Pridefest 2024 to feature local theater groups
May 22—In another exciting addition to the schedule of festivities at Vermilion County Pride Coalition's upcoming Pridefest celebration, members of DLO (Danville Light Opera) will take to the stage at Temple Plaza to perform songs from several musicals that feature LGBTQIA+ characters.
VCPC's second annual Pridefest will take place on Saturday, June 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. in downtown Danville at the intersection of Vermilion and North streets.
Three local community theater groups — DLO, KottrGrimm Theatrical Storytellers, and Red Mask Players — will share a booth at the event in solidarity and support for the community, bringing together a slew of theater performers, stage builders, technicians, and more.
Dane Nicholls, the Head of Public Relations for Vermilion County Pride Coalition, is thrilled that DLO will be performing at Pridefest.
"I've seen several of DLO's productions, and it's phenomenal that we've got a group of such talented performers in such a small community. So it's going to be awesome to see what they've got for us on that day," says Nicholls.
Matt Hester, a key member of the local theater community, will be briefly reprising his role as Zaza, a drag queen and loving father from "La Cage aux Folles" — a musical based on Jean Poiret's 1973 play of the same name. The musical, which first debuted in 1983 and won nine Tony Awards, was the first major Broadway hit to feature a queer couple.
Also a member of the board of directors for Red Mask Players, Hester is looking forward to performing a song from "La Cage aux Folles" at the event.
"That show was one of the absolute highlights of my entire 30-year theater career," Hester says.
Hester will be performing "I Am Who I Am," a song that has long been lauded as an anthem for the gay community. It features a message which Hester feels can be particularly impactful for Pridefest attendees.
"Whether you're queer or not, you shouldn't have to be ashamed of who you are. Who you are is just fine," he says.
For Jeanne Dunn, vice president of DLO, this collection of performances is a long time coming.
"There's societal resistance to put queer shows on, and hopefully that's easing up," Dunn says.
When DLO performed "La Cage aux Folles" in 2015, Dunn, Hester, and the other members of DLO were nervous about how it would be received in the area.
"We sold out six performances of that show," Dunn says. "DLO doesn't ever even have six performances, and we sold them all out. So that told me that our community was ready."
The idea for the three groups to unite originated with Dunn, who reached out to Red Mask and KottrGrimm to invite them to join forces at the celebration.
Lee Bridgman, one of the executive directors of KottrGrimm, is proud to have been invited to attend.
"KottrGrimm are major advocates of love in all its forms," says Bridgman. "We were honored when DLO reached out, proposing we come together to promote solidarity with the cause. So we will be there alongside our arts friends showing love and support."
The family-friendly event will feature several dozen vendors, as well as "The Weiner Wagon" — a local food truck offering traditional festival fare, including funnel cakes and corn dogs. There will also be lots of opportunities for kid-friendly fun.
After the vendors and attendees close down shop at 5 p.m., the celebration will continue with an Open Mic from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Singers, comedians, poets, musicians, etc. are welcome to perform. Signups can be found on the Vermilion County Pride Coalition's Facebook page.
The official Pride Afterparty will take place at Temple Plaza, starting at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by DJ Silkee and a Pride Queen, King, or Themperor will be chosen.
Vermilion County Pride Coalition is calling for volunteers to help out at the festival and the after party. Follow their Facebook page for updates.
