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‘Sordid Lives’ playwright Del Shores. (Photo by Rosemary Alexander)
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Del Shores, play readings and ‘Sordid Lives’ TV series
July 3, 8 p.m.
Whole World Theatre
1226 Spring St.
404-817-0880
www.wholeworldtheatre.com
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HOME > SOVO SCENE > THEATER
By: JIM FARMER
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WHEN A MATCHMAKING friend set up actor Jason Dottley and “Sordid Lives” playwright Del Shores on a date several years ago, Dottley thought the age difference between the two was eight years or so. When they finally met, it turned out it was much more then he imagined — 23 years, to be exact.
“We worried that people were thinking ‘Del has a boy toy’ or ‘Jason is using Del to advance his career,’” Shores says. “Once we stopped worrying about what people thought, we were fine.”
Now the two are a committed romantic and professional couple, and they appear in Atlanta on July 3 for a one-night-only event to promote Logo’s new television show “Sordid Lives: The Series,” premiering in August.
At the Atlanta event, Dottley, who takes the role of Ty in the TV series, performs in scenes from the play versions of Shores’ “Sordid Lives” and “Southern Baptist Sissies,” along with fellow actors from the original Atlanta versions by Process Theatre.
Afterwards, Shores will answer questions from the audience and screen scenes from the upcoming series. The couple will also appear at Atlanta Gay Pride this year with series co-stars Beth Grant, Ann Walker and Leslie Jordan.
“SORDID LIVES: THE SERIES” is a prequel, leading up to the events of the infamous movie. Many of the stars from the film return, including Bonnie Bedelia as Latrelle; Grant as Sissy; Olivia Newton John as Bitsy Mae Harling; Walker as LaVonda; and Leslie Jordan as Brother Boy.
Caroline Rhea joins the cast as Noleta, played by Delta Burke in the film, and Rue McClanahan stars as Peggy Ingram, the matriarch of the small town family who passes away at the beginning of the film.
Shores and Dottley are both excited about the cast additions.
“The cast is like a gay wet dream already, but when you throw a ‘Golden Girl’ in there, it just gets better,” Dottley says.
Shores says McClanahan has been especially game for whatever he creates.
“She is twisted and comes up with terrific stuff of her own, but she never hesitates to do what I ask her,” he says.
Actress Bedelia admits that she was a little skeptical about Rhea, especially since Burke nailed the film role.
“When she came aboard, I wasn’t sure,” Bedelia says. “We all loved Delta and were upset she couldn’t do the series. I guess it was because Caroline was blonde. But when she started, she just became Noleta.”
Bedelia based her character Latrelle partially on Shores’ stories about his late mother. Latrelle’s signature neurotic moments — clutching her pearls when stressed — came from a woman she once observed.
“Her hands went to her pearls whenever something didn’t go like it should,” Bedelia laughs.
Guest stars for the first season include Margaret Cho and Carson Kressley. Shores says that he has already taken calls from other performers who’d love to be in the second season — including Whoopi Goldberg and Mary Kay Place — assuming that the series is renewed.
SHORES SAYS THAT GAY AUDIENCES can particularly relate to the trailer trash comedy of “Sordid Lives,” especially southern people who’ve had similar relatives growing up. But he admits no one in the cast had any idea the film would become a cult classic.
“Sordid Lives” played the film festival circuit and then had a limited U.S. release in 2000. But the film really took off in Palm Springs, where it played for two consecutive years. According to Shores, fans would come dressed in costumes from the film and even recite dialogue. The DVD release secured its place in gay cinema history.
Comic actor Jordan got a major career boost by the film.
“When ‘Sordid Lives’ became a hit in Palm Springs, I became a star there and I’ve been able to ride the wave,” Jordan says. “I performed my one-man show ‘Like a Dog on Linoleum’ to sold out audiences [including a long Atlanta run]. If ‘Sordid Lives’ hadn’t been as big a hit as it was, I certainly wouldn’t have had as wonderful, warm and generous an audience.”
BASED ON WHAT HE’S already seen, Shores feels strongly that the TV series will be picked up for a second season.
“I know a lot of homosexuals who will be angry if we don’t,” he says. ...
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