Bed, Boys and Beyond, a gay-themed musical revue that proved a cult hit last spring at Greenwich Village's Duplex Cabaret, will now make its way to L.A. Directed by David Benson (Jeff Kalpak staged the New York mounting), BBB opens at the Hudson Avenue Theatre July 26 for a run through Sept. 7.
The show, by librettist-lyricist Jeff Dobbins and composer Alfredo Alvarez, explores the lives of five gay men searching for love, understanding and community in the post-closet era. Songs includes "Searchin' for a Euphemism," "Here in Chelsea," "Family Values," "The Seven-Week Itch," "May I Take Your Hand?" and more. The "ex-gay" movement is also addressed, and a satirical look at the Boy Scouts is offered. Dink Records released an original cast CD of the show in 2000.
Bed, Boys and Beyond expanded on a 1999 New York International Fringe Festival show called All Male Lives of Y2-Gay. The revue, which contains additional material by Chad Miller and Ryan Perry, then began weekend performances at the Duplex March 1, 2000 and was set to end a month later but then ran until June 24 of that year.
In L.A., the BBB cast will include Michael Paternostro, Tod H. Macofsky, Parnell Damone, Gabriel McPherson and Omar D. Brancato. Michael Pollack serves as musical director, with Leigh McCloud Fourtier producing.
For tickets ($20) and information on Bed, Boys and Beyond at the Hudson Avenue Theatre, 6537 Santa Monica Blvd., call (818) 593-1397. -- By David Lefkowitz