When Trevor Keller first read the script for Questa, he envisioned a Greek tragedy. The Artistic Director of Gypsy Productions liked the fast-paced story of a gay man, his accidental crime and his struggle to put things right.
“I just got these visuals of the old Greek tragedies because you have a protagonist hero who, by his own devices gets into a bad situation,” Keller says. “Greek writing was always made to provoke a reaction from the spectators, and I see that in this play.”
Questa opened at the Crown Theater within Club Nautico on Aug. 21 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 13.
The show stars Brick as “Lori,” the mother of a murdered man, and Ernesto Camara as “Father James,” a Catholic priest hiding a love affair.
Also starring in the play is Gypsy newcomer Daniel DiPiazza, playing a homeless man who witnesses a crime, and Daniel Harris as “Paul.”
“It’s not difficult for me to play a straight character,” says Camara, who is gay. “After all, it’s acting. The real challenge in this role was to play a man that is torn between his two loves—the church and Lori.”
Camara says he grew up Catholic and had always seen priests as one-dimensional.
“The priest’s love for Lori in this role adds depth of character and forced me to look at the priest as a man first and a man of God second.”
For Brick, an open lesbian, playing the homophobic role of Lori was a challenge, but also a chance to stretch her acting talents.
“Lori is a conglomeration of some of the many women—and men—I’ve met along my way in life,” Brick explains. “I know these homophobic people. They don’t know they are ignorant.
Every character in the production loses something, which makes it a tragedy, according to Harris.
“But Paul is a good guy who has been overwhelmed by bad situations,” Harris says.
According to Keller, the cast of Questa is one of the theater company’s strongest ensembles.
“When you hear drama, especially in the LGBT community, many people don’t want to see it,” Keller says. “People think it will be depressing. But I don’t think this is that type of drama. This has serious text, but it doesn’t make you want to slit your own wrists. It has a message.”
But what exactly that message is depends on who you ask.
“We often never really look at one another and truly see them, mostly because we are so preoccupied with our own lives,” Camara explains.
Gypsy reconsiders its future
Keller has wanted to open Questa since first reading the script back in 2007.
Unfortunately, he could never seem to find the right venue to produce the play. Gypsy Productions was originally housed at the Suncoast Resort, which closed in June 2007. Since then Gypsy has produced plays at The Ritz Ybor in Tampa and at the Crown Theater at Club Nautico.
It’s still unclear, however, if the LGBT community wants alternative theater, Keller says.
“Once this run is over we’ll definitely look at the response and take a hard look at the future,” Keller says. “The response to us being back in Pinellas County was very positive when we premiered Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. But the show after that and this show haven’t been well attended.”
Many people may not realize that Gypsy Productions is a professional theater company that pays royalties, actors and stage managers. Despite being a non-profit organization, Gypsy needs to make money to survive. Keller says some patrons have complained that the theater company doesn’t have a permanent home.
“We’re really based on ticket sales and we’ve never had the financial backing of anyone to help us find a permanent location,” Keller says. “We are very appreciative of Club Nautico for hosting us and we enjoy it here. But we want sets and larger productions—and you just can’t do those if you don’t have a permanent home.”
Keller started Gypsy Productions to honor Brett Lassiter, who passed away before he could establish a permanent LGBT theater group in St. Petersburg. Since then Gypsy has produced several seasons, but may not be able to continue without support.
