For years, the Shotgun Players owned this category. They could usually be counted on for at least a little male full-frontal and a lot of stage blood. But the torch has apparently been passed to Impact, who are even now carrying on the fine tradition of making cast members run around in drag or nothing in their production of John Fisher’s new Queer Theory over at the Exit in San Francisco. Come the 2003-’04 season, Impact will be offering such tempting morsels as their own spin on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the new Say You Love Satan, and Impact Briefs 6: Shock and Awe! — which, since it will feature some of the finest, um, bits from Impact Briefs 1-5, will doubtless include nudity, drug use, and hopefully the hilarious sock-puppet Bacchae that put the crowning touch on Briefs 5. “The more you drink, the better we are,” the Impacters claim, but in all seriousness their work has been getting appreciably better with each show, even if you’re sober — although you’re still welcome to bring down a pitcher of beer and a pizza when Impact plays LaVal’s Subterranean.
Readers’ Pick for Best Amateur Theater Company: Shotgun Players
