Barnes & Noble in April. BLOOMFIELD HILLS EVENTS presents "I think the fate of gay char- acters in American literature, plays and films is really the fate of all characters who are sexual- ly free — we must hang, we must suffer. If you're a woman who commits adultery, you're only put out in the storm; if you're a woman who has another woman, then you better go hang yourself It's a question of degree and, cer- tainly, if you're gay, you have to do real penance — DIE," Lau- rents remarks on screen. Of the 120 clips highlighted, very few reference gay, Jewish characters. In Ben-Hur (1959), Charlton Heston plays the proud Jew Ben-Hur, and Stephen Boyd plays his boyhood friend Mes- sala. In The Celluloid Closet, screenwriter Gore Vidal recounts how he put one over on the Pro- duction Code censors by dis- /— creetly adding some romantic tension between Heston and Boyd. "(In the movies), I've never been aware of a specifically gay, Jewish stereotype — except, maybe, Harvey Fierstein's sissy roles where he combined Jewish qualities with gay qualities (Torch Song Trilogy)," says Friedman, 44. "I see a lot of parallels between how any group that's not the ma- jority is portrayed in the movies. For Jews, for blacks, for gays — either you're not there at all, or you're there in a kind of short- > hand — which translates to a stereotype," adds the filmmaker who, along with Epstein, pro- duced, directed and wrote the 1989 Academy Award-winning documentary Common Threads: Stories From The Quilt, a film about the first decade of AIDS in the United States and the peo- > pie affected by it — including Vito Russo. "(Rob Epstein) and I have de- veloped a way of working to- gether. This is our third nonfiction documentary feature. We came to the collaboration with different strengths, and we try to play to those strengths," says Friedman, who admits that while Epstein had more of a tra- ditional Jewish upbringing than he did, lie still identifies with Ju- daism and the culture. 'We're gay. We're men. We're Jewish. We're American. All of those things inform the work that we do to a greater or lesser degree." iJ THE SEYMOUR J. & ETHEL S. FRANK Festival of New Plays College Planning and Strategies (IN STAGED READINGS) Become a part of the theatre process and voice your opinions to the playwrights, directors and the actors . . . and hear theirs. Wednesday, April 17 • 7:30 PM High school seniors and their parents will enjoy this evening's presentation by Sheryl Krasnow who will present valuable tips and resources for col- lege applicants. All are welcome, no reservation required. ONE OF THE FEW by Pat Lin * Wednesday, April 17 — 7:30 p.m. ** Thursday, April 18 — 7:30 p.m. Poetry Reading with Teresa Tan THE NIGHT THE WAR CAME HOME - Friday, April 26 • 8:00 PM By Hindi Brooks In celebration of National Poetry Month, Barnes & Noble welcomes vibrational poet Teresa Tan. Blending science and spirit, Teresa will read selections from her recent work as well as poems from her award-winning collection, Intangible. * Wednesday, April 24 — 7:30 p.m. ** Thursday, April 25 — 7:30 p.m. 703 WALK HILL by Janet Neipris * Wednesday, May 1 — 7:30 p.m. ** Thursday, May 2 — 7:30 p.m. Story Time with The Michigan Classic Ballet TO BE ANNOUNCED * Wednesday, May 8 — 7:30 p.m. ** Thursday, May 9 — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 • 11:00 AM Suggested Donation $5.00 NO RESERVATIONS • JET (810) 788-2900 JET SUBSCRIBERS FREE * * THURSDAY PERFORMANCES WEDNESDAY PERFORMANCES Aaron DeRoy Theatre - J.C.C. kflest Bloomfield . s-\ SIIEXR MADNESS Northville's Historic c7heati-e Presents - J.C.C. Oak Park AMERICA'S LONGEST-RUNNING COMEDY WHODUNIT EXTENDED! Pinocchio An enchanting story about a wooden puppet who comes to life. This afternoon, join us for an extra exciting story time. Children aged 3 and up can look forward to stories about ballet and a special live appearance and dance hosted by Angelina Ballerina. Kids will love this special recital provided by the exper- tise of the Michigan Classic Ballet WEST BLOOMFIELD EVENTS Self-Defense with Sanford Strong Wednesday, April 17 • 7:30 PM Meet self-defense expert Sanford Strong when he visits our store to sign his new book Strong on Defense. Mr. Strong will offer a brief question and answer session as well - as a demonstration of his own self-defense techniques. Open Mike Night Poetry Reading Friday, April 19 • 8:30 PM Poets from all around are invited to share the mike tonight in celebration of the first official National Poetry Month. We will have a sign-up sheet available at 8:00 p.m. — the reading will follow at 8:30. All ages are welcome. Children's Bed Time Stories with Teddy Tuesday, April 30 • 7:00 PM Kids of all ages! You'll love this spe- cial "bed time with teddy" story hour. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and come ready for bed — in pajamas, bathrobe and slippers — and we will read bed time stories about teddy bears and other favorite bed time pals. Bloomfield Hills fog West Bloomfield <51,i, Q 6575 Telegraph Road at Maple Road (810) 540-4209 Open Mon-Sat 9 AM-11 PM 6800 Orchard Lake Road south of Maple Road (810) 626-6804 Open Mon-Sat 9 AM-11 PM Sun 9 AM-8 PM Sun 9 AM-8 PM ' café k music department g multimedia Barnes Noble Booksellers Since /873 NOW OPEN eAP t Saturdays, 230 pm April 13, 20, 27 Sundays, 2:30 pm Apri114, 21, 28 Of Auburn Hills ❑ Et Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein's The Celluloid Closet will run at 7 and 9:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow and at 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the Detroit Film Theatre. Tickets are $5.50. DIA. 5200 ,Th Woodward Ave., Detroit. (313) 833-2323. Live an stage. SPECIALLY PRICED SUNDAY EVENING PERFORMANCES! Group Rates Available *reserved seating for 20 or more. *We'll sing "Happy B'Day" - let us know at the Box Office before the show. Tickets at the door or phone in advance (810)349-8110 135 Main II Northville CO: GEM THEATRE BOX OFFICE (313) ricer f~ .asra, 963-9800 (810) 645-6666 GROUP DISCOUNTS CALL NICOLE (313) 962 - 2913 Serving The Same Great Food As Our Detroit Location Since 1939 a, CC) 885 Opdyke Road (Across from the Silverdome) For Reservations: 373-4440 75