WHAT AN INTERESTING PATH MY BOOK IS CHOOSING.
First I wrote a TV pilot (ideally for HBO or Showtime), bringing to life the tales of when I used
to sing in the gay leather bars of Dallas in 1977. No takers yet, but that will happen.
Then I was encouraged to make it a book, so I began that process and have completed it. I HAVE WRITTEN A 400+ page
BOOK!!!! The book allows me to engage my descriptive talents along with my story-telling abilities.
I have created in my book a delightful/moving series of tales based on memories of my cabaret
days in Dallas. I
have blended fact with fiction and changed all names. The book is written
from two different viewpoints: fictional character Anna recounts her stories
of her cabaret days in Dallas to a writer, Craig; and fictional character Craig relates present-day tales of helping the aging Anna write her memoirs.
What I express is a reverent depiction of the fun, the creativity, and the idealism of a wild, risky, and wondrous
time (1977-79), juxtaposed to the blossoming friendship of the present-day Anna and Craig. Suffice it to say:
This book is a love story on two levels and... this is for “the boys”.
There was still this yearning to bring the stories back to life. (Was
it because these were tales from some of the best years of my life?)
The performer/interpreter in me decided to read from the book in front of an audience; so I began readings
from the book with my incredibly talented friend David Carson. David and I love doing the readings. And we
got to do two nights in Dallas, TX where my tales originated. Much of my Dallas family of friends is gone -- due to
AIDS. But I found Jim and Jan from the 1978-79 tap class I taught. We called ourselves "The Missionary
Positions"! It was marvellous to visit with the two of them after 28 years!! And at the Daisy Polk
Inn where David and I stayed, we found two new Dallas friends in Wayne and Patrick, our graciously attentive and fabulous
hosts.
Here are some photos taken by Jan Hagedorn.
Then it was on to P'town, where Guy Wolf was our delightful host at The Provincetown Theatre. We did one night there
and raised money for the Cape Cod AIDS Support Group. Giving back is important to me.
Now people say my stories should be a play. (David in particular is quite keen on this.)
This may happen, indeed it might.
So the book is complete, I still have the TV pilot ready to sail, and I am mulling over the possibility of making
this a play. I will find an agent.
I guess the next thing people will tell me is that it really should be a musical! Okay, I can do that too!
Here's a quote from my book:
“When I was singing in the gay leather
bars of Dallas in 1977 with my friend, I was invited into a Fairytale Land of
Queens and Princesses and Lizards and Twinkies. I entered a Far Away Land where the sex was rough and the décor was flawless, where self-esteem was low and everyone
on the dance floor was high. I dove into the Land of Two Identities
where everyone had two names and two personas: one for day, one for after-dark. I have been to Never Never Land, and I have shared laughs and tears and Poppers with
the boys there. I lived there for almost two years, and they were the best years
of my life.”
From the Book “Late Nights with the
Boys: confessions of a leather bar chanteuse” © Alex Bond 2006
QUOTES FROM LOVELY APPRECIATIVE PEOPLE
(if you have one too, please send it)
“LATE NIGHTS
WITH THE BOYS:Confessions of a Leather Bar Chanteuse offers a window into the late 1970's that is equal parts sterling wit
and Southern hospitality. Pre-AIDS, Post Stonewall-LATE NIGHTS tells the story of one remarkable woman and the
men who created and transformed her and she, them. Alex Bond's characters are fully human - magnificently
flawed, delightfully provocative and heartbreakingly human. Ms. Bond possesses a canny ear for language, both spoken
and unspoken. To be present with her prose is to spend a delightful evening with a treasured friend.”
……Heidi Stallings --
Broadway Actress
“Alex Bond's
writing is colorful and seamless, moving you from laughter to tears in almost the same breath.”
Karen Luschar – Broadway Actress
“I was
deeply moved with your wonderful creation and have often repeated your lines and reflected upon your thoughts…” Wayne Falcone -- Owner/Host, The Daisy Polk Inn, Dallas
“…one of the most insightful and honest looks into human interaction told with humor and love…”
Leon Stieb -- Broadway Technician
"Clear, clever,
intelligent writing that creates a specific time, world and experience. Honesty that makes me blush, think, laugh
and cry as those vivid accounts are painted. A passion of life is always present in any medium she writes
in. She challenges her audiences, while making them feel they are on a journey with an old friend. A great director's
writer; always observing, fixing, focusing and collaborating."
Steven Yuhasz -- Director/Producer
“With a title
like “Late Nights with the (Dallas) Boys”, I had no idea what to expect. The title makes one open to a spectrum
of possibilities; to be prepared for anything, yet I still found myself surprised, inspired and captivated with each turn.
Also, in a world dominated by either gratuitously gay plays or neo-conservative candy, this story is refreshingly delightful
while at the same time taking itself just serious enough. I can’t wait to see the finished product, which I hope
is a play. “
……Tim Shane -- Artistic
Director, Dallas Hub Theatre
“It was perfect! "
"Confessions...is a
funny, shocking, poignant slice of gay/straight history. (It) completely captures its time period with love, joy and
sorrow.”
Guy Wolf – Producing Artistic Director, The New Provincetown Players
HOPES AND DREAMS for the book/play/TV Pilot:
MY DREAM IS: The book is published by a major publishing house. A famous director/producer produces and directs a
4-episode mini-series based on the book for HBO, starring a famous actress who has a daughter who is also talented and looks
exactly like her. (1977 Anna and 2006 Anna should look like the same person.) David
and I continue doing readings from the book to packed houses off-Broadway. A famous composer/lyricist options my
stories to be transformed into a musical.
BIG DREAMS!!!!!!! DREAM BIG!!!!!!!
