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“Queen of Disco” brings Sylvester’s story to Suriname A new musical‑theatre production, Queen of Disco, will run from 28 October to 1 November at Theater Thalia in Paramaribo. The show, written by Dutch playwright Maarten van Hinte, follows the life of American disco icon Sylvester (born Sylvester James, 1947, Los Angeles) and explores themes of gender identity, sexuality and the fight against AIDS. The production is presented by RightaboutnowInc in partnership with the Dutch foundation The Back Lot. It is the first time the show will be staged in Suriname, a decision that producer Sterre Nacca says is driven by the country’s need for greater visibility of queer issues. “The queer part is still a topic that has received less attention here than in the Netherlands,” Nacca told the Ware Tijd. Van Hinte, who lives in the Netherlands, received the prestigious Toneelschrijfprijs in 2023 for his earlier Dutch productions. He was drawn to Sylvester’s story because of the singer’s refusal to hide his identity in an era when homosexuality and gender non‑conformity were heavily stigmatized. “He was really different from others. He never hid behind a chair or a curtain and never compromised his fame for conformity,” Van Hinte said. Sylvester’s career peaked in the 1970s and 1980s. His 1978 hit “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and the 1982 collaboration “Do You Wanna Funk” with Patrick Cowley became disco classics. The singer’s flamboyant stage presence, which blended masculine and feminine fashion, made him a symbol of individuality. He was also dubbed the “Queen of Disco,” a title he shared with Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor. In the early 1980s Sylvester was diagnosed with HIV. He spoke openly about his illness and became an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS. He died on 16 December 1988 at the age of 41. The Surinamese cast includes Dutch performers Juan Wells and Candl Telesford, and Surinamese artists Serah Heyns, Damares Amautan and 19‑year‑old dancer Amy Renfurm. Renfurm, a trans woman, will perform in male attire for the first time on stage. “It’s not how I am. It’s the role I play,” she explained. She hopes to become a role model for young people in Suriname and to help build a ballroom‑style community that offers chosen families. The production will coincide with Pride Month in Suriname, adding contemporary relevance to the historical narrative. In addition to the performances, the team will hold a try‑out on 27 October for about 500 secondary‑school students, followed by discussions on identity, respect, exclusion and acceptance. Van Hinte hopes that audiences will leave with a message that encourages authenticity and empathy: “It’s about daring to be yourself and also understanding that not everyone is like you.” Article source: De Ware Tijd | Image credit: De Ware Tijd
“Queen of Disco” brings Sylvester’s story to Suriname A new musical‑theatre production, Queen of Disco, will run from 28 October to 1 November at Theater Thalia in Paramaribo. The show, written by Dutch playwright Maarten van Hinte, follows the life of American disco icon Sylvester (born Sylvester James, 1947, Los Angeles) and explores themes of gender identity, sexuality and the fight against AIDS. The production is presented by RightaboutnowInc in partnership with the Dutch foundation The Back Lot. It is the first time the show will be staged in Suriname, a decision that producer Sterre Nacca says is driven by the country’s need for greater visibility of queer issues. “The queer part is still a topic that has received less attention here than in the Netherlands,” Nacca told the Ware Tijd. Van Hinte, who lives in the Netherlands, received the prestigious Toneelschrijfprijs in 2023 for his earlier Dutch productions. He was drawn to Sylvester’s story because of the singer’s refusal to hide his identity in an era when homosexuality and gender non‑conformity were heavily stigmatized. “He was really different from others. He never hid behind a chair or a curtain and never compromised his fame for conformity,” Van Hinte said. Sylvester’s career peaked in the 1970s and 1980s. His 1978 hit “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and the 1982 collaboration “Do You Wanna Funk” with Patrick Cowley became disco classics. The singer’s flamboyant stage presence, which blended masculine and feminine fashion, made him a symbol of individuality. He was also dubbed the “Queen of Disco,” a title he shared with Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor. In the early 1980s Sylvester was diagnosed with HIV. He spoke openly about his illness and became an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS. He died on 16 December 1988 at the age of 41. The Surinamese cast includes Dutch performers Juan Wells and Candl Telesford, and Surinamese artists Serah Heyns, Damares Amautan and 19‑year‑old dancer Amy Renfurm. Renfurm, a trans woman, will perform in male attire for the first time on stage. “It’s not how I am. It’s the role I play,” she explained. She hopes to become a role model for young people in Suriname and to help build a ballroom‑style community that offers chosen families. The production will coincide with Pride Month in Suriname, adding contemporary relevance to the historical narrative. In addition to the performances, the team will hold a try‑out on 27 October for about 500 secondary‑school students, followed by discussions on identity, respect, exclusion and acceptance. Van Hinte hopes that audiences will leave with a message that encourages authenticity and empathy: “It’s about daring to be yourself and also understanding that not everyone is like you.”
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