Our Broadway Bares adventure began when Ari Lankin painted an impromptu tatoo on the arm of a Kriss Angel dancer in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign. They suggested we paint live at Broadway Bares Las Vegas, which we did, at Planet Hollywood. A few weeks back, Ari received a call requesting the live-painting action for the fittingly named “Broadway Bares XXI: Masterpiece” at the Roseland Ballroom on Father’s Day (the Vegas installment was on Easter Sunday). And just like that, it was on.

The pictures in this post only begin to capture the energy, eroticism and madness of this titillating event. When Jerry Mitchell stopped by to say hello, he slyly noted: “slightly better turnout than Vegas, no?” —  surely the understatement of the century.

There is no way to accurately describe the deafening roars, which escalated appropriately during the second show. At this stage, Ari and yours truly (above) are old pro’s on the 1:15 show live painting format. After the jump, Broadway Bares XXI: Masterpiece, and my humble contributions to the valiant efforts of an amazing community, fighting AIDS two incredible shows at a time.

My vantage point for painting number one, on the second level of the Roseland Ballroom atop a podium. For anyone who knows this specific corner, there is a hole in the ceiling blasting arctic winds. Let’s just say, if I were dressed as Marilyn Monroe, there would have been a whole lot of Borbay accessible to the folks down below.

There’s Ari across the way, getting his paint on. As you can see, the iPhone 4 has terrific zoom capabilities. I kid. I kid because I love. And I know they could have had an 8 megapixel camera installed in the 3g if they wanted. You know it’s true Apple.

Peering over my finished canvas as show number one draws to a rowdy close. Getty Images captured my hand at work… and normally I would be insulted my face wasn’t included, but this event attracts nothing but beautiful people. The straight painter with a gut isn’t necessarily the eye candy people paid for.

And, painting number one, complete! You can click on this image for a better view of this 14″X18″ canvas which will be auctioned for charity.

And, on to the next one. Switching locations, and I am not afraid to share that I was many, many adult beverages deep at this point.

The very pimp set-up for painting number two. Smaller canvas with a somewhat obstructed view, so I decided to paint the essence of the stage, minus the performers.

Sometimes, a nice thick outline is so satisfying, particularly when the atmosphere is so damn energetic.

Working on sections, focused on negative space of the descending speakers and spotlights.

The incredible umbrella performance at the tip of the stage, admired by many, revered by all.

Slowly cracking away at the painting… the actual vibe felt very David Lynch, and I was painting with Max Beckmann in mind.

More action, fore and background.

David Hyde Pierce, getting big love from the audience.

The atmosphere during the second show is delightfully distracting to say the least, and the most, or even the in-between.

Backing away, soaking it all in.

Bodies, bodies everywhere, now lets all slip bills in a g-string.

 

And painting number two, coming in at 11″X14″, is complete.

Ari’s hands really capture what it is to live paint. I am still finding paint on my stomach from this event. And I use a loofa.

And on to more festivities… Sunday was quite a day. I started painting in Larchmont for six hours, trained it back to the city, made my way to Roseland and painted until 1:30AM. That’s how we do. A special thank you to Ari Lankin, Jerry Mitchell, Michael, the tech team that provided us with light, and the entire Broadway Bares staff, and performers. It is an honor to participate alongside the most talented Broadway stars on the planet.