Be Gay [Do Crime] Productions will present the final production of its 2024 Spring Season — “The End of Pride Spectacular,” a NEW play hitting the main stage of Mr. Smalls Theatre on Saturday, June 29th.
Inspired by previous iterations of Be Gay [Do Crime]’s annual “End of Pride Spectacular” event, this new drag-lip-sync-comedy follows five drag entertainers as they seize the opportunity of a lifetime to put on a show for their town. The only problem? No one can agree on the theme! Filled with hits from musical icons like Madonna, Frank Ocean, Robyn, Beyonce, and more, the play poses questions such as “Is there a right way to celebrate pride?” “Does corporate pride truly serve its communities if it hurts them in return?” and most importantly, “WHAT’S THE THEME?!”
Presented by Pittsburgh-based drag performer Miss Demeanor and Mr. Smalls Theatre, this grand send-off to Pride Month promises an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, queer joy, and incredible performances. An annual tradition, “The End of Pride Spectacular,” represents Be Gay [Do Crime]’s origins; the production company’s first-ever performance was a late-June drag showcase held at Lawrenceville’s Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall in 2022. Now in its third year, “The End of Pride Spectacular” maintains a strong focus on its core mission: to create safe spaces for queer 18+ youth. To make this year’s show, Be Gay [Do Crime] expands on that mission, creating a production community of 25-plus individuals consisting of working students, queer community members, and drag professionals.
“There continues to be a huge lack of queer spaces for the under-21 crowd in the Pittsburgh area, which has motivated our work over the past two years,” says Miss Demeanor. Also known as Patrick Mayoral, Demeanor recently graduated from Point Park University with a BFA in Theatre Arts. Now a Point Park MBA candidate, Mayoral has teamed up with fellow Point Park alum Quinn Hoy to write this year’s script. They’ve enlisted long-time Be Gay [Do Crime] business advisor Ryan Guild in partnership with another recent Point Park alum: local comedian Abbey Hannis, who was also the assistant director on Todd Underwood’s acclaimed April 2024 production of RENT at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. The pair formed the directing duo at the helm when signing on in late early May of this year.
When asked about directing the production, Hannis said, “Directing with Be Gay [Do Crime] has been a wonderful experience. I have gotten to work with such amazingly talented performers and a creative team that’s worked above and beyond.” That creative team and Hannis’s fellow collaborators have included Alvin Aley-trained dancer Ethan Gwynn as Choreographer (Attack Theatre), local musician and recording artist Warren Munroe as Music Director (Pretty Bitch University), recent Point Park Graduate CG Squire as Stage Manager, Costume Designer for the University of Pittsburgh’s Theatre Department, Ricky Lyle, and many more.
“The End of Pride Spectacular: A New Play” takes place Saturday, June 29th, on the main stage of Mr. Smalls Theatre. (400 Lincoln Ave, Millvale, PA 15209). Starring Belair Banks as “The Diva”, Land Shark as “The Clown”, Just Peachy as “The Professor”, Micah Sanova as “Mr.Business”, and Miss Demeanor as “The Revolutionary”. Featuring an opening comedy set by current title holders for the legendary Blue Moon Bar Pagent and Pittsburgh’s Best Comedy Troop 2022: JoeMyGosh & Jaxa Froot. Doors open at 8:00 PM. Openers at 8:30 PM. Play starts at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $20. AGES 18+.
QBurgh is a proud sponsor of this season of Be Gay [Do Crime].