Review: NAKED AS A GAYBIRD is a Tour de Force Tour of One Man's Journey

The journey of every gay person is different and, in ways, the same. The hurts, the emotional scars and the retrospectively funny stories are all part of the baggage of every gay person and part of what makes us the survivors that stand here today. In NAKED AS A GAYBIRD, writer and performer Jay Byrd starts the tale of his journey by literally dragging that baggage on stage and then proceeding to unpack it. In turns, his story is touching, hilarious, painful... and at every moment, damn entertaining.

During the 75 minute tour de force performance of Mr. Byrd, he takes you from his youthful confusion through to his eventual self-acceptance aided by some wonderfully clever video designed by Ray Ray Mitrano and Aron Taylor. There is no set here, everything needed for the evening comes out of the steamer trunk he hauls out accompanied by the Diana Ross classic "I'm Coming Out." In this performance, Byrd lays his soul bare.

Director Jenny Larson has done a great job of keeping the evening moving. The props and puppets, designed by Alejandra Gracia are both clever, and at times, inspired. Steven Shirey's simple lighting design perfectly compliments the performance, as does Robert Fisher's sound design.

Jay Byrd is a performer of tremendous versatility and talent and he runs the gamut during NAKED AS A GAYBIRD. To go into too much detail would spoil the evening for you, but be prepared to have your own memories come back as he relates his. Be prepared to laugh and to ache from some of the pain along this journey we are fortunate he is sharing with us.

If you are a gay man who grew up in the seventies or eighties, you need to see this show. If you are a straight person who grew up during that time, you should see this show. Thank you, Jay Byrd, for sharing.

NAKED AS A GAYBIRD by Jay Byrd

Running time: 75 minutes, performed without an intermission. For mature audiences only.

NAKED AS A GAYBIRD, produced by Salvage Vanguard Theater, plays The Salvage Vanguard Theater (2803 E. Manor Road) now thru Nov. 21st. Thursday -Saturday nights at 8pm in SVT's Studio Theater. Tickets to NAKED AS A GAYBIRD are pay-what-you-wish, starting price $10. The Gaybird Disco Night tickets are $35 each and include free drinks, food, and a post-show party with the creative team. Buy tickets online at salvagevanguard.org, box@salvagevanguard.org, and 512-476-SVT6.

SPECIAL EVENTS

November 6th 8PM - Performance and Post Show Panel hosted by OUTsider Fest

November 13th 7PM - Performance and Post Show Panel hosted by YWCA of Greater Austin and BedPost Confessions. This performance is ASL interpreted.

November 20th 8PM - Gaybird's Disco - a VIP event with free food, drinks and a post show performance by Gretchen's Disco Plague.

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