Producers Ruth and Stephen Hendel (Fela!, American Idiot, The Exonerated) present the rock performance piece ALEX DAVIS: MAN OF THE YEAR at the Knitting Factory Brooklyn on Saturday, February 19 at 8:00pm and Sunday, February 20 at 2:00pm. Both performances benefit the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund.
A 90-minute rock memoir, ALEX DAVIS: MAN OF THE YEAR incorporates original songs written and performed by musician Alex Davis, accompanied by a live, six-person band, with video and spoken narrative. The show is a moving and humor-filled drama about Alex's life as a transgender man and the only child of iconic actor Brad Davis. The production is directed by Thomas Caruso (Zombie, The Chalks, Bay Street; Resident Director, Mamma Mia!). Band members include Becky Gebhardt (bass), Caitlin Ary (vocals), Josh Brodis (keyboard), Mir "Doc" Yarfitz (cello), Patty Carr (vocals) and Rob "Byrd" Humphreys (drums).
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Alex is the only child of Brad Davis, the Golden Globe-winning actor best known for his acclaimed performances in the 1978 film Midnight Express and the 1985 Off-Broadway premiere of Larry Kramer's groundbreaking drama The Normal Heart. Alex was only eight years old when his father died of AIDS in 1991 - a headline-making controversy that his widow, Emmy-winning casting director Susan Bluestein, chronicled in her 1997 memoir, After Midnight (Simon & Schuster). Growing up without a father in the glare of the Hollywood spotlight, Alex's journey into manhood - becoming his own Man of the Year - is a triumphant tale of courage and love, family and transformation. Says Larry Kramer: "Alex Davis is an extraordinary young man, with an extraordinary story to tell and sing to you."
Hailed as one of the Top Five Up & Coming Solo Artists by Music Connection Magazine, Alex writes and performs indie-inspired rock infused with introspective lyrics. His guitar-driven performances have been compared to Elliott Smith's poignant lyricism and the stark emotionalism of Kurt Cobain. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he now performs regularly at noteworthy venues including The Key Club, The Knitting Factory, and Highways Performance Space. Alex's song "Stop" was featured in the 2007 indie black comedy Holding Trevor, and he performed on MTV's video series How Do I Say This? His 2010 album Man of the Year includes three songs from the rock memoir.
