In today's queer world, the title "fabulous" is one that should be used sparingly, about people and things that can justify its implicit splendor. Applying it to the disco drag legend Sylvester (1947-1988), therefore, is wholly acceptable.
"Fabulous, One More Time: A Sylvester Concert" is the upcoming tour de force of Anthony Wayne, himself a powerful presence straddling the masculine and feminine divide. Like the late, great Sylvester, Wayne's graceful body speaks to his years of dance training and high-octane performance, while his soothing charm and elegantly high cheekbones reveal his more delicate side.
A Norfolk, Va., native, Wayne developed his own stage prowess in part by playing the friendly Aboriginal gent Jimmy in Broadway's "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" for five months last year. His stints alongside Joel Grey and Sutton Foster in Broadway's "Anything Goes" helped too, as did touring nationally with the companies of "Fame," "A Chorus Line" and "The Color Purple."
For "Fabulous," Wayne devoted the past year researching and writing the story of Sylvester to create his upcoming biography-musical, which he classifies as an "experience" more than a concert. Its one-night premiere heads to New York City's versatile West Village club Le Poisson Rouge Sunday, July 29, on its way to a national or even international tour.
The show "tells the life story of Sylvester through his music, his way," reads Wayne's thoughtful description. "Beyond all the trials, tribulations, glitz and glamour of his lifestyle, he was a symbol for being fabulous, but also, a symbol for unapologetically being who he was."
A gay icon since he splashed onto the San Francisco scene in the 1970s, Sylvester quickly became a musical trendsetter who hobnobbed with gay community leaders and their friendsfrom Harvey Milk to Patti Labelle. His gospel and blues roots influenced his music, especially once he recruited the power backup vocalists Izora Rhodes and Martha Wash, whom he dubbed Two Tons o' Fun.
With the ladies at his flamboyant side, in 1978 Sylvester opened the door to a pop-disco career that would deliver timeless dance anthems like "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," "Dance (Disco Heat)" and others that would land him repeat visits to American Bandstand and other TV shows. Three years later, he released his third big hit, "Do Ya Wanna Funk," featured in Eddie Murphy's 1983 comedy Trading Places.
Rhodes and Wash would go on to form the duo The Weather Girls and release the gay classic "It's Raining Men" in 1982.
By the mid-1980s, however, Sylvester's story took a turn with the onslaught of AIDS. Wayne told Windy City Times that the singer performed regularly until about 1986, even releasing a new record with Warner Brothers that year. But he was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1987, the same year partner Rick Crenmer died of the virus. Sylvester worked to raise awareness about the disease until he died late the next year, at age 41.
For Wayne, the goal of "Fabulous" is to both celebrate and honor this singular performer, who lived out and proud, aiming to "make sure it's truthful and honest," he said. "The show is structured to tell his story," adding that it also aims to carry forth Sylvester's awareness-boosting efforts about HIV/AIDS for today's world.
But ultimately, Wayne's goal is to embody the essence of Sylvester, with all his talent and charisma, as well as his gravitas.
"Whenever people are down or having a hard time, they have to come up from somewhere, and [Sylvester] knew that more than anyone. It can't just be happy happy joy joy all the time," said Wayne. "All those complexities and hard issues that he dealt with are going to be brought to the forefront, and hopefully show how they kept him driven. And the music drives that too."
The show's creative director and head costume designer, as well as Wayne's partner, Kendrell Bowman, said that in rehearsals, Wayne is clearly channeling the so-called "Queen of Disco" because he impersonates Sylvester precisely.
That on-stage dynamism will serve up an intoxicating night of disco fun, balanced with the true story of one of the queer community's musical legends.
Wayne said that nine Sylvester songs will be featured in his production, which is about 50-50 music and storytelling. A live six-piece band will join him, along with two backup singers, Anastacia McCleskey and Jaqueline Arnold, both of whom also performed in Broadway's Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.
"I hope the audience walks away having a good time, with his songs in their hearts," said Wayne. "And that they know that there was somebody before them who was dealing with things that were so difficultbut no matter what, he did what he wanted to do, and he was who he wanted to be."
"Fabulous, One More Time: A Sylvester Concert" will premiere Sunday, July 29, at 6 p.m. at Le Poisson Rouge. Call 212-505-FISH or visit www.lepoissonrouge.com . For more details, visit www.awayne.com .