Say Gay! Telling Our Stories with Music from LGBTQ+ Artists, Allies, and Icons
Audience reaction:
Heartwarming, funny, and at times emotionally raw. You will not be disappointed.
– Tracey E.
A meaningful, tear-jerking show.
– Patricia D.
It was amazing!
– Christine H.
Bravo on an incredible show!
– Christopher S.
Thank you for an incredibly moving and entertaining evening.
– Chris S.
The Bay Street Cabaret celebrated National Pride Month with a funny, thought-provoking, and emotional new theatrical cabaret experience entitled Say Gay! Telling Our Stories with Music from LGBTQIA+ Artists, Allies, and Icons. The show, featuring stories and songs that shine a light on issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community, was performed on Friday, June 24 at 7:30pm and Sunday 26 at 7:30pm, at Club One’s Bay Street Theatre. Tickets ranged from $20-$30 and a portion of the proceeds benefited Savannah’s First City Pride Center.
With an original script from GLAAD Media Award Winning writer Rick Garman, a series of characters told their deeply personal journeys dealing with coming out, marriage, aging, body shaming, bullying, violence, discrimination, “Don’t Say Gay” laws, transgender issues, drag culture, gay conversion therapy, AIDS, loss, community and more. Powerful and yet full of humor and hope, these stories aimed to both illuminate and entertain.
Although not a traditional musical, each story fed into live cabaret performances of music from LGBTQIA+ artists, allies, and icons with more than 20 songs including “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross, “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga, “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John, “Good as Hell” by Lizzo, “Do You Wanna Dance” by Bette Midler, “No Matter What” by Calum Scott, “I’m the Only One” by Melissa Etheridge, and “Love Shack” by The B-52s to name a few. There will also be special choral and sing-along performances of “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper, “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen, and “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.
The talented cast featured many faces familiar to Savannah audiences including Travis Cheek, Travis Harold Coles, Hannah Dodson, Cami Nicole Hall, Justin P. Kent, Gwen Leahy, Taylor Mercier, Magnolia Minxxx, and Treyla Trash.
The show was being directed by Rick Garman, who has written several novels and more than thirty movies for television. Musical direction was provided by Brandon Kaufman, a veteran of Savannah’s music and theater scene. Erin Muller did lighting and sound direction.
The cast performs “I’m Coming Out” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
The cast and crew of “Say Gay”
Magnolia Minxx performs a monologue about coming out in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Treyla Trash performs a monologue about drag culture in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Treyla Trash performs “I Am What I Am” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Justin P. Kent performs “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Hannah Dodson performs “You Don’t Own Me” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Travis Harold Coles performs “No Matter What” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Cami Nicole Hall performs “Born This Way” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Cami Nicole Hall performs a monologue about gay conversion therapy in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Gwen Leahy performs “Brave” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Hannah Dodson performs “Roar” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Taylor Mercier performs “Rise Up” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Taylor Mercier performs a monologue about gay bashing in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
The ensemble performs “Good as Hell” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Trey Norris performs “Do You Wanna Dance” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Travis Harold Coles and Trey Norris perform a piece about gay marriage in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
The ensemble performs “True Colors” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Gwen Leahy performs “Don’t Rain on My Parade” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Cami Nicole Hall performs “I’m the Only One” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Magnolia Minxxx performs “If That’s Your Boyfriend” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Rick Garman performs “For Forever” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Gwen Leahy, Hannah Dodson, and Justin P. Kent perform a piece about religion in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Gwen Leahy, Hannah Dodson, and Justin P. Kent perform “Love Shack” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Justin P. Kent performs “Love Shack” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
Taylor Mercier performs “This Is Me” in the Bay Street Cabaret production of “Say Gay” Friday, June 24, 2022.
