Review by Steve Desroches
In Tina Burner’s For the Gays: An Honorable Discharge the boogie woogie bugle boy from Company B is blowing a lot more than reveille for Uncle Sam. In this campy call to action, Tina Burner sets up a fabulous induction center where everyone is required to don’t ask, but do tell. This is Operation Code Name: Gay as Hell. In these worrisome times, when so many people are under threat and there’s so much uncertainty, the LGBTQ community is under assault, too. Long fought for rights, many only recently realized after years of hard work by activists, some whose names we’ll never know, are once again in the crosshairs of conservative and bigoted forces who want to erase LGBTQ people from the historical record as well as from modern life. Tennessee Republican Congressman Andy Ogles said this past June that “homosexuality has no place in America” (thankfully, earlier this month he lost the Republican primary in his bid for re-election). But there are many more in power just like him.
With that serious back drop, once inside the Cabaret Room at the Crown & Anchor, For the Gays is exactly the comedic clarion call that is needed, providing some R and R before heading back into battle. And the only weapon needed is to be louder and prouder than ever before as Tina Burner acts as a fierce General Patton with a mean tuck and a face beat for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And the only bombs going off are full of glitter.
A standout from season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Tina Burner has quickly become a star in Provincetown’s crowded and competitive drag scene. For the Gays is the best show she’s brought to the Cape tip to date. It’s crisp, polished, and pressed, ready for the toughest of inspections…the audiences of Provincetown who expect drag excellence. And Tina Burner delivers. Above all else, and most importantly, For the Gays is absolutely hilarious. It’s an impressive use of comedy to both calm the nerves as well as make a point, which is gay people, as a people, are fabulous and amazing. LGBTQ people are not going anywhere and together the community, along with its allies, can achieve great things that benefit everyone. Equality for all is good for all. While the show elicits tears of laughter throughout, there is a moment that is surprisingly poignant, inspirational, and emotional, as Tina Burner reminds everyone to be all they can be, before heading right back into rapid fire laughs. This is anything but basic training, its five-star gag-worthy.
Tina Burner: For the Gays is at the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial St., Tuesday through Saturday, now through September 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($40/$50) are available at the box office and online at onlyatthecrown.com. For more information call 508.487.1430.
