Friendsandfamily

La Cage aux Folles meets The
Sopranos in this riotously funny tale of
two gay hit men.

REVIEW

Hunks Stephen (Greg Lauren) and
Danny (Christopher Gartin) get ready
for an evening at the opera. At
intermission, they head for the back-
stage area to congratulate the lead
singer as he takes his break; they also
twist his arm over his head and
demand a check to pay off a gambling
debt. All in a day’s work for these two
debonair but ruthless enforcers of the
mob. When not breaking heads,
Stephen and Danny live in a neat,
tastefully furnished NYC row house
(they even alphabetize their toiletries)
and are the beloved, openly gay
employees of Don Patrizzi (Tony Lo
Bianco). Yes, Danny and Stephen are
also out to their parents, open about
everything but their profession (their
parents think they operate a catering
business).

When Stephen's mom and dad pay a
surprise visit and ask for a fabulous
party (after all the boys are gay
caterers), everyone -- from the Don to
lowly loan sharks -- must get into the
act of deception. Throw in some right-
wing militia zealots, the Don’s straight
sons (one a cook, the other an interior
decorator) and burly mobsters who
learn to act gay (helped immeasurably
by a video of Liberace taking a bath),
and you get perfect ingredients for a
fast-paced farce that delights in
reversing stereotypes

Scott Cranin