Recently one of my friends suggested we go to New York City to see a show, usually he does the star-studded Tony Award winners (I don’t know who Tony is) but I prefer off, off Broadway’s indie vibe. He gives me a hard time about my taste so it was time to subject him to my New York experience.
We arrived at Grand Central with a couple hours to make our way to SoHo. I hope he didn’t think we’d be subwaying, what’s a three mile walk in the rain? After a couple miles, I let him take a break and buy me lunch at The Pita & Hummus Co (585 6th Ave). I highly recommend it (especially if someone else is paying). I had the vegan shawarma. What’s shawarma? Whatever, I’ll put anything vegan in my mouth.
Here Arts Center (145 6th Ave) was a couple more blocks south. I’m on an email list that offered discount tickets ($45) to Bryan Safi’s (from the show “911”) one-man show, “Are You Mad At Me?” The new-to-me, small black-box theater has general admission seating and no bad seats. The staging was sparse; a red carpet, stool, two tv screens for Bryan’s game show “Homophobic Or Serving?” and three disco balls.
Before the doors opened, we hung out in the Pride flag adorned bar area with tables, stools, couch seating and show-tuney music. Once the doors opened, dance music took over and a song caught my ear and wouldn’t let go. What’s she singing? What’s running down her leg? What’s for dessert at church?
“Good Puss” ain’t on The Lion King’s pre-show playlist!
“Are You Mad At Me?” is a hysterical cabaret show, a mix of singing and stand up. Bryan rants about growing up gay, his dating life, his insecurities and his obvious ADHD. He was easily distracted during the hourish-long show by folks putting on coats or applying lip gloss, causing him to pause the show to rib them. Thankfully, sitting in the second-row center shielded us, even when side-eyeing each other when he asked if there’s any “mean gays” in the audience. The show is scripted but each night must be different based on who Bryan encounters.
If you’re in the New York City area, the show is running through August 16th. In my gay opinion, it’s definitely worth the price of admission with guaranteed laughs.
