MEANDERINGS – by Peter Rocchio

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Who would have believed that Central Florida would become a happening place? I’ve been here since 1979 and for the years that I did talk radio I took pleasure in demeaning the community by referring to it as Borelando or Orblando. Well, times change and so have I. Downtown is genuinely alive – people everywhere; construction everywhere, condos everywhere, restaurants everywhere, theatres everywhere. Don’t get me wrong - it still has a way to go to be ‘cosmopolitan’ but hey, I remember where we were. What truly puzzles me is the lack of diversity in the options available for us gay people.

The latest incarnation at The Parliament House is commendable – great new look with real theatre not just potty mouthed men dressed up like women singing someone else’s songs (beautiful and funny and talented that they may be). Why can’t we sustain an active piano bar where gifted singer/players can entertain and encourage a room full of Evitas or Tevyes wailing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ or ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ or any of a multitude of gay anthems. Lord knows there are enough talented or pseudo/talented gay men and women in this town to fill a piano bar every night of the week.

And talking about gays getting out – isn’t it time for a truly gay restaurant? One that isn’t pretentious and, reaching beyond it’s abilities. How about a warm friendly environment where you can get mom’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes or roasted chicken or pork chops and not spend more than say, ten bucks a person. Remember Mack Meiners’ Country Store? That had all the ingredients of being the perfect gay restaurant – sigh! – maybe Mack will consider a second go.

Talking about Mack Meiner – as many of you might know Mack left Orlando and Cheap Charlie’s Emporium on Lexington St which he co-owns with his brother Charles and headed to Montreal where he opened his own antique shop, Chez Maxine, named after his nom de femme and after three years of digging out of ice and snow has returned to the land of hurricanes, humidity and I-4 grid-lock.
Query – did you pick up on the homosexual thread woven into the recent Al Pacino ‘Merchant of Venice’? None of Shakespeare’s words were altered but the inferences were there and became the raison d’etre for Antonio’s putting his flesh and his fortune in jeopardy – what is it they say, ‘an erect penis knows no conscience’.

How do I segue after that line? Oh well – been on Winter Park’s Park Avenue lately? Chapters has closed it’s books – no loss – and been replaced by East of Paris. The owner/ chef, as I am told is a celebrated Scotsman making his first attempt at a restaurant in America. I’ll be checking it out shortly. I have been to Bosphorus down the block. Would you believe a Turkish restaurant? A first for me and a wonderful first it was. Bill and I dropped by on a very busy Saturday night without a reservation and was graciously accommodated with but a very short wait. The Meze, ($12) a sort of appetizer sampler, was delicious – a variety of cold salad/spreads. Perfect for sharing. We also shared the entrée of Shrimp ($18) braised in a mélange of tomatoes, onions and green pepper. Served with a side of rice. I was unsure about Turkish wine so the server offered a sample to taste. It wasn’t to my liking so I ordered a Turkish beer – Efes - at a somewhat inflated price of $6.50. So much of the menu had a Middle Eastern flavor to it causing me to comment. I was told that actually Middle Eastern cuisine was first developed in the Ottoman Empire so I wasn’t surprised when the lead items on the dessert menu were Baklavas ($4.50). by the way, the décor is gorgeous and sophisticated – very Manhattan.

Also what would a stroll on Park Avenue be without a visit to the Scott-Laurent Gallery. Unfortunately neither Scott nor Larry were there but Rick Stanley was. Yes, THE talented Rick Stanley recently of Mad Cow Theatre. He is no longer associated with Mad Cow but still working in the theatre - having just done Prof. Henry Higgins at Winter Haven and about to participate in a reading of Sondheim’s Assassins . Stanley is one of Central Florida’s many gifted actor/singers. It was great to also run into (not literally) Katriina Ploof at Scott-Laurent. She also of Mad Cow, is about to go into rehearsal for a June production of Our Town.

And talking about Mad Cow Theatre – did you catch Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia? Brilliant production of a challenging play with a superb ensemble. How great to see our old friend Tommy Keesling again. He has been absent from the boards for far too long.and in Arcadia, he came back with a vengence. Tommy’s performance of Bernard Nightingale was a theatrical tour de force..

Well enough of these meanderings – time to do something a bit more productive.
Ciao for now!

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