New American Folk Theatre’s charming production of The Summer of Daisy Fay, based on comedian-author Fannie Flag’s popular Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, ultimately, shows how far and how little we have come with concern to women’s rights and the equality of the GLBT community.

As played, subtly and enthusiastically, by the adorable Charlie Irving, Daisy Fay recounts her adventures under the charming Southern tutelage of an urbane gay man. It’s the late 50s and, as the show opens, Daisy Fay’s distinguished sponsor is putting the finishing touches on his pliable creation in anticipation of her competing in the upcoming Miss Mississippi Contest.

Of course, Daisy Fay doesn’t find every recipient of small town masculinity quite so impressive. As bitterly recounted by Irving, the audience soon discovers that Daisy Fay’s dearest childhood friend has been the victim of a familial rape and is now indentured to her abusive father.

We, also, learn of how Daisy Fay helps a local businessman escape a raid at the local gay watering hole and eventually, in humorous detail, just exactly how her beauty crown ambitions play out.

Full of down home humor and hope, Daisy Fay, courtesy of Irving’s skilled commitment and playwright Ed Howard’s effective words, is eventually revealed to be the type of person that the world needs more of. Understanding and full of warm acceptance, this character would surely be mortified that, in contemporary society, women still must defend their right to proper birth control and that, despite major advances, that gay, lesbian and trans men and women (and their supporters) are still being attacked and murdered in the streets.

Lovingly directed by Anthony Whitaker, and produced in association with Redtwist Theatre, The Summer of Daisy Fay runs until August 17th at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. Please visit http://www.newamericanfolktheatre.org for more information.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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