Stroili Gives It Straight Up

 I'm told that the subject of this interview can't be disturbed during Monday Night Football, because that's when he vaccums??  Who is this guy, you ask. Well, his name is Paul Stroili and his new off-Broadway show, STRAIGHT UP WITH A TWIST, currently playing at The Players Theater at 116 MacDougal Street, tells the story of a family trying to figure out a straight son who embraces shopping, hair care and laundry. The New York Post says the show is "infused with hilarious one liners…he made me want to upgrade my wardrobe".

Winner of an Orange County Weekly Award and nominated for a Los Angeles Ovation Award and two LA Weekly Awards, STRAIGHT UP WITH A TWIST makes audiences rethink stereotypes and shows that we should all be happy just being ourselves.

Paul Stroili's film and TV credits include "Malcolm in the Middle," "Brother's Keeper," "The Untouchables," "Cold Justice" and the pilot, "Help Me." His stage credits include A Christmas Twist and Of Grapes and Nuts (ACE Award-winners), Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Lovers and Keepers, Sister Bernie's Bingo Bash, Dark Ride and Vinnie Black in the original Chicago production of Tony 'n Tina's Wedding.  As a writer, Paul's credits include CHEESE LOUISE, MY DINNER WITH ARLECCHINO, THE DAY THE ARTS STOOD STILL AND OF COURSE, STRAIGHT UP WITH A TWIST (plays). He has also written for Los Angeles Magazine and the Chicago Tribune, and is currently working on his next play, ON THE ROCKS.  

Turns out, STRAIGHT UP WITH A TWIST grew out of a comment Stroili's wife once said:  "I'm so lucky to have found you. You're like this gay friend I can have sex with." He describes himself as "the renaissance geek" and decided to develop this idea for a show about this phenomenon and how his family members felt about that. Stroili's "renaissance geek" differs from the so-called metrosexual because his is an "everyman" who just happens to like the finer things in life, and a not a glorified "Chelsea boy."

So let's enter the mind of this self proclaimed 'renaissance geek' and find out what makes him tick…

TJ: So, Paul, how's the run going so far?

STROILI: It's been great.  We've extended now into an open-ended run, and the New York audiences have been loving the show.  I'm just delighted.

TJ: What prompted you to write this show?

STROILI: It was actually a comment from my wife… she was shopping for her wedding dress and getting really frustrated, she just couldn't find the right one… then I went with her and the first one I picked she wore at our wedding… she started to refer to me as "A gay friend she gets to have sex with"… and that just started the ball rolling…

TJ: Where did you grow up and did you come from a big family?

STROILI: I grew up in Connecticut, small family - one brother and one sister. A wonderful upbringing… for the most part.

TJ: How personal do you get on stage about your own life?

STROILI: Very.  The show is autobiographical and nearly 100% true.  Obviously, things are exaggerated for the comedy, but it's a fairly unflinching look… but funny.  I think if more people truly reexamined their childhoods, they'd find a lot of humor there.

TJ: How was the response to the show in LA?

STROILI: Unbelievable, it was more than we ever expected.  Initially, we planned to do just 8 performances, as a dark night series, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on someone else's set, with their existing light plot.  It just took off… 8 shows have become 8 years.  We also won and were nominated for several awards… it's been a great time.

TJ: So fashion is really an issue in the "straight" world?

STROILI: I think it's an element in everyone's world, whether they're willing to admit it or not.  Fashion is really the defining way we present ourselves; Even those straight guys who say they don't care or think about it… that in itself is a fashion choice.

TJ: How did you feel when you saw the appearance of "QUEER EYE" on television?

STROILI: I enjoyed it, but it does sort of perpetuate the social labeling that I try to make fun of in the show… that's one of the things I try to really get across to the audiences… how silly stereotypes are.

TJ: What is it that you hope people will come away with from this show?

STROILI: Thank you for asking….The misunderstood straight guy premise is really just a jumping off point for the main theme of the show which is the family misfit that every family has. It's funny… so much of the time, those misfits result from society's insistence that everyone be labeled, defined and grouped into easy to describe little tribes.  That's one of the reasons that I parody so many stereotypes in the show; to illustrate this absurdity.  There's straight stereotypes, gay stereotypes, Italian stereotypes, German stereotypes… it is not a politically correct piece.  My hope is that people will see the intention here, just one of which is showing that a straight man being expected to act in a certain way is just as ludicrous as expecting all gay men to have a certain type of behavior or interests… it's just an opportunity to laugh at ourselves.

TJ: OK, what do you mean by the term "Renaissance Geek"?

STROILI: Since "Renaissance Man" is defined as "a man with a variety of interests and expertise", I thought it would be funny to add "Geek"… after all, in my show, I'm a straight man who is stressed about these interests he feels he's got… it's the older definition of "Geek as Nerd" rather than the current "Geek as technical support guru"!

TJ: What kind of fundraisers has the show been involved with since it's incarnation?

STROILI: We've raised money for schools, medical causes and research, animal shelters, environmental causes, theatres, legal defense funds… you name it… collectively, the show has raised over $100,000.00 in charitable donations.

TJ: How has doing this show changed your life?

STROILI: I've been an actor for 20+ years.  Any actor will tell you that performing a regular gig with audiences that are enjoying it is always life-changing… it's the whole reason we choose this ridiculous line of work!  To actually be doing a work that I wrote Off-Broadway is more than I could have hoped for… I am truly grateful, especially to David and Hyra George at Millrock.  They are the Producers for this run and have been the very definition of supportive. My wife, Monica, director Bill Penton and initial Producer Denis McCallion were also essential in this journey, I should thank them, too.

TJ: Is there a sequel in the works?

STROILI: Not a sequel to STRAIGHT UP, but I am working on two more pieces; a two-person show and a rock musical with LA-based musician, Oscar Jordan.

TJ: What has been the most fulfilling thing for you to come out of this show?

STROILI: There's one specific event that sticks out in my mind; I was doing the show in LA at a great cabaret space called; "Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's" and there was this scrawny, little sixteen year old kid in the audience.  It was a small theatre… so I could really see him and his reactions.  Normally, we don't get people that young and I was a worried about some of the language, and whether or not he would get it.  Well, he sat there like a stone.  I was sure he was hating it… then, at the curtain call, he leapt to his feet and shouted at the stage: "Finally!  Someone who speaks my language!"  You can't buy moments like that.

TJ: Let's get people to come see this show….give me a little synopsis of what they will be coming to see?

STROILI: I play about 8 different characters, including all the members of my eccentric family as they struggle to understand this goofy kid.  We go through childhood, high school, college and all the way up to my marriage to Monica.  It's very much a comedy, but many audiences have embraced the more poignant moments… there are definitely some very touching scenes that I'm very proud of.  It's a fast-paced show; there are no set changes, no costume changes and no intermission. The show runs about 75 minutes… plus , we even throw in a Game Show with actual prizes… that's a highlight.

TJ: Ok, now some questions to find out a little more about you for our readers. What is your biggest pet peeve?

STROILI: People that try to get on the subway train before you've made room for them by getting off.  Makes me crazy… that, and our current president.

TJ: What is the biggest mistake men make in picking out a wardrobe?

STROILI: Probably not picking one, but keeping the same wardrobe for 20 years!  There's a point in the show where I display my clothes from the 80's, all of which were picked simply because that's what the fashion gurus said at the time.  Needless to say, it's NOT pretty…

TJ: What is your most favorite childhood memory?

STROILI: Sleeping over my Grandparent's house in the Bronx.  As a Connecticut kid, the whole idea of walking to a store, or picking out your dinner for that same night was completely foreign to me. That was when I realized I liked living in a city.  The place was musty and cramped and absolutely perfect; a dresser drawer full of board games, and a taxidermed shark on the wall… that's kid paradise.

TJ: What is your favorite NYC restaurant?

STROILI: Monte's.  Italian place half a block from the theater.  Old school Italian, done right… which no one seems to do anymore… if I hear one more person refer to a restaurant as "eclectic"… I'm jumping off something high… I love those places that do what they do well and stick with it… those are the true finds.

TJ: Who is the most fashionable male celebrity that you can think of?

STROILI: OK.  You ready for this?  Leonard Cohen.  The guy is just elegance, defined.  Perfect, fashion economy… nothing frivolous, just those killer suits, perfectly tailored… plus, he's a genius, so if he wore a propeller beanie, I'd probably think that was elegant.

Come to think of it, my wardrobe is a little out of date. Maybe Paul can go shopping with me and give me some tips. In the meantime, STRAIGHT UP WITH A TWIST, directed by Bill Penton, has extended its limited engagement and now will have an open ended run at The Players Theater, 115 MacDougal Street. Show times are Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm. For tickets, you can visit the official website at http://www.straight-up.com or call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200. As always folks, theatre is my life! Ciao!!

Photos by Ken Howard