In an unironically rainbow-sequined shirt, Ike Avelli beams on a Zoom call while discussing his upcoming ESL Rochester Fringe Festival performance, “50 Shades of Gay.” For the past decade, Avelli has spearheaded the sketch-comedy variety show that blends stand-up, drag, music and spectacle into a dazzling celebration of LGBTQ+ talent.
“Here, you get the best of both worlds,” he said. “You have a variety show, and it’s the best of the LGBTQ+ community, all involved.”
After being asked to perform at a Pride show in 2015, Avelli began to conceptualize a show that would be engaging and uplifting for any audience — and the rest is history.
“The night before the Pride show, the Supreme Court ruled marriage equality … and the next day, there was a line down the street to get into the show,” he said. “It was fabulous. We have been selling out for 10 years (as of) this year.”
The show’s eclectic nature has remained since its debut, with each performance different from the last but always following a path of humor, wit and music while showcasing the LGBTQ+ community in the same light Avelli views it.
Despite its layers, the origin of the show’s name was simple.
“A ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trailer came on the television,” he said, “and I thought, ‘Oh, well, this is too easy — take out the ‘r’ and I got a show, right? Right.’ So ’50 Shades of Gay’ was born.”
When reflecting on the show’s true inspiration, Avelli recalls watching a medley of comedians and Broadway divas such as Barbra Streisand, Joan Rivers and Whoopi Goldberg — and knowing he wanted to entertain and delight others the way those performers inspired him as a child.
“Mario Cantone, Whoopi Goldberg, Sandra Bernhard, anybody who thought outside the box. But Joan Rivers was really my favorite,” Avelli said. “I remember being 13 years old watching her on TV and thinking, should she be saying that? And I’m like, ‘Well, if she can do it, I can do it.’”
Since its debut, “50 Shades of Gay” has built a loyal following — not only because of Avelli’s talent, but also thanks to the creativity of the entire 50 Shades cast and crew, including longtime costume designer Suze Velv Genereux.
“Ike gives me artistic freedom with many of my creations, and he is always fearless on stage with his performances,” Genereux said. “When we first collaborated, Ike came to me with an idea for a skit and a concept for a show-stopping outfit.”
Together, they have produced unforgettable stage moments, from a Santa suit that transforms into a light-up Christmas tree and a sequined cruise ship captain’s outfit to a gown made from recycled pool noodles
“[Ike] knew what he wanted and let me be creative with the execution, which might be why we work so well together,” said Genereux. “Over time, I have brought costume ideas to Ike, and he has built terrific skits involving the outfit.”
For Avelli, it is the eccentricities and fantastical nature of the performances, along with the nuances tying them together (costumes, performers, inspiration), that are the heartbeat of every show.
Every skit, joke and costume is created with the same goal: to give audiences an hour where they can laugh, marvel and forget the outside world.
“If somebody comes to my show and they have some kind of problem,” Avelli said, “they can walk away not thinking about it for that hour-and-a-half.” ikeavelli.net
