ANZALONE PLAYS to return to NYC TO HONOR STONEWALL 50

>BY SCOTT CALANDRO

Between June 20 and June 30 the 13th Street Repertory Theatre will present the return of two sexually charged plays in honor of Stonewall 50.

“Marvin’s Fetish,” a play by Sal Anzalone of Hell’s Kitchen, returns to New York City. The play is a psychological thriller reminiscent of “Death Trap” and “Sleuth.” It’s an astonishing tour de force that explores the fetishes of Marvin Casper, a screenwriter with specific demands and obsessions. Passion, lust, betrayal and intrigue permeate throughout.

Marvin’s desires are reignited when he’s reacquainted with his former high school classmate John Corelli. Corelli’s looks have held up magnificently—and Marvin is instantaneously smitten. He proceeds to entice Corelli and eventually propositions him. Unfortunately for Marvin, he tells Corelli about his screenplay that actress Glenn Close has offered to purchase and star in, which leads to a wicked web of deceit.

“Marvin’s Fetish” first attracted favorable attention in 2008 when it won the “Writer’s Digest” annual Play Competition.

Out of 1,700 play entries, it nabbed a respectable third place nationwide, as well as finalist in the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival. The play has been performed in Tel Aviv and Rome.

“Margo’s Consent,” also written by Anzalone, is a two-act play that has become an all-too-familiar occurrence in the entertainment industry. It concerns itself with Hunter Eastman, a destitute aspiring actor who is sexually propositioned by Payne Black, a wealthy, prominent, gay director. Hunter is compelled to ask his wife’s permission before accepting the proposition with the powerhouse director (picture a thinner and slimmer gay Harvey Weinstein). Thus begins negotiations with Hunter’s pregnant wife—who demands more money! “Margo’s Consent” made its debut at the historic (and most appropriate this year) Stonewall Bar in 2015 to a packed house.

Both sexually charged plays run between June 20 and June 30 at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre (June 20, 21 at 8 p.m.; June 22 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; June 23 at 4 p.m.; June 27, 28 at 8 p.m.; June 30 at 7 p.m.). The two plays are directed by Alan Baxter, whose credits include “Barriers,” “Shall We Have Magic?” and “Juan and Emmett.” Baxter seems to share Anzalone’s style of enticing both straight and gay audiences with provocative situations and ruthlessly obsessed characters who are forced to question their moral dilemmas.

The caliber of directing, writing and acting promises audiences riveting performances chock full of seductive plot twists (and surprise endings) that are a fitting tribute for the celebration of Stonewall 50!