Tag Archives: 1970s

Forgotten Gay Musicals: "Boy Meets Boy" ( 1975)

Forgotten Gay Musicals: “Boy Meets Boy” ( 1975) – READ Vito Russo’s Original Review

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Boy Meets Boy with music and lyrics by Bill Solly and book by Bill Solly and Donald Ward was a gay musical comedy that was originally produced at the Actor’s Playhouse in NYC in 1975 and recorded in 1978.

The musical itself visits a world of that in 1936, same-sex relationships are considered as normal as heterosexual ones. Set in London and Paris in 1936-1937, amid the controversy of King Edward’s abdication so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. The show is notable in that nowhere in it is homosexuality ever mentioned; the relationships
are simply taken for granted.

The PLOT: Famous reporter, Casey O’Brien, covering the story of the abdication of King Edward VIII. Soon, O’Brien learns about a preening groom, Clarence, who has been jilted at the altar by the mysterious ˜English Rose’. He becomes obsessed with finding this charming and good-looking English rose’ but ends up with a big surprise. The ˜English Rose’ is named Guy Rose “ a plain man with glasses. After a love triangle and various mistaken identities, Casey and Guy fall in love.

The original production at the Actor’s Playhouse in New York received admiring reviews.

In New York magazine, Alan Rich wrote that the play had “an uncommonly light and antic touch. The first of its kind that could happily play in an old ladies’ home in Dubuque…delightful”; while Robert Patrick said that “it rewrites the past and presents it just as entertainment, not in the Orwellian sense of trying to convince anyone the past was like that but saying that it ought to have been”. 

Rarely done today. (No matter how much I beg theatrical phenom David Drake to put it up in P’town) “Boy Meets Boy” is an unexpected gem of a gay musical that has languished in obscurity for far too long.

Unfortunately, no video clips are available of past productions. But you can listen to the entire score on YouTube below.

“Loves okay for a rainy day or to while away the blues. But when love gets serious. Fellas’s that’s bad news. There’s just too much to lose….”

You can read Vito Russo’s “Boy Meets Boy” 1975 after the break.

Continue reading Forgotten Gay Musicals: “Boy Meets Boy” ( 1975) – READ Vito Russo’s Original Review →
Gay History: Remembering NYC's "Ice Palace 57" Gay Disco (1977 - 1985)

Gay History: Remembering NYC’s “Ice Palace 57” Gay Disco (1977 – 1985)

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Not to be confused with Fire Island’s Ice Palace of course.

Ice Palace 57 was a gay discotheque located in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood that operated from 1977 to 1985. The club was a popular destination for the gay men in the community during a time when being openly gay was not widely accepted.

The club was founded by two brothers, Anthony and Michael Joffe, who were inspired by the disco movement that was sweeping the city in the late 1970s. They wanted to create a space that would be welcoming to gay men and allies, and they succeeded in doing so..

Located on West 57th Street in Manhattan, Ice Palace 57 faced many challenges during its eight-year run. The club was located in an area that was known for its high crime rate, and the owners had to take measures to ensure the safety of their patrons. They hired security guards and installed metal detectors at the entrance to the club. the club became a symbol of the city’s vibrant gay community and a safe haven for those who wanted to dance and express themselves freely.

The interior of Ice Palace 57 was designed to be a spectacle. The club’s interior was designed to resemble an ice palace, with walls made of white, glittering tiles and floors covered in white carpeting. The lighting was dim, with disco balls and strobe lights providing a pulsating and energetic atmosphere. The bar was located in the center of the club, with a large dance floor surrounding it. On either side of the dance floor were seating areas, where people could take a break from dancing and socialize with friends. The club’s sound system was state-of-the-art for the time, with speakers strategically placed throughout the room to create an immersive audio experience.

Ice Palace 57 was known for its music, which was a mix of disco, funk, and soul. The club had a roster of talented DJs who knew how to get the crowd moving. Some of the most famous DJs to play at Ice Palace 57 included Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, and David Morales.

One of the unique features of Ice Palace 57 was its drag shows. The club had a stage where drag queens would perform, entertaining the crowd with their outrageous costumes and over-the-top personalities. These shows were a major draw for the club, and many people came specifically to see the performers. Performers included: Lady Bunny, RuPaul, and Lypsinka. One of the most famous drag queens to perform at Ice Palace 57 was Divine, who went on to become a cult figure.

Ice Palace 57 also faced discrimination from the outside world. The club was frequently raided by the police, who would arrest patrons for “lewd conduct” or other offenses. The owners had to fight back against these attacks, hiring lawyers to defend their club and their patrons in court.

Ultimately, the club’s run came to an end in 1985, when Ice Palace 57 was forced to close due to financial difficulties as the AIDS crisis was began to take a more serious term. But its legacy lives on as a symbol of the gay community’s fight for acceptance, equality, and the right to be fabulous.

Do you have any memories of Ice Palace 57? If so post them in the comments and help keep gay history alive.