Copy Cups and Flaming Saucers

“He (Tennessee Williams) started working on it in 1957 but it was never published when he was alive. The play is about Candy, a transvestite. The play takes place a year after he broke up with an older lover of 17 years when she brought home a sailor from a gay bar – someone she hopes can replace her older lover and serve as her protector. In two weeks, she comes to the realization of what will actually happen between the two of them,” Seth Drabinsky, playing Candy, shares a bit about Williams’ play And Tell Sad Stories of the Death of Queens, directed by Aaron Rothermund.

Together with two Alabama boys, also queens, who rent her quarters upstairs, the play, produced by Afterglow Theatre, highlights a Williams’ signature – a fading southern belle, a conflicted young man, and hilariously wrought neighbors. “This show is part of the Tennessee Project. It’s one of nine shows – all in one act. There’s a bit of Blanche Dubois in Candy. I think it’s beautifully written. She’s a beautiful character. The dialogue is so poetic,” Drabinsky describes the main attractions of the play. “It might be the only (Williams) play that deals with homosexuality at this level,” adds Drabinsky.

And Tell Sad Stories of the Death of Queens runs from Tues, May 1 till Mon, May 7 in various venues - Tues, May 1 at The Danforth: Magic Oven (discount pizza and beer), 8pm;
Wed, May 2 at Leslieville: The Curzon, 8pm;
Thurs, May 3 at The Annex: The Green Room, 7:30pm;
Fri, May 4 at Roncesvalles: Lokys, 8pm;
Sat, May 5 at North York: The Gibson House, 8pm;
Sun, May 6 at St. Clair West: Galleria 814, 8pm; and
Mon, May 7 at Cabbagetown: Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, 8pm. afterglowtheatre.com