The expression ‘larger than life’ is bandied around too frequently for our tastes, but one person that fits it perfectly is Adam Weinstock. He’s a queer Theatrical Producer who’s been involved in so many projects on both sides of the Atlantic with such a hefty resume that possibly belies his age. The NY Times once called him ‘Mr. Entertainment’, whilst we at Queerguru feel fortunate enough to call him a friend. Over the years he has fixed us up with face-to-face interviews with some of our favorite people such as Margaret Cho, Bruce Vlanch, and Melissa Manchester.
What we love about Adam is his sheer passion for every single thing in his life. Including PTown which we share too. Over the years he has been a Consultant to the town’s prestigious Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, but this year their Board has reeled him in to being their new Executive Director.
Over the past couple of years, this has become QUEERGURU’s fav annual PTown Festival, thanks mainly to the inspired programming of Curator David Kaplan. He is no shrinking violet, and with his extensive knowledge of the work of William, who many years ago was a PTown resident, David will make part of a dynamic couple with Adam.
The TWP as it is called is not just an occasion to perform Willams’s own plays but to introduce other work that relates to him and the Festival Theme. For example, in 2021 it was all organized around the theme of censorship in theater history as seen through the lens of Tennessee Williams’ career. Amongst it brought Penny Arcade the fabulous queen of performance art back to town
2022 is probably the best year for Adam to pitch in as this Fall the 17th Season is called Tutti Frutti Tennessee Williams, meaning all flavors of Williams – tutti! From the 1930s to the 1980s, every decade that Williams wrote, from his crowd-pleasing Broadway hits to his radical writing – early and late – that continues to challenge audiences to savor, as Williams put it “the strange, the crazed, the queer.”
In honoring Williams’ foundational connection to Provincetown, the festival contributes to the cultural wealth and economic health of the wonderful seaside village that so inspired him and graciously hosts the festival each September. And I’m sure Mr Williams himself would approve of the new member of the Team.
