June 5, 2015
'Broadway Bares Fire Island' Kicks Off Company's Season
EDGE READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Eye-popping photographers, alluring aviators and seductive swingers all found their place in the spotlight on May 30, 2015, as "Broadway Bares Fire Island" set the stage for a sizzling 25th season of "Broadway Bares."
In two standing-room-only shows, 23 of New York City's sexiest men and women tempted, teased and tantalized their sold-out audiences at Fire Island Pines' Brandon Fradd Theater at Whyte Hall.
The evening, which marked "Broadway Bares'" return to Fire Island after a one-year absence, raised a record $55,994. The last edition of "Broadway Bares Fire Island," in 2013, raised $33,044.
The show featured frisky fly boys slipping out of their jumpsuits, studly dads, ravishing showgirls, delectable models in skimpy, skin-tight bathing suits and desirable, desert nomads all exploring male and female sexuality, and Fire Island fun and frolic.
Among the more memorable appearances of the night was inspiring Marine-turned-model Alex Minsky, who lost his leg while serving in Afghanistan. Minsky, who made his stage debut in last year's "Broadway Bares: Rock Hard!," arrived at "Broadway Bares Fire Island" stage as a sexy beekeeper. He mesmerized three male bumblebees who ditched their disappointed female flowers to focus on shedding Minsky of his beekeeper costume and revealing his muscular, tattooed body.
Broadway's Ward Billeisen served as the evening's host, kicking off the night with an original song, written by Jeff Biering and Michael Lee Scott, that set the stage for the show's nod to provocative photography and imagery.
The "Broadway Bares Fire Island" cast also included Cesar Abreu, Christopher John Beroiz, Joshua Buscher-West, Barrett Davis, Tom Deckman, Elizabeth Dugas, Lauren Gemelli, Shiloh Goodin, Sam Hay, Justin Henry, Benjamin L. Horen, Beau Hutchings, Jakob Karr, Colby Q. Lindeman, Adam Perry, Alex Ringler, Matthew Steffens, Ramon Thielen, Jena VanElslander, Ryan Worsing and Sidney Erik Wright.
As is tradition at every "Broadway Bares" event, the evening concluded with the cast in Bares' famous "rotation" -- freestyle dancing before the thrilled audience to encourage cash tips carefully tucked into what was left of their costumes.
The event provided an intimate preview of this summer's historic 25th edition of "Broadway Bares," which will fill NYC's Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday, June 21, for shows at 9:30 p.m. and midnight. This year's "Broadway Bares: Top Bottoms of Burlesque" is inspired by the golden age of Broadway and will feature a cast of more than 150 colorful and carnal characters.
For tickets and other details, visit broadwaycares.org.
