Stage Shirtlessness

So yesterday I went to see Sarah Ruhl's new play, "Stage Kiss" at Playwrights' Horizons, and in addition to being to treated to a female protagonist, some hilarious jokes about a life in the theater, and several very touching moments not to mention a whole lot of stage kissing, I was delighted to see some live male shirtlessness exhibited by the leading man, Dominic Fumusa.  I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Fumusa in Sarah Ruhl's "Passion Play" a few years ago, and thought he was an amazing actor who was able to bring great humanity to the three roles he played in that production.  Shirtlessness aside, I think I enjoyed Mr. Fumusa's performance in "Stage Kiss" most of all, a vulnerable portrait of a flawed man who is as good as he is bad for his leading lady.  When he appears shirtless in the second act, he seems most vulnerable, most open, and most real.  Strangely, I thought his sexiest shirtless moment, was as he put his clothes back on.  And unlike, most of the shirtlessness seen on stage and screen today, Mr. Fumusa looks like a real man as opposed to one who has been plucked and preened and worked out to a very specific image.  Not to say that I don't like all those muscle-y guys taking off their shirts (Gilles Marini, please don't change a thing!), but there was something wonderful about seeing a man whose body had not been waxed and oiled on stage.  I also do not want to imply that Mr. Fumusa is not in shape or does not look good; he is and he does!  His shirtlessness was just of a less self-congratulatory nature than the prevailing norm, and I liked it.

In other stage shirtlessness news, EST currently has a show running called "Fast Company" written by my friend and colleague Carla Ching which also features some brief but delightful and totally sensible shirtlessness.  The play runs for another week, and if you would like to see it, use the code MAYI for 25% off tickets.  Carla's fast and funny play follows a con by a family of grifters who also happen to be Asian.  Unlike a lot of ethnic dramas that get produced, the play is not about ethnicity or anyone's sadness about being Asian but rather a tale of family dysfunction and love all wrapped up in game theory.

So there are two places you can go to see some good shirtlessness along with your entertainment this week.  Get going!  Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President

I Love You, J Lo!

I was delighted to receive this video from an IMS member - J Lo's response to the objectification of women in music videos is to shoot a video featuring lots of scantily clad men in exotic locations like mansions and yachts.  While the IMS member who sent it was less enamored of the song than the video, I think that it speaks to the reasons the blog was started in the first place.  The assumption of the heterosexual male gaze in so much of modern media is taken for granted, and blogs like this one and videos like Ms. Lopez's both seek to create space for the gaze of others.  So gaze away and enjoy the above video.  I know I did!

To be fair, this is not the first video in which Ms. Lopez creates eye candy for straight women and gay men.  Anyone remember "I'm Into You?"  I'll never forget shirtless William Levy running on that beach.  And in both of these videos, she does not look too bad herself.  She is definitely inviting a male gaze while offering something for the ladies.  But I have to give it to her.  Jennifer Lopez, you are my hero.

Until her next video, I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtless Towel Dancing

A friend recently sent me this clip as an example of funny shirtlessness, and I have to agree.  These boys have a very fun take on shirtlessness, and I support it.  Shirtlessness does not always have to be sexy and sultry; it can also be playful and joyous.  So in celebration of spring, I give you the Naked Towel Dance.  Enjoy!

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

One for the VP

I missed posting yesterday due to a crazy schedule, but I've been wanting to post this picture of the delightful Theo James ever since I saw the trailer for "Divergent" a few weeks ago.  Some of you may remember Mr. James from his brief shirtless appearance on Downton Abbey as the doomed Mr. Pamouk.  I hope he lives through this film.  I know a certain Vice President of IMS will be in a hurry to see this film, and so for him, I post the back tats of the gorgeous Mr. James.

Part of the craziness of Monday was due to the craziness of Oscar night on Sunday when I stayed at a party till the bitter end of the telecast.  Actually, I enjoyed the Oscars more than other years because the awards seemed to be more spread out than the sweeps for Oscars past.  It also helped that Lupita Nyong'o gave one of the best acceptance speeches ever.  And that I was watching at a home where the hostess kept pouring everyone mulled wine in seemingly endless quantities.  Getting home late and having a packed day led to me passing out last night before I could post.  Hopefully this back will make up for it.  Until next Monday, I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS