'MIGHTY REAL' to End Off-Broadway Run this Weekend

MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL, a musical celebration of the life of the original 1970s "Queen of Disco" Sylvester, will end its critically acclaimed, limited Off-Broadway engagement on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Theatre at St. Clement's (423 W. 46th Street). Presented by AnthonyKen LLC and Sheryl Lee Ralph/The Diva Foundation, the musical was written by and starred Anthony Wayne (Pippin, Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert), and was co-directed by Mr. Wayne and Kendrell Bowman, who also designed the show's costumes. Mr. Wayne and Mr. Bowman are currently planning a San Francisco engagement for the show, as well as a return to New York City in 2015.

Sylvester James, Jr. (September 6, 1947 - December 16, 1988), better known as Sylvester, was an American disco and soul singer-songwriter. Known for his flamboyant, androgynous appearance, he became known in the United States as the "Queen of Disco." Born in Watts, LA, Sylvester developed a love of singing through the gospel choirs of his Pentecostal church, which he left after being persecuted for his homosexuality. His career started as an early founder of a group of black cross-dressers and trans women known as The Disquotays. After that group disbanded, he moved to San Francisco and embraced the counterculture, joining a drag troupe, The Cockettes, and he eventually produced solo shows heavily influenced by female blues and jazz singers like Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker. Sylvester left the Cockettes to focus on his solo career, and by 1978, his acclaimed album Step II spawned the disco classics "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance (Disco Heat)." He released 12 albums in his career, and had several more hits, including "Do Ya Wanna Funk," and "Can't Stop Dancing." An activist who campaigned against the spread of HIV/AIDS, Sylvester died from complications arising from the virus in 1988. In 2004, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, and one year later in 2005, Sylvester himself was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievement as an artist.

MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL pays tribute to the "Queen of Disco," Sylvester, telling his story through his music and his point of view. Beyond all the trials and tribulations of his life - and the glitz and glamour of his lifestyle -- Sylvester was not only a symbol for being Fabulous, but also a pioneer in the LGBTQ community for showing, unapologetically, you have to be true to who you are.

Joining Mr. Wayne in the cast of MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL are Anastacia McCleskey (Violet, The Book of Mormon) as Izora and Jacqueline B. Arnold (We Will Rock You, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Martha - a.k.a. the Weather Girls (Two Tons of Fun); as well as DeAnne Stewart and Rahmel McDade.

MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL has a set and lighting design by two-time Tony-nominee David Lander (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, 33 Variations), costume design by Kendrell Bowman, and sound design by Rafe Carlotto / Sound Associates. MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL has choreography by Anastacia McCleskey, and musical direction by Alonzo Harris.

Mr. Wayne and Mr. Bowman, life partners, were inspired to create the musical after seeing the "Unsung" documentary about the artist on TV One in 2010. Moved by his story - by Sylvester's bravery to openly be who he was in an era in which that was not supported or encouraged by society - Mr. Wayne sought out his music. Hooked, he became determined to bring the icon's story to the stage. The first incarnation of the show was a series of concerts at le poisson rouge in New York City in 2012, which were followed by sold-out performances in Washington, D.C. and Miami in 2013.

When the couple decided to present their creation Off-Broadway, they took to Twitter seeking celebrity support. Through these efforts they gained the support of the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, as well as Sheryl Lee Ralph, who came on board with the duo as a co-producer.

The team financed the one-month Off-Broadway engagement through funds and investments partially acquired through a Kickstarter campaign, as well as Wayne and Bowman's own personal investment. MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL began performances at Theatre at St. Clement's on Friday, September 5th and opened on Sunday, September 14th. The limited engagement ends on Sunday, October 5th having sold-out, and having recouped.

This past week, Wayne and Bowman were interviewed for "Unsung," and will become part of a new edit of the documentary that inspired the musical (airing on TV One this upcoming season)

The remaining (sold-out) performances of MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL are Friday, October 3 at 8PM, Saturday, October 4 at 2PM and 8PM, and Sunday October 5 at 3PM (added due to popular demand) and 7PM.

News about the upcoming San Francisco engagement, a return engagement to New City, and other future engagements will be announced soon.

Photo by Joan Marcus

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