The Gay Mafia : Nu-Queer Winter

The holiday season is over but I am happy to tell you that there is one more present that you need to give yourself and share with your friends. This would be the gift of laughter. The deliverer of this laughter is the comedy group known as "The Gay Mafia." The show that they are currently presenting is called, "Nu-Queer Winter!"

Los Angeles is filled with sketch comedy and improv groups that you could go and see. I have seen the majority of the "big name" improv/sketch groups and to tell you the truth they all just seem to blend together. They do the same thing show after show. That is why I have to tell you about The Gay Mafia. They dare to look at things from a fun and fresh point of view, not the same old beaten to death, please put me out of my misery, view.

The cast members currently consist of: Starr Ahrens, Alex Garner, Nancy Kissam, Mark Rakow, Mike Player, Allie Rivenbark, Kurt Hall and Diana Yanez.

All of the cast members have years of training in improvisation and many in serious acting. They all have years of experience performing in front of live audiences and the occasional dead ones. They may not do skits on shining shoes but they all have been polished. OK I should leave the jokes to The Gay Mafia.

When you see Starr Ahrens as "Titty Bear" you will never look at your teddy bear the same way again. Starr is fearless and would do anything to make an audience laugh.

Kurt Hall and Diana Yanez have just returned to The Gay Mafia after touring with Margaret Cho as her opening act for her show "The Sensuous Woman." This was a burlesque-style variety show. Kurt played a gay rapper known as "Lisp" and Diana was "Havana" and they were marvelous together. Check out "Funky Fag Hag" on YouTube or their Myspace pages.

In "Nu-Queer Winter" Lisp does rap and Diana Yanez does join him but this time they are joined by the multitalented Allie Rivenbark. They are Lisp and the HomosexuElves! They are worth the price of admission. I would get out to see them before someone gets smart and snatches them up to make them cast members of Saturday Night Live. Don't wait. Get out and see them!

Do not misunderstand me. The rest of the cast is very talented. Saturday Night Live just doesn't hire people old enough to remember when their show began or the whole cast could morph into a new SNL cast and probably do a funnier job than the current cast.

You will love to hate Mark Rakow as he plots to take his lover's daughter to the prom. I have yet to get Mike Player as a Hawaiian Drag Queen or Nancy Kissam as a cheery limbless woman out of my head. Alex Garner is perfect as the recurring "Boy Toy" in Sergio's place. Sergio's place is The Gay Mafia's ongoing soap opera.

To give this present to yourself and your friends call 323-634-2820 for reservations.
"The Gay Mafia: Nu-Queer Winter's" last shows are Wednesday's, January 9, 16 and 23^rd. They are at the Lounge Theatre in West Hollywood at 6201 Santa Monica Blvd. Admission is only $10.00 Go and pay your respects to The Gay Mafia. You will be glad you did!