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COUNTERCULTURE
Adam and the Experts
Exaggerates Paranoia and
Panaceas About AIDS
by Dave Hayward
A comedy about AIDS may seem a contradiction in terms,
or to be in unbearably bad taste. But, according to director
Jeffrey Shanks of SAME, Victor Bumbalo's Adam and the
Experts isn’t a black comedy but rather a "feel good show."
Nevertheless another treatment of untimely death comes to
mind—Steel Magnolias, wherein Dolly Parton declares
"Laughing through my tears is my favorite emotion!" Applied
to Adam, SAME'S Sally Robertson exclaims, "You may cry,
but you'll go through a lot of laughter getting there."
Adam (Mike Buie) is a wannabe Woody Allen, so morbid
ly afraid of AIDS he hasn't had sex in three years. To com
pensate he imagines "the ultimate teenage boy masturbation
fantasy: "The Man—played by muscular Bobby Box, locally
celebrated for his nude love scene in Jim Grimsley's Math
and Aftermath with real-life partner Don Smith.
When Adam beholds what he hath wrought, he retorts, "If
I was going to go schizo, why couldn't I split into Einstein!?"
A moist hybrid of Harvey, only Adam can see The Man clad
in his second skin bicycle shorts. Grins Box, "I'm always try
ing to seduce Adam," even during a quick trip trip to Mom
and Dad's.
"The Man is part of Adam, part of our culture of denial,"
theorizes Box, who exudes a philosopher's approach in a cen
terfold's physique. "I've gone through this thing of fear. Here I
am, the one thing that I really need can kill me. I know I have
to be careful. So you discover how to accept it, embrace it,
■ enjoy it, assuming safe sex."
"AIDS need not force us to stop caring about each other,"
emphasizes Shanks. "Adam is about opening up to love and
intimacy, rather than using AIDS as an excuse not to have it."
Thus as Adam lurches from mishap to misadventure, The
Man becomes a beacon of benevolence and affection as well
as desire.
The Experts come into play when Adam’s best buddy
Eddie (David Crowe) contracts AIDS. The pair hit the healing
trail together soliciting advice from therapists, doctors,
priests, parents and New Age sages. The embarrassment of
"experts"—all played by Robertson and Mark Lambreth—are
all fundamentally "uncaring" in Robertson's view. "Whereas
Adam and Eddie are so everyday, average people, we're the
complete other end of the spectrum," she adds.
"Each has his own remedy," reveals Shanks. "'You have to
cut your hair;' 'you have to start living for yourself;'' you have
to run 15 miles a day;' 'you have to stop running 15 miles a
day.' And actually the only person who can find the answers
is Eddie." Inundated by similar commandments, many gay
people will ruefully relate.
Adam's and Eddie's friend Sarah (a down to earth dyke
played by Deadra Moore) holds the two of them together
through this cyclone. "There is a need for caring from all
women, not just lesbians," states Robertson, "because the les
bian image regarding AIDS is so caring already."
Adam's Assistant Director, Kurt Rahn, is a longtime AIDS
survivor and also serves as a "reality check for the honesty of
the piece,” says Shanks. On whole, the company hopes that
Adam's message will be heeded. "You can’t shut off these
feelings of love and intimacy," reckons Box. "Having fun is
good for you, having a relationship is good for you."
Adam and the Experts opens Feb. 21 at the 14th Street
Playhouse. Call 881-0817for reservations and information.
Sally Robertson and Deadra Moore have announced the
formation of a professional women's theatre company,
"Different Voices." Voices "will be open to women of every
culture and sexual orientation," says Robertson. For more
information call 370-0722.
Davison Snares Golden Globe
for Longtime Companion
by Carrie Wofford
Hollywood—This past spring, Longtime Companion
brought the movie-going public a glimpse of life and death in
the AIDS pandemic.
On Jan. 26, Longtime Companion also brought actor Bruce
Davison an award for Best Performance by a Supporting
Actor in a Motion Picture Film at the 48th Annual Golden
Globe Awards. In accepting the award honored him by the
nation's film critics, Davison confined his remarks to AIDS.
"I think of the people who
are living through this on a
day-to-day basis,” he said.
“They're the real heroes.”
Davison played the role of the
middle-aged caretaker of his
MV-infected lover. In a clos
ing scene of the movie,
Davison holds his lover's hand
over the makeshift hospital
equipment that fills their
home, urging him to “go,” to
die.
Davison challenged the glittery star-packed audience
whose speeches reflected the self-absorption they are so often
accused of. He offered his “hope and prayer that we can
devote as much intelligence, effort... and will to the war
against AIDS as we do the war against each other.”
Davison's only thanks went to his wife and to Samuel
Goldwyn Films for “the courage to distribute a film that was
obviously not commercial.” Davison's performance was cho
sen over those by actors in GoodFellas, Godfather III, and
other major commercial films.
Industry observers give Davison a good chance of repeat
ing his Golden Globe win by taking the Oscar for best sup
porting actor at March's Academy Awards.
Coming Attraction
Dance with
DOUCE
Disco, R&B Live!
Thursday, Feb. 28
Stay tuned into jthe Tower
on Thursdays
CHRIS HANCOCK
in concert in rare form
Thursday, Feb. 21, $3 Cover
•^5
“If you didn't see Chris on her
Harley at 2069, don't despair!"
er
735 Ralph McGill
688-5463
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tAe ^a/on/no d £um>.
Q^jallus
ffAete f£ows*d
I—I Call 892-8983 for Reservations and Information • 49 Sixth Street • Atlanta I—I
Build Your Love Nest
Sutton Place
Apartments
More Than A Home/A Progressive Attitude
Great Location Near Lenox
2 Sparkling Pools
Screened Terraces
On MARTA
Beautifully Manicured Grounds
(404) 321-1255
3580 Buford Hwy. Atlanta, Ga. 30329
Southern Voice/February 14, 1991
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