Got Bruce? :: Vilanch Hosts the Big Gay Comedy Show

April Fool's Day gets an extension this year when funny man extraordinaire Bruce Vilanch comes to town for an extended stay. Show biz's gayest comic will be seen live on stage in two projects near and dear to his heart. Both are guaranteed to tickle audiences' funny bones.

On Sunday April 13, La Bruce will host the Big Gay Comedy Show at the Marines' Memorial Theater. The laugh fest actually has a very serious cause at its core. The performance will benefit the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation.

Though drug cocktails are enabling many people to live long, healthy and productive lives, the sad truth is that AIDS is not yet curable. It still kills people. And that's where Richmond/Ermet comes in. The organization holds fundraising events throughout the year. They don't provide services themselves, but rather choose beneficiary service and help organizations who reap the benefits of Richmond/Ermet's efforts.

"I've always loved them," Vilanch said of Richmond/Ermet, speaking in a phone interview. "They're a clearing house for other charities who can't afford to hold fundraisers. The proceeds go to people who are actually dealing with the disease. I like that I've done fundraisers for all kinds of organizations."

Vilanch's efforts for The Big Gay Comedy Show will benefit Bay Area Young Positives, a vital group of people who assist HIV positive people age 26 and under live longer, happier, healthier lives. It's a peer-run organization, so those who need service can take comfort in knowing that the people they're turning to have a deep empathy with the client's needs.

Richmond/Ermet was founded by close friends Barbara Richmond and the late Peggy Ermet, both of whom lost their only sons to AIDS. They decided to channel their grief towards helping to eradicate the disease. Run primarily by volunteers, the organization's fundraising events are usually live musical extravaganzas like the popular Help Is On the Way shows they do annually.

"I remember when no one wanted to be involved with AIDS," said Vilanch. "When the disease became more mainstream, professional fundraisers moved in. Big charities get big buildings; they lose sight of their missions. I like that Richmond/Ermet has never lost sight of what they do."

The Big Gay Comedy Show will feature the comic stylings of screamingly funny performers like local lesbian treasure Marga Gomez, plus cutie-pie Shawn Ryan, and the incomparable Countess Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, who was once (allegedly) Eastern Europe's greatest Mezzo Soprano, but now works the make-up counter at Macy's.

Other performers include Jason Brock, Ali Mafi, Cassandra Cass, Shann Carr, Leanne Borghesi, Kitty Tipata and B.O.O.B.S. It all makes for a fun, funny group of players, some of whom are boys in pants, some are boys in gowns, and some are girls. Vilanch will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

"My job is to keep it all afloat," said Vilanch. "I'll do some of my own material too."

The show is a definite change of pace from what Richmond/Ermet usually does. "They don't usually do comedy shows, they do Broadway/cabaret styled events," explained the host, also pointing out that Big Gay Comedy is decidedly different from the types of shows he does in other cities. "San Francisco is a very political town. So you get a crazy crowd. They want to make political points. It's also artistic. No mime has ever tried to perform in LA. There would be a drive-by shooting if they did! San Francisco is very unique and charming. I love that public nudity is an issue here."

The Emmy winner will appear at the Big Gay Comedy Show and then return later this month for his starring role in 42nd Street Moon's production of Cole Porter's "DuBarry Was a Lady," which runs from April 30 through May 18.

"I'm a musical comedy geek," he admits. "I'm devoted to the care and feeding of musical comedy."

First performed in 1939 and perceived as a vehicle for Mae West, "DuBarry" was a hit in its day, ultimately starring the great belter Ethel Merman. The show is not as well known as some of Porter's other shows, and Vilanch admits there are challenges to be overcome in getting people to buy tickets.

"Older people go," he said. "You have to bring in a name that younger people are familiar with or they don't go. Anything that wasn't a blockbuster or isn't done a lot in high schools, like West Side Story or Fiddler on the Roof, gets lost in the shuffle."

Vilanch pointed out that the classic song "Friendship," now associated with Porter's Anything Goes, actually originated with Du Barry Was a Lady.

And so, Vilanch fans, you're favorite comic is here! Let's show him some San Francisco love.

The Big Gay Comedy Show performs Sunday April 13 at the Marines Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter Street, at 7:30 PM. www.biggaycomedyshow.eventbrite.com