Musical Comedy Whore!

By: Amos Lassen

"MUSICAL COMEDY WHORE"
A Raw One-Man Show
Amos Lassen
The film adaptation of David Pevsner's "Musical Comedy Whore" is an autobiographical look that is wild, raw and holds little back. Pevsner performs his own life story in which he shares his past as a male escort, something he had to do to support him as he struggled as an actor. He describes his sexual encounters explicitly through song and narrative as he totally commands the screen. I found it impossible to look away from the screen, even for a second. Pevsner is not new to me---I have watched him on film for years.
He describes himself as having been a "slightly-built teenager with a pronounced Jewish nose who found his confidence and self-respect through his avid gym workouts and his numerous sexual encounters." The lyrics to his songs take us through his life and his emotions as he emerged as an actor. We feel his initial feelings of shame, his teen years, how he adored his television heroes and working strippers. He exposes himself in a self-depreciating manner and I loved it. With his self-acceptance, I wanted to yell bravo at the screen.
There is so much to self-identify with here and Pevsner does it openly and honestly. He is intimate and takes no prisoners. The show was filmed live at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, California and because most of us are unable to see it live, we have the next best thing. It is perfect for the days when we have to stay home and need a break to simply enjoy something different. I cannot imagine that this was easy to write. Pevsner shows his talent for writing entertaining songs that are filled with introspection and sheer nerve. Drama, humor and fun all come together to give us a look at a man that we all should know. (I love his Jewish nose--- it's a bit lime my own).