Updated & posted by Wayves volunteer 5/09/2013
Garry playing for Dan MacKay's birthday Party at Menz Bar, just before Show Tunez. (Photo: Anita Martinez)
By Hugo Dann
On behalf of Wayves, I recently sat down with my friend Garry Williams to chat about his regular, and increasingly popular, Saturday night singalong gig, Show Tunez at Menz Bar. For those who don't know Garry, he's the guiding light of DaPoPo Theatre, one of Halifax's queerest and most political theatre troupes. Garry grew up in Germany, which (to me at least) seems an unlikely place to have fallen in love with that most American of genres, the Broadway musical. But that's just what he did. more after the Jump!
He went on to study both theatre and music in New York and at Mount Allison in New Brunswick. Just recently, he wowed musical theatre and opera lovers with his "award-worthy (Kate Watson, The Coast) performance in the Halifax Summer Opera prodiction of Sondheim's A little Night Music. Here's our conversation.
Hugo: So, I gather last Saturday's Showtunes was a real standout. I want to talk more about that, but can you give us a bit of background? you've been doing Show Tunez for awhile now. When did it start?
Garry: It started about two years ago. Maybe longer. I am not good with time and numbers.
H: And how has it evolved, from your perspective?
G: In the beginning it was scary. I'd never done anything like it before, at least not in public. I think it was also a gamble for the bar, not knowing whether there was a sing-along Show Tunez crowd. But there definitely is. It's become a real staple. There is a group of people who come out just for Show Tunez to sing, to talk. It's gotten to the point that I am reprimanded gently by the regulars, if I have to miss a week for a performance, or if I'm out-of-town.
H: So the Atlantic Fringe is going on, and I gather that had an impact on last Saturday's show?
G: That's correct. Many of the performers from out-of-town congregated at Menz & Mollyz to talk, drink and sing Show Tunez. There was a beautiful mix of regulars and first-timers. It was electric, Hugo! Everyone was singing, and joining in. The atmosphere was so friendly and supportive – but that's what makes Show Tunez so special. It is a welcoming event.
W: What can we expect this week?
G: You never know what to expect. I am consistently wrong with my predictions. I do hope the Fringe artists congregate there again, since their enthusiasm and their repertoire of Broadway songs complemented the regular Show Tunez crowd's so well. It was such a blast!
W: You have a show in the Fringe as well, which Wayves has already reviewed [insert link]. How was that experience for you?
G: It is thrilling to be part of the Festival, and part of the activity around the Festival. Kim Parkhill wrote a marvellous show, and performs it with great skill. It was fun to work creatively with Kim, as well as our artistic collaborators Evan Brown and Connor Josey. It was a privilege to work with such artists.
W: Have you seen any shows that really stood out?
G: I have a huge show crush on Understudy, which you also reviewed – the performance, the script and the subject completely captivated me. I have yet to see a great number of shows, though. Working on Phaedra's Bed took a lot of time and energy.
W: One last question, what would be your ideal for Showtunes? Where would you like to take it?
G: My ideal? I would like the Show Tunez room to be filled with the same mix of local sing-along fans and out-of-towners every Saturday. There is such a contagious energy there, when dozens of people come together and laugh and share. You know, it's almost like Church, or camp fire songs for show people. It speaks to some kind of deep-rooted need in us to sing with each other.
W: Thanks for talking with Wayves.
From what I've heard amongst the buzzing conversations on the fringes of the Fringe, a lot of people are talking about last Saturday's Show Tunez. Just remember that if you're going to Menz for Show Tunez (on any Saturday), make sure to tell that to the person working the door! That gets factored in to how Garry gets paid at the end of the night. Oh, and he's a hard-working guy, so a tip or two in the Tip Jar is is always greatly appreciated! Support our LGBTQ artists!
