Steven Fales, star of Confessions of a Mormon Boy. Well, he’s been in town the last two weekends with a new cabaret-style show, Mormon American Princess.

Steven Fales, Mormon American Princess, photo by John Skalicky.

Let me put on my theatre critic hat for a paragraph. The opening number went on too long, the show lacked a strong through-line, and Fales relied on the assumption that the audience would already be familiar with his background and the story he told in Confessions. However, Fales’s strongest asset is his natural charm and the most interesting parts of the show came from the least scripted banter. In fairness, he told us the show wasn’t going to be a cathartic experience this time (he also threatened to keep all his clothes on, but flashed some pecs anyway), but I felt he could have dug a little deeper all the same.

Taking that critic hat off, now, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and not just because I have a bit of a crush on Steven. I was flattered when he recognized me and ackowledged me during the show since we haven’t spoken or communicated since a short conversation at Utah Pride (I was, of course, running around like crazy, being in charge and all). I’m also a sucker for musical theatre, so a night of cabaret rarely let’s me down.

In this show, Fales doesn’t treat the LDS church with the kid gloves he seemed to be wearing in Confessions, which made me glad. Although I’ll always be culturally tied to the Mormon faith through my family and background, I’ve stopped making excuses for the bad behavior of the many and the powerful within the church to spare the feelings of the few thoughtful faithful. I’m glad to see Fales doing less of that, too.

My favorite number from the show was a medley with “Desperado” and another song I should recognize but can’t recall the name of. I also found myself happily mouthing the words when he sang “Making Love Alone” made famous by my personal goddess of theatregeekery, Bernadette Peters. Steven mentioned in the show that they’re working on material to take to Joe’s Pub, which is exciting.

After the show, we had a few minutes to catch up. I told him that the next time we cross paths (since it’s now been Vegas, Salt Lake and San Francisco) may be in New York if I get accepted to a law school out there. If anyone is looking for something to do this weekend, he’s at the New Conservatory Theatre Center through the 24th.

Anyway, I have tomorrow off (after the drinking and late night, that’s good), but I’m heading to WonderCon. It’s supergeek weekend! I should have pictures of grown men running around in spandex in the next couple of posts.

Filed under: theatregeekery, work by Jere Keys