In 2009, British playwright Mike Bartlett wrote a play with a vaguely provocative title: Cock. It’s about a gay man, John, who needs to take a break from his relationship with his boyfriend. During this hiatus, John meets and falls in love with a woman, which causes conflict and angst among the people close to him. The Unicorn Theatre, staying true to its mission of providing “bold new plays,” will open the show on April 22.
I was recently able to learn more about this unusual new play by invading a cast rehearsal. When I entered the theater, I noticed that, with the exception of the audience seating, the room was pretty bare. There was just a large circle with a metal railing around the edge. It looked like a cock ring. I mean, a cock-fighting ring. Anyway, the show’s director, Kansas City legend Jeff Church, and two of the leading actors, Jacob Aaron Cullum and Zachary Andrews, were gracious enough to take a break from their work and have a casual conversation with me about the play.
Camp: OK, first about the title. People I’ve been talking to are pretty confused about it. They want to know if the play is about penises or about roosters.
Zachary Andrews: Well, it’s sort of both…
Jeff Church: But remember, there are more than those two definitions for the wordcock. We actually looked it up and found eight. For example, there is “being cocky” or “going off half-cocked,” among others. We try to weave examples of various definitions. But yes, the story does kind of revolve around the concepts of the body part and of an actual cock-fight.
Camp: The main thrust of the plot is about a gay man who unexpectedly falls in love with a woman. Is this a story about a man discovering that he’s bisexual, or is it more complicated than that?
Jacob Aaron Cullum: Well, we can’t give away too much of the story, but that kind of is the question we’re exploring. The character I play, John, can’t seem to make up his mind about what he wants. It’s open to interpretation.
Church: He’s infuriatingly indecisive. But that’s the thing about labels. They don’t always fit neatly.
Camp: And this is a comedy, right?
Andrews: It is. It’s really funny.
Camp: I’ve seen this situation happen in real life a couple of times, when a gay friend falls in love with a woman. I can’t recall either of those situations being particularly funny.
Church: Well, it is British, remember. They can have a rather vicious sense of humor. And the story certainly isn’t funny from the point of view of the characters. But watching it from outside, getting that perspective, you can definitely see the humor.
Andrews: You know how you can have an argument, but when you drive home you think of the perfect comeback, and you want to turn around and give that comeback? These characters think of the comebacks right away.
Cullum: Yeah, they all have all the comebacks at the right time, and they go for the throat. If a character shows a vulnerable opening, the other characters will go for it. It can be kind of shocking.
Andrews: Yeah, Cock is raw.
We all look at each other for a second, letting Andrews’ words sink in. Then we all bust out laughing.
Camp: I just found the title of this piece.
Church: But it’s not all jokes. It makes some real statements. And there is a pretty intense sex scene. And even a strip scene.
Camp: Now we’re talking. Are these scenes very explicit?
Church: I can’t say any more about that. I just want that to be a cock-tease. Not a cock-block, though.
Camp: Given that the show opens this month, the set looks pretty naked. There’s just this fighting ring. Is the set done?
Church: Well, the floor will get another layer of clear-coat.
Camp: And that’s it?
Church: Yes. There are no props, and no miming -- nobody is going to pretend to eat or make coffee or anything. The audience is forced to focus on the conversation.
Cullum: And that’s both interesting and a little intimidating for the actors. We’re up there, exposed, the whole time.
Andrews: But the subtext of what’s being said is still being acted.
Church: Yes, that’s another unique thing about this play. Above the character’s neck, it’s all about the words. But below the neck, it’s like the body is acting independently. The body language of the characters tells you how each one is feeling, whether they think they’re winning or losing the argument.
Camp: So the audience is able to keep score?
Church: Yes, kind of like that. If you look at the ring, and picture the center as the bull’s-eye, you can learn a lot about what’s going on by watching where in the ring the characters move over time. Or if they leave the ring.
Camp: Is this a show I can bring my grandma to?
Cullum: Well, that depends on your grandma.
Church: It is for mature audiences, and yes, it contains some graphic material. But one thing I’ve learned is that as people get older, many of them come to recognize characteristics of relationships that are true, even if they’re messy. You might be surprised at who can relate to the themes of the show, no matter how old they are.
Cock will run April 22-May 17 at the Unicorn, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. For tickets, call 816-531-7529 or go to unicorntheatre.org.
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WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.