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Delusional Donovan episode 1: ‘Stray Cat’ review

Donovan's neighbor's hip hop juggernaught Celebrity Justice

Saturday night saw the premiere of the locally made sitcom pilot for Delusional Donovan a story of an 8-year-old boy and his hallucinations induced by witnessing a shocking event. Writer/Director/Producer duo Mark “Zebra” Thomas and Devan McGrath (whom we interviewed last week) are currently shopping around for networks interested in airing the offbeat comedy so you will likely have to wait awhile to see the show screened again, but get ready for its TV release, because it’s a big success.

One of the crew told me just before the screening grab several drinks, as it would make the show funnier. But mere sips into my first cocktail I was already shaking with laughter. In fact, I think I’m lucky vodka wasn’t coming out of my nose.

Much ado is made of the backstory, that young Donovan is in a fragile mental state due to trauma, but Stray Cat doesn’t actually address that at all. Instead it jumps right in and introduces us to an amazing cadre of characters. This might be a tad confusing for those who haven’t followed the active Portland hype, but could be easily remedied with a title sequence makeover. Though I’m a fan of the short and sweet, and Donovan‘s opening animation is simple yet effective, there’s got to be some background available once it makes it to the wider television audience.

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Interview with ‘Delusional Donovan’ producers Devan McGrath and Mark “Zebra” Thomas

Portland may not be a film and television capital on the scale of New York or LA, but we’ve got an increasing number of small screen shows filming here. And while we’re excited for the big releases, everyone knows Portland’s heart lives with the indie production. It’s only one of the many reasons I’m so excited to see Delusional Donovan a new locally made TV show premiering its pilot this Saturday at Mississippi Studios.

The darkly humorous sitcom follows the hallucinations of 8-year-old Donovan, who lives in in an imaginary world after witnessing a traumatic event. He is aided by his enabling mother, who tries to craft the world to his delusions, and his stoner neighbors. Writer and Producer Mark “Zebra” Thomas described it to sponsor publication BePortland:

The story is based on this overbearing very bizarre mother who does everything she can to manipulate the world around her, so Donovan only sees these sweet innocent visions. It’s not about her building a bridge between the real world and his world, it’s about making the entire world what his world sort of really is, and bringing that world to him.

qPDX took a break to sit down with Thomas, along with Director Devan McGrath to tell us more about the Episode 1: Stray Cat and people behind the scenes of DD, including producer and writer John Camacho, production manager Allison May, director of photography Josh Kletzkin, production designer Eric Sellers and actors Amber Martin, Splendora, and Dylan Hall as Donovan.

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A weekend to go on a Space Odyssey to a deluded Donovan, a Communi-T Trans Resource Fair and more…just don’t forget your awkward poetry

Corrina Bain performs Friday as part of Q Poetry's Award Open Mic.

Thursday

Hot Mess Grand Finale – Whether you’ve been attending religiously for the past 12 weeks or just want to see how it all turns out, tonight’s final contest is sure to be a knock down drag out fight to the hot mess death. With 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize packages starting at $700 you know these queens are going to be giving their all and putting on a good show. But who will win? Jackie Daniels? Jam N Toast? Allie McQueen? One of the other 6 contestants with or without an odd drag/stage name?

Wild Flag record release show – This one’s a bit of a non-starter. Not only is it the second night of a 2 night set, but it’s already sold out. However, I’m sure there’s a scalper or two out there and with regular tickets a reasonable $12-14 they shouldn’t command too much of a premium. But if you’re not willing to risk it these locals are sure to play again soon. In the meantime check out Wild Flag videos and news in earlier posts.

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Photos from last night’s Queerlandia featuring ChiChi and Chonga

Last night Queerlandia kicked off Portland Pride 2011 right with a packed house at Mississippi Studios. Outside on the patio there was Fliptography and vendors such as Underwear from reclaimed materials by Becca. Inside on the Bar Bar side was some series dancing while the Stud had a photobooth with Wayne Bund (and some super awesome popsicle dick props) and performaces by ChiChi and Chonga, Devan McGrath, Magic Mouth, […]


Portland Pride 2011 Thursday events

BabyPuppySailorSuit showing off his 4Loko bling.

For a full list of Thursday events: https://archive.qpdx.com/events-this-week/2011-06-16/

Preludes to Pride at the Record Room – Wanna start off slow for a big climax? Lounge it out at the Record Room (8 NE Killingsworth) with DJ Shoshana spinning Charo to Chicks on Speed, T-Rex to XX, Little Milton to Biggie Smalls amongst real, actual records that you can peruse, and a beer and wine bar.

Queerlandia! – Remember, we’re not just gay, we’re Portlanders too, which means we’re a little offbeat and super awesome. It also means we like to combine our FREE club nights and killer DJs with performances (in this case ChiChi and Chonga, Devan McGrath, electro hip hopper Baby Puppy Sailor Suit and more) and arts and crafts from the likes of Field Work Objects and Jewelry, Becca (underwear), Greg LeMieux (DIY bliss objects). And, of course, gay Feng Shui with Rob Loucks.

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