Eye-popping photographers, alluring aviators and seductive swingers all found their place in the spotlight on May 30, 2015, as Broadway Bares Fire Island set the stage for a sizzling 25th season of Broadway Bares.

In two standing-room-only shows, 23 of New York City’s sexiest men and women tempted, teased and tantalized sold-out audiences at Fire Island Pines’ Brandon Fradd Theater at Whyte Hall. The evening, which marked Broadway Bares’ return to Fire Island after a one-year absence, raised $55,994.

The show featured frisky fly boys slipping out of their jumpsuits, studly dads, ravishing showgirls, delectable models in skimpy, skin-tight bathing suits and desirable, desert nomads all exploring male and female sexuality, and Fire Island fun and frolic.

Broadway’s Ward Billeisen served as the evening’s host, kicking off the night with an original song, written by Jeff Biering and Michael Lee Scott. Flanked by four lusciously lanky models from his darkroom, Billeisen set the stage for the show’s nod to provocative photography and imagery.
 

 
A south of the border beach party raised temperatures throughout the theatre as the chic Jena VanElslander set her sights on luring a sexy British gentleman in the form of Adam Perry. After firmly taking control of the Brit, VanElslander stripped the strapping Perry of his Union Jack undies to reveal an even skimpier leather thong.

Keeping the heat turned up, a close-knit – and scantily clad – group of buddies coaxed their uptight businessman friend, Jakob Karr, to ditch his stuffy suit and let go of himself (and his clothes). In another summer-hot number, the audience was transported to a desert where wandering nomad Colby Q. Lindeman was saved from thirst by Justin Henry, Ramon Thielen and Ryan Worsing dressed in revealing Bedouin-style costumes.

A picture was worth a thousand words as Joshua Buscher-West led a squadron of amped-up aviators in a hard-pounding tribute to the legendary movie Top Gun. Spouse-swapping swingers of the ‘70s came back to life as Shiloh Goodin guided a blindfolded Christopher John Beroiz through an erotic duet before inviting Thielen and VanElslander to join them for a wickedly taunting foursome.

After a high-energy Charleston set to Fountains of Wayne’s “Stacy’s Mom,” Barrett Davis quickly lost interest in Lauren Gemelli once he saw that “Mom” was actually one of Stacy’s two dads, the hunky, towel-wearing Matt Steffens. Backed by Alex Ringler, Sidney Erik Wright and Karr, Davis ultimately danced his way into the waiting arms of “Mom.”
 

 
“Hazel’s Hips” got a new, comical interpretation as Elizabeth Dugas took on the role of waitress Hazel, whose lusty hip thrusts thoroughly entranced the quartet of testosterone-fueled diners Sam Hay, Beau Hutchings, Lindeman and Worsing.

Tom Deckman provided a comical take on an old-school photographer in a number featuring Karen Boss and Matthew Woolf at the 7 pm show and VIP guests Richard Reichgut and Sonny Sarfaty at the 9 pm show. The onstage appearances were included in special Walk-On Stripper Spectacular ticket packages, supported by Court Stroud and Eddie Sarfaty, and Reichgut and John Scott. Sandwiching the fetching Benjamin L. Horen, the VIPs were asked to follow outrageous pantomime instructions that resulted in the gradual undressing of Horen.

Among the more memorable appearances of the night was inspiring Marine-turned-model Alex Minsky, who lost his leg while serving in Afghanistan. Minsky, who made his stage debut in last year’s Broadway Bares: Rock Hard!, arrived on the Broadway Bares Fire Island stage as a sexy beekeeper. He mesmerized bumblebees Cesar Abreu, Davis and Wright, who ditched their disappointed female flowers to focus on shedding Minsky of his beekeeper costume and revealing his muscular, tattooed body.

The evening’s finale featured the entire Broadway Bares Fire Island cast exhibiting their talent and bodies for the last time to the sounds of dance club hit “Uptown Funk.”

As is tradition at every Broadway Bares event, the performance concluded with the cast in Bares’ famous “rotation” – freestyle dancing before the thrilled audience to encourage cash tips carefully tucked into what was left of their costumes. Their rollicking rotation efforts raised $3,810.

Broadway Bares Fire Island was directed by Michael Lee Scott and presented in association with Fire Island Pines Art Project. Robert V. Thurber served as production stage manager. The evening was produced by and benefited Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
 

 
The event provided an intimate preview of this summer’s historic 25th edition of Broadway Bares, which will fill NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Sunday, June 21, for shows at 9:30 pm and midnight. This year’s Broadway Bares: Top Bottoms of Burlesque is inspired by the golden age of Broadway and will feature a cast of more than 150 colorful and carnal characters.

Photos by Daniel Roberts