Director Waters (no relation to Crystal or Ethel) is a great monologist who can beguile a crowd, generating spontaneous laughter and applause, simply by talking for a full 90 minutes followed by a generous Q & A.
He appeared in a fire-engine red suit, red sneakers, a white shirt and black tie to discuss his favorite obsessions: bouffants, bears (the gay kind), kinky sex, Baltimore, gay marriage, movies that are in exquisitely questionable taste (his own and by others), Justin Bieber, Chaz Bono and Pia Zadora. He also praised actress Mink Stole, part of his repertoire, for her singing (favorably comparing her to Julie London) as well as John Travolta as Edna Turnblad in the movie musical "Hairspray," and said the scariest person he ever worked with was Susan Tyrell.
Waters' performance was well scripted and beautifully rendered to a full house of fans. There seemed to be no stage direction, however, as Mr Waters positioned himself too often where he could only be partially seen by various parts of the audience.
John Waters has been described as a "raconteur." But he is much more than that. He is a full-fledged comic with a famously offbeat sense of humor that hep audiences can really dig. His show is a true, modern happening. And what better groove to be into, in NYC, on the night before Pride?
My friends from Connecticut were wild about the act (as was I) and about the chic yet warm ambiance of City Winery. Afterwards, we moved on to a roadhouse-styled Prince St. bar, across the street from my first NYC apartment. (Tub in the kitchen.) At the bar, we grandly entertained ourselves. Gay Pride weekend kicked off in high style and a euphoria of good feelings.
Have a happy to all!
Below, Mink Stole sings "Female Trouble" live:
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