Back in June 2019, I reported on a wonderful new musical which premiered at the Hudson Theatre (remember theatre?) in Los Angeles called Shooting Star. With a book by Florian Klein (aka real life porn star Hans Berlin), and music and lyrics by Thomas Zaufke and Eric Ransom respectively, the show took a deep dive into the world of gay porn and featured a thoroughly entertaining Broadway caliber experience. Take a read of my original review here.
With theatres shuttered across the country, Florian has assembled his Los Angeles and New York casts, along with well known names from RuPaul’s Drag Race (including Alaska and Honey Davenport), not to mention some entertainers in the gay porn world, to produce a fundraising video for two great charities: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS which helps people across the country get access to life-saving medications, and Pineapple Support which provides free and low-cost mental healthcare and emotional support to all members of the adult film industry.
Times are tough all over, and it’s important to support people in the entertainment communities who have given so much to enrich our lives. So check out this thoroughly entertaining video featuring gorgeous melodies from the show, soaring vocals, and a literal cavalcade of guest stars. Donate to the great causes as well and stick around until the end to hear Coco Peru have the last, hilarious word. It makes me miss live theatre so much, yet the energy and talent on display here awoke my dead inside soul.
By Glenn Gaylord, Senior Film Critic
Thank you everyone for your effort and wisdom to create such a unique and meaningful work, thank you all.