Can I Be Frank?
Morgan Bassichis
LOS ANGELES PREMIERE
Past event
- 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
A new performance by Morgan Bassichis
with original material by Frank Maya
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.
On March 21, there will be a post-show conversation between Morgan Bassichis and independent curator Lauren Mackler, as well as a Q&A with the audience.
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.
This program is organized in partnership with independent curator Lauren Mackler.
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.
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.
Frank Maya (1950-1995) was a musician, performance artist, and comedian who grew up in Babylon, Long Island. Maya began performing widely in New York City as a singer-songwriter and bandleader in the mid-1970s. His band Frank Maya + The Decals performed at CBGB’s, Danceteria, The Pyramid Club, and 8BC. He also created a pop choir, The Maya Choir, which performed at Folk City. In the early 1980s he redefined himself as a performance artist and presented multiple evening-length “rants” at La MaMa, PS122, The Kitchen, Dixon Place, the Bottom Line, and other venues around downtown New York City. In the early 90s, Frank redefined himself again as a stand-up comedian, touring around the country, becoming one of the first out gay comics to appear on MTV’s “Half-Hour Comedy Hour,” and having his own half-hour special on the Comedy Central network. He appeared on the Dick Cavett show and at Lincoln Center’s Serious Fun Festival, and performed regularly at Caroline’s Comedy Club. His one-person show, “Paying for the Pool,” ran for eight weeks at the Atlantic Theater Company in the fall of 1993. A selection of that show is included in the anthology “Out Loud and Laughing” from Anchor Books. Frank Maya died of AIDS on August 7, 1995, a few days after his 45th birthday, at his parents’ home surrounded by his loved ones.
cast & creative team
Written and Performed by Morgan Bassichis
With original material by Frank Maya
Directed by Sam Pinkleton
Associate direction by Kedian Keohan
Musical recreations by Natasha Jacobs
Scenic recreations by Eli Woods Harrison
