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Diversionary Theatre Production History

Diversionary has been producing that tells the stories of the LGBTQIA+ community since 1986. View the archives of our past performances here.
Please note our Archives are currently under construction. We welcome your feedback at boxoffice@diversionary.org
On stage & upcoming shows

Season 36: Homecoming 2021 – 2022

Season 36 features two World Premieres and two West Coast Premieres that take an uncompromising look at where we’ve been and where we are now, blazing a  trail towards a brave new future. These ambitious new works penned by emergent and daring LGBTQ theatre makers spin stories with love, rage, honesty, humor, and hope to discover how we find home in others and ourselves. Continue Reading

light

one in two

By Donja R. Love
Sep 23 – Oct 24

Three men tell a story of life inside a long-ignored epidemic with joy, humor, and unbridled truth.

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Azul

By C. Quintana
Nov 18 – Dec 19

Yadra’s recollections of growing up in Castro’s Cuba lead her daughter to discover a secret love story.

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Eighty-Sixed

Book by Jeremy J. King
Music and Lyrics by Sam Salmond
May 12 – Jun 26

NYC 1986: BJ Rosenthal is determined to keep the party going despite the HIV/AIDS crisis closing in around him.

Tickets

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Season 35: Going In
2020 – 2021

Our 35th Season is themed Going In, as we will continue to ask for the privilege of entering your home via online theatrical experiences. We will also, when it is safe to do so, venture into open air and site specific venues to produce short run events throughout San Diego. Going In is also a point of view. We are living through a monumental moment for our country, pulled between the polarities of the pandemic, a long overdue racial reckoning, and a critical political election. This has incited a profound state of introspection as a nation, but also for us individually. Continue Reading

Buckets

Buckets

Lived experiences either stay with us or wash over us. What moments stay with us? How do they inform and shape our worldview? Buckets examines the complexity of identity through the experience of a young, queer Pakistani-American woman. Join us for the developmental presentation of Farah Dinga’s vivid, brazenly honest solo performance piece, and discover an important emerging LGBTQ voice in the American theatre.

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AmeriQueer

AmeriQueer

The AmeriQueer Series is a collection of plays presented as audiocasts exploring the LGBTQ experience within the framework of the American identity as a framework for the 2020 election season. These works are insightful, compassionate, and an antidote to our political volatile moment.

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Season 34: We Are_
2019 - 2020

Season 34 takes an incisive look at who we are, how we got here, and lays out a bright vision for where we’re headed. This season dives into our shared history while taking on the provocative topic and intensely personal nature of gender, revealing the LGBT community as a beacon for diversity and inclusion. Continue Reading

Season 34 Mainstage

Girlfriend

Book by Todd Almond
Music and Lyrics by Matthew Sweet

It’s 1993 and mixtapes are the language of love. Set in the American heartland during the summer between high school and whatever comes next, college-bound jock Mike and self-assured but aimless Will find themselves drawn to each other.

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Santaland Diaries

By David Sedaris & Linda Libby’s Holigay Storytime
Adapted to the stage by Joe Mantello
Directed by Anthony Methvin

Out of work and options, The Santaland Diaries finds David as he begins his career as an elf in Macy’s Santaland during the holiday crunch.

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A Kind of Weather

by Sylvan Oswald

A hilarious, time-jumping, tragi-comedy exploring gender identity and its effect on family, A Kind of Weather is about learning to be who you already are.

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Season 33: Be Inspired
2018 - 2019

Diversionary’s 33rd Season is all about inspiration. What gets us riled up? What ignites our passion? Where do we find hope? Season 33 begins in September and features one World Premiere, two San Diego Premieres, and two profound musicals. The season incites the conversation about what moves us to action, and what sends our heart soaring. Continue Reading

Be Inspired - Season 33

Season 33 Mainstage

Bull in a China Shop Cast

Bull in a China Shop

by Bryna Turner

Set at the dawn of the 20th Century, Bull in a China Shop traces the true story of Mary Woolley and her partner Jeannette Marks as they set out to revolutionize women’s education and electrify the suffrage movement.

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The Hour of Great Mercy

by Miranda Rose Hall

This poetic new play with music follows Ed, a gay Jesuit priest who leaves the Catholic church to reconcile with his estranged brother in an isolated and icy township in Alaska.

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This Beautiful City

Written by Steven Cosson & Jim Lewis

Created from actual interviews with citizens of Colorado Springs, the capital of the Evangelical movement, this timely musical explores faith, and the organized resistance against Gay rights.

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Bull in a China Shop by Bryna Turner
This Beautiful City by The Civilians (Written by Steven Cosson & Jim Lewis) 
The Hour of Great Mercy by Miranda Rose Hall
Hedwig and the Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell
Significant Other by Joshua Harmon

Season 33 Cabaret

La Ronde (Tryst) Created by Michael Mizerany

a person in a garmentMidnight Alley Created by Michael Mizerany
Kit Yan wearing a hatQueer Heartache by Kit Yan

2017-2018

Mainstage

a close up of a flowerHomos, Or Everyone In America  by Jordan Seavey
a person with a cigarette in the mouthThe Moors by Jen Silverman
a close-up of some flowersCardboard Piano by Hansol Jung
tieThe Happiest Place on Earth by Philip Dawkins
personThe Loneliest Girl in the World with book and lyrics by Gordon Leary and music by Julia Meinwald

Cabaret

a man wearing a santa hatLonely Christmas by Isaac Oliver
a person holding another manManTrap
In the Va Va Voom Rooma red heart with white text

2016-2017

702x336 - 16-17 Season - DTP

Mainstage

a person in a garmentBallast by Georgette Kelly
a person's legs and feetWell by Lisa Kron

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2.5 Minute Ride by Lisa Kron

a cat lying on a wooden surfaceThe Mystery of Love and Sex by Bathsheba Doran
a person with their head tiltedLizard Boy Music & Lyrics by Justin Huertas

Cabaret

a man holding a womanGay (as in happy) Songs and Dances
a collage of a personThe Kinsey Sicks Oy Vey in a Manger (co-production with Martini’s Above 4th)
a man holding a woman[manhandled]
a red heart with white textIn the Va Va Voom Room

2015-2016handbag

 Empty heading

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Mainstage

a person's face on a red backgroundAmazons and their Men by Jordan Harrison
personBright Half Life by Tonya Barfield
a bird on a wheelA Civil War Christmas by Paula Vogel
racketNow or Later by Christopher Shinn
The Boy Who Danced on AirThe Boy Who Danced On Air by Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne

Cabaret

a doll in a basketThe Skivvies
a person with the hands in the hair Man Clan
a woman with red hairA Divine Evening with Charles Busch
a red heart with white textIn the Va Va Voom Room

2015 Spring

Mainstage

textBaby With the Bathwater by Christopher Durang
A New Brain by William Finn & James Lapinetext, logo

Cabaret

wordThe Silence of the Clams by Jamie Morris
The Facts of LifeThe Facts of Life by Jamie Morris

2014

Mainstage

Boys and Girls  by Tom Donaghy
Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story Book, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff
bare: a pop opera Music by Damon Intrabartolo. Book and Lyrics by Jon Hartmere.
Regrets Only by Paul Rudnick
TRU by Jay Presson Allen

Cabaret

HGD logoHot Guys Dancing Conceived and Directed by Michael Mizerany
B Squared by Brad Bradley with Musical Direction by Joshua Zecher-Ross
Miss Gulch Returns! 
Re-Designing Women by Jamie Morris
She-Rantulas from Outer Space-in 3D! by Ruff Yeager & Phil Johnson

2013

Birds of a Feather by Marc Acito
The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty
The Divine Sister by Charles Busch
Marry Me a Little by Stephen Sondheim
She-Rantulas from Outer Space-in 3D! by Ruff Yeager & Phil Johnson
Scrooge in Rouge Book and Lyrics by Ricky Graham. Hargis. Original Music Composed by Jefferson Turner.
Señor Phil’s Casa del Ha-Ha 
Miss Kitty’s Wild West Revue Conceived and Directed by Michael Mizerany

2012-2013

Mainstage

Harmony, Kansas Music by Anna K. Jacobs. Book & Lyrics by Bill Nelson
Pippin Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Roger O. Hirson
When Last We Flew by Harrison David Rivers
Scrooge in Rouge Book and Lyrics by Ricky Graham. Additional Material by Jeffrey Roberson. Other Interesting Bits by Yvette Hargis. Original Music Composed by Jefferson Turner.
Hot Guys Dancing Conceived and Directed by Michael Mizerany

Cabaret

You Gotta Get a Gimmick Conceived and Directed by James Vasquez
Dance / Theatre Artistic Direction by Peter G. Kalivas
Altar Boyz Book by Kevin Del Aguila
Playlist: An evening with Telly Leung
Señor Phil’s Casa del Ha-Ha 
Heather & Tony: We Might Be Cousins by Heather Paton and Tony Houck
Tori Roze and the Hot Mess
Bobby Jo Valentine

2011-2012

Mainstage

Poster Boys by Michele Riml
Edward II by Christopher Marlowe
Learn to be Latina by Enrique Urueta
Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts
The Pride by Alexi Kaye Campbell

Cabaret

Pepper and Sam
The Facts of Life: The lost episode
Beth Malone So Far by Beth Malone
Señor Phil’s Casa del Ha-Ha 
Bobby Jo Valentine

2010-2011

Mainstage

title of show Book by Hunter Bell Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen
Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins by Brian Christopher Williams
Santa Claus Is Coming Out by Jeffrey Solomon
Fair Use by Sarah Gubbins
And Then I Wrote a Song About It Book by Eric H. Weinberger, Music by Daniel S. Acquisto, Lyrics by Sammy Buck
Dooley by William di Canzio

Cabaret

Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Groom written and performed by Robin Tyler
Sextet Music and Libretto by Nicolas Reveles
Dance / Theatre Artistic Direction by Peter G. Kalivas

2009-2010

Mainstage

Twist by Gila Sand and composer Paul Leschen
Bent by Martin Sherman
The New Century by Paul Rudnick
The Marriage Bed by Nona Shepphard
Moscow Book and lyrics by Nick Salamone.  Music by Maury R. McIntyre

Cabaret

Dance / Theatre Artistic Direction by Peter G. Kalivas
Queer Theatre: Taking Center Stage

2008-2009

Yank! by David and Joseph Zellnick
Scrooge in Rouge by Ricky Graham, Jeffrey Roberson, Yvette Hargis and Jefferson Turner
As Much As You Can by Paul Oakley Stovall
Facing East by Carol Lynn Pearson
The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane

2007-2008

The Break Up Notebook: The Lesbian Musical by Patricia Cotter (Book) and Lori Scarlett (Music and Lyrics)
The Busy World is Hushed by Keith Bunin
Torch Song Trilogy by Harvey Fierstein
The Daddy Machine by Patricia Loughrey and music and lyrics by Rayme Sciaroni
Bluebonnet Court by Zsa Zsa Gershick
Corpus Christi by Terrence McNally

2006-2007

a group of people posing for a photo

When Pigs Fly by Howard Crabtree

a man sitting on a chair

¡Gaytino! written and performed by Dan Guerrero

a group of people posing for a photo

It’s a Fabulous Life by David Sexton

a man and woman dancing

Happy Endings are Extra by Ashraf Johaardien

a group of people posing for the camera

The Long Christmas Ride Home by Paula Vogel

a man holding a banana

Bunbury by Tom Jacobson

2005-2006 – Diversionary celebrates it’s 20 year anniversary

a group of people dancing

Valhalla by Paul Rudnick

a person wearing glasses

A Bright Room Called Day by Tony Kushner

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Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey

a man and woman dancing

The Twilight of the Golds by Jonathan Tolins

Jessica John as

Pulp by Patricia Kane

 

2004-2005

Thief River by Lee Blessing
Fit To Be Tied by Nicky Silver
Wrinkles by Rebecca Basham
Reverse Psychology by Charles Ludlam
Looking for Normal by Jane Anderson
Confessions of a Mormon Boy by Steve Fales

2003-2004

Love! Valour! Compassion! by Terrence McNally

Another American: Asking and Telling by Marc Wolf

Brave Smiles by The Five Lesbian Brothers

Butterflyby David Henry Hwang

Places to Touch Him by Guillermo Reyes

2002-2003

The Killing of Sister George by Frank Marcus

The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlam

Gross Indecency by Moisés Kaufman

Deporting the Divas by Guillermo Reyes

Falsettos by William Finn & James Lapine

2001-2002

The Boys in the Band by Mart Crowley

Lot’s Daughters by Rebecca Basham

Jeffrey by Paul Rudnick

Never the Sinner by John Logan

Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill

Fifth of July by Lanford Wilson

2000-2001

Jeff Stryker does Hard Times

Angels in America Part Two: Perestroika by Tony Kushner

Handsome Men by Mike Dempsy

Friends of Dorothy by Ruff Yeager

The Mineloa Twins by Paula Vogel

The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told by Paul Rudnick

Breaking The Code by Hugh Whitmore

Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch

Love! Valour! Compassion! by Terrence McNally

1998-1999

Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams

Women Behind Bars by Tom Eyen

Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner

Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien

Cyberqueer by Tom Jacobson

Our Gay Apparel by Robert Joseph

1997-1998

Dangerous Beauty by Lee Jenkins

Our Gay Apparel by Robert Joseph

O’Mary’s by Wayne Tibbets

Giving up the Ghost by Cherrie Moraga

The Destiny of Me by Larry Kramer

Hannah Free by Claudia Allen

The Gays of Our Lives by Claudia Allen

1996-1997

Execution of Justice by Emily Mann

Our Gay Apparel by Robert Joseph

A Late Snow by Jane Chambers

Weldon Rising by Phyllis Nagy

Girl Bar by Phyllis Nagy

1995-1996

The Underwear Plays by Troy Tradup

Our Gay Apparel by Robert Joseph

Julie Johnson by Wendy Hammond

Salaam Shalom by Saleem Azzouqa

Why We Have A Body by Claire Chafee

Hair book & lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot

1994-1995

Porcelain by Chay Yew

Bonnie Earl Tapestry by H.L. Cherryholmes

The Tailor-Made Man by Claudio Macor

Naked & In Love by Tom Keegan and Davidson Lloyd

3 by Sarah Schulman by Sarah Schulman

MidWest Side Story written and performed by John McGivern

Something in Common written and performed by Frank DiPalermo

The City Made Me Do It with David Mills by David Mills

Last Summer at Bluefish Cove by Jane Chambers

1993-1994

nooses, knives & lovers by Robert Joseph

Movie Queens by Claudia AlIen

Your Soaking In It with David Mills by David Mills

Street Theater by Doric Wilson

1992-1993

Ten Percent Revue by Tom Wilson Weinberg

Bent by Martin Sherman

The Bitter Tears Of Petra Von Kant by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

The Well of Horniness by Holly Hughes

1991-1992

Small Town Confidential by Jim Pfanner

Dolores Street by Theresa M. Carilli

Healin’ Dirt Diner by Mary F. Casey and Pamela Gray

1990-1991

Remember My Name by David Lemos

Coming Soon by Debby Klein

Rules of Love by Joe Pintaro

1988-1989

Untold Decades by Robert Patrick

A Late Snow by Jane Chambers

Jerker, or The Helping Hand by Robert Chesley

1988

Stage Blood by Charles Ludlam

Life of the Party by Doug Holzclaw

Celebrity Gaze, adaptation of Boze Hadliegh’s book, Conversations with My Elders

1986-1987

Lunch and Dessert by Philip Real & The Fairy Garden by Harry Kondoleon

Disappearing Act by Michael Oster

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