Pope Joan
The News of the Week
September 8, 1995 -- Happy birthday, dear Mary, happy
birthday to you.
This page is dedicated to the memory of Jeff Hagedorn
This week, I want to share a happy memory to commemorate a sad event
that touches the theatre and personal lives of both Christopher Moore,
the playwright, and this writer tonight. Today, one of the great
American playwrights, Chicago's Jeff Hagedorn (author of dozens of
plays, teleplays and film scripts; arguably most famous for
ONE, the first play about AIDS , first
written and performed in 1980) went peacefully to the light.
Christopher, Jeff and I all shared the privledge of working with
Lionheart, Rick Paul's stalwart, organic, and ever-changing troupe of
international denizens of gay theatre and benevolent revolutionary
mayhem. The Honorary Pope Joan Great Theatrical Moments Award for today
goes to the audience's laughter and gasp during Hagedorn's play
THE LAYMAN'S GUIDE TO SAFE SEX when an actor (the late,
great Michael
Randolph) stretched a condom over his entire hand and arm, up to his
elbow, while tap-dancing to "Tea for Two," thereby demonstrating that
absolutely NOBODY's too big to protect himself. Send the gift of
laughter to us, dear Jeff. Rest in peace.
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