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ogizing for inadvertently moving out of frame in one shot. But it’s the camera crew that does Rivera and the film a disservice with clunky composition throughout, whether performers are walking, dancing, or standing still. Campy star cameos don’t compensate for a grating lead character The two-time Tony-winner sparkles in the offbeat musical Still Waiting in the Wings. By André Hereford among the array of Broadway and TV stars — from Lee Meriwether and Ed Asner, to HEATER QUEENS STARVED FOR A FRESH BANQUET OF STARDUST AND Sally Struthers and Bruce Vilanch — who showtunes might choke on the processed cheese of Still Waiting in the Wings add dashes of grace and wit to this modest (HHHHH). The followup to 2014 film fest fave Waiting in the Wings: The production. Meriwether, reprising her role Musical continues the onscreen adventures of struggling New York City actors, now as Anthony’s hometown Montana mentor, roommates, Anthony (Jeffrey A. Johns) and Tony (Adam Huss). The script, by Johns Ethel, lends sweet support, and gamely and Arie Gonzalez, intends that straight meathead Tony is the cute, dumb one, and goes full-out for a gag in drag. Broadway gay Broadway hopeful Anthony is the bright-eyed optimist, but both of these guys are hunk Nick Adams, in a fleeting musical dense. Sincerity, not smarts or talent, guides them along their chase for that one big cameo, shows Anthony how a song is break, as Tony lands a role on a soap opera, and Anthony faces off against conniving really sung, while Seth Rudetsky earns the rival actor/waiter Bradley (Joe Abraham). film’s truest laughs as a voice More the film’s focus, Anthony pursues his performing pasteacher who tells Anthony Click Here to sion with all the stubborn, high-energy glee of a gayer Pee-Wee Watch the Trailer exactly what the audience Herman — but with none of Pee-Wee’s edge, or style, or cheeky might also be thinking. The sex appeal. Yes, Pee-Wee Herman is some kind of matinee idol compared to Anthony, scene reveals a level of self-awareness that whose belting-it-to-the-back personality can only do so much to prop up his shaky peeks too rarely from behind the film’s singing. Nevertheless, Anthony did emerge from the first film with an adoring stripper curtain of toothy theatricality. boyfriend, Lee (Blake Peyrot), a good excuse for adding a few oiled-up, jock-wearing Clearly, the filmmakers understand a supporting characters to this film’s swirl of shirtless chorus boys and, in one scene, a thing or two about the ego-churning mix roomful of actors auditioning for a role in a porno. of camaraderie and competition between Director Q. Allan Brocka (Eating Out) dispenses the eye candy more assuredly than struggling actor friends and frenemies. the jokes. Between editing that fumbles the punchlines, and camerawork that struggles The plot is predictable but emotions ring at times to keep actors in frame, neither the comedy nor the musical numbers really true, even as the passel of indistinct origifind their timing. And even legends suffer. The bloopers that run alongside the closing nal tunes by several different writers leave credits include a take of theater diva Chita Rivera, who briefly appears as herself, apol- musical finesse waiting in the wings.
Wings ’n Things
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Still Waiting in the Wings is available May 15 on DVD, and all digital platforms, including Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play. Visit www.JJSpotlightProductions.com. 36
MAY 14, 2020 • METROWEEKLY.COM
