Rene Pfister Brings Gays, Cowboys and Christmas Together for Holiday Show

EDGE: Your show has an intriguing title. What makes it gay? What makes it country? And what makes it Christmas?

Rene Pfister: When I was a kid, I used to watch all the cowboy shows and movies. If you do a little research into historical cowboys or look into films, you will find gay cowboys. In film, you will see some gay subtext in how they acted scenes together or how they looked at one another. And in vintage photos, you will find cowboys keeping themselves warm, so to speak. I've always loved Christmas, as well. And I've always dreamt of writing a hit Christmas song.

I wanted to combine my loves of Christmas and cowboys. So, I've written a Christmas song, and the song "It Must Be Christmas Eve" is in the show. I will be releasing it as a single this month, and I'll be releasing an EP soon after called "Time Machine" with that song on it.

EDGE: Did you write this show?

Rene Pfister: Yes, I did.

EDGE: And what is it about?

Rene Pfister: "A Gay Country Christmas" is set in the Old West in 1880. Imagine you are in a saloon in 1880 but it is a diversity LGBTQ-friendly bar, so it's fictional (laughs). It's like "Brokeback Mountain" if it didn't have all the tragedy, "Oklahoma" if it didn't have all the racism and death, Ado Annie without the sexism, and a little bit of "Rocky Horror..." thrown in. Audiences will be able to do a big gay hoedown in their seats, which happens during the big lesbian wedding. No U-Hauls but lots of covered wagons.

I will be playing, singing and narrating from the piano. I play Old Cayote Jack in the show, and he is looking back on his life. Connor Rieck is playing young Jack. He is also playing guitar in the show.

EDGE: Are your fellow cowhands Berklee colleagues or students, or do they come from other parts of your life?

Rene Pfister: They are Berklee alumni and colleagues. Two colleagues Debo Ray and Julius Williams are incredible performers. They have performed all over the world and have been involved in Grammy Award winning projects. Also, the cast includes some alumni who came to see my show in NY. Andthen there is my co-writer Jan Mankowsky (we've been like Mickey and Judy for years saying to each other, "Hey, let's do a show!"). JC Pankratz worked on the script for this, and they did an amazing job. JC Pankratz really got me and brought to life Cayote Jack, I always want to tell the story of Jack, but they got it and helped me tell it better.

EDGE: Did you work with a director?

Rene Pfister: I am directing this one myself. I have worked with directors on other shows, including my show "What I Learned from All My Ex-boyfriends...If Anything," which Jeff Harnar directed.

EDGE: You've recently made your NYC solo cabaret debut with your show "What I Learned from All My Ex-boyfriends - if anything." What was the audience reaction and how was the show received?

Rene Pfister: I had an awesome time. I had great houses. I got a lot of warm response. What was wonderful was there were people I hadn't seen in years who showed up and surprised me.

EDGE: What is it that you want audiences to get from "A Gay Country Christmas."

Rene Pfister: I want there to be a place where LGBTQIA+ people can see a holiday story and feel seen. Years ago, we would watch a holiday story and feel invisible. Even today, with what is happening in Florida and elsewhere where we still have to fight to hold onto our identities, to be visible, included and to belong. What I want to say, and you can hear it in the lyrics of the show, is you can always find joy and love with people you love no matter what's going on.

Rene Pfister and his nine-person cast will perform "A Gay Country Christmas" on Saturday, December 16, 2023, 4 PM at Josephine's Cabaret in the Napoleon Room, Club Café, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. No cover, but donations requested. For reservations, visit https://www.clubcafe.com/club-events/rene-pfister-121623/