'Sordid Lives' :: Putting the 'Fun' Back into 'Dysfunction'

Dubbed a black comedy about white trash, "Sordid Lives" by Del Shores, has everything-Texans, an affair, a funeral, a psychiatrist, a gay boy who loves to dress up as country western stars, unconditional love, eccentricities, redemption and a singer named Bitsy Mae.

The show was nominated for over 30 awards during its first run and it was made into a major motion picture in 2000. Since then it has developed a cult following and it had a run as a TV series featuring Olivia Newton-John. Of it, Coronado Playhouse Director Mary L. Smith says, "It is crazy, very funny and universal with some touching moments."

This is Smith's first show at Coronado Playhouse, but you may know her work from Diversionary Theatre, Poway PAC and Lamplighters. Smith saw the show and fell in love with the script. She pitched this edgy show to the team at Coronado Playhouse a few years ago and they were able to say "Yes" for the 2016 season. Now, the cast of 12 is hard at work.

Born in San Diego, Smith first got bit by the theatre bug when she saw
a production of Peter Pan at the Starlight Theatre. "I fell in love with that show. The flying in and out, the wonderful mystery of 'how did they do that?!' It was the perfect show to get me hooked." She earned her college degree in tech theatre and spent time working in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Part of the LGBT family, she noted, "When I worked at Diversionary, people always wanted to know if I was part of the gay community and I always thought that was sort of funny. It really doesn't matter, does it? In this show, we have lesbians, gay men and straight people. But, it doesn't matter when it comes to the roles if you are gay or straight, what matters is that they do a great job. It is interesting, we are taking a 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' approach with the audience."

Del Shores wrote "Sordid Lives" in 1996 and in some ways it is dated... At least for more progressive areas of our country. Certainly, the overall message of the play is current and reinforces the concept that family is family-weird, complicated at times and lovable. There is progress to still be made. As Smith points out, "I mean look at this whole bathroom thing, it is crazy, worrying about transgender people in the bathrooms. Like police officers have time to stand outside and enforce this or be the bathroom monitor. Can you imagine? 'I'm sorry we couldn't respond in time to your call that your house was being burglarized and your husband was shot, we were busy standing outside public bathrooms.' "

Smith is hopeful for a new direction with LGBT theatre pieces. "I look forward to seeing plays where it doesn't matter, there are couples getting along and oh, they happen to be gay. In most plays, our community is always sticking out. I'd like more shows with a mix of every type, that we are the norm rather than the exception. Mixed races, mixed sexuality, and the playwright doesn't have to explain it."

Certainly, our dear readers must agree. Smith shared that Del Shores is working on a new script. "It is entitled 'A Sordid Wedding.' So, as time marches forward, someone from this family is getting married. But who?"

During the six-week run of Sordid Lives, Coronado Playhouse is raising money and awareness for Stepping Stone of San Diego, Inc. Stepping Stone has helped save lives for the past 40 years as one of the nation's only alcohol and drug treatment facility specializing in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community. For more information on their programs,go to steppingstonesd.org

"Sordid Lives" runs now through Sunday, June 26 at the Coronado Playhouse. For tickets and more information, call 619.435.4856
or go to coronadoplayhouse.com