Acts of Intervention: Performance, Gay Culture, and AIDS (Unnatural Acts)

Rating:
Summary: Too rah-rah for me
Review: I guess this is a good overview of this work (queer performance) but having seen some of these people perform ... well, some of the work is really awful. But you'd never know that from reading Roman.

Why do academics always feel like they have to be cheerleaders for anything in "the community"?? (especially if it gets attacked by Jesse Helms).

Something more balanced and yes, critical, might be in order. In a couple of years, most of this stuff is going to look as dopey as a lot of "feminist" performance of the 70s.

Rating:
Summary: Responsible Criticism
Review: This book is a valuable source for the variety of performances that have accompanied the appearance of AIDS in the United States. Roman carefully evaluates how theatre and performative events, from the activism of ACT-UP to Magic Johnson's announcement of his HIV status, have shaped the way that AIDS has been portrayed. In his introduction, Roman outlines his positionality within his subject, remaining critically responsible while acknowledging the impossibility of "objectivity." An important aspect of his critical approach is his "generosity" towards the performances he analyzes. He states that his purpose in the book is not to evaluate the performances for their artistic merit, but to show their position within the overall field of AIDS performance. He shows how performances that may have been "bad" nonetheless had an impact on their audience. Roman never succumbs to romanticism or nostalgia, but approaches his subject with reverence and respect. Roman's book leaves room for others to continue within the subject of AIDS performance and will continue to be a valuable source for those working in the field.

Rating:
Summary: Catch This Act!
Review: This is a moving and important study of AIDS and theater. I felt connected to a whole history of cultural and creative work, much of which I never knew existed before i read this book. The book includes some really great images of early AIDS activism. Even though it deals with the history of AIDS, the book is by no means a downer. This will book inspire you. As a gay man, i'm really glad i took the time to read it.