The tag line is “the show the NYPD doesn’t want you to see”. With a title like that, we can’t imagine why. I guess there’s already a show called “Naked Cops Doing Inappropriate Things”. That’s not as catchy, though. Written by Michael “Fletcher” Tester, who, according to BroadwayClubhouse.com, once wrote a musical called Amoebas On Parade: A Single Celled Musical!!, which he describes as “the CATS formula [distilled] to it’s essence”. Sounds like you at least won’t be bored.
BLUE BALLS: In & OUT of Uniform with the NYPD
Part of the Tenth Annual New York International Fringe Festival – FringeNYCBLUE BALLS is written by Michael Tester and directed by Rye Mullis, and will perform at The Flea Theater (41 White Street in Tribeca) from August 11th through August 25th on the following schedule:
Friday, August 11 at 5PM
Sunday, August 13 at 9PM
Thursday, August 17 at 4:30PM
Saturday, August 19 at 6PM
Tuesday, August 22 at 4:30PM
Friday, August 25 at 9PMBased on his own true story, actor/playwright Michael ‘Fletcher’ Tester ran away from the circus of show business to join blue collar, only to discover more drama and intrigue behind precinct doors than he’d witnessed backstage. His adventure climaxed in a civil suit, which led to a small settlement in exchange for a no-gag order, so that he might one day share this story, in a four-person play that kicks where it hurts: BLUE BALLS.
The cast of BLUE BALLS will feature Alexandra Bosquet, C.J. Dion, Vincent Ortega III, and Michael ‘Fletcher’ Tester.
The son of circus entertainers, MICHAEL ‘FLETCHER’ TESTER followed the family tradition as an actor in the Broadway tours of Annie, Big River, Crazy For You, and Peter Pan. Before running away from the circus to join blue collar (the NYPD), he made his writing debut in London Fringe with his first musical, Amoebas on Parade!! The New York production was hailed by Leah Frank of The New York Times as introducing “A talent (with) the development potential of a major humorist.†Michael went on to create the music, lyrics, and book to The Mummy Musical (Dramatic Publishing), Hope & Glory! (Walt Whitman’s Birthplace), Hollywood Exposed! (Actor’s Playhouse), and The Pirate Musical! (to be published this year). He is co-author of the Off-Broadway interactive show THE AWESOME 80S PROM, and the founder of www.BroadwayClubhouse.com . Michael holds the unique distinction of having graduated with honors from both the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Rodgers & Hammerstein Scholarship) and The New York Police Academy (Gold braid: top 10% of his class). His two worlds merged when he was asked to perform in a ‘Gay Pride in Policing’ Celebration at Police Headquarters, hosted by Harvey Fierstein.RYE MULLIS’ upcoming directing efforts include Outrageous!, The Divalogues (Also by Michael Tester), and If You Can Dream. As assistant director he has worked with Daniel Goldstein on But I’m a Cheerleader! And Room with a View; Ken Davenport on THE AWESOME 80S PROM, and as casting director with Dave Clemmons Casting: Disney’s Alladin, Bare: A Pop Opera, and the Broadway productions of Brooklyn and The Boy From Oz.
