“Same Difference” from local playwright Don Mays is set in Providence in 1993 with the twin epidemics of AIDS and drug violence as the background. A gang leader from Harlem arrives at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in the middle of the night — wounded, on the run, with nowhere else to go. What he doesn’t know is that her roommate is gay, grieving and not about to back down.
When: Multiple performances through October 11.
Where: Wilbury Theatre Group, 475 Valley Street, Providence
Executive producer James Baumgartner talked with Don Mays about his play and how it has evolved since Don wrote it as a screenplay in 1999.
Interview highlights:
The parallels between the AIDS and drug violence epidemics of the early 1990s:
Don Mays: At the time, and probably still now, the two communities that are targeted here were both looked upon as throwaway communities, basically throwaway populations. Young gay men were dying of AIDS at a very high rate, and young Black men were dying from the drug and gang violence epidemic. And the society kind of looked at it as okay. They were okay with, you know, the large numbers of deaths that were happening. And in my eyes, these are two communities that viewed themselves as almost polar opposites. Certainly at the time, I don't think there was a group that was more homophobic than young, Black, testosterone-filled gang members. The gay community, because of that, I think, did not appreciate that sector of the Black population.
So we have this young Black drug dealer, slinger as it was, who gets injured, finds his way from New York to Providence, where his ex-girlfriend is, to recuperate from his injury. And her roommate is a white drag queen, who gets injured very early in the play. So both of these characters are stuck in this tiny little apartment in Providence, and they kind of have to deal with each other, not recognizing the similarities between the two populations, only recognizing their disdain for the other.
What has changed from when Mays wrote the screenplay in 1999 to adapting it as a stage play in 2026?
Mays: The thing that I think is most relevant right now is the identity of the throwaway populations that exist. We have masked marauders going through the cities, killing and cutting off Black and brown folks who are undocumented immigrants, and we seem to be okay with that. You know, we had not long ago families being separated and kids kept in cages, and we were okay with that to a large degree. Same disdain.
You know, the thing that is so unbelievable to me right now is the number of Black bodies that have been found hung on trees. And they have become more granular in their focus on the gay community, targeting the trans community. So those things have not changed, but they've expanded.
It has been expanded, the populations that are targeted. Always Black and brown folks, queer folks, you know, marginalized populations. It says a lot about us as a society.
OTHER EVENTS:
Iron Pour - Enter the Fire
For The Steelyard’s 20th Annual Iron Pour event, they’ve decided to split it into three events, and the first is a free, family-friendly afternoon event featuring a production pour. This is practical metal making – a process of casting molten metal to make consumer goods, from cast-iron skillets to steel auto parts. Participants can purchase a sand block, carve a design into it, and watch Steel Yard artists cast their work in iron. The event will also feature a local art market with a dozen local makers, jewelry-making and blacksmithing demos, food and beverage vendors, Steel Yard merch, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Steelyard, 27 Sims Ave., Providence
Jill McCracken at AS220
The Boston-based queer, retro-soul artist will be performing at AS220, promoting their new album “big dog.” They say it’s dedicated to “anyone who’s been made to feel small.” Local artist Hey Rel will bring the earnest shoegaze pop sounds as well.
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 8:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Where: AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence
