On the night of Monday, June 14th, “Woof!” was the word!  In JD Leggett’s funny, campy, and sexy show “Fursitile” by the Boys of Bearlesque, we meet five burly guys who prove that “bigger is better”.  The night of hairy hilarity at New York City’s famous Stonewall Inn was introduced by our Mistress of Ceremony, Sparkle.  In a leather and lace outfit (Think of Cher in the “If I Could Turn Back Time” video, minus the butt tattoo…), our lady twirled a rainbow-colored umbrella to the gay anthem “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls.  Enter our hirsute cast: Three guys (Jizzy JD, Francois the Feltcher, and Sunshine 69) dressed only in raincoats and towels. (Get a good look.  The costumes don’t stay on for very long!) Are these “The Weather Boys“?  A true variety show, “Fursitile” serves up an all-you-can-eat buffet of fun and clever numbers, throwing in everything short of a Lucy and Ethel rip-and-strip fight set to the song “Friendship”.  In one number, a dressed-to-the-nines JD puts the “tease” back in “striptease”.  Whoa!  Sunshine does a “sandwich dance” (Use your imagination!), climaxing with the funny guy pulling a Twinkie out of his designer undies and throwing snacks into the audience.  As Sparkle declared, the act gave new meaning to the terms “hot mess” and “dinner theater”!   Next up was Francois and JD in a routine that played like a hybrid of “Fight Club”, “Dirty Dancing”, and softcore gay porn– set to Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch”.  Despite the presence of cuddly bears, let’s just say that this one was not for the kiddies!

“Fursitile” was created by JD Leggett, Mr. Metrocub NYC 2009 and Mr. International Bear 2010.  The baby-faced performer wrote, choreographed, and directed the show.  The guys of “Bearlesque” may be bigger than your average male exotic dancers, but they can move, shake, jiggle, and perform acrobatics to rival most of the Chippendales.   After an intermission, more hairy hilarity and big talent ensued.  There was an impressive solo dance number by Francois, and you won’t need to read the show’s program to figure out that this guy’s got an extensive background in dance.  In another, JD plays a pizza delivery guy (one of the favorite characters from gay porn) who strips down to his bear skin to Mika’s “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)”– all to win the attention of a big, beautiful blonde (Sunshine in drag).  Although he can’t steal her affections away from her pizza, the audience will love watching him try.  The boys’ “bear drag” will make you wonder where they got those fabulously over-sized ladies’ clothes.  Did they raid Mo’Nique’s closets?  The Special Guest Performer of “Fursitile” was George Hains, reigning Mr. NYC Metrobear and Mr. International Grizzly Bear 2010.  It’s an understatement to say that this ursine icon dwarfs all of his co-stars.  He boldly bares (almost) all while stripping to all to the late Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.  After 27 years, I finally LIKE this song now!

“Fursitile” is a must for lovers of big , hairy guys… although all audiences will likely fall for these guys’ plump and funny charms.  Let’s hope the Boys of Bearlesque don’t stay in hibernation too long before their next show!  Visit www.JDLeggett.com/Bearlesque for more info.