‘Out at Overture’ encompasses joy, community and celebration
Dr. Ida Balderrama-Trudell
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Overture welcomed members of the Madison-area LGBTQ+ community for an evening of networking, drag queen bingo and Broadway. Out at Overture is an annual event held in collaboration with local community organizations and businesses, including GSAFE, OPEN, Old National Bank, Outreach, Rainbow Happy Hour and the UW GSCC.
Partners shared: "It was a fantastic night—fun and joyful. We had a blast! Thank you for bringing together the LGBTQ+ community and organizations. It was nice to partner with you on this event. Thanks for making it an easy lift."
The event offers an inclusive, welcoming space for camaraderie and connection, followed by a performance. Partner organizations shared their work and spent time engaging with guests.
“Some Like It Hot” was chosen as the performance for this year’s Out at Overture because of its overarching themes of inclusion and acceptance.
Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, “Some Like It Hot” is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.
At one point, Joe asks Jerry/Daphne what they should call them. Their response “Either is fine, as long as you do it with love and respect.”
Spaces where people can be their authentic self and experience joy are exactly the purpose of this event—and truly, all events at Overture Center.
“Inclusion, access and belonging are instrumental in our daily operations and performances,” said Director of Equity and Innovation Dr. Ida Balderrama-Trudell.
Over the last decade, Overture Center has worked strategically to expand access to the arts through free and low-cost programming, community partner events, collaborations and dedicated staff support.
One program, the Jerry Awards and Jerry Ensemble, encourages, recognizes and honors excellence in high school musical theater and helped launch the career of performer Jamal Stone, a former Jerry Award recipient and Ensemble member and Sun Prairie native. Stone joined Out at Overture for a pre-show Q&A facilitated by drag queen and Broadway subscriber Kendra Banx. Guests enjoyed bingo after the conversation, and many stayed for “Some Like It Hot,” where they cheered Stone on as he performed on his “home stage.”
Guest Deb Fields said, "On behalf of myself and my family, I want to thank you so much for including us in the Overture event tonight. What a show! I have always loved the movie, but this was incredible. We really enjoy musical theater. It was so great to connect and reconnect with such fantastic people. Finally, we felt so comfortable and welcomed at an event like this. It was what we really needed as we have been increasingly avoiding activities where we don't feel "safe."
"Some Like It Hot" is locally sponsored by Findorff. Broadway at Overture is presented in partnership with Broadway Across America.
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Dr. Ida Balderrama-Trudell ‘Out at Overture’ encompasses joy, community and celebration
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