By Kai Bisby
Photo credit: David Elzer

Lesbians and Musicals Do Mix!

It's a well-known fact that gay men, with their kick-ball-changes and jazz hands, have cornered the market on musical theater, while lesbians have been particularly absent. Well move over boys, because finally, lesbians are making their long overdue mark in musical theater with the world premiere of The Break Up Notebook, running through Jan. 15 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). This groundbreaking show is based on a play written by the hysterical Patricia Cotter about a lesbian who's recently been dumped. Fearing the dating scene, she throws herself back in with the help of her friends and encounters quite the world along the way. Director Sue Hamilton had a notion during a performance of the original play to make it into a musical. "The second night of our run I was watching the show and taking notes and I wrote myself a note about making this into a musical," explains Hamilton, "It was one of those moments where an idea comes to you and it is there for the taking." Hamilton expressed her idea to Cotter who jumped on board with the project. "I think what was exciting to me was that it was a marriage of something that had never happened before in theater." Cotter and Hamilton joined forces with Lori Scarlett who wrote the lyrics and music, and the lesbian musical was born. "We brainstormed where we might like it to go musically, and Lori created something that is incredibly unique and groundbreaking," says Hamilton, "It's an homage to all girl rock bands with a sort of traditional musical theater bent to it." And while the show is about lesbians singing about dating, loving, and being lesbians, there is a universal appeal. "It crosses all the lines in terms of people really digging it. Yes, because it is a lesbian musical, but also because it rocks." Patrick Bristow, best known for his role as the choreographer in Showgirls and as Peter in Ellen Degeneres' hit sitcom, plays the token gay male character in the show. "If audiences are expecting camp, they'll be surprised," explains Bristow, "We have moments that are heightened and silly, but it is reality based." Despite the fact that Bristow's character offers comic relief in a deliciously estrogen-filled play, he also believes that his character offers something more. "I think you could do this story without a guy character," says Bristow, "But my character provides something that is welcome: A lesbian and gay guy being good friends -- dispelling the myth that we are completely separate." Bristow agrees with Hamilton regarding the wide appeal of the show: "The show is surprisingly universal. People are engaged in the story and are very touched and moved. It is not just a niche piece." For tickets and information, call (323) 960-5563.