Cast Complete For Joe Gulla's GAY.PORN.MAFIA As Part Of DUAF At New York Live Arts Theater

Complete casting has been announced for Joe Gulla's "GAY.PORN.MAFIA" at the New York Live Arts Theater. Directed by Brian Rardin, this One Night Only performance will take place on April 14th as part of the 2018 Downtown Urban Arts Festival.

The complete cast of "GAY.PORN.MAFIA" features Lou Liberatore (Dr. Rifkin/Don), Sacco Sarkis (Jonah/Ron), Andrea Cordaro (Frima/Whitney), Jeff Riberdy (Fr. Gerard/Shep), Aaron Dalla Villa (Kyle/Quinn), Joe Gulla (Redmond/Gino) and Emily Dinova (Geraldine/Shyla).

The April 14th performance at New York Live Arts will be GAY.PORN.MAFIA's World Premiere.

Press notes state: Joe Gulla's "GAY.PORN.MAFIA" is a collection of his (internationally and) nationally-produced, award-winning short comedies: "Gayfever", "Fall and Rise", "Reel Wood", "Knock Off!" and "Sleeping With The Fish"! It's the Same-Sex, X-Rated, Italian-Style offer you can't refuse!"

Gulla states, "I have a great relationship with the Downtown Urban Arts Festival! They selected my play, "The Bronx Queen" in 2016. I performed it to a sold out house at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater and it went on to win the 2016 DUAF Audience Award. Last year, they selected my play, "GARBO" and we had the honor of performing it at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre! "GARBO" was an instant sell out and went on to win the 2017 DUAF Audience Award! I am thrilled and, of course, honored that they selected my latest, "GAY.PORN.MAFIA". I am incredibly proud that it will have its World Premiere under their umbrella! And, yeah, of course I have my eye on a DUAF Audience Award Trifecta! I mean, c'mon..."

When asked what's next, Gulla answers enthusiastically, "Well, it's our hope that GAY.PORN.MAFIA will have a life beyond this festival. So, that will be my main focus for the remainder of 2018. However, in May, I am off to Northern California where my solo play, "FAGGY at 50" will have its West Coast premiere on the strength of its Sold Out run last year at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater!"

Joe Gulla (Playwright) is a regular performer at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater. His play, "The Bronx Queen" and "GARBO" won the 2016 and 2017 Downtown Urban Arts Festival "Audience Award" respectively. As an actor, Joe played "Joey" in San Francisco's "Tony & Tina's Wedding" for many years and "Frankie" in Off-Broadway's "My Big Gay Italian Wedding". He also starred on NBC's "LOST", one of television's first adventure reality series. Joe is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Brian Rardin (Director) directed "The Bronx Queen Trilogy" (Joe's Pub, United Solo Festival). He also directed "GARBO" (Cherry Lane Theater); "Deflyance", "Swingin' At Jack's", "Under The Tree" (Theatre for the New City-Suspended Cirque). Brian served as Director and Choreographer for "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding" (Philadelphia, San Jose, San Francisco and Disney World). On Broadway, he was a Stage Manager for: "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder "(Winner 2014 Tony for Best Musical); "Equus" with Daniel Radcliffe; "Well"; "Amadeus" with Michael Sheen and "Showboat". Brian also served as Producer for "The Midnight Experience: Sex, Aerial & Rock'n'Roll" at NYC's The Cutting Room.

Lou Liberatore (Dr. Rifkin/Don) appeared on Broadway in "As Is" and "Burn This". He received a TONY nomination for his performance in the latter. Off-Broadway, Lou has appeared in "Daniel's Husband", "Rocket to the Moon" and many others. His regional credits include: "Angels in America" (Actors Theatre of Louisville), "Intelligent Homosexuals Guide..." (Berkeley Rep) and many others. His selected TV and Film credits include: "Barrio Boy", "Blood from a Stoner", "Deception", "The Affair", "The Good Wife", "Nurse Jackie", "Law & Order", "Sex and the City." Lou is a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Actors Center.

Sacco Sarkis (Jonah, Ron) is an actor and comedian who has been in love and involved with film since the late 90s. Most of his success derives from film, theater, and stand-up comedy. Some of his recent credits include: "The Devil Show", "9 Lives", " A Crime to Remember" and NBC's "The Blacklist".

Andrea Cordaro (Frima/Whitney) has worked with the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and played roles like Anne Boleyn in "Henry's Wives", and Roseannah in "Brilliant Traces". In television, she was featured on Comedy Central's "The Onion Sports Dome" and appeared as a guest chef on ABC's "The Chew". She also starred in Visiting Angel's 2016 National Commercial. Cordaro is also a film producer and runs her own company, Fusion Box Films, with her partner and brother, Francesco Cordaro.

Jeff Riberdy (Fr. Gerard/Shep) is a military brat from Killeen, FT. Hood, Texas. He got his professional start with the Off-Broadway show "Devil Boys From Beyond". Having trained at the prestigious William Esper Studios, under the tutelage of William Esper himself, Jeff has been working consistently between stage and screen; with two feature films premiering later this year.

Aaron Dalla Villa (Kyle/Quinn) played Bobby Flynn in 2017’s highly anticipated immersive show, “Seeing You” and he has many other exciting theatrical projects lined up for the remainder of this year. As singer and dancer, he is also a member of the hot new boy band, “We R Nation”. Their much-anticipated debut music video will be released in the latter part of 2018. He has done many commercials and is a highly sought-after voiceover artist. Aaron can be heard on the radio, in a new animated pilot  and in a video game as a character he is set to record in a few weeks. 

Emily Dinova (Geraldine/Shyla) is a NYC based actor, writer and producer. She studied at Regent's University in London, UK. Her New York City credits include: "Cold Porridge" (Hudson Guild Theatre), "Ruptured" (Manhattan Rep), "The Locals" (Jewel Box Theatre), "Tony n Tina's Wedding" (Times Square & International Tour,) and "My Big Gay Italian Wedding and Funeral" (Saint Luke's Theatre).

To purchase tickets for "GAY.PORN.MAFA", visit the playwright's website at JoeGulla.com.