Until recently, Chicago theater actress Emily Barnash always had to pretend to be a straight woman for the roles in which she was cast.
That changed in July 2019 when she played a lesbian woman in Kokandy Productions’ “Head Over Heels.” She said the experience inspired her.
“For the first time in my life, I got to kiss someone on stage who was the gender I’m attracted to,” Barnash said. “To be your authentic self on stage — that’s rare for queer women in theater.”
Barnash, along with 29 other LGBTQ women and nonbinary people, will have that opportunity at the second annual LezSing Cabaret on Jan. 25 and 26 at The Broadway at the Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway.
The show, directed by Emi Lee Frantz, is part of Pride Films and Plays’ effort to increase programming that focuses on women. Its performers will sing a mix of pop, musical theater, cabaret and original songs, as well as a few group numbers.
“This cabaret is a celebration of women or queer people who love women,” Frantz said. “It’s about giving Chicago’s LGBTQ theater community more visibility and a sense of camaraderie.”
Each singer will perform a song that relates to their own journey with their sexuality, womanhood or gender identity, Frantz said. Many will give a short speech prior to their singing performance on why the piece is important to them.
Osiris Cuen, a nonbinary actor who uses they/them pronouns, will perform “Paloma Negra,” a classic mariachi song popularized by Chavela Vargas, a famous ranchera singer in Mexico who dated other women and was famous for breaking gender stereotypes.
“She is this queer icon that people in Mexico just accepted,” Cuen said. “I really connect with her and find it interesting how our families just gladly accepted her.”
Cuen said they felt self-conscious about standing out with the only mariachi song in the program, but another cast member reached out to thank them for the song choice.
“She said that like me, this song helped her to embrace her queerness,” Cuen said. “I’m proud to represent my culture and show that there are gay Mexican people.”
Barnash will cover the George Gershwin classic, “Someone to Watch Over Me,” a romantic ballad from the musical “Oh, Kay!” She said she’s altering certain lyrics to use female pronouns and reference her relationship with her girlfriend.
“It’s an old-time favorite that I’ve sung so many times throughout my life,” Barnash said. “I’m excited to share this rendition that’s so much more personal and about myself.”
Frantz said other highlight’s include a cover of the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” more gender-bending musical theater numbers, and a medley of songs from the musical “Fun Home,” which explores cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s homosexuality and relationship with her gay father.
She said the cast will also come together and perform Wrabel’s “The Village,” which explores the feelings of isolation that can come with LGBTQ identity. The song was released as a tribute to the transgender community in 2017 after President Trump moved to ban trans people from the U.S. military.
“It’s a heartbreaking song, but it’s so real and important,” Frantz said. “It’s a celebration of our queer community but also an acknowledgement that it can be really tough for us out there.”
Cast member Lindy Forman, who is also nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, said they hope viewers leave with a new understanding of queer identity.
“I’m married to someone who identifies as a cisgender male, so sometimes it feels like people don’t see me as gay enough,” they said. “I want this show to alter peoples’ preconceptions of queerness.”
Frantz said the show is also a clear statement that there is room for queer women in theater.
“We want other queer people to see this, take our message and run with it,” Frantz said. “This show has lit a fire in us to bring queer art and acceptance to Chicago’s theater community.”
