Florida Agenda

The South Florida Funny Man Talks Past, Present and Future

By Alex Vaughn

Michael Martini has had a varied and interesting career. Having always called South Florida home, the comedian and actor always has the issues of the community close to his heart. He is gearing up to emcee Hellrotika, Save Dade’s charity Halloween party. The Florida Agenda sat down with Michael to find out a little bit more about the man who is using comedy to get the issues out there!

Please tell Agenda Readers more about Hellrotika.

It’s the biggest Halloween event in South Florida! SAVE Dade presents their 17th Annual Halloween Extravaganza. There will be amazing music by renowned DJ’s, top shelf liquor, costume contest, celebrity appearances, special performances and over 1,000 of Miami’s spookiest partygoers!

The event will be held in a new venue this year, The Sabal Palm Plaza and Terrace at Jungle Island.

Are you excited about it?

Yes and very honored that Save Dade asked me to be emcee this year. I love the charity. It was created in 1993 to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in Miami-Dade County from discrimination based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. SAVE Dade, and its education arm SAVE Foundation, help raise awareness about rights and protections for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Tell us a bit about Michael Martini?

Well, I have always called Miami home. Born a long, long time ago at Mount Sinai hospital. I grew up in North Miami Beach and attended NMB senior high until I went away to college at Emerson College in Boston where I studied theatre and was in the Emerson Comedy club with fellow actors Mario Cantone, Dennis Leary and Anthony Clark. I had the first Gay and Lesbian Talk show called “the Michael Martini Hour” on WPBR back a few years ago and this enabled me to use my talents and help educate about our issues here in South Florida.

How did you start out?

My career literally happened by “ACCIDENT.” Ever since I was a little boy in pigtails and high heels, I always wanted to be an actor and comedian. Yet, after attending college, I was thrust into the business world. I had several high profile jobs including marketing director for Hallmark Cards, international marketing director for UNICEF and VP of marketing for Intel Corp. Back in 1999, I stumbled upon an audition in NYC for an Off- Broadway show called “Down under Darling.” I lined up with several hundred actors and to my surprise I was cast to play three roles and this lit my fire even more. But I was a slave to “Corporate America.” All that changed on a rainy December night in 2002. I was hit by a drunk driver and subsequently had to have a hip replacement and many years of physical therapy. This made me unable to perform my function at INTEL, but enabled me to pursue my dream of comedy and acting. So, as I said, my career happened by accident!

You have been away for a while, what brought you back?

I took a 4 month hiatus and have been travelling and touring. It was a well needed rest and I came back to host and MC the greatest party on earth!

What do you enjoy most about performing?

I love the connection with the audience. Each venue is different. I love live comedy clubs and Broadway stages because it is an immediate connection. Doing TV and movies is a different ballgame. I recently started doing TV, with roles on “The Glades” and “Burn Notice.”

What inspires you?

Making a difference really inspires me. When I was marketing director for UNICEF, I was inspired by the bravery of humans in the midst of war, crisis and famine. I am inspired by young gay Americans who brave discrimination and bullying and come out anyway. Thanks to my faith, I am able to take my gift of comedy and humor and use my public status to bring attention to LGBT issues and help make a difference when I can. I hope at the end, I have helped create change and inspired people. Comedy has a way of helping people understand our differences. For instance, I always ask a straight man in the audience how long he has been straight and does he think it’s a phase he’s going through and if his parents know. I ask why he made that choice. They always say it’s a stupid question, and I remind them I am asked that daily.

How is preparation for Hellrotika going?

The committee is working hard this year and this event is going to be off the charts! This year, we will have many choreographed numbers, four amazing DJ’s and of course an incredible costume contest hosted by me. Its’ all for a good cause, and I think it’s one of the best events all year.

Where would you really like to go in the future?

It’s really easy for me to connect the dots of my career going backwards, but more difficult going forward. I would like to continue doing comedy clubs and really have enjoyed TV and love my singing back in the 90s. My dream is to have my own sitcom and also have a charity that helps people who are HIV positive to get access to medication.

Are there any disadvantages to working within the community?

Sometimes casting directors know of my work in the LGBT community and they only see me as playing a “gay role.” But the benefits of working towards equal protection and creating awareness of our issues outweighs that.

When you look back over your career here, what’s the highlight?

I have to say back in the 90s singing with Cyndi Lauper at Carnegie Hall was amazing. I have enjoyed many facets of my career, from opening the first Lips restaurant in NYC, to my radio show. I actually think that was the highlight, because it brought attention to our issues.

Now, what’s the biggest cringe moment?

I HAVE HAD A FEW. I was in a dinner theatre production of “Anne Frank” and it was so bad when the Nazis came in, the audience screamed, “She’s in the attic.” (He is joking!) I have had people come on stage and do all sorts of crazy things. When people heckle, it kinda makes my show in actuality.

What effect has social networking had on your popularity?

Social networking is the most amazing tool for both actors and the special interests we have. We can reach a mass audience and let them know what’s going on, where we are performing, and how they can help out with our causes.

So what’s next for Michael Martini?

God only knows. I’m booked for “Hellrotika” and am auditioning again for the many TV shows that are here in South Florida. I am also in negotiations with Lips for a possible return. Of course, I am waiting for a call from my agent about that sitcom!

Hellrotika, Seed of the Beast, will be held at at Jungle Island at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132.
Advanced VIP and general admission are available at www.Hellrotika.com. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Jai Rodriguez Talks Summer Shorts Theatre Festival

Jai Rodriguez, who made a name for himself on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, is showcasing his comedic and dramatic acting skills this summer for the sunny South Florida audience. After many years on the Broadway stages of New York and making several guest appearances on popular television shows, Jai is currently headlining the 2011 Summer Shorts Theatre Festival. The festival, which will be in the Carnival Studio Theater at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts through June 26 and at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale from June 30 – July 3, features nine short plays with Jai along with several other actors and also features three late-night performances of Rodriguez’ solo show Dirty Little Secrets. Jai recently spoke with The Agenda about the upcoming Summer Shorts Festival, expanding his acting chops and shedding his ‘Queer Eye’ image.

You will be in South Florida for the entire month of June for the Summer Shorts. What can we expect?

Well, I’m very excited to be down in South Florida this summer. I’m very much looking forward to it. With the “Summer Shorts,” you can expect several short plays that range anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Each of the short plays is different and all are a mix of comedy and drama, and I also get to work with other actors. Dirty Little Secrets is my solo show with music and stories about all kinds of things that I get to dish the dirt on.

How does performing in several different plays at one time help expand your range as an actor?

It’s just a continuation of what I’ve been doing the past several years. I’ve starred on Broadway with Rent and The Producers and have also guest starred on shows like Nip/Tuck. I also recently did a guest appearance on Kathy Bates’ new show Murphy’s Law. It was a very meaty role. It’s one of the biggest acting roles I’ve ever taken on. I finally got to show on television what most New Your City theatre audiences already knew I could do.

What was it like working with Kathy Bates on the show?

Just from the table read alone, she was very professional and welcoming to the guest stars. When you’re around a legend like that and someone who has been in the business so long, it’s a great experience. In the mornings, I wouldn’t say hi to her first — I would always wait for her to talk to me first. But she was very warm, interesting and complex.

With playing gay roles early on or with your role on Queer Eye, did you ever think you would be pigeonholed as just being able to play one type of role?

I don’t think if you make a gay film, or if you star in a gay show, you should be pigeonholed or how people see you forever. I think it’s ridiculous, but it does happen. That’s what makes it harder for gay actors to come out. They still have bills to pay and have to find work. It’s easy to say that certain actors should do the right thing and come out, but they are the ones that need to keep their career.

What do you look for the most when choosing a role?

Well, in the last year and half I’ve really been looking at more and more scripts, and I am shocked at the diversity of roles that are available for gay actors. You don’t have to be the punch line anymore — you don’t have to be a cliché. The character might just happen to be gay and have nothing to do with the story line. But at the same time, I’m not going in for the roles for they guy who jumps out of a plane and lands on a bus. That’s just not really in my skill set. I mainly look for roles that will stretch me and challenge me as a person. But one thing I did learn from Kathy Griffin is that you should never turn down work. It’s a very competitive market.

Has it been hard to shed your image from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy? Is that something you hope to continuously break away from as you move forward in your career?

In the past couple of years, I haven’t been asked about it as much. I’ve had beard or stubble for the last few years, so I kind of look different. I also have a lot of tattoos now. I definitely walk into the room now with a familiar presence, but they might not be able to pinpoint me as “the guy from Queer Eye”. In the scripted community, it really hasn’t come up in the last year-and-a-half. It’s not really a show that’s on people’s radar anymore. They will remember it if you talk about it, but it really hasn’t affected my scripted work — thank God! For me now, it’s all about presenting who I’m trying to play as soon as I walk in the room.

Jai Rodriguez is an actor and musician best known as the culture guide on the Bravo network’s Emmy-winning American reality television program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He has also co-authored a book with the other Queer Eye hosts. He will be headlining the 2011
Summer Shorts Theatre Festival in Miami through June 26.

NEW YORK, NY – Farley Granger, an openly bisexual 1950’s, screen idol died last week at the age of 85. Granger was the star of Rope and Strangers on a Train, both classics directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Granger died of natural causes, according to the New York medical examiner’s office.

Granger’s career sky rocked when, at 16-years old, he joined the drama club at North Hollywood High School and was discovered by a talent scout for Samuel Goldwyn and appeared in his first movie, The North Star, in 1943. He also appeared in television and on stage. He did leave acting long enough to serve in the navy in World War II.
After the war, he returned to Hollywood where he became a favorite in fan magazines. Photos in these magazines showed him with numerous Hollywood starlets, but Granger admitted that his only true romance was with Shelley Winters.

In 2007, Granger published his memoir, “Include Me Out” along with his partner Robert Calhoun. Granger wrote how, at the age of 21 while a navy recruit and a virgin, he had sex with a female prostitute. After finishing with her he then had sex with another male navy officer. “I lost my virginity twice in one night,” he wrote.

Broadway star, former Chicago singer showcases new CD

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

Matt Zarley’s career began as an actor with Tony the Tiger in a Frosted Flakes commercial. He’s come a long way baby! Now an acclaimed singer, Zarley is coming to Fort Lauderdale as the latest installment in the ArtsUnited concert series. He is performing Tuesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m in Broward Center’s New River Room, 201 SW 5th Ave in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets for  are $15 general admission and available by calling 954 462-0222 or online at www.browardcenter.com.  After the commercial exposure, Zarley took a long and heralded turn on Broadway, appearing in Joseph The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats and Chicago among others before touring as one of the singers with the iconic 70′s band Chicago. Zarley spoke to the Florida Agenda about his new album, the partner who can steal his heart, and what it takes to look as handsome as he does.

1. Tell me a little bit about your new CD, While You See a Chance (Part 1), whats new compared to your previous songs?

- Well, this is a cover first of all. It’s the classic Steve Winwood song from 1980. It was recorded with the intent of being a dance single. Most of my songs start as pure pop songs; then we remix them afterwards.

2. Have you ever performed in Fort Lauderdale? What are you most excited for about coming to South Florida? What can audiences expect from your show?

- I played Miami w/ CATS about 20 years ago….and CHICAGO about 5 years ago.

3. Who are some of you biggest influences? Which of today’s popular artists speak to you?

-My biggest influences were prob Whitney Houston, George Michael, Kenny Loggins, and Babyface. They were the most influential when I was trying to discover my own my style. Today, my favorite artist is probably India.Arie. I think she is BRILLIANT and highly underrated. I also love this new Australian artist, Ricki-Lee and Daniel Merriweather.

4. Tell me a little about your personal life, are you single? If taken, tell me about your partner, if single tell me about the type of guys you are into?

- I am currently single. Been single for the past year. I’m really attracted to guys that are passionate about something, kind, thoughtful, and romantic. I’ll take sexy over pretty any day. I have a penchant for scruffy guys these days. A cute guy w/ an edge. Don’t ask me why.

5. Do you think gay artists should stay in the closet for fear their albums won’t sell? (IE Ricky Martin)

- I think they should do what feels authentic to them. For me, it wasn’t an option. I think one’s sexual identity is THEIRS. They should treat it the way they see fit. For me, honest living is the best living.

6. How do you relax? Whats your recommendations for people to get inspired in their life (just like how you are inspired to write your songs)?

- I relax at home w/ my dogs, go hiking, spend time w/ friends and family. A perfect day is lounging by my pool with good friends while sipping on a margarita. Inspiration comes from living. I think a nice hike by yourself or a long car ride by yourself have been ideal places for me to clear my mind in order to write. I’ve wrote many songs en route from LA to Las Vegas.

7. What are some tips for gay men to achieve a handsome man of mystery look similar to yours?

- HAHA. Take care of yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Be good to yourself. Surround yourself w/ good energy and people who help make u a better person. And if u have thick, wavy, annoyingly course, get it cut every 3 weeks.

For more information visit http://www.artsunitedonline.org/PerformingArtSeries.html