A dozen of the sexiest Broadway boys in New York City bared it all and raised temperatures to muy caliente on Cinco de Mayo weekend -- and the erotic show was all for an ambitious cause.
“Broadway Bares: Solo Strips” featured solo choreography and performances by 12 chiseled and talented Broadway dancers to a packed audience at New York's XL Nightclub near Times Square. Essentially, the performance was a 3D, live and interactive version of "Magic Mike," with themes spanning from the classic fleshy firefighter fantasy to pop culture invocations, such as that of a "Downton Abbey" footman who wanted a little more from his master.
The crowd mingled and enjoyed blown-up pictures of the characters on stage. And, with no introduction 23-year-old Matt Anctil opened the show with a bang.
Fast-forward two short minutes: Anctil was standing front and center with his bare bum to the audience.
Check out photos from the event below, then scroll down to keep reading:
“This is a chance to get to know the boys a little more intimately,” said “Broadway Bares” creator Jerry Mitchell, whose smash new musical “Kinky Boots” has earned him two Tony nominations.
Mitchell started “Broadway Bares” 23 years ago after losing seven of his college friends to AIDS, including his famous mentor Michael Bennett who choreographed “A Chorus Line” and “Dreamgirls.” As an artist and friend, Mitchell yearned for an event that would make people feel like they were giving to the cause -- and so with “Broadway Bares,” the show raises funds for critically needed services for performing artists and people dealing HIV/AIDS and HIV negative illnesses.
“This cause reaches everyone,” Anctil said. “And what better way than through your art and what you’re passionate about.”
Returning attendee Scott Brateng appreciated the passion and tenacity that Anctil and his 11 colleagues displayed. His highlight of the night was Patrick Boyd’s portrayal of a naughty newspaper boy (He also did a magic trick!)
Another favorite performer, judging by the crowd cheers and applause, was Peter Nelson (currently on Broadway’s “Cinderella”) who entered the stage in a suit and tie only to strip down to a self-described “leather aviator daddy” to the tunes of Kylie Minogue’s "Timebomb."
Everyone had one favorite performer -- or 12.
“Solo Strips” was actually a mere (strip)tease for the main event, “Broadway Bares: The United Strips of America,” which will showcase more than 200 Broadway dancers on June 23 at the Roseland Ballroom in an effort to raise more than $1 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Last year, that event raised more than $1.2 million which benefitted 450 AIDS and family service organizations in the U.S.
“The great thing about Broadway Cares and ‘Broadway Bares’ is these events are successful because we come together to celebrate the life that we’re living,” Mitchell said. “Not the unfortunate circumstances that we’re dealing with. As I like to say to all my dancers: live full out. That’s what it’s all about.”
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