Description

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the riot at Stonewall Inn that spawned the gay liberation movement, an act of civil and social engagement that has evolved to embrace a wide range of sexuality, gender, and identity issues. This evening will feature works that reflect the importance of the movement, accounts from The Stonewall Reader from Penguin Classics, and also some of its most famous, outspoken, poetic, and fabulous artists and writers. Co-hosted by Kathy Tu and Tobin Low from Nancy, the acclaimed podcast from WNYC Studios featuring stories and conversations about the queer experience today. With readings by Ivory Aquino (When We Rise), Kay Ulanday Barrett (When The Chant Comes), Becca Blackwell (They, Themself and Schmerm), Kate Bornstein (Gender Outlaw), John Benjamin Hickey (The Good Wife), Michael Early (Forever), and Beth Malone (Fun Home).

Ivory Aquino is best known for her leading role in the miniseries When We Rise. Her portrayal of trans activist Cecilia Chung earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 2017 POZ Awards.

Kay Ulanday Barrett is a poet, performer, and cultural strategist. They are the author of the poetry collections When the Chant Comes and the forthcoming More Than Organs. They serve as the 2018 Lambda Literary Review Writer-in-Residence for Poetry.

Becca Blackwell is an NYC-based trans actor, performer, and writer. Blackwell is a recipient of the Doris Duke Impact Artist Award and the creator of the solo show They, Themself and Schmerm.

Kate Bornstein is a celebrated performance artist who’s toured across the globe for over thirty years. They are the author of six groundbreaking books, including Gender Outlaw and Hello, Cruel World, and are the subject of the documentary Kate Bornstein Is A Queer and Pleasant Danger.

In a career spanning more than thirty years, Michael Early has distinguished himself in a variety of roles Off-Broadway, in regional theatre and on television. He most recently appeared as the Stage Manager in Our Town at Triad Stage.

John Benjamin Hickey won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance The Normal Heart. His screen credits include The Good Wife, Pitch Perfect, Manhattan, and Mapplethorpe.

Beth Malone was nominated for a 2015 Tony Award and Grammy for her game-changing role of “Alison” in Fun Home. She recently starred in the revival of Angels in America on Broadway. She is the author and star of the critically acclaimed one-woman show Beth Malone: So Far.

Kathy Tu and Tobin Low are the co-hosts of Nancy, the acclaimed podcast from WNYC Studios featuring stories and conversations about the queer experience today. Hailed as a top podcast by Entertainment Weekly, TIME Magazine, and The Guardian, Nancy has been praised for its “empathetic sense of how it feels to be young, searching, and a work in progress” by Vulture and as a “must-listen” by OUT. Prior to Nancy, Tobin was a professional cellist. And, Kathy wants it noted that while this whole hosting thing makes her very uncomfortable, she’s leaning the eff in. You can find more about Tobin, Kathy, and Nancy at nancypodcast.org.

Selected Shorts is produced by Symphony Space and broadcast on more than 150 stations around the country. The Selected Shorts podcast consistently ranks as one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes. The series began in 1985 and enjoys sold-out performances to this day. Selected Shorts was conceived with a simple premise: take great stories by well-known and emerging writers and have them performed by terrific actors of stage and screen. Featuring stories around a lively theme, the favorite works of a guest author, or a special collaboration, each Selected Shorts event is a unique night of literature in performance.