Variety On the Town

Mr. Broadway Dons His Crown

In the tradition of the annual Rialto strip-for-charity fundraiser “Broadway Bares,” seven chorus boys competed in a male beauty contest for the title of Mr. Broadway 2007. Sure, there was a talent portion and an interview segment, but extra points were awarded for taking off your shirt. And really, everyone in the audience showed up for the swimsuit competish. (Mr. “Curtains,” Ward Billeisen, sported a speedo jerry-rigged with curtains that opened to reveal his backside.) Winner of the evening was Mr. “Mamma Mia!” Frankie James Grande, who won over the crowd with an odd mash-up of “You’re the One That I Want” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Money raised went to the five-year-old Ali Forney Center, which provides housing and support for homeless LGBT youth. (G. Cox)

Gotham's Tough Love

Thesps John Leguizamo, Cara Buono, Al Palagonia and helmer Spike Lee recently brought their own brand of “American Idol” to Gotham. Acting as judges in the Live Mansion movie project, a competish where budding directors get $1000, identical scripts and the task of lensing a short film, Lee and Co. began critiquing the  greenhorn directors last week and did not hold back. “Don’t make excuses,” Lee lectured one young director, who then proceeded to make an excuse, followed by another one. “Who is your DP?” he asked another director. “In those dark shots you can’t even see the brother. Just give him a little bit of light. Help the brother out! All you can see are his eyeballs.” Monday night, at another Live Mansion event at Gotham’s Pressure Bar, judges critiqued short film acting. “Actors are trying too hard,” Leguizamo said. “It’s uncomfortable. Too ‘actory.’” One short film director, jumping out of his skin, hustled to the bar for a drink to settle his nerves before his short unspooled.  “Everyone is just so New York,” he said promptly adding that he just flew in from Omaha, Nebraska. Event moderator John Yurcko made no apologies for the tough love role of the judge.  “Spike was mean, “ he said. “But he was honest.”  (J. Clarke Jr.)