Life is fabulous
 

Playwright David Sexton puts a gay twist
on a holiday favorite

Friday, November 19, 2004

Tradition is part and parcel of the holiday season, and
perhaps nothing symbolizes that like the long list of holiday
shows made famous over the years: the Rudolph the red-nosed
reindeer TV special, ballet performances of “The Nutcracker,”
and the movie, “A Christmas Carol.”

For the past few years, a core of talent in South Beach has
taken the classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and given it a
gay twist. The continued success of the show is turning it into
a new holiday tradition for South Florida’s gay and lesbian
population.

This year, the show will be on stage at both the Byron
Carlyle Theater in Miami and the Broward Center in Fort
Lauderdale.

The outrageous and endearing musical follows the character of
Joe, who is finding writing and starring in a production of
“Randolph the Rainbow Reindeer” to be a trying experience.

With his gay nerves fried, the tensions and backstage
backstabbing cause Joe to wish he hadn’t been born gay.

When a debonair angel appears to show him how life would be
different had he been straight, he begins to appreciate the life
he has been given, with the help of a few muscle boys, drag
queens and zany elves.

“Last year was a lot of fun, but we were just beginning to
understand what was working and what wasn’t,” says David Sexton,
who wrote the show. “This year, almost every number in Act I is
reworked. There are a couple of new songs in the show. The cast
is very different as well.”

Especially elaborate this year, says Sexton, will be the
costumes that the character Carlo/Carlotta wears.

The scene-stealing role, he says, is going to be played this
year by Daisy Deadpetals, who makes a rare out-of-drag
appearance performing under his real name, Kenny Calabria.

Viewers who caught the show last year will remember a
poinsettia dress that garnered a lot of hoots from the crowd.

“It’s incredible how elaborate and beautiful they are,”
Sexton says. “Carlota is especially hilarious in a glamorous
Christmas tree gown. We’ve really taken all the costumes up a
notch.”

Sexton says the opportunity to take the show north to Fort
Lauderdale just fell into his lap.

Last year, a representative from the Broward Center came to
see the show and was impressed, and thought it would be a good
fit for the center’s off-Broadway series.

The Broward Center actually bought the show and made it part
of their sea

son. The financial security that entailed gave Sexton and
company more freedom and resources to put into the production,
he says.

By next season, Sexton hopes to a have a version of the show
playing in another large city outside Florida. A few New York
producers are coming down to see it, and investigate the
possibility of an off-Broadway run somewhere in New York next
year, he says.

Sexton studied theater in college. But after graduating
realized he was in it for the wrong reasons.

So he turned his attentions to being an aerobics instructor
and trainer. As the owner of Ironworks Gym in South Beach,
fitness still encompasses his life today.

He decided to move to Miami from his native Ohio for both the
better weather and a more cosmopolitan atmosphere.

It was more than ten years ago, and Sexton was visiting a
friend in Fort Lauderdale. During that trip, Sexton took a drive
to South Beach, and saw a Hasidic woman and a drag queen
standing next to each other on Lincoln Road.

He began comparing their wigs. He knew at that moment South
Beach was destined to become his new home.

After establishing his gym, Sexton turned again to his
passion: writing and creating stage works.

With the help of artistic denizens such as producer Richard
Jay-Alexander, promoter Edison Farrow and author David Leddick,
Sexton began penning plays.

Both Leddick and Farrow appeared in the first run of “It’s a
Fabulous Life’” and are also onboard this time around.

Also back onboard is director Robert Johanson, who has guided
such high-profile productions as “Wizard of Oz” at Madison
Square Garden with Roseanne, and “Follies” with Ann Miller.

“I’m a firm believer that you just pursue what you love and
things come to you,” Sexton says.

Andy Zeffer can be reached at

[email protected]