Virgo Star

See it if ur up for a radical multimedia performance art piece that upends traditional views of masculinity/femininity via the lens of queer cowpokes.

Don't see it if u loathe avant-garde theater; u aren't interested in queer studies; u can't accept that John Wayne may not be everyone's paragon of virility

See it if the idea of a performance collage that holds up the myth of the American cowboy for appreciation & queer critique piques your interest.

Don't see it if you are looking for a play: This mixes dance, song, storytelling, dramatic scenes & video to present a collage.

Also “Virgo Star” is a smart, mostly engaging, occasionally heartbreaking live collage that takes the myth of the American cowboy & queers it. The mix includes dance, song, storytelling, dramatic scenes & video. I found the 5 performers more than adept at each. The storytelling gripped me most, especially the 3 longish stories that explored the relationship of the cowboy myth to desire & homophobia. A smart version of the Carters’ “Jackson” for solo singer & acoustic guitar managed to be both knowingly snide & yearning at once, & fit the material beautifully. I felt that about two-thirds of the way through the piece the pacing was a bit off – one too many similar dance numbers? But the palpable presence of veteran writer, performer & activist, Agosto Machado, onscreen, as author of a long gripping story & in the post-performance talkback, gave the evening a significant shot of historical heft.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy performance art that requires to to move around a bit and engage. Here there is some good singing, dancing, tales acting & video.

Don't see it if you want a cohesive story - these are small snippets that revolve around a theme, some in Spanish without interpretation.

See it if performance art layering images of the AmericanWest & US cinema, with original poetry, music & dance in LaMama's basement is your metier

Don't see it if you're afraid to go down in the basement, hate anything experimental or gay, Jesus would not want U 2, immersive theatre is baleful 2 U

Also If you have not already gone to Pioneers Go East website, read this about the show... Virgo Star explores and explodes the myth of the American Cowboy. An underground, kinetic ride through the Cowboy myths performed from a queer perspective, this dance-theatre work fuses personal storytelling and movement to re-create scenes from Western Movies. A live cinematic experience and a satirical take on Classic Western Movies, Virgo Star combines personal stories with dark comedy to reflect on mainstream “Cowboy” iconography from a queer perspective. The performance examines same-sex intimacy, self-awareness, and fear of being marginalized in a fictional West. With Virgo Star, the collective looks with humor at how chauvinism and bravado transmit into gay subculture.... Read more Read less

See it if want an interesting dance/theatre piece

Don't see it if want "Real" dancing. Just a bunch of vignettes that didn't add up to much

See it if Themes include cowboy macho culture, closeted man seduction.. Ambiguous; Multi-media installation; way too experimental

Don't see it if flashy & loud at times; weak ensemble; words make little sense

See it if into performance art / queer cabaret

Don't see it if shying the experimental even when mild

Also Virgo Star is at its best when queerifying western tropes - a cowboy with a sequined hula-hoop, anyone? The dancing and singing fit in. The pitfall here is the storytelling; it could have been used to create an arc, continuity, a meaning. Instead, it just exposes this to be an open-mic type evening where the weakest moments have nowhere to hide.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an open mike/cabaret-type feel, experimental performance; interested in the gay experience

Don't see it if you don't want to move around to explore the space; are uncomfortable with sexual innuendo

See it if Interactive gallery like performance experience, with a series of humorous videos. Heartfelt and thought-provoking LGBT stories.

Don't see it if Want to see a play. Don’t want to know about LGBT history and experiences. This is an experiential-performance.