“The Golden Gays” & the Joy of Queer Storytelling – Ryan Okinaka on The Pulse of Story 🎭🌈

Описание: In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of The Pulse of Story, Derek Christopher and Mark Travis welcome Hawaiʻi-based playwright Ryan Okinaka (aka “Oki”), the brilliant mind behind the hit play The Golden Gays. 🌺✨

We dive deep into Oki’s unique storytelling process, how a beloved sitcom inspired an original queer dramedy, and why joy, love, and late-in-life reinvention deserve center stage. Whether you’re a playwright, a theater lover, or just someone who’s ever loved The Golden Girls, this episode is packed with heart, laughs, and creative gold.

🎭 In this episode:

🌈 The Origins of The Golden Gays – How a sitcom on repeat in his brother’s room became the inspiration for a play that celebrates queer joy

👵 Why The Golden Girls Resonated – Aging, found family, and why the queer community connects so deeply to the show

🎨 From Dream to Stage – How Oki “dreams” scenes and then writes toward them, including a powerful makeup scene between ex-spouses

🏠 The Kumu Kahua Theatre – Why this Honolulu-based venue is vital to developing local Pacifica stories and playwrights

🎭 Crafting a Sitcom on Stage – Character imperfection, emotional arcs, and subverting expectations with drag numbers and spectacle

📚 No Film School, No Problem – How Oki became a produced playwright without formal training (and why improv might be the best teacher)

🤩 From Crying to Laughing – The secret to Oki’s writing style: hitting the audience in the heart and the funny bone

💫 What’s Next for Oki? – His dreams of expanding beyond Hawaii and how he defines artistic success

🔗 Don’t miss this vibrant and candid conversation about creativity, identity, and storytelling that dares to sparkle.

#ThePulseOfStory #GoldenGaysPlay #RyanOkinaka #QueerTheatre #LGBTQStories #Playwriting #HawaiiTheatre #GoldenGirlsInspired #DragTheatre #ImprovStorytelling #SmallTheatreBigHeart #MarkTravis #DerekChristopher #PulseOfStoryPodcast #podcast #filmmaking #storyexpo #screenwriting #writingcommunity #screenplay #script #scriptwriting #finaldraft #hawaii #kumukahua #localtheatre #theatreeducation 🎧