Shooting Star

Directed by Michael Bello(assistant director for the TONY AWARD NOMINATED!** Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), Shooting Star – A Revealing New Musical is a semi-autobiographical musical love story by Florian Klein (a.k.a. gay porn star Hans Berlin), with music by Thomas Zaufke and lyrics by Erik Ransom.

The daring musical explores identity, family and love in the unexplored world of gay porn. It is aninvitation to not only destigmatize our views on the adult film industry and it players, but as well to meet the real people behind the scenes of this taboo (and fascinating) industry! 

Taylor, a young, struggling Hollywood actor, finds himself rocketed to stardom as porn performer Taylor “TNT” Trent. Through Taylor’s eyes, we are introduced to a family of lovable misfits whose profession is making our wildest fantasies come alive. As Taylor achieves the fame he long sought in a world where sex and love seem to be mutually exclusive, he discovers that the life you dream of may not always be the one you truly want. 

Porn is more popular today than ever. Globally, it is a $97 billion business. That makes porn bigger than the music industry. 

Sure, it remains an industry that is frowned upon but does it really deserve its bad rap? If we go beyond the stereotype and prejudice, we see that the standard image we as a society tend to mentally assign any and all porn stars is actually pretty damn far from the truth.

Klein aims to change mentalities by normalizing sex and destigmatizing the adult film industry.

SHOOTING STAR shows the human side of porn by focusing on the performers in the adult film world — their hopes, lives, and dreams. It is about finding oneself, a family, and above all else – love. 

• Book by Florian Klein• Music by Thomas Zaufke
• Lyrics by Erik Ransom
• Directed by Michael Bello
• Produced by Racquel Lehrman, Theatre Planners

Cast includes: Karole Foreman (Mr. Sue), Michael Scott Harris (James Grant), Ryan Kanfer (Go-Go Dancer, Ensemble), Garrett Marshall (Butch O’Neal), Davey Miller (The Fan, Go-Go Dancerm Ensemble), Nathan Mohebbi (Jesse Appollo), Taubert Nadalini (Taylor Brent), Bettis Richardson (Tiger Black), Carson Robinette (JR Andrews), Christopher Robert Smith (Martin Lords).

Performances May 25 – June 30

• Thursday at 8 p.m: May 23 ONLY (preview)
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: May 24 (preview), May 31, June 7, June, 14, June 21, June 28
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: May 25 (Opening Night), June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29
• Sundays at 3 p.m.: May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30

WHERE:
Hudson Mainstage Theatre
6539 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

HOW:
(323) 960-7787 or  www.Plays411.com/Star

TICKET PRICE:
• General Admission: $35
• Previews: $25