Strange Bird, Queer Bird, the latest original show from Grapefruit Lab, is an early-pandemic love story based on actual events. The show opens on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Buntport Theater, and runs for two weekends with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. In order to make this production accessible, regardless of ability to pay, tickets are all name-your-price.
After a single face-to-face date, the world shuts down again, but two queer people manage to connect despite the imposed distance.
Against the backdrop of forest fires, uprisings in the streets, uncertainty and massive death — this show finds a hopeful tone in the personal and prodouns connections still happening between people.
“It’s a story told through music, dance and intimate correspondence,” says Lars Reid, one of the creators.
The text is taken verbatim from letters, phone messages, journal entries and poems between Reid and Julie Rada — who perform as themselves. These words are joined with original dance (Kate Speer, Allison Blakeney) and live music (Teacup Gorilla) to create a poetic reflection on blossoming love.
Grapefruit Lab is a performance company founded by long-term collaborators Julie Rada, Miriam Suzanne and Kenny Storms. The three have collaborated under various names — finally forming Grapefruit Lab with a vision for mixed-media shows that engage the community.
717 Lipan St., Denver.