"A fantastic and funny insider's look at the New York theater scene." --Barry Z, "BarryZShow.com"
This musical just had its world-premiere engagement at the Kaufman Theater/The Algonquin Theater Group, 123 E. 24th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues), NYC.
"I hated to see 'Theater Boys' end.... The crowds were ecstatic." -- Joe Franklin, WBBR/Bloomberg Radio
"'Theater Boys' is the most entertaining gay musical in years.... It's a good show...that will work for most anyone, gay or straight.... Deffaa not only knows how to entertain an audience...he also knows how to move an audience... Deffaa writes of first love with poignance, grace, and honesty.... There is so much that is perfectly right with this show, in terms of both material and cast, and moments of real magic, that 'Theater Boys' seems certain to have a future life." --Rob Adams, www.Stage-Space.biz
"A cheeky musical comedy... The loose plot revolves around the Director, who has lured country bumpkin Kipp back to his apartment for an 'audition' on his first day in New York City. The director attempts to sly talk Kipp out of his clothes, but the boy's naivete protects him from carnal knowledge.... "
-- Back Stage
"A spoof of theater and its wannabe participants.... Songs are often entertaining and skillful. Laughs are mostly rooted in the wide-eyed naiveté of one small town young man and a former child star, both auditioning for a new gay show. Act Two is a revelation: flashbacks show two main characters as teens coming to terms with being gay, each with a first love. Suddenly more serious and tender, there’s also warm coming-of-age humor. The acting here is thoughtful and moving.... Silliness and spunk return for the finale."
--Rob Lester, "Cabaret Scenes" magazine
"Their world is a silly one, made interesting by an enthusiastic cast, a lively score..."
Robert Weinstein, www.NYTheatre.com
Written and co-directed by Chip Deffaa, "THEATER BOYS" features:
Tyler Watkins, Tyler Etheridge, Danny Kingston, John Kultgen, Michael Montalbano, David Cronin, Eric Stevens, Chris Scocca, and Jacob Burlas.
Co-Director/Choreographer: Gregorey Garrison Music Director: Brett Kristofferson
Lighting Designer: Joyce Liao Production Assistant: Keith Anderson Additional choreography by Tyler Watkins
The opening engagement was well-received. The entire cast made appearances on Joey Reynolds' nationally syndicated radio show, and on "The Barry Z Show" on television. We're looking forward to other productions.
Tyler Watkins, Danny Kingston
Eric Stevens, David Cronin
"The first half, at its best, is playful--a breezy comedy about guys auditioning for a gay musical, enlivened by some catchy vaudeville-style songs. And writer/director Chip Deffaa, who has created the book, music, and lyrics, knows how to make an audience smile, and laugh, and pat its feet. He can concoct a spirited nonsense song about a town called Chilliwack that somehow gets inside of you and won't let go.... But the show really hits its stride in the second act. Here, Deffaa is aiming for something a bit deeper, more ambitious, more heartfelt. He offers two long flashback scenes, in which the show's two main characters recall their first loves. And now the writing becomes subtler, more nuanced, more true to life." --Rob Adams, www.Stage-Space.biz
Tyler Etheridge, Tyler Watkins
Cast-members performed a number from "Theater Boys" at the Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble book store, and co-hosted film openings (with Barry Z) at Chelsea Cinema.
"Theater Boys" mixes high spirited comedy...
...with the tenderness of youthful romance.
Eric Stevens, David Cronin
"Two remarkable younger actors impress mightily: Eric Stevens (teen Chris) has good comic timing and fresh, natural energy. As the object of his affections, the elusive and eccentric Nathan (David Cronin) creates a unique, quixotic character." --Rob Lester, Cabaret Scenes magazine
BREAKING NEWS!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ERIC STEVENS AND DAVID CRONIN, WHO HAVE--IN A TIE VOTE--WON THE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN THE ENTIRE FESTIVAL. THE FESTIVAL'S "AWARD OF DISTINCTION" (CHOSEN BY A COMBINATION OF AUDIENCE VOTES AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS' SELECTION) WILL OFFICIALLY BE PRESENTED TO THEM AT THE ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY, BEING HELD THIS YEAR ON APRIL 21, 2009, AT THE REPRISE ROOM/DILLON'S LOUNGE, 245 W. 54TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY.
THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS ALL THE MORE IMPRESSIVE BECAUSE THEY WERE THE YOUNGEST ACTORS IN THE FESTIVAL!
Tyler Watkins, Danny Kingston
Different reviewers singled out different actors for praise. Reviewer Rob Lester, in "Cabaret Scenes" magazines, found the acting of Tyler Watklins and Danny Kingston particularly "moving," with Watkins "playing well off a convincing Danny Kingston, both skillfully portraying tentative expressions of attraction and friendship."
"Standout performers include Tyler Watkins (playing the naive, open-hearted protagonist Kipp, fresh off the bus, with dreams of becoming an actor, and some wonderfully choice Liza-like moves), Danny Kingston (playing his first love, a 'bad boy' teenager named Reese Brock). Both possess great likeability; Kingston has lots of warmth. And they get to sing--quite appealingly--one of the show's best songs, 'Crater Lake Blues.' Tyler Etheridge carries off effectively the role of the con-man director trying to seduce Kipp, and gets to put across with zest a near-definitive ode to the theater; it really needs to be recorded... John Kultgen has fun as a love-besotted figure skater."
--Rob Adams, "Stage-Space.biz"
For reviewer Jerry Portwood of "Back Stage," Danny Kingston was the "standout of the cast, evoking a sincere youthful exuberance that could have sustained an entire production of its own."
Danny Kingston
From left to right: (back row) Brett Kristofferson, Eric Stevens, Tyler Etheridge, Danny Kingston, David Cronin, Chip Deffaa; (middle row) John Kultgen, Chris Scocca, Michael Montalbano; (in front) Tyler Watkins.
We're delighted to have Brett Kristofferson serve as music director for this project.
Eric Stevens and David Cronin, rehearsing "Tell Me Why" with Brett Kristofferson.
Tyler Watkins and Tyler Etheridge
Eric Stevens, Brett Kristofferson, David Cronin
Danny Kingston and Tyler Watkins work on a song with Richard Danley (filling in as a rehearsal pianist).
"Music director Brett Kristofferson provides engagingly honky-tonk-type piano accompaniment." --Rob Adams, www.Stage-Space.biz
Danny Kingston, Michael Montalbano, Tyler Watkins
Theater Boys, we salute you!
In their dressing room, before a performance, from left to right (in front): Eric Stevens, Danny Kingston, Michael Montalbano
Script and demo CD available...
Jacob Burlas, Tyler Etheridge
For more information, please contact Chip Deffaa at Chip Deffaa Productions LLC, tel.: (973) 684-3340, Email: OriginalCast1@aol.com.
Or contact Peter Sawyer, President of the Fifi Oscard Agency, tel.: (212) 764-1100, Email: psawyer@fifioscard.com.
The show premiered as part of the Sixth Annual Fresh Fruit Festival (Carol Polcovar, artistic director; Louis Lopardi, technical director). Watch this space! More details coming soon.
Danny Kingston, Tyler Watkins
Michael Montalbano (standing), Chris Scocca
Jacob Burlas, John Kultgen, David Cronin
(Our thanks to the great Howard Cruse for creating the "Theater Boys" logo.)
The producers wish to acknowledge the assistance of Tyler Patterson and Corey M. Smathers. This production is dedicated to the memory of B. S. Wade.
For more information on "Theater Boys," contact: Chip Deffaa Prods. LLC 50 Quartz Lane Paterson, NJ 07501-3345 tel. (973) 684-3340 Email:
