Everybody's Eyes are on The First

Hawthorne

When

Apr. 14–19, 2025

Monday through Saturday, Times vary

Cost: See Details

Where

Fuse Theatre Ensemble – The Back Door Theater

4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215

Everybody's Eyes are on The First is a full-length, dark comedy musical about the first transgender infomercial host by trans-writing duo Teague Shattuck and Naama Friedman. 

Pride kitty litter (with plenty of glitter), rainbow pasta makers, and lounge chairs with built-in speakers that only play “Born This Way” are some of the quality products you can find on the R&R Productions Shopping Channel.

After a series of problematic infomercials led to a social-media-spurred boycott, Rudy and Rhonda, seasoned hosts of R&R Productions, hire a struggling actor named Rafi to market as the First Transgender Infomercial Host. Drama, sex, hilarity, and moral conundrums ensue on a set that simultaneously declares “Hate Has No Place in Our Studio” and “There’s Nothing Trendier than a Transgender”. Amidst clashing opinions from his girlfriend, Mag, and PR exec fling, Sloane, Rafi must decide for himself how much he is willing to compromise his values for his dreams. Be swept away by catchy tunes, scathing satire, and late-stage capitalism in this disarmingly heartfelt dark comedy.