December 5, 2023
Rene Pfister Brings Gays, Cowboys and Christmas Together for Holiday Show
John Amodeo READ TIME: 6 MIN.
EDGE: Are your fellow cowhands Berklee colleagues or students, or do they come from other parts of your life?
Rene Pfister: They are Berklee alumni and colleagues. Two colleagues Debo Ray and Julius Williams are incredible performers. They have performed all over the world and have been involved in Grammy Award winning projects. Also, the cast includes some alumni who came to see my show in NY. Andthen there is my co-writer Jan Mankowsky (we've been like Mickey and Judy for years saying to each other, "Hey, let's do a show!"). JC Pankratz worked on the script for this, and they did an amazing job. JC Pankratz really got me and brought to life Cayote Jack, I always want to tell the story of Jack, but they got it and helped me tell it better.
EDGE: Did you work with a director?
Rene Pfister: I am directing this one myself. I have worked with directors on other shows, including my show "What I Learned from All My Ex-boyfriends...If Anything," which Jeff Harnar directed.
EDGE: You've recently made your NYC solo cabaret debut with your show "What I Learned from All My Ex-boyfriends - if anything." What was the audience reaction and how was the show received?
Rene Pfister: I had an awesome time. I had great houses. I got a lot of warm response. What was wonderful was there were people I hadn't seen in years who showed up and surprised me.
EDGE: What is it that you want audiences to get from "A Gay Country Christmas."
Rene Pfister: I want there to be a place where LGBTQIA+ people can see a holiday story and feel seen. Years ago, we would watch a holiday story and feel invisible. Even today, with what is happening in Florida and elsewhere where we still have to fight to hold onto our identities, to be visible, included and to belong. What I want to say, and you can hear it in the lyrics of the show, is you can always find joy and love with people you love no matter what's going on.
Rene Pfister and his nine-person cast will perform "A Gay Country Christmas" on Saturday, December 16, 2023, 4 PM at Josephine's Cabaret in the Napoleon Room, Club Café, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. No cover, but donations requested. For reservations, visit https://www.clubcafe.com/club-events/rene-pfister-121623/
John Amodeo is a free lance writer living in the Boston streetcar suburb of Dorchester with his husband of 23 years. He has covered cabaret for Bay Windows and Theatermania.com, and is the Boston correspondent for Cabaret Scenes Magazine.
