Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Andrea Alton Talks to David Baxter about "Possum Creek"

Interview by David Baxter
Photo by Jeremy Patlan

Andrea Alton is a New York based actor, comic, and an award winning playwright who performs sketch comedy, stand-up and improv all over New York. Andrea has performed at the Chicago, Toronto, Washington DC, Boston, San Francisco Comedy Festivals and as well as numerous shows in Provincetown, MA. She is the creator of Molly “Equality” Dykeman and has performed the character to sold-out houses internationally. Her holiday shows A Molly Jolly Christmas & Happy Mollydays ran at The Laurie Beechman Theatre where they received rave reviews. As a comic, Andrea performs regularly throughout New York, Venues include, Gotham, Comedy Cellar, Dixon Place, Carolines, The Broadway Comedy Club, The Knitting Factory, UCB, The PIT, Stonewall and The Duplex. Andrea has also been featured in GO Magazine as 100 Women We Love as well as Curve Magazine, The Advocate, Provincetown Magazine, The Village Voice and The NY Post. As a writer, Andrea’s plays have been produced throughout the country with notable productions in New York, Washington DC, Florida, and Provincetown, MA. Her one-act comedy, Cat & Dick, won the Grand Jury Award from The Speaking Ring Theater in Chicago. 

Andrea's latest play, Possum Creek, recently played to several sold out houses at the FringeNYC Festival, and was picked up as a featured show in The 2nd Annual Best of the Fest at The Celebration of Whimsy.  David Baxter recently had a chance to catch up with her and talk about Possum Creek.

Can you tell me a little about your background, who you are, where you’re from, what brought you to NYC?

I moved to New York seventeen years ago after growing up in Oregon and a brief stint in Los Angeles. Rent had just opened on Broadway and I wanted to be a part of the vibrant and gritty New York theatre scene. My first six months in New York almost killed me but thankfully I stuck it out. New York has been the perfect fit for me.

What is this show about?

Possum Creek is a quirky 8 character play set in the 1860’s. It follows the main character, Beth Ann, as she waits for her husband to return from the Civil War. It’s a funny play that has a lot of social commentary in it.

There are several characters in the play that are gay. It’s important to me that I represent that community, and I have no interest in creating a play that has a bunch of straight people in it. Also, the theme of love and relationships is a big part of the play so it would have felt wrong to not have LGBT characters in it.

What made you want to write this show?

I’m fascinated with different time periods and perhaps I watched too much Little House on the Prairie when I was growing up.

Can you tell me about the process of creating the show? How did you come up with the characters? Did you do any big or unusual research?

The main character, Beth Ann, came out of a 5 minute sketch I wrote with Robin Gelfenbien back in 2005 when we were part of the sketch comedy group Freedumb. I had always wanted to do something with the character of Beth Ann and I wanted to write something that wasn’t set in the current time. About three years ago, I turned it into a ten minute monologue. After getting positive feedback, I kept working on the show and the other characters and story slowly started to emerge.

As for research, I read a lot about the Civil War and what life was like during the 1860s. I’m so thankful Google exists. I was always on the look for things that were odd and potentially funny. For instance, one of the characters loses a family member and I wanted it to be an accurate illness from that time. I goggled different types of plagues and illness’s and I found an illness called Putrid Fever. In comedy, you can’t go wrong with the putrid.

What made you choose to play multiple characters?

I love playing different characters. It brings me so much joy. For the last ten years I’ve wanted to create a show with multiple characters. Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin solo shows also influenced me.

What sort of acting/staging challenges has playing multiple characters presented?

At first it was really hard for me to go from one character to the next. In the beginning I hesitated and second guess myself. I had to force myself to get out of my head and not judge everything. The other challenge was keeping the play moving since it’s virtually a series of letters. Thankfully, I had an amazing director (Eric Chase) who really helped bring the play to life. The play could have very easily got stuck in a rut but it doesn’t. lt’s a fast, funny 50 minutes.

Is there anything you’re working on next?

I’m waiting for HBO and CBS to call me and make me a sitcom offer. Hopefully they’ll call in the next few weeks because I’d like to buy my parents a new house and get them moved in before Thanksgiving. In the meantime, I have a full length play I’d like to finish, my creative partner (the amazing Allen Warnock) and I are working on a few comedy shorts, and I have some upcoming Molly “Equality” Dykeman shows. I’m very excited about the future. 


Possum Creek runs at Celebration of Whimsy, 21-A Clinton Street.
Friday, September 25th at 7:00 pm
Thursday, October 1st at 7:00 pm
Friday, October 2nd at 7:00 pm


Thursday, July 23, 2015

"The Boys in the Band" - A period piece with laughter and venom

Mart Crowley's "The Boys in the Band" has not aged particularly well.  Aspects of the show seem contrived, and the self-loathing at the heart of the play is, hopefully, becoming a thing of the past.  Still, it's nice to see a production of the show from time to time, both to appreciate some of the humor that Crowley spins throughout the play, and to see how things have changed.

Lindenhurst, Long Island's Studio Theatre is currently producing a solid version of the show, which will run through this weekend.

Under the direction of David Dubin, Executive Artistic Director of the company, the show sparkles with Crowley's humor, and his underlying venom and pain. The play centers on a birthday party that Michael (Joe Marshall) is throwing for Harold (Michael Harrison Carlin).  The two are wary friends, each knowing way too much about the other and where all the bodies are hidden.  Also at the party are a host of other gay men in their early 40s - Donald (Jeff Greene), one of Michael's old friends, the flamboyant Emory (nimbly played by Ryan Nolin), couple Hank (Eugene Gamblin) and Larry (George Ghossn), Bernard (Josh Bellinger).  There is also a young hustler, Cowboy (Robbie Dema), Emory's birthday gift to Harold.

There is also an uninvited and unwelcome guest, Allan (Angelo DiBiase), Michael's old college friend.  A very straight (presumably) and conservative college friend; one who would not like being at a party with a bunch of gay men.

As expected, attempts to tone down the flamboyance of the party fail, and Allan's disgust leads to a fight.  Michael, who is an angry, bitter drunk (and who has been drinking since Allan's arrival), makes some revelations about Allan and forces the guests to play a mean-spirited party game, meant to lay bare all their secrets.

Nothing goes as planned, and needless to say, that's where the drama lies.

The cast is strong, though a bit older than the early 40s that Crowley envisioned.  Marshall is good with the witty line, though his timing is at points a little choppy.  Where he truly shines is in playing Michael's anger, bitterness and self-loathing.

Ryan Nolin seems to have a great time as the over-the-top Emory, and he plays him with finesse and heart.  He also has the most ease with Crowley's humor, dropping a bon mot or nasty line with a practiced nonchalance.  He also has the best exit of the show.  He is most often paired with Bellinger's Bernard and the two work well together.

Michael Harrison Carlin, who gets one of the best entrances, does well as Harold.  The way he plays with Harold's affectations and veneer of civility are fun to watch, as is his take-down of Michael.  Carlin also does well with Harold's few moments of shockingly vibrant anger.

Production elements are particularly well done, with Erick Creegan's excellent set and Lorrie DePellegrini's sound design.  And while there is no costume credit given in the program, the costumes are terrific, particularly Allan's conservative wear, Emory's bright floral summer outfit, and Harold's drapey purple ensemble.

Spoiler alert: One of the most fascinating parts of this production involves a bit of a nod to the fact that this is a period piece, and one that has earned its place in the gay rights movement.  The play begins with Michael, presumably in his late 80s, hearing a news report about the recent gay marriage decision.  Time rewinds somewhat, and he's hearing a report on ACT UP and the AIDS crisis.  Back and back time goes, until finally he's in the late '60s and the play begins.  This is an interesting idea, and I think it works nicely.

"The Boys in the Band" runs through July 26th.  If you are near Lindenhurst, it's worth a look.


"The Boys in the Band"
By Mart Crowley
Directed by David Dubin
Scenic and Lighting Design by Erick Creegan
Stage Management and Sound Design by Lorrie DePellegrini
Featuring: Joe Marshall, Josh Bellinger, Michael Harrison Carlin, Robbie Dema, Angelo DiBiase, Eugene Gamblin, George Ghossn, Jeff Greene, and Ryan Nolin

Studio Theatre
141 South Wellwood Avenue
Lindenhurst, NY

www.studiotheatreli.com

Thursday, July 16, 2015

"Michael Jackson was innocent… and I didn't kill Jonbenet Ramsey, but I was there the night she died" - HOT! Festival

At first glance, Michael Cross Burke's "Michael Jackson was innocent… and I didn't kill Jonbenet Ramsey, but I was there the night she died" seems like an opportunity for Burke to exorcise some of the demons of having been a victim of the child sex trade.  And indeed, his decision to integrate pieces of two of the biggest child sex scandals - molestation accusations against Michael Jackson and the Jonbenet Ramsey murder - would almost bear that out.

However, Burke offers this play, not as a confession, an indictment of the media and our obsession with scandal, or even a morality lesson, but as a way to honor the person who saved his life, yet who was so broken by his experiences that he eventually lost his own.

That person is Danny, another trafficked child, used by the same pimp who approached Michael when he was a young teen, fresh off the bus from Idaho.

In telling the story of Danny, Bishop the pimp, Norma (more often simply called "the cunt in 2B," but who was instrumental in saving Michael and Danny), and the other characters that are introduced in "Michael Jackson…", Burke is able to tell a harrowing, yet often funny tale of what it takes to survive, and why some people survive when others can't.

"Michael Jackson…" is a powerful play, and sections of it are extremely well done.  However, overall the quality is somewhat hit or miss.  Several sections of the play, generally transitional portions between major scenes, appear to be ad-libbed, and those moments seem very sloppy.

Also, timing tends to be a bit of a problem in the show.  The individual actors - Burke, as himself and as Michael Jackson accuser Jordie Chandler, and Daniel Diaz, playing nearly all the other roles - are strong on their own.  When working together, they seem tentative at times, seemingly wondering if it's their turn to speak yet.  This is a pity, because Burke is an extremely nimble writer, and some of his dialogue, and the way he plays with it (especially through the use of repetition), is a marvel to hear.

The timing issues could be a result of a short rehearsal period (festivals are notorious for having very little rehearsal time), but some of it has to be due to Gian Marco Lo Forte, who directs the play.  It feels like he needs a stronger hand in making this a tight and clean production.

Lo Forte is also serving as the production designer, and in that role, he is outstanding.  "Michael Jackson…" features some wonderful work mixing media through the use of video throughout the performance.  By filming what is happening on stage, he allows the audience to distance itself from the intimate and immediate work of the actors, and watch them passively on screen, in a way, mimicking the emotional distance that both the victims of sex trade and the johns use to dehumanize each other, or in the same way that people do when watching porn (which shows up a couple of times in the play).

Despite its rough edges, Burke has created a powerful story, and one that needs to be heard.  Trafficking is a major and ongoing problem, and the more that we can hear the stories of its survivors, and the people who helped them survive, the better.

Michael Cross Burke, photo by Krys Fox

"Michael Jackson was innocent… and I didn't kill Jonbenet Ramsey, but I was there the night she died"
Written and performed by Michael Cross Burke
Directed and Designed by Gian Marco Lo Forte
Assistant Director: Marisa Tornello
Designed with Pioneers Go East Collective artists Hao Bai and Chand Chenail
Publicist: Jackie Rudin
Michael Cross Burke's hair by Jeanise Aviles
Michael Cross Burke's tattoos by Kevin Soomai

Featuring: Michael Cross Burke, Daniel Diaz, Ryan Leach, and Gian Marco Lo Forte

Performed as part of the 24th Annual HOT! Festival at Dixon Place.  Remaining performances will be July 17th, 23rd and 24th.  Tickets can be purchased online.


Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Grab Your Cheetos. Molly Dykeman is Back in "Molly's F*cked Up Family Reunion"

Downtown cult favorite Andrea Alton returns as Molly "Equality" Dykeman in her all new show, "Molly Dykeman's F*cked Up Family Reunion," premiering at the HOT! Festival, Monday, July 20th at 7:30 PM at Dixon Place.

Check out the woman Michael Musto calls, "A fucking riot!!!" and Theatre Is Easy compares to Chris Farley.  Gay City News calls Alton's Molly Dykeman "thick, wild-eyed, lush-mulleted."

When the Dykeman family gets together it always turns into a hot nacho mess. Come spend some time with the mulleted Dykemans. They may break out into a fist fight, they’ll probably hit on you, and your wallet may be lifted, but at least they’ll make you feel better about your own family.

Guests include D’yan Forest (I Married A Nun/Frigid & Orlando Fringe Festival), Robin Gelfenbien (Yum’s the Word at Le Poisson Rouge), Cara Kilduff (Here TV Hot Gay Comics & co-host of Queens public television’s Talking About), and Allen Warnock (I Just Want My Pants Back & The Knick).

The creative team includes costume and properties design by Anthony Catanzaro, and producers Andrea Alton and Irwin Kroot.

Tickets are $10.00 students/seniors, $12.00 in advance, and $15.00 at the door. Tickets are available at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/948474

All performances take place at Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Street, between Rivington and Delancey. (Subway: F to 2nd Ave., J or Z to Bowery, 6 to Spring, B or D to Grand.)

More info is available at http://dixonplace.org/performances/molly-dykemans-fcked-up-family-reunion/



Andrea Alton (Molly “Equality” Dykeman) has performed throughout the country to sold-out houses. New York venues include Gotham, XL, The Comedy Cellar, The Duplex, Stonewall, Dixon Place, The Broadway Comedy Club, The PIT, UCB, The Knitting Factory and The Laurie Beechman Theater where she performed her holiday shows, A Molly Jolly Christmas and Happy Mollydays. Other notable performances include the Chicago, DC, Toronto, and San Francisco Sketch Comedy Festivals, and The Art House in Provincetown during Woman’s Week. Her solo show, The F*cking World According To Molly premiered at FringeNYC in 2011 and had additional runs at terraNOVA’s soloNOVA Festival, and The Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival. Andrea’s new solo show, Possum Creek, will premiere at The New York International Fringe Festival on August 16th.

About the HOT! Festival:

Crowned “The BEST LGBTQ Theater Festival in New York!” by The Village Voice, HOT! returns to Dixon Place for its 24th annual celebration of Queer Culture! HOT!, the oldest annual festival of its kind in the world, never stales as its fresh line-up continues to deliver innovative works in theater, music, dance, puppetry, performance art and homoeroticism for the whole family! Festival runs from July 7 – August 8, 2015.

Friday, May 8, 2015

New York Boylesque Festival interview - Gilbert de moccos

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Gilbert de moccos

Hometown: Tokyo, JAPAN

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

I've performed for seven years (burlesque: as a member of MURASAKIBABYDOLL); five years (boylesque: soloist); two years (LIVE MC: soloist).

How would describe your burlesque style?

My burlesque style has a story. It's overflowing with happiness and impulse.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

I've performed at the New York Boylesque Festival since 2013 as the first performer for a Japanese person.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

All boylesque stars from all over the world.

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?


I wanna see, hug, kiss and talk with YOU. Thank you! Glittering LOVE!


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Rify Royalty

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Rify Royalty
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

About a year and a half

How would describe your burlesque style?

Weird, sexy, conceptual 

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

No, this is my first time. Very excited! 

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

World Famous *Bob* for sure! 

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?


Don’t expect anything from me, I like to keep you on your toes, so sit back and enjoy the show. 



New York Boylesque Festival interview - Johnny Panic

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Johnny Panic
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Three years. I started out with Chris Harder's Boyleque 101 and haven't stopped since!

How would describe your burlesque style?

Gypsy Rose Lee with a beard.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

Yes! I've had the honor of participating every year!

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

Luminous Pariah, the festival wasn't the same without him last year!

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?


I do it all for the sex.


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Ben Franklin

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Ben Franklin
Hometown: New York, NY

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Officially, 2-3 years.

How would describe your burlesque style?

Circus and variety act comedy

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

Yes. 3 years.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

I’ve never seen Ray Gunn live. 

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

Thank you for coming out and supporting our special brand of entertainment.  We can’t do it without you.


New York Boylesque Festival interview - El Toro

Photo by Drasko Bogdanovic

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: El Toro
Hometown: Toronto

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Four.

How would describe your burlesque style?

High energy, theatrical, acrobatical nonsense with a whole lotta spunk.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

Every year.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

Ray Gunn, I keep just missing him.

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?


Te quiero, mi amores ;)


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Christopher J. Anderson of Rhythm Knights Dance Troupe

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Names: Rhythm Knights Dance Troupe - Christopher J. Anderson, Sam Benedict, Nick Deyo, Syville Padayo, Bill Siegfried
Hometowns: Detroit, MI, Wilsonville, OR, Houston, TX, Atlanta, GA and Sugar Land, TX

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Dancing in particular, for over 25 years and burlesque has been intertwined all throughout since starting in Reno in 1992.  I enjoy being able to introduce and give the opportunity to newer members of my troupe.

How would describe your burlesque style?

Sexy Street Jazz Dance with a little bit of underground funk!

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

We are virgins!

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

I am very looking forward to seeing all of the out of town (and out of country) performers and learn what types of things are happening around the world.

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)? 

A big hello and thanks to our brothers-in-song of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus.



New York Boylesque Festival interview - Dew Lily

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Dew Lily
Home town: Toronto

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Seven years

How would describe your burlesque style? 

Slow and sexy, with the heart of a clown

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past? 

It's my 4th year!

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

Gilbert de Moccos! and always Waxie Moon.

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)? 

Love yourself first, then spread it around.


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Waxie Moon

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Waxie Moon
Home town: Seattle, Washington

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Since the fall of 2006.

How would describe your burlesque style?

Waxie Moon is a gender-blending queer lady boylesque performance-art stripping sensation. That pretty much covers it.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

Yes, 2 years ago. Can't wait for another full weekend of man meat magic!

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

Manchego always cracks me the fuck up. Brewster makes me weak in the knees. And I live for the gender complexity of  Lou Henry Hoover.

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

Thanks for supporting this exciting and evolving art-form!

New York Boylesque Festival interview - Mike Monaco

Photo by Bill Wright

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.


Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Mike Monaco
Home town: Pittsfield, MA

How many years have you been doing burlesque? 

Five years. I’m a member of Gypsy Layne Cabaret & Co. (
www.gypsylayne.com)  

How would describe your burlesque style?

Cheeky, mischievous, and fun-loving; I’m a bearded boy with a glamour girl twist.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

I performed last year with my troupe, Gypsy Layne. This year I’m performing solo!  

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

There are so many incredible performers that it’s hard to it narrow down, but I’m really excited to see Waxie Moon again—I was blown away by him at the 2013 festival, when I was in the audience, that he inspired be to apply for 2014…and here I am again!

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)? 

Mike Monaco is going to woo you and wow you so hard, you’ll be seeing stars when I’m done.   



New York Boylesque Festival interview - Lou Henry Hoover

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.

Name:  Lou Henry Hoover
Home town:  NYC/Seattle

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

It must be seven years now!

How would describe your burlesque style?

I'm a boylesqueing drag king.  I came into burlesque out of a professional dance career, so I approach burlesque with a choreographer's perspective combined with a deep love of camp theater and a tendency to play the clown.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

This is my second year.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

There's so many great performers at the festival!  I am particularly excited to see Waxie Moon this year - he had a big hand in getting me started both as a drag king and in boylesque, and he and I have worked together in a lot of different capacities over the years.  He's a brilliant weirdo and seeing him onstage is always a treat.  This June we will both be competing for King of Burlesque at The Burlesque Hall of Fame so I'm hoping to get a sneak peak at his act!  I'm honored to be the first drag king to compete in this category.  Of course I'm also excited to see the reigning King of Burlesque and fellow Atomic Bombshell, Mr. Gorgeous!

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

Get ready for a full weekend of tit…er…cockillation!


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Serge Violland

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name:  Serge Violland
Home town:  AnneƧy, France

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Twelve years in cabaret, one year in burlesque.

How would describe your burlesque style?

Cabaret New Burlesque.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

Never.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

They seems all very interesting, and I am curious by nature!

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

Forget everything you've seen so far.


New York Boylesque Festival interview - The Luminous Pariah

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: The Luminous Pariah
Home town: Originally from Juneau, Alaska; currently based in Seattle, WA

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Six and a half years.

How would describe your burlesque style?

I'd describe my style as an interdisciplinary blend of performance art, theatre, and dance  - leaning heavily on the gender-bending side. 

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

I participated in the very first NY Boylesque Festival and had a blast. I performed in the second, but am just now returning to the most distracting dressing room in the world.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

I'm looking forward to seeing my friends perform, obviously. However, I'm super excited to see some boys who I've not seen before! I love this festival because it's the one place in the US that male identified performers and personas can come together to inspire one another. 

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

If I had a chance to speak to my New York viewers and fans en mass; I'd want them to know that I'd like to meet them! Also, that I appreciate the support. They're welcome to interact with me on any of the many social media outlets: @LuminousPariah


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Bobby Barnaby

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Bobby Barnaby
Home town: San Francisco

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Seven years.

How would describe your burlesque style?

Classic Americana Striptease meets Vaudeville.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

In 2013, I performed my award winning fan dance.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

Who am I not looking forward to seeing! But seriously, Brewster McCall.

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

See more live theater, on every scale and medium!


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Jack n' Thacox

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Jack n' Thacox
Home town: Savannah, GA

How many years have you been doing burlesque?

Two and a half years now and I'm just getting the hang of it.

How would describe your burlesque style?

A high-school theater production gone horribly awry.

Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?

This is my first time ever performing in the big city! I am exhilarated.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?

I can't wait to see all the boys backstage!

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

If you're my boyfriend once, you're my boyfriend forever ;]


New York Boylesque Festival interview - Geegee Louise

The New York Boylesque Festival weekend kicks off tonight with a teaser party at the Knitting Factory and is followed by tomorrow's main event at B.B. King's.

Here's your chance to meet some of the performers before they hit the stage.


Name: Geegee Louise
Home town: Bridgeport CT


How many years have you been doing burlesque?

This past month is a mark of 5 years in the industry! I started the moment I turned 18 and I always get that same nervous feeling every time I am about to walk on stage.


How would describe your burlesque style?


I used to study with Alvin Ailey dance company, so I incorporate a lot of ballet and African inspired movement. I like to pull from Caribbean and African movements and combine that with American jazz. It's an interesting combination! But it keeps me on my toes.


Have you participated in the New York Boylesque Festival in the past?


This is going to be my first boylesque festival. I am excited! I don't usually describe my pieces as boylesque. Being a female impersonator, I don't like to lie to my audience, so my character is almost gender neutral. I let the audience develop my gender as the piece goes on.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform this weekend?


Ray Gunn and Bazuka Joe!! My family, by that I mean my sisters, mother, sister in law, grandmother, were drooling over Ray when we danced together in the New York Burlesque Festival in 2011. Since then it's been a tradition to catch them when we can.

What would you like to say to your New York fans (and future fans)?

Honestly. Thank you. This journey hasn't been easy and the support that I have been given is incredible. Thank you for helping me do what I love!!!