Nathaniel David Becker, Tanner Cohen in Were the World Mine
Just last week, I watched the romantic, dramatic-comedy musical Were the World Mine from beginning to end for the third time. (I've lost count of the number of times I've watched just the way-out-there — as in Queen meets Rocky Horror — musical numbers.)
Co-written by partners Cory James Krueckeberg and Tom Gustafson — inspired by Gustafson's 2003 short Faeries and by William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream — and directed by Gustafson, Were the World Mine tells the story of a small-town teen, Timothy (Tanner Cohen), the ostracized gay guy inevitably in love with the captain of his school's rugby team, Jonathon (Nathaniel David Becker).
Initially, Timothy's sole means of escape from his drab existence are his musical fantasies featuring bright lights and singing & dancing athletes. But all that changes when a mysterious English teacher (beautifully — and hilariously — played by Wendy Robie of Twin Peaks) decides to stage a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Cast as Puck, Timothy ends up playing the role offstage as well, using a liquid-spraying purple pansy to spread (gay) love throughout his reactionary small town.
Also in the Were the World Mine cast: Judy McLane (of Broadway's Mamma Mia!), flawless as Timothy's highstrung mother; Jill Larson, perfectly over the top as a stiff cosmetics entrepreneur who is (temporarily) turned into a ravenously lovestruck lesbian; Christian Stolte, as the obnoxious macho coach who falls desperately in love with (the very much puzzled) school principal David Darlow; Zelda Williams (Robin Williams' daughter); Ricky Goldman, Brad Bukauskas, Colleen Skemp, and Parker Croft.
Director Tom Gustafson has kindly agreed to answer a few questions about his feature-film debut, which has won about a dozen awards at various gay film festivals (including the jury prize at Los Angeles' Outfest).
Were the World Mine has also performed quite well at screenings in San Francisco, Berkeley, and New York City. It'll open in Chicago, Washington, and Los Angeles (Sunset 5 in West Hollywood) on December 12. (Full screening schedule.)
Now, considering one of Gustafson's responses, perhaps a liquid-spraying purple flower of some sort or other is needed to open the hearts (and minds) of agents, film festival heads, and film distributors as well.
Photos: SPEAKProductions