God is Gay and Wants You to Be Gay, Too: Proof From the Bible

"God is Gay and Wants You to Be Gay, Too: Proof From the Bible," a solo show from Lee Barats, opens December 16, 2012 and plays through January 6, 2013 at The Annoyance Theatre.

In his audacious satire, comedian Lee Barats creates an eerily authentic conversion camp using audience volunteers. Presenting himself as an earnest evangelical youth group leader, Barats employs the same guilt and emotion employed by Christian camps; but this time, straight men will be converted to gay.

Barats assures us that young men who struggle with same-sex attraction can now breathe easier because groups like Exodus International, who insist you can “pray away your gay,” have it all wrong. God isn't anti-gay, In fact, He wants His children to be gay, and Barats uses his rainbow-colored lens to point to passages in the bible that confirm his views.

“God is Gay...” is directed by Jared Jeffries (TV Screams at iO, Farrell Walsh’s “Last Resort” at iO).

Along with "God is Gay...," Barats is the co-creator with his brother, Matt of "The 101th" which plays at the Annoyance through November 11, 2012. Barats and his brother are also avid air-guitar competitors and devotees. Barats has performed in the Annoyance’s "Skinprov”, as well as iO’s “Big Spoon," The Playground Theater’s “The Grrr,” and Chemically Imbalanced Theater’s “Mad Contender.”

“God is Gay and Wants You to Be Gay, Too: Proof from the Bible" will play Sundays, 8PM. Tickets are $10, $8 for students and can be purchased at the Annoyance website, www.annoyanceproductions.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway.

Tech for Rookies: hands-on lessons for mobile phones and pads

 I'm pleased to announce a new sideline:

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The Basic Package includes four, 45-minute private lessons, and four follow-up questions via phone or email. Cost is $150.

To book your sessions, or for more information, contact: elainesoloway@icloud.com, or call 773-320-5681.

"It's Christmas, Goddanmit" Plays in December at The Annoyance

"It’s Christmas, Goddamnit,” a new play that upends nostalgic family get-togethers, plays Saturday nights, 10 p.m. December 1-29, 2012 at The Annoyance Theatre.

This year’s annual Christmas celebration at the James’ home has a macabre twist. Along with the traditional passive-aggressive silences and sniping, Dad has surprising news: he’s been dilly-dallying with the next door neighbor. Now, throw in the accidental murder of a loathed uncle -- with the neighborly sweetheart’s “slow” son as the culprit -- and you have a Christmas Eve decorated with dysfunction, distrust, and disaster; but damn funny.

Director Charley Carroll admits to using his own Southern family’s dreadful way of communicating to shape the slapstick performances of an array of zany characters. “Sadly, it wasn’t hard to envision my own relatives pretending to be charming and lovable, and then descending into browbeating and sarcasm,” Carroll says. “Yet, what a treasure trove for comedy!”

Carroll’s assistant director for the show is Duke Harbison. “It’s Christmas, Goddamnit,” was created by an ensemble that includes Bridget Ballek, Mantas Dumcius, Annie Donley, Emily Fitzpatrick, Paul Jurewicz, Jeff Murdoch, Jimmy Pennington, Kellen Terrett, Lee Russell, and Jo Scott. This same goofy group has performed in the Annoyance’s “Splatter Theater” and will be seen in a remount of their well received “The Tragedy of Balloon Boy” scheduled for January, 2012.

"It’s Christmas, Goddamnit,” plays Saturdays, 10 p.m., December 1-29, 2012. Tickets are $20. For more information, view the Annoyance website,www.annoyanceproductions.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, Il. 60640.