As I write this, Berend McKenzie, writer and star of nggrfg, is preparing to perform his one-man show in front of the students of Dartmouth High, and I predict they’re going to be blown away. McKenzie has something they—-and all of us—- need to hear, and he does it in a totally engaging and entertaining manner. His message is about the importance of love and acceptance, two things that he’s struggled to find as a gay, black man. Told in autobiographical scenes of his life in small-town western Canada, McKenzie explores everything from his early discovery that he had more in common with the girls than boys on the playground to his disastrous attempt to “straighten” himself by dating (and imitating) a popular girl. If you didn’t get a chance to see nggrfg during its short run at last year’s Queer Acts Festival (or even if you did), do yourself a favour and catch it at SuperNova.
Saturday, May 21, 8:30pm followed by Talkback session
Sunday, May 22, 3pm
Adults $25, Seniors/DND/Arts Workers $20, Students $15
This article appears in May 19-25, 2011.
