Back to the '90s: Nora Burns Brings 'Candied Camera' to La Mama!

Nora Burns, of "David's Friend" and Unitard fame, is back with an outrageous stage version of her '90s cable-access show that was enjoyed by "dozens"! Read the release and get tickets BELOW.

Celebrate Pride With 'The Village! A Disco Daydream'

I can't think of a more fun way to kick off the LGBT season than seeing Nora Burns's "The Village! A Disco Daydream"! Tickets HERE.

'The Village': Love Is in the Air at Dixon Place

Damian and I had a hoot along with our friend Chad seeing a matinee of Nora Burns's "The Village: A Disco Daydream" yesterday at Dixon Place. Loosely based on Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," the show features a talented crew who take us on a comical and at times poignant trip through New York City 1979 to challenge our thoughts on nostalgia, revisionist history and living in the moment. That the script is stacked with hilarious zingers -- and a few of the boys are stacked, as well -- along with a goosebump-generating soundtrack make for a silly romp of a good time.

The show has a handful of remaining performances, including tonight.

Check for tickets now HERE.

'The Village! A Disco Daydream' Returns to Dixon Place

I was bummed that I missed the lovely and talented Nora Burns's latest show while we were away in Scandinavia. (Her comedy troupe Unitard made me cry laughing, and her one-woman show "David's Friend" had me crying the other kind of tears.) Now I'm thrilled to see I have a second chance!

Set in New York City in 1979, "The Village!" is loosely based on "Our Town" -- if Thornton Wilder had lived on Christopher Street. A colorful collage of characters drink, drug, dream, and dish about love, life, death and taxis, and, of course, break out into disco dance numbers. The show is a valentine to fashion, fantasy, fun, New York City and Donna Summer.

The encore engagement will be performed starting on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and running through Friday, Feb. 24. A meta musical comedy filled with high jinks, low kinks, and go-go boys, the show features a cast of 10 diverse actors and dancers. "The Village!" is written by Nora Burns ("David’s Friend," Unitard) and directed by Adam Pivirotto ("Shondaland"), with choreography by Robin Carrigan (Trick). Tickets cost $20-$28, and are available HERE.

‘David’s Friend' Nora Returns to Los Angeles

I concur ...

Remains of the Day (07/16)

Boy Culture: Win a "Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood" prize pack

Dlisted: Closet Republican Elon Musk called a Thai cave rescuer a pedophile

Towleroad: Trump supporters pickets neighbor's house: "A gay Asian with AIDS who hates American lives here"

The New York Times: He preyed on men who wanted to be priests -- then he became a cardinal

The Hill: Trump, at Putin’s side, questions U.S. intelligence on 2016 election

NBCNews: Obama visits Kenya, launches youth center founded by half sister

Decider: Don't miss the wonderful documentary on Hulu about the Slits, the original all-female punk band

AmericaBlog: Randy Rainbow takes on the "very stable genius"

Baseline: Lots of fun photos from the Wimbledon Champions Ball

Back2Stonewall: Princes Charles and William both refused to meet Donald Trump

Daily Intel: White House is reportedly pursuing direct talks with Taliban

Deep Dish: He's what I call a bear essential

Gothamist: Watch as Sascha Baron Cohen gets congressman to endorse arming 4-year-olds with guns

Gr8er Days: Roger Perry, TV veteran and husband of Joyce Bulifant, dies at 85

Matthew's Island of Misfit Toys: The temperature is right for one of these Speedo-clad pool boys

JoeMyGod: CVS fires homocon for calling 911 on black woman over coupon, Log Cabin terminates state chapter

NewNowNext: Original "Boys in the Band" star Laurence Luckinbill tells Michael Musto: "The new show has something we didn't have"

OMG Blog: YouTuber DaveyWavey has one hot ass

The WoW Report: Don't Miss Nora Burns's "New York Stories: Hot Child in the City Edition" tonight at the Stonewall Inn

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Hot Cat of the Day: I can totally relate to this -- so many of my friendships began with our hating each other!

Remains of the Day (05/11)

Los Angeles Times: "Love Boat" gets an honorary plaque on Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Randy Report: Anti-gay Austin bomber Mark Anthony Conditt was a Grindr user, but is it relevant to the case?

Towleroad: Family narrowly escapes being lunch for cheetahs at safari park (WATCH)

Politico: Showtime series captures The New York Times grappling with press-bashing and erratic presidency

Dlisted: Sex bomb Justin Theroux was granted a restraining order against his wacky neighbor

The Daily News: Move over, Bhagwan: Bronx "spiritual healer" threatened to kill men if they denied his sexual advances

Out: Muscle daddy Terry Miller stars in new Tom of Finland lookbook

The New York Times: When Tim Tebow comes to town

Boy Culture: Are you ready for a visual guide to the best butts of the 1990s?

GLAAD: The media watchdog's 2018 Pride magnet is available now!

The Washington Post: Online matchup leads to 65,000 text messages and a stalking charge

Back2Stonewall: Major cities across America reject hosting the next Republication National Convention

Blast: Redmond O'Neal charged with possessing heroin and meth

Matthew's Island of Misfit Toys: Nothing beats a hot man in blue jeans

Greg in Hollywood: Dominic Thiem beats Rafael Nadal in Madrid, snapping the Spaniard's 21-match win streak and putting Roger Federer back on top 

OMG Blog: Alessandro Borghi goes full-frontal in "Napoli Velata"

ET: Sharon Horgan finds comedy in the f**k-ups with "Motherland," "Divorce," and "Catastrophe"

Out: Peter Staley to pen queer-activist memoir we've been waiting for

The WoW Report: Zac Efron would like to do a sex scene with The Rock: "He's perfect"

Unitard: Tard Core -- Refreshed: The combined talents of Mike Albo, Nora Burns and David Ilku are returning to Joe's Pub with their wildest wittiest show to date

Remains of the Day (01/29)

Towleroad: An open letter to the CEO of Royal Caribbean on safety, negligence and drug use on Atlantis Cruises

Dlisted: Why Patti LuPone is the hot slut of the day

Baseline: The Top 10 moments at the Australian Open

Curbed: The best and worst months to sign a new lease in NYC

Bos Guy: This kilted man will make you support Scottish independence, all right

Page Six: Kate Winslet expresses regret for having worked with some (unnamed) powerful men, adds: "Those who do have a voice are becoming afraid to say anything, because of intense scrutiny and criticism"

JoeMyGod: Colorado's former GOP chairman sentenced for voter fraud after saying only Democrats commit voter fraud

OMG Blog: "Master Chef" contestant shows off his, um, wooden spoon

The Randy Report: Jeffrey Toobin apologizes for what virtually every mainstream journalist did wrong during the 2016 election

Savage Love: Help! My top boyfriend is now a bottom

Boy Culture: A grim update on Toronto's gay alleged serial killer

The New York Times: Secret memo hints at a new Republican target: Rod Rosenstein

Washington Blade: Sexy ginger Rep. Joe Kennedy to bring trans soldier to Donald's State of the Union

The Daily News: FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe stepping down

The WoW Report: Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty is getting Instagram all wet

Joe's Pub: Nora Burns's nostalgic and heartwarming/breaking show "David's Friend" returns to NYC on Feb. 15

The Gay Almanac: Happy birthday to Sara Gilbert

Tennis Life: So Grigor Dimitrov is blaming his loss on a bum shoulder?

NewNowNext: “Ex-gay” Mormon activist Josh Weed announces divorce from woman, apologizes to LGBT community

The New Yorker: "Fox & Friends" putting the finishing touches on Donald's State of the Union address

They Work 'Tard for the Funny

If you're in Los Angeles, do not miss Unitard at the Cavern Theater at Casita Del Campo restaurant in Silverlake, tomorrow through Sunday. Everyone agrees the comedy trio serves up the season's must-see show! Tickets available HERE.

“Brilliant.” -- New York Magazine 

“Critics’ pic!” -- The New Yorker 

"It's everything: off-the-charts funny, brilliant, edgy, scathing, out there. Unitard hits it hard!” -- Sandra Bernhard 

“I spit out my cocktail! One continual laugh from start to finish.” -- Jennifer Coolidge 

“Unitard are the GenX crazy talented cousins of the cool kids from SNL.” -- Parker Posey

 "Outrageous! I laughed so much and I'll be going back.” -- Debbie Harry 

"A riotously funny show, nonstop hilarity." -- Michael Musto, OUT Magazine 

"Made me howl with laughter!" -- Lady Bunny

Last Call for Unitard at Joe's Pub

Facebook invite HERE.

The comedy trio Unitard -- Nora Burns, David Ilku and Mike Albo -- will close out their residency at Joe's Pub on Wednesday (July 26) at 7 p.m., with the final performance of "Tard Core: There Are No Safe Words." The set is littered with all sorts of hilarious topical bits about politics, gender, glasses of wine that cost more than a bottle and the hyper-gentrification of the city. Read my review from May HERE -- the show's a riot! -- and buy tickets now HERE!

Unitard Returns to Joe's Pub on June 28

Mike Albo (front), David Ilku and Nora Burns

I caught the premiere performance of NYC comedy trio Unitard's residency at Joe's Pub -- Tard Core: There Are No Safe Words -- in May and strongly recommend you get your ass over to Joe's Pub for the June 28 followup. (Final performance on July 28.) The set is littered with all sorts of hilarious topical bits about politics, gender, glasses of wine that cost more than a bottle and the hyper-gentrification of the city. What makes Unitard's brand of humor so perfect is that they're just as willing to poke fun at blasé New Yorkers who swear the city was "so much better" when you had to risk being murdered every time you left the house to buy a quart of milk as they are people who moved here (because of "Sex and the City") and are willing to wait in line for four hours for a $22 cake pop. I'm a big fan of Mike Albo having seen his brilliant one-man shows "The Junket" and "Spermhood" and Nora Burns from her critically acclaimed (and heartrending) "David's Friend." But it's bonus 'tard David Ilku (a member of the Dueling Bankheads with whom I was not as familiar) who all but steals the show with his Home Shopping Network bit, which stings harder than a regrettable impulse purchase featuring Dr. Sebagh's patented melon extract you made at 3 in the morning after a bad breakup. 

Tickets HERE.

Unitard Returns to Joe's Pub on May 31

David Ilku, Nora Burns and Mike Albo

I caught the premiere performance of NYC comedy trio Unitard's residency at Joe's Pub -- Tard Core: There Are No Safe Words -- earlier this month and strongly suggest you head on over for the May 31 followup. (Additional performances on June 28 and July 26.) The set is littered with all sorts of hilarious topical bits about politics, gender, $12 avocado toast and the hyper-gentrification of the city. What makes their brand of humor so perfect is that they're just as willing to poke fun at blasé New Yorkers who swear the city was "so much better" when you had to risk being murdered every time you left the house to buy a quart of milk as they are people who moved here (because of "Sex and the City") and are willing to wait in line for four hours for [insert latest idiotic fad here]. I'm a big fan of Mike Albo having seen his brilliant one-man shows "The Junket" and "Spermhood" and Nora Burns from her critically acclaimed (and heartrending) "David's Friend." But it's bonus 'tard David Ilku (a member of the Dueling Bankheads with whom I was not as familiar) who steals the show with his Home Shopping Network bit, which stings harder than a regrettable impulse purchase featuring Dr. Sebagh's patented melon extract you made at 3 in the morning after a bad breakup. 

Tickets HERE.

Unitard Kicks Off Joe's Pub Residency on Wednesday

The comedy trio Unitard kicks off a four-week gig at Joe's Pub on Wednesday, guaranteed to be the antidote to these times that ail us. These "arbiters of biting bitchiness and snappy satire" were in rare form when I saw them at the Stonewall Inn in 2015, but promise even higher highs and lower lows as we cross the 100-day mark into "reality" government. Made up of the combined talents of Mike Albo (who had me in hysterics with "The Junket" and "Spermhood"), Nora Burns (fresh off her critically acclaimed run of her moving "David's Friend") and David Ilku (member of the Dueling Bankheads), you'd have to be the biggest stick in the mud to not have a fun time at this shindig. I'll be there opening night. Get your tickets HERE.

New York Stories 1979 Comes to the Stonewall Inn

Fresh off her acclaimed run of "David's Friend," Nora Burns returns to the Stonewall Inn tomorrow night for the latest installment of her New York Stories series, this time saying goodbye to the turbulent 1970s.

When We 'Danced in the Face of Death'

"David's Friend," Nora Burns's love letter to the late city of New York and her best pal she ran away from Massachusetts with who succumbs to AIDS, has been extended at The Theater at La Mama. The show is getting great reviews -- for those who lived through the plague it's a cathartic reminder how so many of us "danced in the face of death" -- including this rave from Boy Culture's Matthew Rettenmund. Read HERE.

It's a Rave for Nora Burns and 'David's Friend'

Had the pleasure of seeing Nora Burns's love letter to her fallen partner in crime, "David's Friend," at The Theater at La Mama on Friday night. The show delivered on all fronts -- it's funny, it's nostalgic, it's touching, it's poignant and it's smart.  

And the outing became even more New York-y when I realized we were sitting directly next to legendary photographer Patrick McMullan, who gets a titillating nod in the show!; Robin Byrd, who is so crazy tried to interact with Nora, as if they were having a conversation at lunch!; and New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood, who I couldn't stop looking at to try to gauge his reaction to the proceedings.

To the last point, it looked as if Isherwood was not impressed with what he was seeing -- so I was eagerly awaiting his writeupto see if the expression matched the review.Turns out he must suffer from an acute case of Resting Bitch Face, because he gave it an unmitigated rave, which you can read HERE.

The show has a very limited run, so get your tickets while you can HERE.

Cock Block: With Matt, Damian and Nora

As an added treat, we met and hung out with David's little brother, Matt, at the after-party at the Cock. He's an incredibly sweet and smart guy, who has his own sexy blog HERE.

For Nora Burns, 'David's Friend' Is a Moniker She Will Cherish Forever

(Marcus Alonso)

Nora Burns's autobiographical one-woman show, "David's Friend," kicks off its run at The Club at La Mama tomorrow night at 10 p.m.. My boyfriend, Damian, recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Nora to interview her for The Daily Beast about the friendship that inspired the work. Although I may not be impartial, it's an incredibly moving piece that beautifully chronicles the duo's salad days as New York City transplants in the late '70s and '80s that ended all too soon when her closest friend and partner in crime died of AIDS back in 1993. Read HERE. 

East Village days

Buy tickets HERE.

(Scott Ewalt)

David was sketched by Tom of Finland back in the day, an image of which is now included in a mural at the Cock on 2nd Avenue.

Lady Bunny remembers David ...

Nora Burns Brings 'David's Friend' to The Club at La Mama

Became a huge fan of Nora Burns after seeing her in Unitard's "House of Tards" and simply cannot wait to see her latest performance of "David's Friend," described as a fast-paced, multimedia celebration of friendship, fun, freaks, fag hags, youthful passion, change, memories, Manhattan and the power of a great dance song.

From a release:

Veterans of the East Village in the 1980s, a heady era, continue to tell their stories of a hellish yet halcyon time in their lives. Nora Burns, the veteran downtown performer, wrote and performs “David’s Friend.” It conjures the club scene of NYC in the 1980s, when Nora was a brazen fag hag in love with her gay friend, David. Yes, David met his end during the plague years, but this show is more of an irreverent celebration than a pious memorial -- it's a comic odyssey about love, loss, cruising, disco, drag queens, strippers, sex, AIDS and New York City. Told with music, videos, costumes, characters, tall tales and torrid truths, it's the story of a crazy friendship in a restless city during a reckless time. "David’s Friend” runs at The Club at La Mama Jan 27 to Feb 5. Tickets HERE.

I'll be there opening weekend -- hope to see you then!

(Photo by Jason Rodgers)