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Craig & B Crowned, Gefil & Fantasia Step Down, at Gala ICNY PFLAG Benefit |
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by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
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On March 31, in the Broadway Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, amid crown, orb, and scepter, Imperial Crown Prince and Princess (ICPs) Craig Hollywood and B knelt before Imperial Court of New York (ICNY) President, Emperor Gabriel Della Notte, who intoned the words of the Coronation Ceremony, as Empresses Nicole the Great of San Diego, Coco LaChine, and Panzi looked on, along with Empress Gefil Tefish and Emperor Fantasia, who had just stepped down. Met by a cheer of "Hip! Hip! Hooray!" led by ICNY Queen Mother Nicole--who had, in the absence of Imperial Court System founder Empress José I, hailed ICNY as "the diamond in our international crown"- the ICPs arose as new New York Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood, the Fire Taming Rose Emperor, and Empress XXI B, the Bewitching & Bewildering Empress, to greet the assembled at the 21st annual spectacular gala ball, Night of a Thousand Gowns (NOATG), which, this year, benefited the Stay Close Campaign of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) New York City, an organization, sometimes fractious factions in the community notwithstanding, that is beloved by all.
Craig's coronation walk, to majestic BBC "Masterpiece Theater"-style strains (including the march from Handel's opera "Rinaldo"), had a Tudor theme-unsurprisingly, given Craig's penchant for appearing garbed as Henry VIII-including doomed 'wives' and strapping beefeaters, as well as contingents from Quest Diagnostics, where Craig works, and Cherry Grove's volunteer Fire Department, of which he is a member. B opted for a more laid-back walk, to Beatles music. We missed Fantasia's final walk, but saw Gefil's, for which she sang a medley of the leading lady's songs from "Hello, Dolly!" with lyrics tailored for the occasion. It concluded with the ensemble saluting the departing Empress, in signature Dolly Levi red dress and feathered headdress, with "Hello, Gefil!"
more photos ...
visit the gallery by Bruce-Michael Gelbert & Joseph R. Saporito
visit the gallery by Marco & CJ
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NOATG 2007 boasted a slate of illustrious show business figures serving as Honorary Co-Chairs and giving Command Performances. Of the former, we caught glimpses of singer Barbara Cook, a PFLAG member, and actress Robin Strasser ("One Life to Live"), and heard Cyndi Lauper sing a cappella. Thespians Charles Busch (author of "Our Leading Lady," author of and actress in "Vampire Lesbians of Sodom"), as Bette Davis, and frequent co-star Julie Halston, as Joan Crawford, took center the stage to trade increasingly bitchy quotable quotes about the making of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" Of the latter, Daphne Rubin-Vega, the original Mimi in "Rent," offered a dulcet "Rainbow Connection," and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Darlene Love, currently playing Motormouth Maybelle in "Hairspray," and wearing a dress made by ICNY's Pepper, thrilled and moved us with "He's a Rebel" and "Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry," her early hits; "I Know Where I've Been," from "Hairspray;" and a pairing of "You'll Never Walk Alone," from "Carousel," and "I Believe."
For their final acts as reigning Monarchs, Gefil and Fantasia presented the ICNY Member of the Year Award to Princess Royale Brandy, for yeoman duty in selling NOATG commemorative journal ads, and Gefil named Portland, Oregon Empress Lovely Suzanne as Honorary Citizen of New York for Life. Gabriel presented the President's Award to Dowager Empress Robin Kradles for her tireless work on the ball. Observing the tenth anniversary of her reign, Empress Gianna paid tribute to her late Emperor Tomás, carrying his crown and performing "The Impossible Dream," from "Man of LaMancha."
The 22nd annual NOATG will be held at the Marriott Marquis on March 29, 2008.
more photos ...
visit the gallery by Bruce-Michael Gelbert & Joseph R. Saporito
visit the gallery by Marco & CJ
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photos by Bruce-Michael Gelbert & Joseph R. Saporito |
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