Arts

'Usual Unusual' debuts as podcast

by Jules Becker
Wednesday Aug 12, 2020

This article is from the August 13, 2020 issue of South End News.


MJ Halberstadt in front of the old Calamus Books site. Photo credit Nile Scott Studios
MJ Halberstadt in front of the old Calamus Books site. Photo credit Nile Scott Studios  

In post-Stonewall America, LGBTQ bookstores became both essential sources and significant meeting places. Repertoire would range from Oscar Wilde and E.M.Forster classics (respectively "The Portrait of Dorian Gray" and "Maurice") to major modern fare by the likes of James Baldwin (Giovanni's Room), Armistad Maupin ("Tales of the City") and Terrence McNally ("A Man of No Importance"). No less than Tennessee Williams and Patricia Nell Warren gave readings from their works at a Village venue.
Now acclaimed out dramatist M.J.Halberstadt (a Norton Award winner for his "The Launch Prize") has set his latest play "Usual Unusual" at a fictional Hub LGBTQ bookstore of the same name—a work to be heard on all podcast streaming services in seven episodes beginning Friday(the first two) and running weekly through September 18.
While allowing that "I am ashamed to admit that I did not shop at the Boston LGBTQ bookstores (such as Calamus) when they were around," the 31 year old Long Island-bred former Brookline writer—who has just moved to Northampton—recognizes them as "a cultural phenomenon," one that has inspired his play. "I hope there can be a way of looking at this play as a living document," he declares. Halberstadt has described "Usual Unusual "as a kind of "Frankenstein's Monster" of a draft and "more a blueprint than a work of art."
Likewise he sees the situation of the play as "about the evolving moment." Quite simply, the future of the South End bookstore depends upon the views and objectives of co-founders Penn and Margo (both 65) and younger counterparts Charlie and Ryan (both 26). Penn looks to retire to a house on the Cape with his (unseen) spouse Griff, while Margot may have a different approach to the store's fate. Halberstadt observes,"I think Penn feels he is excommunicated from a changing community. "The playwright, who suggests that these bookstores are "built on a tradition of storytelling," has him wondering from where the new great LGBTQ novels will come.
By contrast, Charlie—who wants to run the store—seems determined to take it "into the modern era." That modernity includes overhauling book selection, revolutionizing Reading Night and knitting circles (with Halberstadt into knitting himself). Ryan, whom the playwright notes "is willing to stick his neck out," speaks of Truth Books—in his case suggesting reading the novel "Call Me By Your Name" before seeing the film. "There are characters that are setting boundaries," alerts Halberstadt.
His play means to demonstrate "What is the answer to XYZ with each character."Halberstadt sees the characters— cisman,ciswoman, binary, non-binary, white,Black and Asian—as "authentically human and flawed and believable." The playwright's dialogue does reveal affinities and differences between them as much as it deals with the evolution of bookstores like the title one. Halberstadt's writing smartly balances emotional conflicts and attention to cultural and historical detail. The author sees his play as a work in progress, but its insights and characters do deserve a careful hearing.
The inaugural Boston Project podcast will be directed by Megan Sandberg -Zakian and sound designed by Elizabeth Cahill. Expect to hear a tinkling doorbell at entrances and exits as well as a beaded office curtain. Heading the seven-member cast are Eddie Shields as Charlie and Will McGarrahan as Penn. Debra Wise will voice Margot and Michael John Ciszewski Ryan. Rounding out the cast are Rasheedat "Ras" Badejo, Olivia Cole and Han Park.
Halberstadt is "forever humbled to SpeakEasy for taking it ("Usual Unusual") on." The August 14 beginning is about 45 minutes long, while the other episodes range from 19 to 25 minutes. Calling the podcast version "a first step, a launch pad," he does hope to see the play actually staged someday.