Gaiety Theatre, New York (Male Burlesque)
Encyclopedia
The Gaiety Theatre was a gay male burlesque theater in Times Square
, New York City
for almost 30 years until it closed on March 17, 2005. The name on the awning over the entrance was Gaiety Theatre, but it was also called the Gaiety Male Burlesque or the Gaiety Male Theatre in advertisements. It was located at 201 W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036, on the second floor of the building that also housed what was the last Howard Johnson's
restaurant in New York City. The Gaiety opened in late 1975 and closed in 2005 and was owned by Denise Rozis, run by both she and her younger sister, Evridiki Rozis. The theater DJ from 1979 until 1986 was the late Terence Foster (d. June 4, 1990, AIDS), who was one of the original dancers.
The building has been demolished but was owned by the Kenneth Rubinstein family (Rubenstein Klein Realty) for many years until it was sold to Jeff Sutton's Wharton Acquisitions. The Howard Johnson's restaurant closed later on July 8, 2005, at midnight, after being open for 46 years.
Note that this was not the same Gaiety Theatre
that was across 46th Street at 1547 Broadway, which did house burlesque
, including Minsky's
for a time during its long history (1908–82). That Gaiety is probably best remembered as the Victoria Cinema, but its final name was Embassy 5, before the building was demolished.
A New York Times article published on April 24, 2005 about the closing of the Gaiety referred to "...the lore that set the Gaiety apart from other clubs: the mainstream attention it attracted after photos of Madonna and some of the club's dancers were included in her book Sex
(1992). The cachet of visitors like John Waters
, Andy Warhol
, and Shirley MacLaine
, and the club's unrivaled ability to survive, despite the strict zoning laws instituted during the Giuliani administration, thanks to a location just outside a restricted area."
Blogger Andy Towle said: “The Gaiety opened its doors on a winter night in 1976 and consistently attracted an interesting mix of young hustlers, businessmen, tourists, and celebrities on the DL to its pleasantly dingy, boxy room with its small stage and sparkling curtain.”
The Gaiety survived Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's intense drive to close adult related venues in the mid 1990s. Heavy security was instituted and no sexual activities of any kind were permitted in the theatre.
(1953–1992), a late 20th century American painter, created a number of oil or acrylic paintings of the interior of the Gaiety and some of its dancers and customers in the 1980s. Some of the those titles are: Grand Finale (1985), The Apollo Room I (1986), Remember the Promise You Made (1986), Slave to the Rhythm (1986), All The Love in the World (1987), Hanky Panky (1991)
's famous 1992 coffee table book
Sex
contained many pictures taken in the Gaiety and of the Gaiety dancers. In fact there were pictures from that photo shoot posted on the wall in the theater's Apollo lounge for years. After the book came out, the Gaiety became chic and many dancers and patrons were not entirely happy with the visitors that resulted. Her sexually themed music video Erotica (1992) was also at least partially shot there.
Joey Stefano
danced at the Gaiety in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was one of the more famous Gaiety dancers (and porn stars), having been featured in Madonna's Sex
book in 1992, as well as having a biography written about him by Charles Isherwood, Wonder Bread and Ecstasy, that touches on his life as an erotic dancer at the Gaiety.
Some of the porn stars and notable entertainers that have danced at the Gaiety: Will Clark
, Billy Brandt, Chris Williams, Christian Fox, Gianfranco, Carlos Morales
, Rod Barry, Jason Adonis, Tristan Adonis, Hunter James, Jon Ramsey, Mark Dalton, Johnny Harden, Kip Knoll, Leo Ford and Adam Champ. Angelo Garcia
, a former member of famed Puerto Rican boy band Menudo
also briefly worked as a dancer at the Gaiety.
Other celebrities that have visited the Gaiety: RuPaul
, Robin Byrd
, John Rutherford
, Andy Warhol
, pornographer Paul Morris
, John Waters
, Divine, Diane Keaton
and Shirley MacLaine
.
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for almost 30 years until it closed on March 17, 2005. The name on the awning over the entrance was Gaiety Theatre, but it was also called the Gaiety Male Burlesque or the Gaiety Male Theatre in advertisements. It was located at 201 W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036, on the second floor of the building that also housed what was the last Howard Johnson's
Howard Johnson's
Howard Johnson's is a chain of hotels and restaurants, located primarily throughout the United States and Canada. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Howard Johnson's was the largest restaurant chain in the United States, with over 1,000 restaurants...
restaurant in New York City. The Gaiety opened in late 1975 and closed in 2005 and was owned by Denise Rozis, run by both she and her younger sister, Evridiki Rozis. The theater DJ from 1979 until 1986 was the late Terence Foster (d. June 4, 1990, AIDS), who was one of the original dancers.
The building has been demolished but was owned by the Kenneth Rubinstein family (Rubenstein Klein Realty) for many years until it was sold to Jeff Sutton's Wharton Acquisitions. The Howard Johnson's restaurant closed later on July 8, 2005, at midnight, after being open for 46 years.
Note that this was not the same Gaiety Theatre
Gaiety Theatre (New York)
The Gaiety Theatre was a Broadway theatre at 1547 Broadway in New York City from 1909 until 1982, when it was torn down.An office building above the theatre has been called the Black Tin Alley.It was designed by Herts & Tallant and owned by George M. Cohan...
that was across 46th Street at 1547 Broadway, which did house burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
, including Minsky's
Minsky's
Minsky's is a musical by Bob Martin , Charles Strouse , and Susan Birkenhead , and is loosely based on the 1968 movie The Night They Raided Minsky's....
for a time during its long history (1908–82). That Gaiety is probably best remembered as the Victoria Cinema, but its final name was Embassy 5, before the building was demolished.
A New York Times article published on April 24, 2005 about the closing of the Gaiety referred to "...the lore that set the Gaiety apart from other clubs: the mainstream attention it attracted after photos of Madonna and some of the club's dancers were included in her book Sex
Sex (book)
Sex is a coffee table book written by Madonna with photographs by Steven Meisel Studio and film frames taken from film shot by Fabien Baron. The book was edited by Glenn O'Brien. Sex was released on October 21, 1992 by Warner Books...
(1992). The cachet of visitors like John Waters
John Waters (filmmaker)
John Samuel Waters, Jr. is an American filmmaker, actor, stand-up comedian, writer, journalist, visual artist, and art collector, who rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films...
, Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
, and Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
, and the club's unrivaled ability to survive, despite the strict zoning laws instituted during the Giuliani administration, thanks to a location just outside a restricted area."
Blogger Andy Towle said: “The Gaiety opened its doors on a winter night in 1976 and consistently attracted an interesting mix of young hustlers, businessmen, tourists, and celebrities on the DL to its pleasantly dingy, boxy room with its small stage and sparkling curtain.”
The Gaiety survived Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's intense drive to close adult related venues in the mid 1990s. Heavy security was instituted and no sexual activities of any kind were permitted in the theatre.
The Gaiety in Art
Patrick AngusPatrick Angus
Patrick Angus , a late 20th century American painter, among many other works, created a number of oil or acrylic paintings of the interior of the Gaiety Theater and some of its dancers and customers in the 1980s....
(1953–1992), a late 20th century American painter, created a number of oil or acrylic paintings of the interior of the Gaiety and some of its dancers and customers in the 1980s. Some of the those titles are: Grand Finale (1985), The Apollo Room I (1986), Remember the Promise You Made (1986), Slave to the Rhythm (1986), All The Love in the World (1987), Hanky Panky (1991)
Notable visitors and dancers at the Gaiety
MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's famous 1992 coffee table book
Coffee table book
A coffee table book is a hardcover book that is intended to sit on a coffee table or similar surface in an area where guests sit and are entertained, thus inspiring conversation or alleviating boredom. They tend to be oversized and of heavy construction, since there is no pressing need for...
Sex
Sex (book)
Sex is a coffee table book written by Madonna with photographs by Steven Meisel Studio and film frames taken from film shot by Fabien Baron. The book was edited by Glenn O'Brien. Sex was released on October 21, 1992 by Warner Books...
contained many pictures taken in the Gaiety and of the Gaiety dancers. In fact there were pictures from that photo shoot posted on the wall in the theater's Apollo lounge for years. After the book came out, the Gaiety became chic and many dancers and patrons were not entirely happy with the visitors that resulted. Her sexually themed music video Erotica (1992) was also at least partially shot there.
Joey Stefano
Joey Stefano
Joey Stefano was an American pornographic actor who appeared in gay adult films.-Early life and career:...
danced at the Gaiety in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was one of the more famous Gaiety dancers (and porn stars), having been featured in Madonna's Sex
Sex (book)
Sex is a coffee table book written by Madonna with photographs by Steven Meisel Studio and film frames taken from film shot by Fabien Baron. The book was edited by Glenn O'Brien. Sex was released on October 21, 1992 by Warner Books...
book in 1992, as well as having a biography written about him by Charles Isherwood, Wonder Bread and Ecstasy, that touches on his life as an erotic dancer at the Gaiety.
Some of the porn stars and notable entertainers that have danced at the Gaiety: Will Clark
Will Clark (porn star)
Will Clark is an American performer in gay pornographic films. He is a member of the Grabby Awards Hall of Fame, and has received a special citation from the GayVN Awards for his fundraising work in support of HIV/AIDS charities.-Porn career:Clark's career as a gay adult film performer began in...
, Billy Brandt, Chris Williams, Christian Fox, Gianfranco, Carlos Morales
Carlos Morales
Carlos Adrián Morales Higuera is a Mexican soccer player. He currently plays for Santos Laguna in the Mexican First Division...
, Rod Barry, Jason Adonis, Tristan Adonis, Hunter James, Jon Ramsey, Mark Dalton, Johnny Harden, Kip Knoll, Leo Ford and Adam Champ. Angelo Garcia
Angelo Garcia
Angelo Garcia was a member of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo from 1988 to 1990...
, a former member of famed Puerto Rican boy band Menudo
Menudo (band)
Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era....
also briefly worked as a dancer at the Gaiety.
Other celebrities that have visited the Gaiety: RuPaul
RuPaul
RuPaul Andre Charles , best known as simply RuPaul, is an American actor, drag queen, model, author, and singer-songwriter, who first became widely known in the 1990s when he appeared in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Previously, he was a fixture on the Atlanta...
, Robin Byrd
Robin Byrd
Robin Byrd is an American former porn actress and the host of The Robin Byrd Show, which has appeared on Leased access cable television in New York City for close to thirty years.-Background:...
, John Rutherford
John Rutherford
John Rutherford may refer to:* John Rutherford , Scottish professor father of Daniel Rutherford* John Rutherford , governor of Virginia* Jock Rutherford , English footballer...
, Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
, pornographer Paul Morris
Paul Morris
Paul Morris is the name of:* Paul Morris , former keyboardist for Rainbow* Paul Morris , educational writer who published an influential work on the Hong Kong School Curriculum in 1998...
, John Waters
John Waters (filmmaker)
John Samuel Waters, Jr. is an American filmmaker, actor, stand-up comedian, writer, journalist, visual artist, and art collector, who rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films...
, Divine, Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American film actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970...
and Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
.