Gadsden Alabama

Rapid Fire Q&A with Theatre of Gadsden’s ‘Sordid Lives’ cast members; onstage at The Ritz in Gadsden, Alabama September 8 thru 17

September 8, 2023 by Jonathan

When I heard my friend Joy Tilley Perryman was once again portraying Sordid Lives’ Noleta Nethercott—this time in Theatre of Gadsden’s production at The Ritz (310 North 27th Street, Gadsden, Alabama)—I knew I had to chat with her, having seen (and loved) her previous turn as Noleta in Nashville back in 2013. It was a nice added surprise when I learned that one of her costars this go-round is Billy Jenkins as Brother Boy, having gotten the chance to chat with him recently for a previous Rapid Fire 20Q. Add to that the chance to get to speak to Kathleen Jensen, who’s playing Juanita Bartlett, one of my all-time favorite characters, and I was fully in!

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Rapid Fire with Theatre of Gadsden’s Sordid Lives’ stars Billy Jenkins, Kathleen Jensen and Joy Tilley Perryman

Rapid Fire with Billy Jenkins, Brother Boy in Theatre of Gadsden’s Sordid Lives

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram?

BILLY JENKINS: Brother Boy Ingram is a gay, cross dressing, Tammy Wynette female impersonator, who was wrongly put into a mental institution by his mother because he was beaten up for being gay. Brother Boy represents what all gay men have experienced: bullying, defamation, a search for identity, and a search for belongingness in a world where being bullied for being gay isn’t a crime, where defamation of a gay person is not considered taboo, where our search for identity seems like a never-ending process, and where our search for belongingness, if we are lucky, ends in a place of happiness.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Billy, I gotta admit, when Joy and I first talked about me doing a Rapid Fire 20Q with you Sordid Lives folks, I was excited to get to chat with you again, having previously featured you in conversation about your participation in Joy’s Jubilations presentation of Listen to Your Mother. In that interview you talked about your late mother a bit. Gotta ask. What would your Mom make of Brother Boy?

BILLY JENKINS: Well, first of all, my mom never saw me in any production (unless you count my first grade play where I was a funny valentine), because she passed away when I was 21 and it wasn’t until after her passing that I got involved in theater. As far as what she would think about Brother Boy….. first of all, she’d be impressed that her baseball playing, high school football playing son could walk and run in stiletto heels. Secondly, I think she’d be proud of my character because Brother Boy’s character is NOT how I act in real life. I had to study his mannerisms very hard and dig a little to find this character. And lastly, I think she’d be like Latrelle in the show, where she always knew that I was gay since I was a little boy. You see, I was my mom’s favorite of her six children, and like Ty and Latrelle in the show, I think her knowing that I was different was what bonded us.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Of course I can’t take about Brother Boy without thinking of Leslie Jordan, who created the role on stage, the big screen and in the Sordid Lives tv series. I was fortunate to have gotten to know Leslie over the years. Knowing that role is such an iconic role, particularly to the LGBTQIA+ community, is there an extra sense of getting the balance of humor and heart just right?

BILLY JENKINS: OMG!!! So much pressure! When I first watched the movie, I fell in love with Leslie Jordan and his talent. I have always wanted to do this role. Many guys in theater dream of being Jan Val Jean or The Phantom, but I remember seeing Leslie Jordan’s genius and setting my goal of playing this role at least once in my life. I am PROUD to play this role as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. This role not only personifies what gay people had to endure 25 years ago, it solidifies the idea that being gay doesn’t mean we need to be locked up in a looney bin. This role is significant because it represents a “stereotype” of what people think being gay means, but in reality, we come in all shapes, sizes, attitudes, and mannerisms and accepting those differences (even within the gay community) leads to a more unified and coherent community. Getting the balance between what needs to be funny and what audiences need to take seriously is tricky, but doable.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Brother Boy is a legend (in his own mind at least) for this portrayals of his Country Queens, Tammy, Loretta and Dolly. If you were to do a music tribute yourself, who would you honor and why?

BILLY JENKINS: I am finding out very quickly that I was NEVER meant to do drag. My feet hurt in heels, makeup takes too long, and my undergarments are extremely uncomfortable. With that being said, I don’t think I could ever do a female musical tribute (I might make an exception for Dolly, though) but if I had to pick, I’d say Johnny Cash. He was a musical genius, down to earth, and his music is still going strong. I do have to mention that I’m like a fifth cousin to Conway Twitty (Harold Jenkins), so I hope he doesn’t roll over in his grave because I picked Johnny Cash.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Aside from a smile on their faces and side-splitting laughter, what theme, idea or thought do you hope audiences take away after seeing Theatre of Gadsden’s Sordid Lives?

BILLY JENKINS: I hope all mommas who have gay sons walk away from the show as a proud momma of a gay son. I hope all gay men who are ashamed of who they are walk away from the show being proud of who they are. I hope all bullies who have ever bullied someone because they are gay walk away from the show with regret of having ever done so. I hope all fathers who have told their sons that real men don’t cry walk away from the show knowing that crying doesn’t make you less of a man. And, I hope all people walk away from the show realizing that family is family and no matter what our differences are, families need to love each other.

Rapid Fire with Kathleen Jensen, Juanita Bartlett in Theatre of Gadsden’s Sordid Lives

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand this is your first time doing a show with Theatre of Gadsden. How much fun are you having so far?

KATHLEEN JENSEN: I am having a blast! It’s been since 2020 that I’ve been on stage. Wow, have I missed it!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While this is your first time playing Juanita and your first show with Theatre of Gadsden, this isn’t your first foray into the world of Del Shores. Having met Del a time or two, was there anything he’s said that you’ve now put into practice as you approach the role of Juanita?

KATHLEEN JENSEN: I have worked with Del on a few occasions at TNT with his one man show. He also saw a production of “Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got The Will”. The one thing that he has always stressed is that these are real people, not just characters.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: One of my favorite of Juanita’s scenes involves a story about a particular childhood craft project, “Ol Cock-a-doodle”. Were you a crafty kid and is there any evidence anywhere around or did your crafts go the way of Juanita’s beloved rooster art?

KATHLEEN JENSEN: I was a very crafty kid! Some of it went the way of ol cockadoodle, but when I cleaned out my mom’s house I was surprised to find more than a few pieces still in existence. One was a framed paint by number of a horse. I have it in my home now.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The tagline for Sordid Lives is: “A black comedy about white trash”. There’s something a little white trash in all of us. What about you? What’s the most unashamed white trash thing about yourself?

KATHLEEN JENSEN: Just because I like PBR draft don’t mean I’m white trash! LOL

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Another great Juanita scene involves the art of reapplying her lipstick while never removing the cigarette from her lips. Have you mastered this unique ability as well?

KATHLEEN JENSEN: I’ve spent time working on it. I guess you’ll have to come to the show to find out!

Rapid Fire with Joy Tilley Perryman, Noleta Nethercott in Theatre of Gadsden’s Sordid Lives

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You have a bit of history with Sordid Lives, having played Noleta in a production in Nashville that I was thrilled to have seen. Between that production and this iteration, are there aspects of Noleta’s character that you’ve discovered, or things that you’ve expanded upon in your portrayal of her?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: That is a loaded one JHP. Between my last Noleta and this one I have lost the love of my life and I suppose that makes me even more aware of marriages. What makes good ones and what makes bad ones and why some people should never even try! G.W. and Noleta don’t have a good marriage but there was something there once upon a time. I think Noleta is grieving the demise of her marriage and I understand that grief all too well. This Noleta is sad in a way that I had not thought of in 2013.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In addition to playing Noleta, you’ve also worked behind the scenes on costumes and wigs, right?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: And props and set dressing. I made all the faux food that is on Sissy’s table and gathered all the 1 million lighters, compacts, and hankies that are in this show. I cannot however, take credit for Sissy’s fabulous wig. That would be the creation of my immensely talent friend, Molly Page.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You likely know that I’ve known Sordid Lives’ creator, Del Shores for a couple decades now. You’ve also had the chance to meet him. What is it about Del and his writing that is so perfect?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: I did know! And I have met him while taking one of his comedy masterclasses in Nashville. First, he, himself is so hysterically funny and just a Texas boy at heart. For me, his writing is so perfect because it so relatable. Now, you may not have left your two wooden legs in the middle of a hotel room floor and caused your lover’s demise, but we all have done things we deeply regret and wish we could take back. Or like Latrelle we are all living in a bit of denial. These are real people that we all know.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Del fully admits many of his characters are based on his actual family and friends from his days as a boy growing up in Winters, TX. If you were to write a play about your relatives, what would it be called and who would be the main character?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: You know that I have already started this very thing. It’s working title is Granny’s Girls and a character very loosely based on my maternal Grandmother, Mildred Smith, is at the heart of it. In this her name is Granny Griggs.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Is Theatre of Gadsden ready for Sordid Lives?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: They better question is, is Sordid Lives ready for Theatre of Gadsden? LOL! No, seriously, maybe so? I hope so? Or as Billy Ditty’s Grandmother used to say, “this is going to happen, whether they want it to or not”!

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Theatre of Gadsden’s Sordid Lives opens Friday, September 8 at The Ritz Theatre (310 North 27th Street, Gadsden, Alabama, 35904), and running through Sunday, September 17. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. Door open 45 minutes before curtain. Tickets are $20/Adults, $18/Seniors/Students/Military. Groups of 10 or more $15/each. Groups of 20 or more $13/each. CLCK HERE to purchase tickets. For more info call 256.547.7469.

Up next at Theatre of Gadsden is Anne of Green Gables with shows October 7 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. and October 8 at 2p.m. Follow Theatre of Gadsden on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more details.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with ‘Listen to Your Mother cast’; on stage at Gadsden State Community College’s Wallace Hall Saturday, May 13

May 8, 2023 by Jonathan

On Saturday, May 13, Gadsden, Alabama’s own Joy Tilley Perryman and a cast of locals will take to the stage of Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center on the campus of Gadsden State Community College (1001 George Wallace Dr, Gadsden, AL 35903) to present Listen to Your Mother, an evening of storytelling celebrating motherhood. Back in 2010, Ann Imig debuted Listen to Your Mother. In the years since, Listen to Your Mother has become a nationwide favorite with more than 60 local theatre companies not only performing the original stories shared, but often times presenting new and unique monologues on the subject of mothers and motherhood. As Perryman and her fellow Gadsden-area storytellers fine-tuned their monologues and readied themselves for the May 13 one-night-only event, I had the opportunity to chat with members of the cast for my latest Rapid Fire 20Q.

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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST MEMBERS OF GADSDEN’s PREMIERE PRESENTATION OF LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER’s JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: For those not familiar with the show, what do audiences need to know about Listen to Your Mother?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: That this event is so so very real and true. We have real people from all walks of life telling their true stories. It relates to and resonates with everyone. You do not have to be a Mother to enjoy this event and it is most certainly not just for women. It is a great night of entertainment for everybody!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While this is a Gadsden premiere, it not your first time being part of a production of Listen to Your Mother. What keeps you revisiting this show and how excited are you to be bringing it to your hometown?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: So, I was part of the original Nashville, TN cast and that show worked the same way this show is working. In other words, these are true stories being read by the people who wrote them. Then, when I did the show at Chaffin’s Barn Theatre, I used the actual licensed scripted show and had actors performing stories that were written by other people. It is a delicate balance finding the rhythm of the stories and the order in which they need to go. That is what brings me back, it is always changing and becoming something different. I am over the moon to bring this show to Alabama and to my hometown. I think people are going to be blown away by it.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of Gadsden being your hometown, I understand you won your first acting award on the very stage where Listen to Your Mother is being performed. What was the award and what was the performance that garnered you the accolade?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: The stage at Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center located on the campus of Gadsden State Community College is like home to me. I saw my first play there and when it was over I did not want to leave. My Daddy had to pry my fingers off the armrest and carry me to the car. But to answer your question, it was Best Actress for my portrayal of Elena in Checkov‘s The Boor, for the Etowah County Schools annual skit competition. The next year we did Moliére. Did I mention I had some great theatre teachers in high school?

JHPENTERTAINMENT: They say you can’t go home again, but you have. What’s been the most rewarding aspect of returning to Gadsden and what’s next for your new performing arts organization, Joy’s Jubilations after you close Listen to Your Mother?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: As most people may know, I lost my beloved Dean very unexpectedly last July, so the most rewarding thing has been being here with my family. I could not have gotten through this time of life without them. Next up, is going to be a murder mystery dinner theatre event, some summer kids programming and then late summer/early fall, a recounting of the Minnie Pearl story, All the News from Grinder’s Switch.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Listen to Your Mother is a one-night-only event. Is it too early to ask if you’re planning to make it an annual event?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: Never too early, and yes. You can’t get rid of me that easily! We will be back!

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER’s ROBIN WALLACE

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Were you familiar with this show prior to Joy revealing she was bringing it to Gadsden?

ROBIN WALLACE: I was not familiar with the show, but once I learned of it, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Your bio mentions that Listen to Your Mother is something you felt compelled to be part of. What drew you to the project.

ROBIN WALLACE: My story is one that I’ve not shared in the 45 years since it occurred and I hoped it would be cathartic for me, and it most definitely was.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand this performance is also special to you because you’ll be taking to the stage for this one-night-only event on the anniversary of your own mother’s birth. Whether part of what you’ll share onstage or not, what’s a piece of advice, or a saying you remember from your mother?

ROBIN WALLACE: She always stressed that my brother and I were to protect and take care of each other. We listened. We have always been each other’s protectors and still are best friends today.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A portion of all Listen to Your Mother ticket sales for this performance will benefit New Centurions, a rehab facility for women located in Gadsden. How rewarding is it to not only be part of a show that will entertain audience members, but also benefit women in need?

ROBIN WALLACE: This will be a very emotional night for me because of my story. I’m glad to share it if it helps just one woman.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like Joy, you’re also an Alabama native, though you hail a bit further south, from Montgomery. Just between us, is there a difference between Northern Alabama folks and Montgomery Alabamians?

ROBIN WALLACE: I absolutely love this area and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! The Montgomery I knew as a teenager is no more, so I’m extremely happy I wound up in North Alabama after my Army career.

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER’s TABITHA BOZEMAN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Were you familiar with Listen to Your Mother prior to joining this production?

TABITHA BOZEMAN: I was not.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A little social media peek as I was researching to chat with you revealed both you and your husband are educators. Is there any advice that’s helped you in your interactions with students?

TABITHA BOZEMAN: We are! I think the most important part of being an effective educator is having empathy. You can have all the knowledge of your field, but if you can’t empathize with how students learn, and the challenges they face, you will not be an effective teacher.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Further stalking of your social media revealed you’re involved in Gadsden State Community College’s Cardinal Arts Journal, so shameless plug time…What can you tell me about that?

TABITHA BOZEMAN: Yay! I love chatting about this! Yes, I am the editor in Chief for the Cardinal Arts Journal, which is an arts journal that Gadsden State produces, and that is open to the community, students and employees at GSCC, and to the public in general. That means we accept submissions from pretty much anyone, anywhere, and those submissions are considered for publication by our board of editors. Our editors are community writers and artists, GSCC employees and students, and writers and artists from all over the United States. There are 3 issues a year, published at the end of each semester, and we are always looking for new writing and art to publish! We accept creative writing, art, photography, music, performance, and digital art and music, as well. The Cardinal Arts Journal is an online publication. That is also the address to visit if you are interested in submitting your work. We accept submissions from all ages, as well, and there is usually a theme posted on our Facebook page and Instagram for each issue. This Spring’s issue has the theme Telling Our Stories: Fairytales, Myths, Legends, and Folklore, and will be out soon!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand Listen to Your Mother will mark your return to the stage after a lengthy absence. What was the last show you were in and how are you feeling about returning to the stage?

TABITHA BOZEMAN: Wow. It has been so long since I’ve been onstage for anything other than academics, I honestly am not sure what my last performance was—I believe it was either Arsenic and Old Lace or The Man Who Came to Dinner, with Theatre of Gadsden, and probably 25 years ago. I have, however, stayed somewhat involved as a theatre parent . My girls have grown up backstage because my husband, Jason teaches theatre.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Quite often productions of Listen to Your Mother use monologues written for the show’s original mounting. For Gadsden’s premiere presentation, and given the fact that you’re a writer, yourself, I’m guessing you will be performing an original monologue?

TABITHA BOZEMAN: Yes, I have written a brief piece about how motherhood helped teach me to listen to myself.

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER’s BILLY JENKINS

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I’ll start with an obvious question. It would appear you’re the sole male storyteller in this presentation of Listen to Your Mother. How’s that going for you?

BILLY JENKINS: LOL… it’s going well. Although I don’t share the same sex as the other performers, we all have something in common: we all have a mother. I’m used to being the lone male because I was an elementary school teacher and male elementary teachers are few and far between, so being the only male is not a big thing.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While doing a little digging to chat with you and a few of your cast mates, I couldn’t help but be moved by a mention of your late mother in the bio Joy provided to me. Being a proud and self-professed Mama’s Boy myself…she’s 81 and going strong…I totally get it. What do you think your Mom would tell you about taking to the stage and sharing your memories of her for Listen to Your Mother?

BILLY JENKINS: First of all, my mom would be so proud of my life accomplishments. She passed when I was just 21 years old and a lot has happened since then. As far as sharing memories of her, she’d probably tell me not to make her sound bad and to not tell any stories of her whipping me when I was a child. She’d also be excited that I’m participating in this because she always said that behind every great man is an even greater woman.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You teach both Psychology and Philosophy at Gadsden, so a two-parter…what’s the craziest excuse you’ve heard from a student on why they missed class or an assignment deadline? AND…just because I’m curious…What’s one thing Psychology and Philosophy have in common?

BILLY JENKINS: The craziest excuse that I’ve encountered about missing class or missed assignments would have to be the dead grandmother excuse. Often times, she’s died twice during the semester and the students forgot they already used that excuse.

Psychology and philosophy share the same roots: both of them study human conditions and behaviors. Philosophy revolves around WHAT the human condition is, while Psychology revolves around the WHY the human condition is. Psychology arose from the discipline of Philosophy. The word ‘psychology’ refers to the study of souls and the word ‘philosophy’ refers to the study of wisdom.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: From your bio, I understand your first show was a 1990 production of A Chorus Line, and you readily admit you still have trouble remembering your lines. What’s a bit of dialogue from A Chorus Line that you still remember?

BILLY JENKINS: Really? Ok here goes: “I was in the back seat with Sally Ketchum and I was feeling her boobs and feeling her boobs. She said, “Don’t you want to feel anything else?” and I suddenly thought to myself, “No, I don’t.”

JHPENTERTAINMENT: It’s sort of become my sign-off while doing these Rapid Fire Q&As to close with some version of the following…What do you hope the audience remembers about the Alabama premiere performance of Listen to Your Mother?

BILLY JENKINS: I hope the audience will listen to the different stories that are onstage and realize that although our stories are totally different, we all share the good and the bad about our mothers and those have shaped us into the people that we are today.

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This Mother’s Day weekend, the Alabama debut of Joy’s Jubilations’ presentation of Listen to Your Mother takes to the stage of Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center at Gadsden State Community College for a one-night-only performance on Saturday, May 13. The show begins at 7:30p.m. Tickets are $23. All tickets are general admission. CLICK HERE or HERE to purchase your tickets. To keep up with Joy’s Jubilations and find out what’s next, follow them on Facebook.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!