2020-21 Season — Our Inside/Outside Season
This season – our forty-fourth – we will begin inside with some slammin’ live stream productions and then, we hope, venture outside into theaters again. Along the way we present the hottest and latest in diverse LGBT stories, with an emphasis on the stories of African-American and Latinx individuals. Please join us for an adventurous and topical season.
Earlier in the Season
Blood at the Roots
Cal State East Bay Department of Theatre and Dance
Written by Dominique Morriseau
Directed by Darryl V. Jones
Choreographed by Laura E. Ellis.
Online On-Demand November 7 – 15
A striking new ensemble drama based on the Jena Six: The Six Black students who were initially charged with attempted murder for a school fight after being provoked with nooses hanging from a tree on campus.
This bold new play by Dominique Morisseau (Ain’t Too Proud, Sunset Baby, Detroit ’67, Skeleton Crew) examines the miscarriage of justice, racial double standards, and homophobia as they intersect in teen culture.
When the central character, a black female student named Raylynn, decides it’s time for a change in her high school, she sits under a tree around which only white students regularly gather. In response—as was the case in Jena—nooses are subsequently hung from that tree, causing many black students to erupt in protest.
Things come to a head when six black students, including Raylynn’s brother, attack a gay white student and are brought up on trumped-up charges.
Overlooked Latinas
2020-21 Season Opener!
Written and Performed by Tina D’Elia
Directed by Mary Guzmán
November 13 – 22
A Live-Stream Presentation
Publicity Photos
Alligator Mouth, Tadpole Ass
Written by J. Julian Christopher
Directed by Richard A. Mosqueda
Performed by Jakob Mendoza-Reitz and Armando Rey
A Live On-Line Streaming Production
December 11-20, 2020
Limited Engagement – 2 Weeks Only! – 5 Performances.
Preview: Friday, December 11 at 8:00 pm.
Opening Night: Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 pm (On-Line Reception to follow)
A world premier commission of a developing play by an incisive Latinx playwright.
Broadcast from Spark Arts
This is a live on-line production broadcast from Spark Arts – no one will be admitted to Spark Arts for the event.
Production Photos
Armando Rey (l) as “Mercedes” and Jakob Mendoza-Reitz (r) as “Miss Chelley” in Alligator Mouth, Tadpole Ass by J. Julian Christopher and directed by Richard Mosqueda. A world premiere at Theatre Rhinoceros.
- Armando Rey plays the double role of “Mercedes” and “Hank” in Alligator Mouth, Tadpole Ass by J. Julian Christopher and directed by Richard Mosqueda. A world premiere at Theatre Rhinoceros.
Jakob Mendoza-Reitz plays the double role of “Van” and “Miss Chelley” in Alligator Mouth, Tadpole Ass by J. Julian Christopher and directed by Richard Mosqueda. A world premiere at Theatre Rhinoceros.
Armando Rey (l) as “Hank” and Jakob Mendoza-Reitz (r) as “Van” in Alligator Mouth, Tadpole Ass by J. Julian Christopher and directed by Richard Mosqueda. A world premiere at Theatre Rhinoceros.
Armando Rey (l) as “Mercedes” and Jakob Mendoza-Reitz (r) as “Miss Chelley” in Alligator Mouth, Tadpole Ass by J. Julian Christopher and directed by Richard Mosqueda. A world premiere at Theatre Rhinoceros.
Jakob Mendoza-Reitz as “Miss Chelley” in Alligator Mouth, Tadpole Ass by J. Julian Christopher and directed by Richard Mosqueda. A world premiere at Theatre Rhinoceros.
Publicity Photos
Nightbird
Free Reading!
Tuesday, January 12 at 7 pm
by R. Eric Thomas
Directed by Elizabeth Carter
What goes in the place of a Confederate monument in a black Baltimore neighborhood?
Chelle, an artist, has recently purchased her childhood home in Upton; her brother Willard is working on refurbishing it.
The place is stunning honey, but the neighborhood is more weed than flower. The windows let in the sounds of a city street teeming with kids and sirens and the footsteps of white joggers and firecrackers and the chop of the police helicopters.
And out of those windows you can see an abandoned lot on one side–an opportunity and an eyesore–and on the other, an empty pedestal that until recently was home to a statue of Robert E. Lee. An eyesore. And an opportunity. Willard is determined to focus on the present, preparing for a Juneteenth festival in the park that used to house the monument, as Chelle starts building a new monument to take the old one’s place.
This is a play about liminal spaces, about the in-between, the tenuous, the fragile and the things on the cusp of exploding.
Will a reckoning come? And after that, well, what then?
Lee’s Boots
Eric Thomas
Playwright
The Review,
or How to Eat Your Opposition
January 22-31, 2021
preview Friday, January 22
Opening night, Saturday, January 23
(Online reception to follow)
written by Donnetta Lavinia Grays
directed by Tanika Baptiste
This is a live online production broadcast live from Spark Arts
(no one will be admitted to Spark Arts for the event)
In the fall of 2001 the air has a marked change in New York City. Dana – a naïve yet self-righteous art critic – and her sports loving partner Kerri struggle to reconnect through its weight.
This freshly weighted air, by contrast, provides new life for Naomi – an iconic visual artist – who, after years in the business, finally experiences the throes of financial success just as a debilitating disease threatens both that success and her legacy.
When Dana questions Naomi’s artistic integrity the stage is set for a sexy, emotional and intellectual game of football between critic and artist. Secrets are revealed, beliefs are shattered, hearts are broken and art is made in this fast-paced drama that explores loss and sacrifice.
SF Examiner Praises The Review
Set in New York City in the few years after 9/11, [THE REVIEW] explores how people — in this case, women — interact emotionally, creatively, sexually and intellectually, and it’s full of elegantly articulated thoughts about, in particular, art. The dialogue is at times quite dense, and, at two hours and 15 minutes, there’s plenty of time for viewers, at their computer screens, to absorb the many ideas that Grays examines.
Production Photos
Leticia Duarte plays “Naomi” in the Theatre Rhinoceros Zoom production of The Review, Or How to Eat Your Opposition, by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, directed by Tanika Baptiste.
Ci’Era London plays “Kerri” in the Theatre Rhinoceros Zoom production of The Review, Or How to Eat Your Opposition, by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, directed by Tanika Baptiste.
April Deutschle plays “Dana” in the Theatre Rhinoceros Zoom production of The Review, Or How to Eat Your Opposition, by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, directed by Tanika Baptiste.
Marcie Rich plays “Gretchen” in the Theatre Rhinoceros Zoom production of The Review, Or How to Eat Your Opposition, by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, directed by Tanika Baptiste.
April Deutschle plays “Dana” in the Theatre Rhinoceros Zoom production of The Review, Or How to Eat Your Opposition, by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, directed by Tanika Baptiste.
Tanika Baptiste is the Director for the Theatre Rhinoceros Zoom production of The Review, Or How to Eat Your Opposition by Donnetta Lavinia Grays.
Kimberly Harvey-Scott is Stage Manager for the Theatre Rhinoceros Zoom production of The Review, Or How to Eat Your Opposition, by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, directed by Tanika Baptiste.
Publicity Photos
The Pride of Lions
Free Live Reading
A new play by Roger Mason
Directed by Ely Orquiza
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 7 pm
They had the best of nights: Performing in drag in the new Mae West musical and finally getting the respect that they deserved.
But this is the 1920s and drag was considered lewd behavior.
Now, they are in jail, dealing with homophobic, as well as closeted cops.
The drama is just beginning.
Free Live Reading
Emergency Contact
A play by Nick Malakhow
Directed by Kimberly Ridgeway
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 7 pm
Shawn is pretty sure his one-night-stand with the troubled Derrick can’t get any worse after Derrick passes out and then pukes on his own bedroom floor.
Things get even more interesting, however, when the concerned Shawn reaches out to Derrick’s so-called “Emergency Contact” in his cell phone and finds out that it is Derrick’s ex-boyfriend, Manny, who still has a key, a nearby apartment, and is all too eager to come over and save the day.
Pandemic Performances
A Benefit for Theatre Rhinoceros
Songs and comedy. There’ll be laughs, trivia games with prizes, and drinking games.
And a ton of talented performers doing their songs, their routines, their bits.
Friday, April 2, 2021 at 7 pm
An entertaining evening of short video clips celebrating the creative output of Bay Area LGBTQ performances during the pandemic.
Hosted by Jesús U. Bettawork and Kim Larsen.
Featuring Lili Argüello, Tanika Baptiste, Leanne Borghesi, Cookie Cutter, Robby Kendall, Gino Lucas & William Hester, Matthew Martin, Jerry Metzker, Nitrix Oxide, Peaches Christ, Piranha, The Quarantine Singers, Raya Light, Tom Shaw, Stan Stone, Michael Vega & Erin-Kate Whitcomb.
Watch Promos
Falling Skies
Free Live Reading
One Live Performance!
by Brayden Frascone
Featuring Devin Cunningham and Joe Tally
Tuesday, April 6 at 7 pm
Register now and receive a Zoom link
The Skylight Club is the best gay bar in all of Pittsburgh, but after the death of its lead entertainer, bartender Curtis Jackson must come to terms with the hatred of the world outside its walls.
After an unexpected visitor turns up one night, the lines of grief and forgiveness get blurred, and lives will be changed forever.
The Last Days of William Dale
Free Reading
by Aurin Squire
Directed by Alan Quismorio
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 7 pm
“ A hauntingly simple play, wrestling with our desire to eulogize those who have made an indelible impact on us. Raw emotionality that feels earned and necessary, and not exploitative. An excellent exploration of queer romance made universal.” — Zach Barr
Mark Nadler in…
Gay as They Say
Conceived and Performed
by Mark Nadler
Streaming
May 21 and 22 at 8 pm Pacific Time
May 23 at 3 pm Pacific Time
Live talkback with Mark Nadler after each performance
Did you ever listen to a song written by one of the greats and hear a phrase that made you say, “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”
In this fun and tuneful show, Mark Nadler explores the theory that Cole Porter, Noel Coward, Larry Hart and Billy Strayhorn meant what you think they meant when they wrote provocative, gay sounding phrases in their lyrics.
A World Premiere performance created for Theatre Rhinoceros.
Mark Nadler
Download Photograph
2 Free Readings
Delightfully Duncan:
Two One-Act Plays by Duncan Pflaster
by Duncan Pflaster
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 7 pm
Precious Little Snowflake
Directed by Jim McCunn
Two gay men watch their daughter open her Christmas Presents and discuss when and if they should tell her that Santa isn’t real.
Pocket Universe
Directed by Craig Souza
Gay Romantic Science Fiction about a man who creates a personalized universe for his male office crush, including romping nude on tropical beach.
A World Premiere Commission
Pillow Talk
Written by Kheven LaGrone
Directed by Tanika Baptiste
June 11-20, 2021 at 8 pm
In 1990s West Oakland, Baby Boy regularly waits for an older man, Chuck, to drive up.Baby Boy climbs into the car and gives Chuck what he needs. But can Chuck give Baby Boy what he needs? And will Baby Boy accept it?
Find out in this exciting African-American queer play by local playwright Kheven LaGrone (The Rhino’s 2017 hit The Legend of Pink.)
Hear Kheven and Tanika interviewed on Wanda’s Picks.
Their interview starts at 1:03:50.
Critical Acclaim for Pillow Talk
Pillow Talk shrewdly borrows the title of one of the whitest, least sincere movies of all time, in which Doris Day succumbs to Rock Hudson’s glib machismo, for what looks to be a sharp, sensitive take on intimacy between Black men. Theatre Rhinoceros’ new commission is written by Kheven Lagrone, who hails from Oakland and sets his play there in the 1990s.
It centers on the relationship between Baby Boy, a young street hustler, and Chuck (Ramond Thomas), an upwardly mobile older man who may become Oakland’s first police chief. There’s a precarious dance between tension and affection as the two men strain to harmonize their commonalities with their differences.
Devin A. Cunningham, an Oakland native, beams in from Savannah, Georgia to play Baby Boy, and his video introduction to the character makes you look forward to spending more time with him.
ACTORS SHINE IN THEATRE RHINO’S 1995-SET PREMIERE! Both [characters] have had plenty of hard times as gay Black men, which they reveal to each other… BUT IN THE ACTORS’ STELLAR PERFORMANCES – in the way they listen and relate to each other – it feels authentic. PILLOW TALK: a real encounter between two Black gay men. A far cry form the 1959 Doris Day/Rock Hudson romantic comedy of the same title, local playwright Kheven LaGrone’s two-hander PILLOW TALK, a (virtual) world-premiere commission by Theatre Rhinoceros, covers quite a bit of ground in a mere 75-minutes… Under the direction of Tanika Baptiste… the insouciant, round-faced hustler Baby Boy (Devin A. Cunningham) and the older, wiser Chuck (a buff RaMond Thomas in shades) – to change and develop convincingly. AS THE RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPS, IT CHANGES IN WAYS THAT ALSO FEEL AUTHENTIC.
Promotional Videos
Publicity Photos
Devin A. Cunningham as Baby Boy in PILLOW TALK by Kheven LaGrone. Directed by Tanika Baptiste. A Theatre Rhinoceros Production
Photo by Tanika Bapatiste
RaMond Thomas as Chuck in PILLOW TALK by Kheven LaGrone. Directed by Tanika Baptiste. A Theatre Rhinoceros Production.
Photo by Tanika Bapatiste
Devin A. Cunningham as Baby Boy in PILLOW TALK by Kheven LaGrone. Directed by Tanika Baptiste. A Theatre Rhinoceros Production
Photo by Tanika Bapatiste
Devin A. Cunningham as Baby Boy in PILLOW TALK by Kheven LaGrone. Directed by Tanika Baptiste. A Theatre Rhinoceros Production
Photo by Tanika Bapatiste
Playwright Kheven LaGrone is an Oakland native and the author of Pillow Talk, a world premiere presented live via Zoom by Theatre Rhinoceros June 11-20, 2021.
Devin Cunningham plays “Baby Boy” in Pillow Talk, a world premiere presented live via Zoom by Theatre Rhinoceros June 11-20, 2021.
RaMond Thomas plays “Chuck” in Pillow Talk, a world premiere presented live via Zoom by Theatre Rhinoceros June 11-20, 2021.
Tanika Baptiste directs RaMond Thomas and Devin Cunningham in the world premiere of Kheven LaGrone’s Pillow Talk, presented live via Zoom by Theatre Rhinoceros June 11-20, 2021.
Free Live Reading
Four Play
Tuesday, July 6 at 7 pm
by Jake Brunger
Directed by Alejandro Torres
Seven-and-a-half-years ago, Rafe and Pete met at University and fell in love. They were each other’s first.
Now, seven-and-a-half-years, they wonder if they are missing out by not having had a bit more experience with other guys. They both agree that their friend, Michael, is attractive and would be a good person for them each to experiment with.
Michael agrees to help out, but he does let his partner, Andrew, know. Andrew then wonders why they didn’t choose him.
Things get really, really awkward.
The Cast of Four Play
Tim Garcia
Aaron Orpilla
Michael Connor
Kaz Valtchev
Free Live Reading
Stuck
Tuesday, August 17 at 7 pm
by Paris Crayton III
Directed by Kimberly Ridgeway
Jacob Charles has just received news that his girlfriend of three years is expecting their first child, but he can’t seem to stop having dreams about someone else, Michael.
He tries to unpack all of these thoughts through therapy.
Little does he know that his therapist, Whitney Armstrong, is going through her own problems trying to manage a relationship with a married woman.
Free Live Reading
the bottoming process
Written by Nicholas Pilapil
Directed by Ely Sonny Orquiza
September 14 at 7 p.m.
Two writers meet at a WeWork and fall in love—or something like that. One is a famed novelist, and the other is a nobody who’s mostly funny on Twitter. One is nearing middle age, and the other is still fledgling as a twentysomething. One is White, and the other is not. But as they mate and date they’ll be forced to come to grips with ideas of race, sex, power, and the model minority myth, in order to find out who’s really on top.
In-Person Reading
Clarkston
by Samuel D. Hunter
October 5 at 7 p.m.
In person at 4229 18th St. in SF
Jake meets Chris when they are assigned to the same night shift at Costco in Clarkston, Washington. Chris has a hard life; his mom is a meth addict, and living in Clarkston has forced him down a dead-end road. He has promise, but he’s “stuck.” Jake went to a liberal arts school, is gay and out, but fled his Connecticut town when he was diagnosed with a fatal illness. Wanting to see the ocean, he came to Clarkston, but was sidetracked by his illness. He and Chris form an awkward bond: both are gay, but have led completely different lives. Can they learn to help each other?
