Originally a hit show at the Los Angeles' Celebration Theatre in 1998 (it’s still running off Broadway), Naked Boys Singing! is exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a film of a show featuring, erm, naked boys singing! Yes, as they make their way towards the stage our cast of boys throw caution - and costumes - to the wind to display not only their vocal talents but their assets as well.
This is a film of a later LA production and therefore you would expect polished performances. The DVD doesn’t disappoint on that score, but unfortunately the production values are not of equal quality. Poor editing and sound combine to produce a DVD that is strictly for the fans – those that can overlook such issues and who want a keepsake of that unforgettable night out.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere of watching a live performance is lost completely here – gay men are used to watching gay men in their living room, but not so much on the stage. Therefore, when watching the DVD the shock factor is lost along with the embarrassment and the sniggering that it inevitably induced.
But there’s no doubting the quality of the original production, the genius of the idea and the brilliance of the songs. Put simply it’s a great show and it’s not just for lovers of camp and penises. The songs are funny, raunchy and touching in turn – and sometimes even all three!
Memorable songs include ‘The Naked Maid’, featuring a stand-out (not in that way, filthy!) from Kevin Stea and ‘Fight The Urge’ – a locker room tale about that common fear of getting a stiffy in front of a sports stud. A more serious mood is presented with ‘Look What You’ve Missed’, a heartfelt song about AIDS, and the voyeur’s love story ‘Window to Window’.
Fans of the original show will also find new material in the form of new arrangements and songs given a new spin by being sung in a different genre.
The DVD also features a documentary which reveals the film version was shot in four days and, rather shockingly, that none of the cast have appeared in the stage show! Unfortunately the boy’s modesty is protected with a digital effect in this extra clip. Why so coy boys? It’s not like we haven’t seen it already!
Read our interview with Kevin Stea.
Naked Boys Singing! [2007]
Studio: TLA Releasing
Released: 31 December 2007
ASIN: B000UYBP7S
Buy the DVD of Naked Boys Singing! now and ogle the guys while you listen to them sing.Then take a look at queer films like Girls Will Be Girls, Coffee Date, Poltergay, Boy Culture and The Dying Gaul. Buy them online and save some money.