Apparently, Broadway does go for boos and porn.
-- About a decade ago, adult entertainment performers Jessy Ares and Hans Berlin were doing a scene together and discovered a mutual interest — musical theater. Ares said he used a lot of his money to produce his own songs and music, and that he would perform in a jockstrap and sneakers—and sometimes even show his dick and have a hard-on. He sang songs like 'Pornstar' and 'Callboy Ahoy,'" wrote the NSFW website The Sword last year.
Something clicked with Berlin. "Jessy put that singing porn star/porn musical idea into my brain. So, I toyed around with that idea and I wrote down a treatment of the story, and it's based on my story—although yes, it's pretty clear that I wanted to make my protagonist younger," Berlin said.
Florian Klein (Berlin's alter-ego) decided to take the idea to the next level. He collaborated with composer Thomas Zaufke and lyricist Eric Ransom on a musical about his experiences in gay porn entitled "Shining Star." A year ago, their project got its first production at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre in Hollywood, where it had a limited, sold-out run. It was nominated for two Ovation Awards by the LA Stage Alliance.
This week Klein has partnered with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Pineapple Support to release a COVID-19 Relief Fundraising Medley music video on October 1st to raise funds for performers during the pandemic, writes The Sword.
The video will premiere on October 1 at 8:15 pm on YouTube. It features performers from the musical's NYC workshop and LA production, along with cameos from stars of RuPaul's Drag Race and the adult film industry. Amongst the cameos are award-winning NakedSword director mr. Pam, Jensen Clifford, Chris Crisco, Honey Davenport, Coco Peru, Alexa Poller, Misha Riley and Alaska Thunderf.
Also, the project features many well-known "Essensual Workers" from the industry, including Adam Ramzi, Brian Bonds, Luca D'Amore, Jay Alexander, Scott DeMarco, Jason Derek, Jason Domino, Element Eclipse, Ian Frost, Duncan Black, Jackson Hood, Nick Milani, Antonio Biaggi and Leya Tanit, reports The Sword.