Luna Stage Presents “Gay History for Straight People!” In June – New Jersey Stage

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) —  After 14 months of powerful virtual work, Luna Stage will present four in-person, outdoor performances of Will Nolan’s  Gay History for Straight People! presented in association with ValleyArts at 8:00pm June 11, 12, 25 and 26. Seating is limited and social distancing will be observed at this adults-only performance featuring Nolan’s comedic alter ego Leola, “your new favorite Kelly Clarkson-worshipping, senior citizen, redneck lesbian.”

The show guides audiences through the complexities of the “LGBTQYMCA community as Leola calls it – everything from GAY to Z,” says Nolan. “Yes, you’re going to learn some gay history and you may need to unlearn some of the gay history Leola tries to teach, but more importantly, I hope audiences walk away feeling special.”

“Leola’s is a voice that encourages you to be yourself – flaws and all – and to be kind and to laugh,” Nolan adds. “Gay History for Straight People is about finding our strength to stand up and fight negativity with love…and the right shade of lipstick.”

Performances will be held in the outdoor ValleyArts Courtyard, 400 S. Jefferson St in Orange. Seating pods are available for groups of 4 and 2, and individual seats are also available. Tickets are limited to ensure social distancing.

In addition to being named the 2020 Outstanding Cabaret Performer by BroadwayWorld, Leola has appeared across the country in fringe festivals, regional theaters, and at middle-aged birthday parties, winning the Long Island City Flying Solo Festival two years in a row. This year, Leola will emcee the first-ever Pride Parade in Leonia, New Jersey on June 5 and she will continue her residency at The Green Room 42 in New York City through 2021.

Gay History for Straight People was originally slated to open at Luna pre-pandemic in March of 2020 as the third production in Luna’s American Voices Series, which featured original solo shows in the regional theatre’s smaller space, Luna 2. The Series also featured Susan Hyon’s Soo Jin Pretty Nail (and more!) and Dipti Bramhandkar’s American Rookie.

Writer and performer Will Nolan lives in Northern New Jersey with his husband and son.

Luna Stage develops and produces vibrant plays about local and global experiences. Firmly rooted in New Jersey’s Valley Arts District — a crossroads of cultures — Luna brings our communities together for artistic events that spark conversations and create understanding and change.

The recipient of JerseyArts People’s Choice Award for Favorite Small Theatre in NJ for the past two years (2018 & 2019), Luna celebrates 10 years in its West Orange location this year. In addition to professional theatre productions on its MainStage and Luna 2, Luna offers classes for children and adults, opportunities for early-career and established theatre artists to develop new work, and has pivoted during the pandemic to offer a wide variety of free virtual programming.

ValleyArts (VA) is an art gallery and an arts education entity that is located at the epicenter of the Valley Arts District in Orange, NJ.  Its mission is to build community and economic opportunities for the people living and working in the ValleyArts District by creative means. ValleyArts is also interested in making ValleyArts a local, national and global brand. 

VA’s intention is to produce fun filled, engaging, events. Additionally, VA often offers donation-based and low cost workshops on topics relevant to the local residents. The mission also emphasizes work with local community partners, providing meeting space, creative space, and at times a gathering spot. Moreover, there is a strong desire to facilitate connections between community members who can help each other. Whether there is collaboration with community members to host creative events, or the formation of partnerships to venture into mobile programming designed to foster intentional sustainable community development initiatives, Valley Arts intends to remain a lasting institution in the community.