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.
