| . |
under boxing gyms. The name Frankie Goodman's Boxing Gym caught my
eye. I called and Frankie picked up, invited me to train on Saturdays. My
parents came home and I told them I was going to learn boxing. I
trained there for the next 3 1/2 years.
Armando | And while boxing there were whispers of your sexuality?
Oliver | My sexuality was hardly in question then. I was a teenager, so
everyone understood I had a permanent hard-on. But the fighters all
around me were a mix of young and old, successful and
down-in-the-dumps, many of them with girlfriends and some not. Boxers'
dressing room include military style showers, so it's hard to hide who you
are and the size of your package, etc. Sex was always a topic; the
biggest news in the gym was when a girl was present. Then everyone got
really mean and started throwing punches with extra meaning. I picked
up on this quickly.
Armando| This is one of many connections between you and "Filo al
Fuego's" subject matter. As a Latino man, you understand this is not the
most "comfortable" subject for a Latino. What would you like to impress
upon any Latino that watches "Filo al Fuego"?
Oliver | This play I hope will free the Latino audience to view itself with
more kindness and openness. Sexuality, gay and straight, is still a big
taboo among Latinos in and out of the United States -- even though we
are among the most sexually expressive people anywhere. It's a
puzzlement. I try to use boxing as a metaphor to show how men treat
eye. I called and Frankie picked up, invited me to train on Saturdays. My
parents came home and I told them I was going to learn boxing. I
trained there for the next 3 1/2 years.
Armando | And while boxing there were whispers of your sexuality?
Oliver | My sexuality was hardly in question then. I was a teenager, so
everyone understood I had a permanent hard-on. But the fighters all
around me were a mix of young and old, successful and
down-in-the-dumps, many of them with girlfriends and some not. Boxers'
dressing room include military style showers, so it's hard to hide who you
are and the size of your package, etc. Sex was always a topic; the
biggest news in the gym was when a girl was present. Then everyone got
really mean and started throwing punches with extra meaning. I picked
up on this quickly.
Armando| This is one of many connections between you and "Filo al
Fuego's" subject matter. As a Latino man, you understand this is not the
most "comfortable" subject for a Latino. What would you like to impress
upon any Latino that watches "Filo al Fuego"?
Oliver | This play I hope will free the Latino audience to view itself with
more kindness and openness. Sexuality, gay and straight, is still a big
taboo among Latinos in and out of the United States -- even though we
are among the most sexually expressive people anywhere. It's a
puzzlement. I try to use boxing as a metaphor to show how men treat
| . |
| . |
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www.ambiente.us JULY| JULIO 2010
Filo al Fuego | Interview with playwright Oliver Mayer
By Armando Diaz, Jr.
Set in 1962 Miami --an epoch full of international turmoil and a time when the
United States was only starting to deal with racial and cultural inequities -- FILO
AL FUEGO takes place in the world of boxing, the most ‘macho’ of sports. Just
before the meteoric rise of Muhammad Ali, this was a time when Latinos put
their stamp on the boxing game and gave Spanish speakers here and abroad
something to cheer about. Mantequilla Decima, the undefeated and beloved
Cuban-born world champion, loses his crown in a surprise decision to the
Californian Chicano upstart Pedro Quinn -- a young man whose Spanish is halting
and who identifies himself as more American than Mexican. A third fighter,
Nuyorican Wilfredo Vinal, starts a rumor about Quinn's sexuality. This one word
creates a firestorm that engulfs all three men, not to mention those who love
them, making the Mantequilla/Quinn rematch something more than a fight,
turning the stage into a battleground over identity and the definition of
manhood.
In a recent press release, Mona Elyafi of ILDK Media writes,
“Indeed, Miami is prime location for the play. It is the perfect city
because it carries in it so many Latino identities (Cubans, Puerto
Ricans, Colombians, Dominicans and Mexicans_ it as does the
play. Previous versions have set the story in big cities - particularly
NYC - and have been about the grime and overpopulation, not
to mention the desperate cold of life there.
Filo al Fuego | Interview with playwright Oliver Mayer
By Armando Diaz, Jr.
Set in 1962 Miami --an epoch full of international turmoil and a time when the
United States was only starting to deal with racial and cultural inequities -- FILO
AL FUEGO takes place in the world of boxing, the most ‘macho’ of sports. Just
before the meteoric rise of Muhammad Ali, this was a time when Latinos put
their stamp on the boxing game and gave Spanish speakers here and abroad
something to cheer about. Mantequilla Decima, the undefeated and beloved
Cuban-born world champion, loses his crown in a surprise decision to the
Californian Chicano upstart Pedro Quinn -- a young man whose Spanish is halting
and who identifies himself as more American than Mexican. A third fighter,
Nuyorican Wilfredo Vinal, starts a rumor about Quinn's sexuality. This one word
creates a firestorm that engulfs all three men, not to mention those who love
them, making the Mantequilla/Quinn rematch something more than a fight,
turning the stage into a battleground over identity and the definition of
manhood.
In a recent press release, Mona Elyafi of ILDK Media writes,
“Indeed, Miami is prime location for the play. It is the perfect city
because it carries in it so many Latino identities (Cubans, Puerto
Ricans, Colombians, Dominicans and Mexicans_ it as does the
play. Previous versions have set the story in big cities - particularly
NYC - and have been about the grime and overpopulation, not
to mention the desperate cold of life there.
LGBT/Latino/Hispanic Civil Rights unitycoalition.org |
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Moving the play to Miami is a
logical fit not only because the
play is so Latino in nature but also
because it is so much about boxing
at a time when Miami was a boxing
mecca. The very terrain and
temperature of South Florida
invades the play in sexy and sultry
ways. Now with the Prometeo
production, the audience will see
Filo in all its sweaty and humid glory
- the characters' body heat adding
to the ‘calor’ of the world they
inhabit.”
The day before opening night,
Oliver was available to answer a
few questions for myself and
Ambiente.
Armando | How long did you train
as a boxer when you were younger
was it like a junior boxing league?
Oliver | I started boxing at 13. I'm
not sure what got into me. I picked
up the yellow pages and looked
logical fit not only because the
play is so Latino in nature but also
because it is so much about boxing
at a time when Miami was a boxing
mecca. The very terrain and
temperature of South Florida
invades the play in sexy and sultry
ways. Now with the Prometeo
production, the audience will see
Filo in all its sweaty and humid glory
- the characters' body heat adding
to the ‘calor’ of the world they
inhabit.”
The day before opening night,
Oliver was available to answer a
few questions for myself and
Ambiente.
Armando | How long did you train
as a boxer when you were younger
was it like a junior boxing league?
Oliver | I started boxing at 13. I'm
not sure what got into me. I picked
up the yellow pages and looked
Oliver | You have great taste. She is an incredible actress, a complete life
changer, and the sexiest woman alive. (I shouldn't have said that -- now more
men than usual will be after her. Glad I put several rings on her marriage finger!)
Armando | A couple years ago during Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour, she
sported (and I actually bought a pair) boxing shorts, taped wrists and gloves. The
photo shoot in the concert program saw her in various sultry hardcore poses in a
boxing ring, was this inspired by "Filo"?
Oliver | I think you're right. As you know, she bought the rights to make the film
some years back, and for a couple of years we worked pretty closely on the
screenplay. Mutual friends tell me that she still
wants to direct it some day. She embodies so
much of the sex and feel of this play, and I'm
honored that she loves what it has to say.
Armando | Has there been any further talk
of a film adaptation?
Oliver | The film business is tricky and sticky.
There continues to be interest, particularly now
because I've just written it as a novel. This new
manuscript is a kind of Bible of the play, including
the action and spectacle of the play with the
interior thoughts and feelings of the participants,
and also the memories of the best moments of the
screenplay and also of the best productions. Plus
there are entirely new elements. I'm very proud of it.
Whoever makes the film needs to deal with this new
text.
Armando | There is a novel/book version in the works right?
changer, and the sexiest woman alive. (I shouldn't have said that -- now more
men than usual will be after her. Glad I put several rings on her marriage finger!)
Armando | A couple years ago during Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour, she
sported (and I actually bought a pair) boxing shorts, taped wrists and gloves. The
photo shoot in the concert program saw her in various sultry hardcore poses in a
boxing ring, was this inspired by "Filo"?
Oliver | I think you're right. As you know, she bought the rights to make the film
some years back, and for a couple of years we worked pretty closely on the
screenplay. Mutual friends tell me that she still
wants to direct it some day. She embodies so
much of the sex and feel of this play, and I'm
honored that she loves what it has to say.
Armando | Has there been any further talk
of a film adaptation?
Oliver | The film business is tricky and sticky.
There continues to be interest, particularly now
because I've just written it as a novel. This new
manuscript is a kind of Bible of the play, including
the action and spectacle of the play with the
interior thoughts and feelings of the participants,
and also the memories of the best moments of the
screenplay and also of the best productions. Plus
there are entirely new elements. I'm very proud of it.
Whoever makes the film needs to deal with this new
text.
Armando | There is a novel/book version in the works right?
men -- with cruelty and in a pack mentality, but also with moments of
amazing connection and softness. The play occurs before a gay identity
existed -- when even Liberace was officially straight. I think this allows a
re-examining of people as people, without preconceptions and
judgements. I know it's a lot to ask, but it's about time, isn't it?
Armando | If you were stranded on a desert island what (3) things could
you not live without.
Oliver / Bach on vinyl my dog, reams of paper to write on, old style
Armando | Do you call your mother "mami" or "ma"?
Oliver | She’s Mom to me, but when I'm in trouble or feeling down I may
say "Mami"
Armando | Your mother found love again with another woman and
they've been together (16) years, as a proud son, what would you like to
let your mother know?
Oliver | I know something about this! I would affirm my pride and my
thanks to the person who gives love to the woman who gave me life. It's
great to have two moms! It still hurts to have lost my dad at a young
age, but I believe in making peace now with those you love.
Armando | If you were to get invited out to karaoke, what song would
you have to perform?
Oliver | "Let's Get It On" (badly I'm sure) and Al Green singing anything
Armando | By the way I'm a huge Star Trek fan and your wife (Marlene
Forte) was the incredibly sexy transporter chief on the USS Enterprise
(Star Trek 2009)! I love it!
amazing connection and softness. The play occurs before a gay identity
existed -- when even Liberace was officially straight. I think this allows a
re-examining of people as people, without preconceptions and
judgements. I know it's a lot to ask, but it's about time, isn't it?
Armando | If you were stranded on a desert island what (3) things could
you not live without.
Oliver / Bach on vinyl my dog, reams of paper to write on, old style
Armando | Do you call your mother "mami" or "ma"?
Oliver | She’s Mom to me, but when I'm in trouble or feeling down I may
say "Mami"
Armando | Your mother found love again with another woman and
they've been together (16) years, as a proud son, what would you like to
let your mother know?
Oliver | I know something about this! I would affirm my pride and my
thanks to the person who gives love to the woman who gave me life. It's
great to have two moms! It still hurts to have lost my dad at a young
age, but I believe in making peace now with those you love.
Armando | If you were to get invited out to karaoke, what song would
you have to perform?
Oliver | "Let's Get It On" (badly I'm sure) and Al Green singing anything
Armando | By the way I'm a huge Star Trek fan and your wife (Marlene
Forte) was the incredibly sexy transporter chief on the USS Enterprise
(Star Trek 2009)! I love it!
| . |
See previous Oliver | I turned the manuscript in to some smart people.
We'll see what happens!
Armando | What can we expect from Oliver Mayer in the next (5) years?
Oliver | I have a beautiful home and career as Associate Professor of
Dramatic Writing at USC School of Theatre, and I mean to invest my
time and energy in the program there. Besides FILO, I have several new
plays in various states of development. I also have a film on the life of
Adan and Chalino Sanchez in pre-production. With any luck, all these
pursuits will keep me busy through at least the next five years. If not,
I'm sure my wife will be as or more busy, and I'll happily tag along
with her.
Armando | If you could choose an actor to plain
the main boxer(s) in "Filo al Fuego" who would it be?
Oliver | In all seriousness, I would pick the actors in
“Filo al Fuego” -- Luis Santiago Fuentes, Anthony Bless,
and Boris Roa -- all three of whom are attacking their
roles with every last ounce of their passion. There is
absolutely nothing better than that in my book.
Oliver’s work is now resented by the prestigious Teatro
Prometeo (the only Professional Actor Training Program in
the nation offering the opportunity of conservatory-style
actor training in Spanish) as part of the XXV International
Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami, "Filo Al Fuego" debuted on
July 9 in Miami at Teatro Prometeo.
For more information on Prometeo Theatre please visit:
www.prometeotheatre.com
We'll see what happens!
Armando | What can we expect from Oliver Mayer in the next (5) years?
Oliver | I have a beautiful home and career as Associate Professor of
Dramatic Writing at USC School of Theatre, and I mean to invest my
time and energy in the program there. Besides FILO, I have several new
plays in various states of development. I also have a film on the life of
Adan and Chalino Sanchez in pre-production. With any luck, all these
pursuits will keep me busy through at least the next five years. If not,
I'm sure my wife will be as or more busy, and I'll happily tag along
with her.
Armando | If you could choose an actor to plain
the main boxer(s) in "Filo al Fuego" who would it be?
Oliver | In all seriousness, I would pick the actors in
“Filo al Fuego” -- Luis Santiago Fuentes, Anthony Bless,
and Boris Roa -- all three of whom are attacking their
roles with every last ounce of their passion. There is
absolutely nothing better than that in my book.
Oliver’s work is now resented by the prestigious Teatro
Prometeo (the only Professional Actor Training Program in
the nation offering the opportunity of conservatory-style
actor training in Spanish) as part of the XXV International
Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami, "Filo Al Fuego" debuted on
July 9 in Miami at Teatro Prometeo.
For more information on Prometeo Theatre please visit:
www.prometeotheatre.com
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