The theme nights

We didn’t even get into the dressing room when Hank jumped in front of us and told Rodger they needed to talk. He had a brilliant idea for Tuesday night shows and needed to chat with him about it. The Tuesday night performer had run its course and Hank wanted something new and refreshing for the audience. Rodger spoke to Hank and came back to Kenny Alton and myself. “Let’s go back to my place.”
We went back to Rodgers and showered and got into our “boys” clothes. Chris came in from the city and informed me that Johnny said hi. My night was made. I half listened as Rodger explained that Hank wanted us to do a show every other Tuesday at the bar. “It would be a bar themed party night and we would complement the night with a show. “Do a few songs and leave.” “What’s in it for us?” I asked. I wasn’t being greedy, but we were doing all this entertaining and not getting paid or reimbursed. “You get to keep the jobs you have and I get one hundred dollars to dress you and set the show up.”
That was the black and white of it.
Kenny Alton was a little more definite about what he wanted. “Rodger I really don’t care much about the money and I kinda enjoy the attention, but I am tired of these Andrew Sister songs and so are the people.” Rodger agreed and said that he and Hank spoke about that and had permission to do other group numbers.
Eddie, the present manager, was the next bartender to throw a bar themed party. He chose a jungle night and didn’t want us to perform; he wanted a snake drag queen. (I think that is why I love him so much.) Unfortunately, Hank did not want the audience to forget us so he made the four of us dress in drag and greet people. The place was extraordinarily decorated. Eddie had taken the beams and poles and turned them into palm trees and vines hanging all around.
While all these events were going on, others were eyeing spots in our shows. Casper, who worked in a ladies dress shop called Zan’s, was itching to perform in our shows. He was kissing up to Hank and Oe to get a guest spot in our show.
The bartenders would sit around and discuss what we should do and the songs we should perform. Hank would make Kenny Alton and me to come in early and listen to songs before the bar opened. Alton wanted to do more modern songs and here Hank had us listening to Debbie Reynolds and show tunes.
The next bar theme party was to be a 50’s style sock hop. Hank was going to take over one hundred 45 records and hung them all over the dance floor, he was going to order over one hundred White Castle Hamburgers for the customers. He had wanted us to perform 50’s girl group songs, but he also wanted me to do a solo number. He wanted me to perform an Annette Funicello song, “Tall Paul” as a mouscateer. I was the only comical one who could pull it off. I was beside myself, Rodger went to bat for me but lost to Hank’s mind being made up. Hank also brought in Eddie, the present manager, as an Elvis performer, Peter, the muscle bartender as a Connie Francis rape victim (very poor taste) Casper got into it as Edie Gorme and Sammy was to close the show with a “Nickelodeon” song.
When Alton and I got to Rodgers apartment the quiet moments that bonded us were gone. Casper had gotten there earlier than us and ATE all the food! He took over the dining room table teasing his wig and so proud that he found the dress in his mother’s attic. “It was hers and it fits me!” He had a laugh that stung through you. Sammy had thrown the dresses on Rodgers bed and made a mess of the bedroom. They ran out early so they could drink before the show. After they left the three of us looked at each other and laughed. As we cleaned the mess Rodger went into his closet to bring out our outfits. They are special and will define us. Rodger went to unveil them..
Till tomorrow, be kind…