Welcome to Speculations By the Sea, where the musings are free but the laughs cost extra. For the last three years I have found a home working at the Bistro By the Sea, in Matunuck RI. It has been said in the Providence Journal that, “Backstage at Theatre By The Sea’s restaurant kitchen, there’s high drama to be found every night, a dependable 90 minutes of fiery action, random moments of impending disaster, and a multi-layered love story electrifying the room.” Though a bit exaggerated I find every night at the bistro has stories to be shared and philosophies to be formed. Whether I am hosting or serving, my co workers who I could consider family help weave the story of an entertaining adventure, relatable to all food service workers, or comedy seekers.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Speculations on PC, An Inquiry into the Roots of Political Correctness


Each evening as I try and convince customers to come back to the late night cabaret, I always tack on a joking for a warning. “Oh, it’s a great time; very funny, a little risqué.” In translation, that means if you’re up to being berated by our drag queen cabaret host, it’s a great time. Yes that’s right, at a towering height of 6 foot something the fabulous and talented Sabrina Blaze, sing, jokes and dances, in an attempt to seemingly make the most amount of people uncomfortable as humanly possible.

For me, one of the most entertaining parts of my job is watching people’s reactions to Sabrina and our cabaret. It almost becomes a hobby for me to make people struggle as they try and figure out the most politically correct way to ask me their questions. Folks will come to the door and ask, “Is uhh the uhhh same uhh person gonna be in the cabaret tonight?” or sometimes they can’t figure out what to call Sabrina Blaze, “Is uhhh the same man uhh I mean woman uhh, whatever it is, going to be at cabaret tonight?”

Some reactions are priceless, shaking their head they tell me it’s a shame or it’s repulsive and ask when it will be normal again. Excuse me?! This is Theatre by the Sea when was it ever normal? The actors were singing songs like Old McDonalds’ farm for mentally challenged animals long before we decided to invite a drag queen. My only response for these folks is to shrug and say, “you know sometimes we just need to mix things up a bit”.

This of course got me speculating about political correctness, what is the correct term for Sabrina Blaze and why is everyone so caught up on the drag queen? These days people are either people are too worried about being politically correct to see the point or they couldn’t care less how offensive they are. The greatest thing about drag queens is that anything goes with them! Drag queens are never politically correct. That's what makes them so funny, so outrageous, and so wonderful. Sometimes the Bistro feels more like Dick’s Last Resort than Theatre by the Sea; but seriously folks take that stick out of your butt, relax a little, maybe you will surprise yourself and actually have a good time. It doesn’t matter if someone is gay or straight, dressed up as a girl or not, it doesn’t matter where you sit or who your server is, you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself. Life is too short to be concerned about a few swear words or a man dressed as a women. What is being politely correct anyway? Maybe life should be a little bit more like cabaret; honest.

So as Sabrina always says, “If you had a good time tonight I want you to go out and tell all of your friends about it and if you didn’t, keep your F@#$-ing mouth shut”

Late Night Cabaret at Bistro By the Sea with Special Guest Sabrina Blaze

Appetizers, Drinks and Desserts Available

$7 Cover Charge

365 Cards Pond Road

Matunuck RI 02879

Fridays and Saturdays: Starts around 10:30-11 pm

Sundays: Starts around 7

Call 401-789-3030 for reservations

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