5th Annual United Solo Festival to Open with Joe Gulla's New Show

The Fifth Annual United Solo Festival held at New York City's Theatre Row smashes open with the World Premiere of actor/playwright Joe Gulla's "FAGGY at 50". This provocatively titled one-man show is Gulla's "sequel of sorts" to last year's record-breaking, "The Bronx Queen".

Multi-award-winning "The Bronx Queen" made headlines in 2013 when it amassed the most "sell out" performances in the four year history of the United Solo Festival. In honor of this achievement, Gulla's latest was hand-picked to debut on opening day of the festival's fifth season.

"I'm ecstatic. I'm proud. And, of course, honored to be granted this coveted slot! I believe in 'FAGGY at 50' and its message of acceptance!"

The playwright states, "Like last time, my set-up is an homage to the legendary monologuist, Spalding Gray. I sit at a desk with black binder and water bottle at the ready."

"Where 'The Bronx Queen' was my 'coming of age' monologue, 'FAGGY at 50' is my 'getting to a certain age' monologue," Gulla says with a laugh.

"I came out of the proverbial closet. I did my emotional work. Cool... but, now what?. What defines me as an adult? More important, "who" gets to define me? These questions lead me to more "closets" that needed to be escaped. "FAGGY at 50" is, ultimately, about a Bronx-born, Italian gay man... with an industrial-stength crowbar! Ha!"

"Faggy at 50" chronicles the playwright/actor's life from his teen years in the Bronx to his recent residence in Rome, Italy. Joe discusses: Catholicism, Gay Activism, Milan Kundera, Into the Woods, The Porn Industry in Southern California and the Banana Boat Industry of Paradise Island.

"I'll tell ya something. You learn a lot about yourself when you find out your autobiographcal play is being billed as a comedy!"

Joe Gulla is also the author of "Garbo", "The Bronx Queen" and "Knock Off!"

"Faggy at 50" performs on Opening Day of the Fifth Annual United Solo Festival.

Theatre Row is located at 410 W. 42nd Street. Tickets to the September 18 and 20 performances of "Faggy at 50" can be purchased by calling Telecharge (212) 239-6200 or visit http://unitedsolo.org/us/2014-faggyat50/.

A twitter fanatic, you can tweet Joe Gulla at @JoeGulla