Jarvis Derrell and Rob Morean are figures well-known in two distinct, but not entirely separate, New York social spheres: theatre and queer nightlife. The two friends are lifelong performers and personalities—Morean was an understudy in the Broadway revival of Torch Song Trilogy, and Derrell is perhaps best known for his “She Has Had It!” Instagram account—who can often be seen toasting each others’ theatrical nature around the NYC queer scene.They’ve now partnered up to host Backstage Tea, a weekly Broadway-themed cabaret at Motel 23, a gay cocktail lounge which opened last year in Chelsea. The show promises well-known stars and up-and-coming performers “singing their favorite songs, answering your burning questions, and spilling all the tea,” with their first lineup featuring J. Harrison Ghee (Mrs. Doubtfire, Kinky Boots) and Danny Peter Smith, and future guests including Jelani Remy (Ain’t Too Proud, The Lion King) and Sojourner Brown.The Monday night residency at first seems unlikely programming for the revelrous club perhaps best known for hosting Lil Nas X’s SNL after-party, so I spoke with Derrell and Morean ahead of their first performance to get the scoop on their ambitious plan. 

At a first glance, it may not seem like the worker at your local Sweetgreen has much in common with the Vice President of the United States. But a theatrical installation with New York Theatre Workshop is looking to challenge that idea. Written and directed by Whitney White, “Semblance” explores how Black women are perceived in society and challenges audiences to think about how they encounter Black women in everyday life. Nikiya Mathis, who stars in “Semblance,” says the show is a portrait of Black women, examining how Black women are perceived by others and how these perceptions line up with who these women really are.