Can I Be Frank?

Morgan Bassichis

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE

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Price: $27*
Genre: Theater
Season: Winter/Spring 2025
DATE: MAR 20-22
TIME: THU-SAT, 8:30 PM
RUNTIME: Approx. 65 minutes
COUNTRY: USA

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About

In a desperate attempt to prove they can think about someone other than themself, Morgan Bassichis turns to the work of queer comedian, musician, and performance artist Frank Maya in Can I Be Frank? Maya was among the first out gay comedians on network television and on the precipice of mainstream success before he died from AIDS-related complications in 1995. This new “solo” performance humbly attempts to ensure Maya’s legacy is no longer overlooked while finally resolving the bottomless queer search for fame and for father figures, and for laughter in times of crisis.

A bitingly funny tribute.

—

Helen Shaw, The New Yorker

Can I Be Frank? was originally presented by La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club and was supported in part by a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant and residencies at the Church in Sag Harbor, New York and the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas. Special thanks to Mike & Carlee Productions.

about the artists

Morgan Bassichis (they/them) is a comedian and writer who has been described as “fiercely hilarious” by The New Yorker. They are the author of The Odd Years and co-editor with Jay Saper and Rachel Valinsky of Questions to Ask Before Your Bat Mitzvah, both published by Wendy’s Subway. Recent shows include A Crowded Field (Abrons Arts Center, 2023), Questions to Ask Beforehand (Bridget Donahue, 2022), and Don’t Rain on My Bat Mitzvah (Creative Time, 2021). Their exhibition More Little Ditties was co-presented by the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts at Harvard University, Cambridge and the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.

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Sam Pinkleton most recently directed Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! at the Lucille Lortel Theater, New York, and choreographed Stephen Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are at The Shed, New York. Other highlights of his directing work include a big gay Wizard of Oz (American Conservatory Theater, 2023); Noah Diaz’s YOU WILL GET SICK, starring Linda Lavin (Roundabout Theater Company, 2022); The Go-Go’s musical Head Over Heels, co-directed with Jenny Koons and starring Alaska 5000 (Pasadena Playhouse, 2021); the unexplainable club experience UNTITLED DANCESHOWPARTYTHING, created with Ani Taj (Virgin Voyages); and a revival of Elizabeth Swados’ Runaways (Encores! and Shakespeare in the Park, 2016). As a choreographer, his work includes the Broadway productions of Macbeth, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Tony-nominated), Machinal, Heisenberg, Significant Other, and Amélie. He has created original musical work with a diverse roster of collaborators including Courtney Love, Todd Almond, Swing Left, Cirque du Soleil, Nickelodeon, BAM, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and the Dutch National Opera. His work on film includes the upcoming apocalyptic musical feature The End, starring Tilda Swinton.

Kedian Keohan (they/he) is a trans theater director and creator of live performance. Director: Amando Houser’s DeliaDelia! The Flat Chested Witch (Edinburgh Fringe), reid tang’s ISABEL (NAATCO), Erin Markey’s First Lady (Bard Spiegeltent), Minna Lee’s Last Gold (Hunter College MFA), WORK HARD HAVE FUN MAKE HISTORY (Breaking the Binary), BLUSH with K Hurley (Soho Rep Writer Director Lab). Associate Director: Ryan J. Haddad’s Dark Disabled Stories (The Public Theater/Bushwick Starr). Assistant Director: Orlando (Signature), Pathetic (Abrons Art Center), Singlet (Bushwick Starr), and Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future (Ars Nova). Keohan performed the role of Major in the New York Times Critic Pick Marie It’s Time (HERE Arts Center) written by Julia Jarcho. Keohan is a former Soho Rep Writer Director Lab member, Clubbed Thumb Directing Fellow, and New Georges affiliated artist.