Shocking and controversial in its time, a play by MAE WEST continues to be revived for open-minded audiences. This recent production was on the boards in Cape Cod. This is Part 9 of 9 segments.
• • Theatre Review: Doing the Time Warp in Mae West’s Play “The Drag” • •
• • Howard Karren wrote: David Drake directs with aplomb, and though the humor is a tad creaky, the philosophical arguments a bit musty, and the ending and dénouement somewhat abrupt, he preserves the satire and the common-sense humanity in Mae West’s approach that keeps it relevant.
• • Howard Karren wrote: Ellen Rousseau’s set arrives straight out of a Fred-and-Ginger musical, and the two acts in two hours whiz by quickly and energetically — no small feat with a large cast of local talent.
• • Howard Karren wrote: “The Drag” has a comic breeziness that makes it an ideal spring re-introduction to a season of great theater.
• • Howard Karren wrote: It’s important as LGBTQ history and reminds us of just how courageous and insightful an artist Mae West was.
• • Drama Queens
• • The event: The Drag, a play by Mae West
• • The time: Onstage through Sunday, 5 June 2022
• • The place: Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford St.
• • Source: The Provincetown Independent; published on Wednesday, 25 May 2022.
• • On Wednesday, 14 July 1920 • •
• • Sadly, on 14 July 1920, Mae West filed for a divorce from Guido Deiro [1886 — 1950], charging him with abandonment. She had moved back with her parents, who were living in the borough of Queens in New York.
• • On Wednesday, 14 July 1999 — Paul Novak died • •
• • Paul Novak [24 February 1923 — 14 July 1999] • •
• • With Paul Novak's constant protection and his concern for her diet and exercise, Mae West survived until her 87th year, when she had a series of strokes.
• • On 22 November 1980, when she died in her sleep, there was her faithful companion Paul Novak at her bedside.
• • Mae West admitted that Novak was "a good guy," adding, "Of course there's 40 guys dyin' for his job!" In her last years, it’s been said that Mae West continually asked him to contact an attorney so that she could change her Will in his favor, but he later stated, "I always said to her, 'Now now, dear, there's plenty of time to do that.' I guess I thought she would live forever. How did she ever pick me — — just a wrestler and roustabout?' "
• • Chester Ribonsky (Paul Novak), sailor, bodybuilder and bodyguard: born Baltimore, Maryland 1923; died in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday, 14 July 1999.
• • July 2004: Mae West Blog launches • •
• • What are we up to, writing about the Brooklyn-born bombshell for eighteen years now?
• • We’re here to keep Mae mavens up to date, correct errors, celebrate each revival of a play she wrote, post the latest Westian stage and book reviews. And answer our fan mail!
• • The light’s still on. Come up and see Mae every day.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Mae West's least favorite film may have been “Myra Breckinridge" (1970).
• • You might as well have cautioned Michael Sarne not to film this screenplay, which was such an abortion that the novelist Gore Vidal disowned it.
• • According to Stanley Musgrove, costume designer Edith Head hinted at her monumental Myra B. misery when she told him, "God, I'm glad I drink!"
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I didn't start out to collect diamonds — — but somehow they just kept piling up."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • A Midwest newspaper mentioned Mae West.
• • The Urbana Daily Courier mentioned Mae West and Alfonso, the nobleman who was once King of Spain.
• • Yes, this July 14, 1934 news item sounds completely ridiculous, which is why it's being posted today.
• • European cablegrams announced recently the impending divorce of Alfonso, the ex-King of Spain. ... Recent press dispatches from London say that Mae West had offered Alfonso the leading male role [sic] in her next picture, to be called "Me and the King." The play was written by Prince Alexis of Thurn and Taxis, through whom Alfonso was approached [sic] ...
• • Source: The Urbana Daily Courier (Illinois); published on Saturday, 14 July 1934
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • •
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — —
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 18th anniversary • •
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eighteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 5,000 blog posts. Wow!
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started eighteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 5,037th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Be sure to bookmark or follow The Mae West Blog
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • David Lee illustration c. 1978 • •
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