I kept looking for Rosemarie Pierri aka "Rosie", but couldn't find her. I want to show some love, extend a hand and say, "Doll, let me glam you up and turn you out. We can cinch the waist, fluff the hair, pop on a touch of makeup and, bam, you'll have the fem girls chasing after you. You’ll be my "Eliza Doolittle" from "My Fair Lady"
We needed to pump in some theater for Pride Month so Caesar Monroy and I made our way to Red Bank, NJ to see "Present Laughter" at the Two River Theater Company.
"Present Laughter," directed by David Lee and written by Noel Coward as a vehicle for himself, is a joyous homage to the theater and to those who dedicated themselves to keeping it alive. In the style and taste of the script, you can see Noel Coward was ahead of his time. The actors in the 2013 production gave new life to the characters as they added a fresh feel for the theater of today.
The show set in London, England, in the drawing room of an aging English stage matinee idol “Garry Essendine” played Michael Crumpsty and was grand. It seemed as if the character was an overgrown man-child that always needed coddling and nurturing from all who surrounded him. Crumpsty gave a great performance.
“Miss Erikson” played by Camille Saviola is amazingly funny, and I'm glad the character was portrayed with life rather than a boring old housemaid. As Saviola moved about the stage fluffing pillows, belting out for the butler to come, watering plants, and even opening the door as guests arrived, she never once lost the cigarette that lay on her lip and bounced up and down as she spoke. Her comedy flair is brilliant, full of life, and not to be missed.
The full cast of "Present Laughter" should be looked at as the Crème de la Crème in Sophisticated Comedy. The actors chosen were incredible in their roles: Hayley Treider as "Daphne Stillington"; Veanne Cox as "Monica Reed"; Richard Hollis as "Fred"; Kaitlin Hopkins as "Liz Essendine"; Cole Escola as "Roland Maule"; Mark Capri as "Hugo Lyppiatt"; James Riordan as "Morris Dixon"; Leighton Bryan as "Joanna Lyppiatt"; and Robin Moseley as "Lady Saltburn".
The show transcends well into today’s market. It’s scintillating with a whole lot of wonderful twists and turns, and its characters seem self-centered with an underlying love for each other. All I can ask is...When is it coming to New York City? This is the stuff Broadway should be made of.
The summer heat is here, Gays, and with that I popped in to Franco DiLuzio & Mark Lander’s “Summer Share HK” at Bartini Ultra Lounge in Hell's Kitchen.
Walking into Bartini was like stepping onto a stage with music conductor, DJ Whitney Day, who orchestrated a beautiful musical score for the production of the night. The “cast” staff dressed in Rufskin swim gear and played their parts as they presented a special CD release of Dimitri Minucci's "Who We Are".
Minucci performed as first Lady of Bartini Bootsie LeFaris who served up her jello shots as dazzling duo Vincent Vega and Andy Sween glided like dancers across the floor. Every production has to have a leading man, and Bartini's leading man is Ricky De Cleva who is Sociable, Sweet and Sexy. I say it’s one night not to be missed, and it’s every Friday.
It’s always a pleasure when the LGBTQ community comes together for a great cause. That being said, Jeff Eason and I made our way to the “Shred of Hope” event at Rootstein Mannequins. The event was sponsored by David Lauterstein, CEO of Nasty Pig in Chelsea. The event was to raise money for the Ali Forney Center. All bids on a Shred of Hope tee shirt will support the next generation of LGBTQ youth.
The event was hosted by celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz. He and Alan Cumming, Jake Shears, Michael Stipe, Ally Sheedy, John Cameron Mitchell, Dustin Lance Black, Casey Spooner and Adam Lambert personalized a one-of-a-kind tee shirt that was a work of art and put up for auction online.
David Lauterstein, Thank you for reaching out a helping hand into the community. It was great chatting with you, and I look forward to your next event. It was also a pleasure to see Rowan Pierce and Jay Roth.
Gays in film... "The Go Doc Project", directed by Cory James Krueckeberg, stars Tanner Cohen as “Doc” and Matthew Camp as “Go”. It’s a film based in New York City, the concrete jungle. It shows the hardships of being gay, falling in love, boys’ cyber-obsession with a GoGo Dancer, GoGo Dancer plays hardball but sweet, boy gets dancer involved in project, boy gets involved beyond project, dancer gets comfortable with boy, boy walks in on dancer having sex with another, dancer falls for boy, dancer and boy have one last night, boy moves away and dancer is crushed by losing boy.
The film was fun and if you get a chance, see it. A number of scenes were shot at Splash Bar and you’ll see a few faces you might know. Wine and chips were served at the screening giving it a cocktail-ish feel. The movie was hot. Cohen was adorable and, yes of course, Camp flashed his boyish smile which wins your heart. It’s a summer fling movie, but they are definitely not Danny and Sandy in Grease...a lot of skin is shown. Hey, see the film and when you get home, all I can say is “sweet dreams”.
Congratulations to newlyweds Jonny and JJ Mack. Thank you for the invite. I was honored to have been a guest at your wedding. I'm wishing you both all the best in life and all that love has to offer. You guys are One Big Mac...Love it.
At the wedding: Franco DiLuzio, Mark Lander, Vincent Vega, Hrran, Gabriel Joseph Anthony, Nathan Kelly and Bill Coleman.
Happy Birthday, Nic Graziani!
Check Out:
mistersocialnyc.com for Curated Events for the Modern Gay Man
“The Way I Am” Colton Ford on iTunes
Best always,
Frankie C.
Email: thecolumnbyfrankiec@gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter: @FrankieC_
The Blog: www.thecolumnbyfrankiec.blogspot.com
