NAKED BOYS SINGING! Launches National Tour from South Florida

Ronnie Larsen Presents and Tim Evanicki Productions will kick off a new national tour of the hit Off Broadway musical review, "Naked Boys Singing!" at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Dr. in Fort Lauderdale, Nov. 3 through Dec. 4.

The American Vaudeville-style review premiered in 1998 and has been "thrilling" audiences both in New York and around the globe ever since. In 2007, the musical was adapted for film by TLA Releasing.

The six-member cast sings such "cheeky" numbers as "Gratuitous Nudity," "The Bliss of a Bris," "Fight the Urge" and "Perky Little Porn Star." The show is popular with both straight and LGBT audiences alike, as well as "naturists."

Opening night at Empire Stage sold out more than two months in advance.

"Obviously, the nudity hooks curious audiences into purchasing tickets," explained producer and director Tim Evanicki, a Juilliard grad now based in Orlando. "But, after the first song, audiences become so charmed by the show and the songs, they quickly seem to forget the cast is performing naked."

Executive producer Ronnie Larsen, playwright of another Off Broadway hit, "Making Porn," said the timing for the revival is appropriate, given the tense presidential campaign and endless barrage of nasty political ads on television: " 'Naked Boys Singing!' is one of those shows that allows performers and audiences to cut loose just a little bit. At a time when we're forced to take life too seriously, this show offers an opportunity to escape and have some fun at the theater."

The touring cast includes Quentin Bruno, Jonte Culpepper, Tim Garnham, Anthony Massarotto, Stephen Millett and Charles Walljasper Robinson. Andrew Fiacco is choreographing the production.

Following the South Florida run at Empire Stage, the production will transfer to Atlanta's 7 Stages Theatre, Jan. 4 - 22, and then to Savannah. A second cast will also be opening the show at Orlando's Footlight Theatre in December. Additional cities on the tour are currently being scheduled.

Tickets are $35 and $50 at RonnieLarsen.com.

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