From Gay to Straight: Plays Reveal Flaws of Conversion Therapy

The apostle Paul, writing to the Christians of Rome in what is now the Bible’s book of Romans, advised: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

In other words: If you treat your enemy with respect, your vengeance will be all the sweeter.

This verse points up the difference between two current theatrical treatments of the “conversion” or “reparative” therapies that aim to lead willing homosexuals to heterosexuality.

Both shows set out to reveal flaws in these therapies, but while “Straight,” at Highways in Santa Monica, at least gives the other side credit for sincerity, “Cool My Tongue,” at the Celebration Theatre in Hollywood, dismisses the conversionists as buffoons. The former exacts sweet revenge; the latter fails.

David Schmader, a Seattle performer and journalist, began investigating conversion groups after they seized the spotlight in 1998 with nationwide newspaper ads advancing their claims. Offering his report in his solo show “Straight,” the clean-cut, wholesome-looking 31-year-old spins sentence after colorful sentence with wit, style and the occasional flash of naughtiness. (L.A. playwright and director Chay Yew helped prepare the show for this engagement.)

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Paying undercover visits to a conversion therapist and support group meetings of a conversion ministry, as well as a weekend retreat, Schmader encounters such terms as “recovering from sexual brokenness” and such writings as “The Battle for Normality.” A contented gay man (though one who’s unafraid to criticize his community’s beliefs and practices), Schmader makes no attempt to mask his attitudes about such ideas.

Still, it’s clear that he patiently listened to and observed the conversionists. He credits Jesus with “some of the most beautiful words ever spoken,” which makes him all the madder when conversionists invoke Jesus’ name “in support of bigotry.” And at the weekend retreat, where he is paired with a straight father of two as a roommate/role model, he credits the sincerity of a man who gives up time with his family to help people he perceives to be in need.

Ultimately, Schmader gets his revenge when one of the conversionists’ recommended techniques ends up enhancing and affirming his life as a gay man.

Tom Jacobson’s fictional “Cool My Tongue,” based on an idea by Jeffrey R. Coates, also eavesdrops on a conversion ministry, as an unwitting Everett (Ed F. Martin) watches support group leader Taylor (Nic Arnzen) attend to a circus sideshow of participants (Michael Bonnabel, Nick DeGruccio and Alex Kaufman). These preposterous characters--mere bundles of neuroses rather than flesh-and-blood individuals--are pre-programmed to stumble and fall, so when they do, no drama, much less humor, is generated.

This empty-headed exercise is a disappointment from Jacobson, whose previous plays include “Tainted Blood” and “Cyberqueer,” and director Todd Nielsen, who is a mainstay at another fine theater, the Colony.

Oh, sure--the play preaches to the choir at the gay and lesbian Celebration, where a recent performance was greeted with laughter. But in smugly refusing to take the conversionists seriously, the show not only fails to refute their claims but underestimates their hold on public opinion. That’s not revenge at all; it’s handing the other side a flat-out victory.

* “Straight,” Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. Today and Saturday only, 8:30 p.m. $15. (310) 315-1459. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes.

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* “Cool My Tongue,” Celebration Theatre, 7051 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends July 30. $22 to $25. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 2 hours.

Ed F. Martin: Everett

Nic Arnzen: Taylor

Michael Bonnabel: Stoney

Nick DeGruccio: Worthie

Alex Kaufman: Jaffe

Maura Knowles: Nydia

A Bruce Zisterer and Celebration Theatre production. By Tom Jacobson, from an original concept by Jeffrey R. Coates. Directed by Todd Nielsen. Set John Patrick. Costumes Michael Mosher. Lights Frank McKown. Production stage manager Erin Curry.