St. Petersburg – Local actor/director/playwright Joseph Alan Johnson is back with a new production of an old favorite. Johnson will be at the helm of the latest production of his original play Gay/Sex/Life, which will be performed June 9-11 at The Studio @ 620 as part of St. Petersburg’s LGBT Pride festivities.
“They usually do a play during Gay Pride as part of the many events,” says Johnson. “Bob Devin Jones was going to bring a play in from New York, so I said to him ‘Well I live here, I’m a local St Pete playwright, why don’t you use this play I have?’ and he really liked the idea.”
Gay/Sex/Life follows the strained relationship of Clifford and John, a couple whose partnership spans 20 years and is now on the rocks. As John seeks to end the relationship amicably, Clifford wants to salvage it, and as things progress the drama and comedy ensue. Add in a performance by Tampa Bay favorite Daniel Harris, and the end result is an entertaining ride Johnson says will make you laugh, cry, and connect with.
“It’s about a couple on the verge of breaking up,” says Johnson. “So it is a gay-themed play, but it’s about situations that everyone can relate to. After the first production of it, people would come up to me and say ‘That character reminds me of so-and-so,’ or ‘I know someone just like that character.’ They’re relatable, and people can connect with the story and characters.”
Though the play debuted in 2011 at The Carollwood Players Theatre in Tampa, Johnson had no direct part in the production, but is thrilled to finally be in the director’s chair this time around.
“I actually wasn’t involved in that production,” says Johnson. “They did their own production, but it was so far away that one Friday night I actually rented a bus and took all my friends out there to see their production of it.”
Johnson explains that the play ended up at the Tampa theatre by happenstance.
“I knew the artistic director there at the time, and I had said to her ‘I wrote this gay-themed play,’ and she said ‘Well actually we’re looking to do more edgy material, and something by a local,’” he says. “So she read the script and said ‘I want to do this play.’ I have to give her credit for taking a chance on a play that had never been done.”
The decision by the theater company was a controversial one.
“They actually got some flak, because of the provocative nature of the title. And the title is provocative, and I did it to sell tickets,” he says with a laugh. “But they have a big following at the theater and everyone who went to see the show really enjoyed it.”
Johnson says that after the production ended, he moved on from Gay/Sex/Life and started working on other projects and writing new plays. But when he put on one of his newest plays, Misconception, at the Studio @ 620 this past fall, the interest in reviving Gay/Sex/Life was renewed.
And now Johnson is finally able to see his vision come to life the way he imagined it.
“Since I wrote the material and have certain visions of how I want certain things to be,” he says.
“Once I’ve done it [a production] I don’t mind letting it go, but I’ve never actually directed this play or seen it done as I envisioned it, and as you bring other people into it, actors bring their own colors into, it’s really interesting.”
Johnson is finding the experience to be exceptionally rewarding.
“It’s about the camaraderie, knowing we’re all doing our best, and we’re having so much fun. Every cast is different, some like to just do the work and then go home, others are really lively, they like to go out and bond,” says Johnson. “This cast is really lively, and what makes this play work is the chemistry between the characters and the actors. It’s an enjoyable situation when you’re with a group of people that you like and respect, and you all have that common goal.”
And as opening night draws near, Johnson reflects on, and appreciates, the journey involved in the creative process.
“I love seeing words and thoughts that I had in my head now become flesh and blood,” he says. “It’s very gratifying to see something that I walked around my living room saying to myself now come to life onstage. It’s magic.”
For ticket prices and information, visit TheStudioAt620.org or call 727-895-6620.
More Info:
WHAT: Gay/Sex/Life
WHERE: Studio @ 620, St. Petersburg
WHEN: 7 p.m., June 9-11
TICKETS: $20-$25 at TheStudioAt620.org
