Nudist resorts don't have negative impact

Nudist resorts don't have negative impact

Written by Steven Skelley

(appeared in Florida Today newspaper at http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120709/OPINION/120706027/Letter-Nudist-resorts-don-t-negative-impact)

The arguments against Fawlty Towers Resort in Cocoa Beach offering clothing-optional recreation are ludicrous at best.

 #1: We can’t allow this to happen in Florida?

There are dozens of clothing-optional resorts, beaches and clubs legally operating in Florida. They have been here for decades. They have never promoted drug abuse or prostitution. 

The major cruise lines have offered clothing-optional cruises from multiple Florida ports for years.

#2: Clothing-optional businesses lower property values?

Key West has a clothing-optional bar located on some of the most expensive property in the state. 

Fort Lauderdale’s dozens of clothing-optional resorts are on multimillion-dollar beachside properties.

#3: Clothing-optional recreation is a costly burden to the community?

Dozens of nude swimmers visit Titusville’s Playalinda and New Smyrna’s Apollo beaches daily. 

The estimated tourist income generated from clothing-optional Haulover beach in Sunny Isles is more than $300 million a year. 

Income from the parking lot fees at Haulover Beach alone generate over $1.5 million dollars a year!

Records show crime has decreased at Haulover since its designation as a clothing-optional beach.

In conclusion:

Religious and morality zealots have attempted to stop clothing-optional recreation for decades. They have failed in both the state and federal legislatures to deny fair access to clothing-optional recreation.

It is just common sense: If you don't like drinking alcohol in public, don't go to a bar. If you don’t like nude recreation, don’t go to clothing-optional facilities in places such as Haulover, Playalinda, Apollo Beach, Fawlty Towers, cruise ship lines, Key West or Kissimmee.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

OKLAHOMA! - review

OKLAHOMA!
(by Steven Skelley for http://www.edgeonthenet.com/)

In an educational era where the FCAT test preparation monopolizes the entire school year and arts programs have often been sacrificed, The Summer Musical Theatre Project collaboration between the King Center for the Performing Arts, Brevard Community College and The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse is a valuable asset to Florida Space Coast’s youth and young adult community.

The Summer Musical Theatre Project’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Oklahoma!" highlights the impressive skills of the Space Coast’s young actors. If you enjoy seeing young people shine on stage, this show is for you!

For four weeks, the King Center for the Performing Arts, Brevard Community College and The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse offered theater workshops to area high school and college age actors which culminated in the July 13-15 production of "Oklahoma!" at the King Center. The youngest youth in the production is just beginning his second year of high school while the oldest in entering his first year of college.

Anastacia Hawkins-Smith, Director of The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, oversees the project because she believes it has enormous benefit to the community.

"The Summer Musical Theatre Project benefits the youth performers by providing life management skills, college and audition preparation in addition to dance, voice, acting and the process of producing as in the case of ’Oklahoma!’ The Summer Musical Theatre Project additionally deepens and develops young people’s appreciation for the arts. It also gives them undivided attention from the artistic team, to help build their confidence, skills and a feeling of acceptance, self-worth and accomplishment," said Hawkins-Smith.

"Oklahoma!", which incredibly earned a Tony Award, an Academy Award and a Pulitzer in its heydey, is set in Oklahoma Territory before it has gained statehood. It is the very early 1900’s and a cowboy named Curley McLain has fallen for a farm girl named Laurey Williams. Unfortunately, Laurey likes to play hard-to-get and sometimes plays too hard, which jeopardizes their potential romance.

Michaela Vines portrayal of Laurey Williams proved without a doubt that she is one of the brightest young talents on the Space Coast.

As Curley tries to woo Laurey, another cowboy named Will Parker tries to win the hand of his ever-flirting fiancée, Ado Annie. Ado Annie’s father Alexander Carnes has promised Will her hand in marriage -- if Will can bring him $50 cash! Will’s biggest challenge isn’t earning the $50 though, it is the fact that Ado Annie has yet to meet a man she didn’t like and hasn’t kissed. When she falls for a traveling salesman named Ali Hakim, hilarious trouble ensues between Mr. Carnes, Ali Hakim and cowboy Will.

The play takes a serious turn when Laurey Williams tries to make Curley jealous by flirting with a dangerous hired hand named Jud Fry. Jud is tired of lot in life and begins to make plans to take Laurey for himself at any cost including murder.

For the most part, the show is filled with silliness, over the top country accents, memorable songs and more dancing than a hoedown.

Michaela Vines portrayal of Laurey Williams proved without a doubt that she is one of the brightest young talents on the Space Coast. She has it all: movie star good looks, command of the stage and a singing voice that is crystal clear on even the most challenging notes.

For me, Hayley Vervalin stole the show with her hilarious portrayal of the flirt Ado Annie. If Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton had a baby, Vervalin’s Ado Annie would be her! Each time Vervalin came on stage, the audience around me leaned forward in anticipation of her charismatic and comedic interpretation of Annie’s misadventures. Not only does Vervalin have impressive comedy skills and natural beauty, but her vocals are also exquisite.

John Dudley’s portrayal of Ado Annie’s traveling salesman love interest Ali Hakim was another comedic highlight of the show. From the first moment Dudley came on stage, I was reminded of a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He is that talented. His choice of an over the top accent that falls somewhere between that of Mel Brooks and Grouch Marx is perfect for his many look at the audience and wink one-liners.

Tyreen Green showed much potential as the anguished and angry Jud Fry. Lawrence M. Mazza’s lanky body and curly hair were put to good use as cowboy Curley McClain and Evan Jones portrayal of the Ado Annie chasing Will Parker was exceptional.

"Oklahoma!" runs through July 15 at the King Center for the Performing Arts at Brevard Community College, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935. For info or tickets call 321-242-2219 or visit http://www.kingcenter.com/

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - review

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
by Steven Skelley

(This review first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/ )


When Mary Shelley wrote her horror masterpiece "Frankenstein" in 1818, she could not have imagined that a comedic genius named Mel Brooks would bring it back to life 156 years later as a riotously risqué, award-winning movie and play.

I was 11 years old when Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" hit the theaters with its irreverent humor and an amazing cast including Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman. Film critics have called it one of the funniest movies of all time.

The musical version of "Young Frankenstein" was enjoyed on Broadway for nearly 500 performances and is now on national tour. I wondered, quite honestly, if the stage production could match the wonderful, madcap silliness of the classic movie that I remembered so fondly.

There was nothing to worry about. The stage production of "Young Frankenstein" not only holds its own, but it also had our audience laughing uncontrollably, cheering repeatedly, and rewarding the cast with a standing ovation.

The story line is a parody of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." In the Mel Brooks'  version, a brilliant, young Dr. Frankenstein (or Fronkensteen, as he prefers to be called) attempts to complete his grandfather's work and bring a corpse to life.

He is assisted by a hunchback named Igor (who prefers to be called Eye-gor). Igor's back hump relocates quite obviously from one side to the other, depending on the scene.

Young Dr. Frankenstein leaves his cold-fish fiancée Elizabeth at home and moves into his grandfather's Transylvanian castle, where he meets the horse-frightening Frau Blucher and a blonde, hottie lab assistant named Inga.

Town constable Inspector Kemp watches his every move carefully, not wanting a repeat of the monster-making disaster Frankenstein's grandfather brought upon the town.

Frankenstein discovers his grandfather's secret laboratory and begins to piece together his own human with the aid of Igor, Inga, and Frau Blucher. His plan is to place the brain of a brilliant man into his creation -- but Igor accidentally steps on the brain and secretly replaces it with one labeled abnormal, which he thinks is the guy's name: A.B. Normal.

The monster is brought to life, but doesn't have the intelligence Frankenstein had planned. What he does have is an irrational fear of fire and a reportedly "enormous schwanstuker" (Brooks-speak for a huge penis).

Dr. Frankenstein falls for Inga. Elizabeth arrives unexpectedly and finds them in bed together. Elizabeth has sex with the monster and falls for his enormous schwanstuker. The Inspector thinks the monster has killed Elizabeth and organizes a lynch mob to capture him.

Frankenstein risks a dangerous experimental "intelligence transfer" between himself and the monster. In the end, the experiment is a success. The monster gets Dr. Frankenstein's genius I.Q. and Frankenstein gets the monster's enormous schwanstuker.

The "Young Frankenstein" stage production features nearly two dozen songs with hilarious tongue-in-cheek themes. Inga shares "Roll in The Hay" while riding in the back of a hay wagon with Dr. Frankenstein. Frankenstein and Igor sing "Join the Family Business." Frau Blucher sings the innuendo-laden "He Vas My Boyfriend" about her affair with grandfather Frankenstein. Elizabeth sings "Deep Love" about...well...the Monster's enormous schwanstuker.

The Monster sings "Puttin' On The Ritz" while wearing an enormous tuxedo and twirling a cane. The songs fit perfectly into each scene and, when combined with fun, over-the-top presentation and choreography, they had our audience laughing throughout and applauding each number enthusiastically.

The cast includes A.J. Holmes as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Rory Donovan as The Monster, Christopher Timson as Igor, Britt Hancock as Inspector Kemp/Blind Hermit, Lexie Dorsett as Elizabeth, Pat Sibley as Frau Blucher, and Elizabeth Pawlowski as Inga. I actually enjoyed this cast's take on the material just as much as I enjoyed the cast from the classic movie.

What happens when you take a dash of Robert Downey, Jr.'s good looks and add a touch of the lovable lunacy of Gene Wilder? You get A.J. Holmes' riotous recipe for Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. Loved it!

Rory Donovan somehow made the Frankenstein monster so likeable that the women behind me kept exclaiming, "Aw! He's so cute!"

Pat Sibley's portrayal of Frau Blucher was both frightful and delightful.

Christopher Timson's dancing and singing Igor was downright hilarious and an obvious highlight of the show.

Pawlowski and Dorsett showed off their impressive pipes on their vocals and just the right touch on their comedy lines.

And when Britt Hancock's Inspector Kemp asked Brett Figel's Village Idiot Ziggy what the town needed most and Ziggy replied "A gay bar?" the audience howled in laughter and actually cheered.


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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - review

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

by Steven Skelley

(This review first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/ )

Even 50 years after it debuted on Broadway in 1962, the irreverent and bawdy humor of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" stands the test of time and fills theaters with roars of laughter. The Titusville Theater production of the Tony Award winning, Stephen Sondheim classic hits all the right notes in this legendary musical farce.

The storyline follows the misadventures of a Roman slave named Pseudolus who connives to win his freedom by helping the son (Hero) of his master (Senex) gain the love of a virginal courtesan named Philia. The plan is complicated by the fact that Philia has already been sold to Captain Gloriosus, a deadly soldier who unsheaths his sword at the slightest provocation.

As if that isn’t enough of a recipe for comedy, the house of Senex is located directly between the house of Erronius and the house of Lycus.

Erronius is an elderly man who is still searching for his children who were stolen by pirates years ago. Charlie Sullivan plays Erronius with a hilarious, few-fries-short-of-a-happy-meal senility angle. He is not even surprised when the pirates who took his children appear on stage. Two of them are seamen pirates and the third is a baseball cap wearing, baseball bat carrying Pittsburgh Pirate. (You should be beginning to see the silliness of the script by now).

Senex’s other neighbor Lycus, portrayed with just the right comedic touch by retired NASA Program Manager Jim Ball, is a buyer and seller of beautiful courtesans. His stable of available women for sale includes 1) two mirror image young ladies known as The Geminae 2) an erotic belly dancer named Tintinabula 3) a growling, untamed lioness of a woman named Vibrata 4) a leather clad, whip carrying dominatrix named Gymnasia and 5) the virgin Philia who, of course, has been purchased by Captain Gloriosus but has captured the heart of young Hero.

Hero’s father Senex is portrayed deftly by Broadway veteran Patrick Ryan Sullivan. Senex is unfortunately married to Domina, a manipulative and overbearing loudmouth played to frightening perfection by Mindy Ward. With a marital set-up this good, you know something interesting is in store. We soon learn that Senex has fallen head over heels in lust for Philia, the girl his own son is in love with. Domina, suspecting her husband of infidelity, throws herself repeatedly and unsuccessfully at Captain Gloriosus who has come to collect Philia whom he has purchased from Lycus and who is now the object of both Hero’s and Senex’s affections!

As Pseudolus weaves an impromptu web of comedic efforts to gain his freedom, he draws in his boss and the chief of the household slaves named Hysterium. Hysterium soon finds himself manipulated into the scheme, mixing knock-out potions, and dressing in drag pretending to be Philia. When Jesse Huffman who portrays Hysteria squeezes his giant linebacker’s body into a courtesan’s gown and blonde wig, he is more reminiscent of Bea Arthur than beautiful, young Philia - and that is part of his charm.

There are songs, jokes, and Three Stooges type chase scenes throughout the entertaining performance. In the end, when Captain Gloriosus finally collects Philia, he is disappointed to learn that they are really brother and sister - the senile Erronius’s children who had been kidnapped by pirates in their childhood. This nullifies Gloriosus’ purchase of Philia and allows her to marry the young lovestruck Hero.

For me, the highlight of the production was the performance of Steven J. Heron. From the opening tune "A Comedy Tonight," to the closing curtain, he commanded the stage in both song and slapstick humor. At one point he even improvised current pop culture by dropping to one knee in a Tebow pose which brought a big laugh from the approving Florida audience.

"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" runs through March 11 at the Emma Parrish Theater/Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville. For info or tickets call 321-268-3711 or visit http://titusvilleplayhouse.com

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

TITANIC: THE MUSICAL - review

Titanic: The Musical

by Steven  Skelley

(This review first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/)

The sinking of the "unsinkable" RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage on April 15, 1912, and the tragic death of more than 1,500 of her passengers in freezing North Atlantic waters has captivated humanity for the last 100 years.

The heartbreaking stories and intriguing myths dominated worldwide headlines at the time, spawned the 1958 classic film "A Night To Remember," inspired one of the most successful movies of all time: James Cameron’s "Titanic," launched multiple Titanic museums around the world, and led to a Broadway play that earned five Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, which opened just 12 years after the Titanic disaster, is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the disaster, "in loving memory of those who were on this voyage 100 years ago, on April 15 1912." Their production of "Titanic: The Musical," with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, opened on April 6, 2012.

"Titanic: The Musical" is set between April 10-15, 1912. The production opens with scenes set in Southampton, England, prior to departure. The ship’s designer sings that she is a modern wonder accomplished in a new technological age with limitless possibilities.

Passengers of all social and economic levels are introduced to share what this voyage means to them. For the First Class wealthy, it is simply a chance to prove their place as the best-of-the-best. For the Second Class, it is an opportunity to move another rung up the social ladder. For the working class (Third Class) passengers, it is a desperate hope that they might find a new and better life in the mysterious new world across the daunting expanse of the Atlantic ocean.

We are soon introduced to the uneasy relationship that exists between the ship’s designer, Thomas Andrews, the owner, Bruce Ismay, and the Captain, Captain E.J. Smith.

Andrews wants nothing more than a smooth, safe maiden voyage for his already-famous but untried creation. Ismay demands speed at the expense of safety. Captain Smith knows what is best for the safety of the ship and passengers but does not have the backbone to stand up to Ismay.

We also learn more details about the passengers. The RMS Titanic carried some of the wealthiest people on the planet, including Isador and Ida Strauss, who owned Macy’s department store.

Donald Cross, who portrayed Isador Straus, got one of the biggest laughs of the evening with the line, "I’m thinking of running for Congress again. I enjoyed it and you don’t have to know anything!"

Cass Stark portrayed Ida Strauss. Her perfectly crafted take on Ida’s eternal devotion to her husband and her sacrificial proclamation, "Where you go, I go!" is one of the most touching of the entire production.

Third Class passengers include three Kates -- one of whom carries an illegitimate child. Margaret Cross, Catherine Moubray, and Amy Montecalvo all do a good job of bringing the desperate hope of these poor women to life.

How do you lighten one of the most tragic events of the twentieth century? Caroline Hinton’s Alice Bean brought much-needed comic relief to the impending tragedy that was always lurking in the back of my mind. Hinton has excellent timing and delivery. She delivered the best comedy lines in the show.

Alan LaDuke portrayed Edgar Beane, Alice’s exasperated husband. He was the perfect straight man for Hinton’s Lucille Ball-like antics. The two are quite a team and an excellent find for the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.

When the ship finally collides with the immense and avoidable iceberg, as we all knew it would, each of the characters reacts in accordance with his or her personality: Designer Andrews and Captain Smith see the errors of their ways that led to the disaster, the arrogant Ismay deflects the blame to others rather than facing his part in bringing about this horror, and the Strauss couple shows that tragedy can bring out the best in human character.

The Broadway production had well-known prop and scene challenges. The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse "Titanic" sets and props flowed amazingly well considering how often they rose to the fly loft or were pulled to the wings.

There was one instance when a descending wall seemed to strike an actor, but the stage was dark at the time and it may have been largely unnoticed. All in all, kudos to the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse stage crew on a successful execution of a difficult task.

Executive Director Anastacia Hawkins-Smith gave an energetic welcome and introduction to a packed, adoring audience.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

PSYCHO BEACH PARTY - review

Psycho Beach Party

by Steven  Skelley

(This article first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/)

What happens when you take the silliness of a Gidget beach movie and mix in a healthy dose of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" erotic insanity? You’d get the Emma’s Attic Titusville Playhouse production of the Charles Busch indie classic "Psycho Beach Party."

For those unfamiliar with Charles Busch, he is the author of many Off-Broadway productions including "Psycho Beach Party" and "Vampire Lesbians of Sodom," which ran for five years in New York and became one of the longest running plays in Off-Broadway history. Both plays were made into movies.

"Psycho Beach Party" is the story of little Chicklet Forrest, portrayed in drag at Emma’s Attic by Walter LeBlanc. Chicklet is a Gidget-like character straight out of the 1960s beach themed B-movies. She is a late blooming, wide-eyed innocent trying to fit in with the cool girls and the hot surfer dudes that populate her favorite beach hangout.

But, in a reality only Charles Busch could create, Chicklet is also a schizophrenic who spontaneously morphs into 1) a sassy African American store cashier 2) a male model 3) a talk show hostess and 4) Ann Bowman -- a sex crazed dominatrix who has a plan to rule the world.

If that isn’t enough of a twist, Chicklet may be a serial killer who shaves the pubic hair off her victims when she kills them. Walter LeBlanc’s drag Chicklet is the comedic highlight of the show.

In one scene, she beats Chicklet with a "pecker belt" -- more commonly known to those outside the Charles Busch universe as a jock strap. Christina Robinson, recently retired from Astronaut High School, is a scene-stealing genius as Mrs. Forrest: the mother-from-hell.

Chris Ivers portrays the cool-cat surfer Star Cat, who just happens to be earning a degree in psychiatry. This is a quite a coincidence and asset when one of your best pals may be a schizophrenic serial killer. Ivers delivered one of the most shocking and laugh inducing lines in the play when sharing some very intimate details of his favorite lovemaking memories.

Lauren Purdy portrays Chicklet’s best friend Berdine with spunk and a nerdy likeability. She is new to Titusville Playhouse but if this performance is any indication she is a great find.

Other performances include David Dick as surfing legend and sometime ladies lingerie wearer Kanaka; Sarah Wollett as B-movie actress Bettin; Leigh Taylor as Chicklet’s other pal Dee Dee; Katie Dudgeon as Marvel Ann the pubicly-shaved surviving victim of the slasher; Christopher Cerimele as the blonde, pony-tailed surfer Provoloney; and Christopher Laney as the soon-to-be-gay surfer Yo Yo.

The play has everything, including a gay civil rights monologue with the cast humming choir-like in the background. But Director Nancy Wolford warns everyone not to take the show’s subject matter too seriously. "I hope you didn’t come for anything serious, because it is not. It is a lot of silly fun."

"Psycho Beach Party" runs through February 11 at the Emma Parrish Theater/Emma’s Attic in the Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville. For info or tickets call 321-268-3711 or visithttp://titusvilleplayhouse.com

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

CABARET - the relevent classic is back

Cabaret

by Steven  Skelley

(This article first appeared in EDGE MAGAZINE, www.EdgeOnTheNet.com)

As current news is dominated with daily headlines of religious and political forces demanding laws that restrict the basic civil liberties and equal rights of certain citizens, I can think of no modern theatrical production more relevent today than the groundbreaking and heartbreaking classic called"Cabaret."

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse has bravely stepped into the firing line and created an excellent production that can’t help but share the message that everyone deserves individuality and dignity and when we don’t stand up for freedom, society will surely suffer.

Executive Director Dr. Anastacia Hawkins-Smith said, "’Cabaret’ is a very adult production. The theme of ’Cabaret’ reminds us of the terrible things that happened to the Jewish people and homosexual people during that time period."

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse production of "Cabaret" was one of the most inspiring and touching shows I have seen in a long, long time.

"Cabaret" debuted on Broadway in 1966, winning multiple Tony Awards including Best Musical. The 1972 movie of "Cabaret" earned eight Academy Awards.

"Cabaret" is set just as the Nazis are gaining power in Germany prior to World War II. The storyline centers around a group of eclectic characters at the Kit Kat Klub and Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house. For many, life is a cabaret! They live for the day and turn a blind eye to the rising Nazi menace growing all around them. As the play progresses, they will no longer have that luxury.

The show opens with Benjamin Cox performing the Emcee’s song and dance "Willkommen." Cox and ensemble clearly set the tone and warned the audience that the production would be both risqué and filled with tongue-in-cheek humor.

Benjamin Cox shined as the Emcee. His jet-black wig and dark eyeliner gave him a stunningly provocative handsomeness reminiscent of a young Rob Lowe.

As the Emcee introduces us to the Kit Kat Klub performers, we meet several gender-bending characters. Just moments into the opening act, we meet lesbians Rosie and Lulu as well as a dancer described as a "cunning linguist." We also meet several Kit Kat "boys" who may be homosexual or bisexual.

Jonathan Goforth portrays Clifford Bradshaw -- an American writer traveling through Berlin who tragically falls in love with Kit Kat Klub performer Sally Bowles.

Lisa-Marie Rhodes portrayal of Bowles gave the audience insight into a character who is willfully ignorant and unwilling to face anything unpleasant in life. She abandons Bradshaw, who wants nothing more than to love her.

Benjamin Cox shined as the Emcee. His jet-black wig and dark eyeliner gave him a stunningly provocative handsomeness reminiscent of a young Rob Lowe.

She aborts their unborn child that offered her hope for the future. She turns a blind eye to the growing Nazi menace around her. Rhodes’ vocal performance of the title song "Cabaret" was intensely emotional and one of her best scenes in the production.

Judy Edwards portrays Fräulein Schneider, an elderly widow who runs a boarding house in which several of the characters live. She is being wooed by an elderly widower, Herr Schultz.

Brian Smith portrays Herr Schultz, an elderly widower and fruit shop owner who falls in love with Fraulein Schneider. Unfortunately, their love is doomed as the Nazis begin to terrorize him because of his Jewish heritage.

As hush came over the audience as Judy Edwards’ Fraulein Schneider sang the haunting "What would you do?" about whether to take a chance on love with the Jewish Herr Schultz. The song’s theme seems especially fitting today.

Do you stand up for the rights and basic human dignity of a society’s scapegoats and suffer possible retribution and hardship yourself or do you pretend not to see and allow others to be abused and discriminated against? Fraulein Schneider chooses the latter and throws away the love of her life in order to fit in with her Nazi neighbors and friends. We all know how that ended.

But Fraulein Schneider does not deserve all the blame for their situation. Sadly, Herr Shchultz states "What is it to us after all? It’s just politics," as he refuses to admit to himself that the growing political party’s bigotry will soon mean his death.

Larwence M. Mazza portrays the completely detestable Ernst Ludwig -- a Nazi who torments and abuses everyone who he deems inferior or who disagrees with his politics. He tries to lure American Clifford Bradshaw into his web. When Bradshaw fights back, Ludwig has Bradshaw severely beaten by Nazi thugs.

Lindsey Miner portrays Fräulein Kost, a prostitute who rents a room in Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house and reveals herself to be a vindictive opportunist willing to step on anyone to move herself ahead. She betrays the Jewish Herr Schultz to the Nazis.

The closing moments of the show are some of the most shocking in modern theater history. Benjamin Cox was magnificent as the tear-stained Emcee who faced the audience to cast off his black wig to reveal the shaven head of an abused prisoner. He then cast off his coat to reveal a concentration camp prisoner’s uniform adorned with a yellow star patch and a pink triangle patch identifying his "crimes" of being both a Jew and a homosexual.

Tears and makeup streamed down Cox’s face as drums began an execution drum roll and the stage lights dropped to black at the sound of gunfire.

The audience responded with a standing ovation.

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.

Key West’s Miss Firecracker Pageant Raises $6,500 for AIDS Help by Steven Skelley

Key West’s Miss Firecracker Pageant Raises $6,500 for AIDS Help

by Steven  Skelley

(as published in EDGE Magazine at http://www.edgeonthenet.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=local&sc2=features&sc3=&id=134878 )

With drag artists galore, the 2012 Miss Firecracker Pageant in Key West proved once again that under those campy outfits beat hearts of gold that want nothing more than to see a cure for everyone suffering from HIV/AIDS. This year, the pageant raised $6,489 for AIDS Help.

"It’s a great amount of money and it was a lot of fun. We like to do it for the community, and they always respond very generously to us," said Joe Pais, executive director of AIDS Help.

The 2012 Miss Firecracker Pageant was held in La Te Da’s upstairs Crystal Room on Duval Street, produced by Smyrna Emphezema, and hosted by Just Whitney and Mark Watson. In addition to a special 10th anniversary tribute to former Miss Firecracker, Kitty Kazwell, the event featured a special performance from reigning queen Connie Madison.

By the end of the evening, drag performer Deja was crowned the winner of the 2012 Miss Firecracker Pageant. She wowed the audience with a song and dance routine of "He Lives In You" from "The Lion King."

Miss Congeniality was awarded to Sandy Bottoms. Other highlights at the sold-out event was a knockout performance by Ft. Lauderdale’s Crystal Chandalier, dance moves by Formica Dinette, and a hot salsa beat courtesy of Brown Sugar.

Since 1994, the Miss Firecracker Pageant has been an annual Key West fundraising gala for AIDS Help, a nonprofit HIV/AIDS Service organization that has been serving Key West and the Florida Keys since 1986. AIDS Help provides case-managed health care, affordable housing and housing assistance, food, counseling, referral and support services for HIV-infected residents of the Florida Keys.

Deja is crowned Miss Firecracker 2012  (Source:AIDS Help)

"The agency was established during the real crisis concerning AIDS, and since that time we’ve been out front in the community raising money to keep our doors open," said Pais. "We have 326 clients, and our fundraising base is very limited, because there are no big businesses or foundations on this little island, 90 miles from Cuba. We rely on the citizens of Key West to help us out, and to help their friends and neighbors with HIV."

Pais said that AIDS Help holds a number of fundraisers throughout the year, which the community generously supports.

"When you take the total for the whole community, we are raising 19 cents per capita in the city, which is a pretty good amount of money. I’m proud to say that’s probably a record for people of the U.S.; for any one community it is usually less than a penny per capita," said Pais. "Our community base is 25,500 people. They come out and support us, and we love them for it."

The pageant featured a Silent Auction fundraiser which included Anne Koplik jewelry identical to that worn on "Dancing With The Stars"; a ruby-and-diamond earring, a Pacific Jewelry pendant and bracelet set with a retail value of $750, a Pottery By Grace ceramic piece, a homemade Queen-size quilt by Reston VA artisan Cecile Kohrs-Lindell with a retail value $1,300, an original 18 x 36 artwork called "Portia" by Joy Gallery and artist Steve Tracey with a retail value of $1,800, three matted photos by CJ Groth, and a Melanie Griffith print.

The festivities also included the presentation of the Ronda Riviera Humanitarian award. The award was named after the late Ron Wright (2001 Miss Firecracker). The 2012 Ronda Riviera Humanitarian of the Year Award was presented to Nancy Mayhew.

AIDS Help Educator Rodney Ross said that AIDS Help tries to be realistic in surpassing each year’s goals but also sensitive to the fact that Key West is a small community that can suffer from fundraiser fatigue.

"As federal, state and county dollars continue to dwindle, we rely more and more on fundraisers to fill the gap," said Ross. "Our goal and mission at AIDS Help is to continue to provide clients living with HIV/AIDS access to medical and pharmaceutical care, housing, nutrition and a life without stigma."

"The Miss Firecracker Pageant has raised over $9,000 to date with AIDS Help as its main recipient," added Terry Paulson of the AIDS Help fundraising committee.

All funds raised by AIDS Help in Monroe County stay in Monroe County. The AIDS Help website lists a variety of fundraising campaigns in addition to the Miss Firecracker Pageant including the King and Queen of Fantasy Fest, Taste of Key West, The Vintners’ Dinner, The SMART Ride, Annual Art Auction, Antonia’s Angel Dinner, Michaels’ Red Ribbon Affair, Café Solé Brunch, Tree of Hope, Share the Wreath, The Royal Tea, The Red Ribbon Bed Race, Miss Closet Ball, Miss Firecracker, Bottlecap Fundraiser, Blue Party at Sheraton Suites, Royal Order of Queens & Kings Ball and Monte Carlo Night.

To assist those with HIV/AIDS, AIDS Help partnered with the City of Key West and the Key West Housing Authority in the construction of 50 units of affordable housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. The city transferred ownership of 1.25 acres of land at Poinciana Plaza to the Key West Housing Authority. That land was then leased by AHI.

With a structured lease AHI was able to enter into a Tax Credit relationship through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), which funded the construction of the Poinciana Royale housing complex of up to 50 independent living units.

AIDS Help is located at 1434 Kennedy Drive, Key West, FL 33040. For more info call 305-296-6196 or visit www.aidshelp.cc/index.html

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Steven Skelley is a published author of several nonfiction works and the novella The Gargoyle Scrolls. He has been a newspaper columnist, travel writer, news writer, ordained minister, music director, creative arts director, theater reviewer and tennis instructor.