. . , ,9. _..........._..—-.~ ' 4- - . .r.. ti #3; ‘ ‘$2-eir-' .#'*-W €i4.'.$*.-‘.‘~‘.“"":%".-F x-.-..;.;~'.-....;_.......’ -.'«.“.-.....'i 22 | Out in the Mountains |March 2001 The Weight Comic Pon in the erotic-themed’ ‘reenactments of bible ness or an indictment of anti- queers. Perry is able to laugh at gays and straights (there are few bisexuals in this book) without seeming preachy or bitchy. The first chapter is about his fetishes and how they were cre- ated in his childhood near a military base in North Carolina. His babysitters were often Marines, and he has at least one fond memory of a group of Marines wearing only shorts and boots who pushed his mother’s car when it had run out of gas. These two accounts I found particularly funny and got me in the mood to tolerate some of the less- funny moments that finish the first section. Living in L.A. with his “spouse” Fred of 19 years, Perry has a very gay daily exis- tence that is somewhat foreign to me. In one night he has close encounters with four celebrities; he regularly attends the Metropolitan Community Church where he has appeared BY JOEL NICHOLS Naturally, I wanted to read F uriny That Way.‘ Adventures in Fabulousness by Joel Perry; for one, my name is Joel too, and I felt an instant connection to the other Joel when I read ‘ the back flap: “Joel Perry grew up fat -and queer in North Carolina.” Growing up similarly fat and queer in Vermont, I wanted to read what this guy was say- ing. The great cover design by Philip Pirolo is a really good visual representation of what is in the book. Perry divided the book into ten sections, ranging from “Getting to Know Me” and “Politics and God”, to “Food and Sex”. The jacket tells us that he produces comedy sketches for the same company that employs the likes of Dr. Laura and Rush Limbaugh. He seems to have a unique per- spective on being gay coming from this situation; his essays do not present a utopia of gay- Benet Franklin exwfifl” e"“f;5 &.G’Fi’0.*Y“?’“& Monday-Saturday 9-9 Sunday 11-5 518 Shelhurne Read Next to Mail 189 862-0646 www.benlranklin.baweb.cum I ‘ . V uiesleevpesj. if it’s.,got‘anything to do} A with preseriiiiig:memiiries, we’vetgnt it.~ 1 Get discounts join our Draft club! Is the I.R.S._ making you see R.E.D.?" Are your “taxing” migraines draining your medicine chest of Tylenol? Have the words “audit,” “bill,” and “second mortgage” been showing up more and more? If so, Theatre on a Shoestring wants to make taxtime a little _ easier. Between now and March V _20, TOAS is holding a contest. The winner will receive a stress- relieving massage from a local masseur. Simply mail a postcard with your name, address, and tele- phone number to Tax Relief _ Massage, clo TOAS, PO Box 1012, Burlington, VT 05402-1012. You can also enter online at www.theatreshoe.com and completing the entry form. You may enter as many times as you like, but each entry must be sent separately. Deadline is 5PM March 20. Clip this Lttl in tloiihle _\'(ii.ll‘ clitiiiees! E;lCll entry iiiaiiletl with this Lltl will count as two. denng stories; and he regularly has nightmarish experi- ences experimenting in leather. His trials at leather bars permeate the book and provide a lot of humor. When he gets on stage to enter the “furriest butt” con- test, he realizes that his black jeans are covered with cat fur and dirt glowing from the black lights, and the cheap dye from those jeans has bled all over his skin. Perry takes this trauma in stride and goes on to lament about how much leather costs. The best thing about this book is the covertly political message in a chapter called “Politics ‘Lite’——Activism Made Easy”. In the chapter, he makes it clear that you are political‘ if you are gay, no matter whether you march or lobby or not. Just being queer in this country makes a political state- ment. Hehas a good policy on the closet. "Ignore it; do not hide and.do not be quiet. His assertion that “you’re not fooling anyone” based on some work—place cri- teria is a little off-base, but the general attitude of being out andibeing a good representa- tive of the gay community is interesting. He demands being truthful, whether telling the groom’s family what “YMCA” means at a wedding reception or standing up if someone tells a homophobic joke. I disagree with his image of being a “good” gay and assim- ilating, but defending it by not- ing that it pisses off not only the religious right, but also the club boys, and that no other ‘couples can share ‘clothes as successfully, is cogent. I like his political attitude, even if I don’t agree with every point of his politics. Perry’s book is full of hilari- ous lines that help him make his criticisms and comments on life, especially gay life. Probably the funniest is his wisdom about weight: “Always weigh yourself with your shoes on. That way you can mentally deduct the esti- mated weight of your footwear. My shoes currently weigh twenty-five pounds.” The book, like it or not, attempts to be feel-good writ- ing. 1 found his observations ' about pride to be affirming, but also grating. “I am also proud of every single G, L, B, and T who has learned to say ‘screw it all’ and embrace their own worth because, believe me, that positive force benefits not only them but everyone, whether you ‘do it’ with men, women, or seasonal melons.” This sort of cheesy, sentimental business is all over the book, but Perry’s humor and attitude make it tol- erable. . will be played by Jill Macy, productions of In some cross—gender casting, the role of the miser, Harpagon, professional guest artist last seen locally at the St. Michael’s Playhouse Grease and Barefimt in the Park. February 28, March 1, 2, 3, March 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m.; March 11 at 2 p.m. Friday 86 Saturday Evenings all seats $12.50 (no discounts) All other performances — $11 general public, $9 students, seniors, UVM faculty/staff ROYALL TYLER THEATRE i.;.iM'rHEATRE? Moe's clasic tie farce ..-.-.- ., 802-656-2094 ELEYMANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES INC. C0llCL'l1ltl.\ in OlT,\’l\ l\’ltll‘L‘ll issue only! One LlLl per entry per L‘ll\'Clt)]‘)C.