Cast members from the Off-Broadway production … (L-R) Albert Insinnia, Mark Baker, Christian Whelan, Dale Radunz, Barry McNabb, Brynn Neal, James Van Treuren, Bram Heidinger

About Trolls

"TROLLS" explores the lives of six characters who are throwing a bash, a memorial service for Boomie, a very special friend who recently passed on. What none of them realize, as they swap salacious yarns and scintillating songs, is that Boomie has decided to join the party - in spirit. His friends can't see or hear him and even his sister, who pops in for a disruptive visit, has no idea he's there. The result is a delicious blend of razzmatazz song and dance, words and music, which are not only a celebration of their departed friends' life, but a celebration of their own.

Terry is hosting a potluck memorial service for Boomie in his modest Hollywood apartment.  Terry has invited Boomie's close friends.  Aside from 30-year old Blane, they're all "fifty-ish," which is another way of saying that they're closer to 60 than to 40.  Each of them will bring a casserole and some memories of their dearly departed friend.

Through song and dance, laughter and tears, these "trolls" not only celebrate a departed friend's life but also rediscover the ability to celebrate their own as they address the universal themes of aging, relationships and the undying kinship of true friends … and realize that "growing old isn't for sissies." The Boys in the Band meets The Sunshine Boys at last and asks … "Is Life Gay After 40?"

About The Characters

They are, in order of appearance:

Cast members from the Off-Broadway production … (L-R) James Van Treuren as Michael and Mark Baker as Terry.

TERRY, our host, is Boomie's oldest friend.  He's constantly nostalgic about their youth, "when things weren't so in-your-face."  He's not bitter, just caustic.  He is the most flamboyant of the characters.

JUAN will be there with his famous guacamole.  He's probably the only gay person on the face of the earth who shops at Target.  Juan is a homebody - he brings along his needlepoint - who finds good in everything.  He's always saying, "That's nice."  He is sweet, dependable and over-weight.

PHILLIP will arrive in clothes far too young for himself.  He's had his eyes done and dyes his hair and he is trim.  He's up on the latest in-places and fads.  Although Phillip will not give into his years, sometimes he finds "it's so exhausting staying young."

 

Cast members from the Off-Broadway production … (L-R) Albert Insinnia as Juan, James Van Treuren as Michael, Mark Baker as Terry and Christian Whelan as Phillip.

MICHAEL once lived with Boomie.  They were lovers for 12 years. They went to AA together.  They shared the "best years of their lives" and remained friends after their break-up.  Michael tells everyone, "Suddenly, one day, we were old.  We're trolls now, baby, get used to it."

JO will arrive from Hemet where she lives with Mario in a trailer.  Joe stared out as a female impersonator.  (During the day he worked as an auto mechanic!)  Boomie bonded with Joe during his sex-change and helped to create Jo: her clothes, her wigs, her style.  In fact, in memory of Boomie, Jo will arrive in her favorite all-beaded creation, designed by Boomie, which she hasn't worn for years.  She had to change a tire in it on her way in from Hemet.  She stopped traffic.

Cast members from the Off-Broadway production … (L-R) Dale Radunz as Boomie and Brynn Neal as Myra.

BLANE is in his 30's, an ex-hustler gone legit.  He now is a private physical-fitness trainer.  Blane was Boomie's last trick some years ago.  Boomie helped him get off the street.  Blane is still attractive, well-built and not quite as dumb as he used to be.

BOOMIE, our dearly departed, makes a return engagement.

And MYRNA, Boomie's estranged sister, drops by for an unexpected and disruptive visit.