Though the 42nd Street Project has effectively cleaned the pornography off a large section of the Times Square area, "porn" has thrived in the downtown theatre district -- Making Porn, that is, the gay comedy written and directed by Ronnie Larsen.
The show ran 16 months at Off-Broadway's Actors' Playhouse in Greenwich Village and closed Sept. 14 -- just past its 500th performance -- but only to make room for another comedy, written and directed by the same playwright. Larsen's Ten Naked Men began previews Sept. 30 and opens tonight, Oct. 16. Toni Marie Davis directs.
Naked Men is currently workshopping at the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles, Aug. 1 to Sept. 21, though only one Zephyr cast member will transfer to Off-Broadway. In New York, the performers will be Anthony Albanese, Joe Bailey, Adam Bechworth, Mark Leneker, Cameron Page, John Petrie, Jeffrey Middleton, Joe Moretti, Roy Scruggs and Paul Waters.
Ten Naked Men deals with prostitution in Hollywood as it looks at ten men all seeking fame. The press release warns that the show contains "lots of gratuitous nudity, simulated sex, dirty talk, and a plot, too."
As for Porn, it may not be gone forever; according to producer Horwitz, the show may make special reappearances. Author and director Larsen lensed the documentary, Shooting Porn, (screened at the London Gay & Lesbian film festival in March) featuring people he's met in the porn industry while mounting his play in various venues, such as Seattle and Washington DC. Other Larsen projects include a musical about Robert Mapplethorpe and a play about Hollywood actors, agents and hustlers.
Making Porn is Larsen's second play (the first was Scenes From My Love Life, soon to be filmed) and he's directed it in Chicago (the world-premiere), L.A., Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Diego and Manhattan. The current NY cast features Robert Caravetta, Joanna Keylock, Tony Trbovich, Peter Macchia, Gary Dooley, Michael Lundy.
For tickets ($30-$35) and information on Ten Naked Men at Actors' Playhouse, 100 7th Ave. South, call (212) 239-6200.
-- By David Lefkowitz
