This review of Tym Moss (A)live!! Fun! Fabulous!! Flamboyant!!! at Don't Tell Mama was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in Volume X, Issue 7 (2017) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!
Tym Moss (A)live!!
Fun! Fabulous!! Flamboyant!!!
Starring: Tym Moss
Director: Lennie Watts
Musical Director: Andrew David Sotomayor
Don't Tell Mama
343 West 46th Street
New York, New York 10036
Reviewed 10/1/17
Growing up in rural Indiana in the 1960s and 1970s, Tym Moss had the pleasure of being able to attach posters of Bobby Sherman, David Cassidy, and Andy Gibb to the walls of his bedroom (I am sure he liked the way they sang). He never heard the word "gay" but, in school, he was often called a Homo, a Queer, and a Faggot, and had no idea what those words meant. His self-discovery began at his senior prom when he was more interested in dancing with a football player than he was with his own date. After graduation, he timidly started going out to gay bars and, as he put it, "It didn't take me long to figure out what those forbidden words meant. I pride myself on being a good student." Before long, it was "raining men" and it continued "to rain and rain and rain until he just threw away his umbrella! The Kraken had been released!"
Off to New York City in search of fame and fortune, his first job was dressing as Miss Piggy, and he later found work touring with a Christian singing group called "Sunshine Express." When Tym admitted he drank, smoked, and was gay, they literally dropped him off in the middle of a cornfield. It seemed no one knew he was "the greatest star" except for himself. He became a real estate salesman, then a broker, and at 25 years old, he owned the company. He was financially successful but was miserable - so what's a boy to do? He found solace in the sexy and seductive magic of "a beautiful white powder" that made him feel safe and secure. At first, just on the weekends but eventually, every day was a Happy Day! For two decades, he lived the High Life but it soon felt like his addiction was crushing every bone in his body. He would beg for mercy and seek help but eventually would put off rehab for another day. He invited an abusive felon to live with him (who Tym called "The Devil") and his life became a long string of stabbings, hospital stays, and break-ins. His functioning days had ended. He was just a shell of his old self - a creep who had no idea what day or month it was. He couldn't recognize the man in the mirror. Realizing he was on a fast track to a short life, he went to rehabilitation and with the help of doctors, therapists, and counselors, he got clean and decided to do what he always loved - be an entertainer.
As Tym put it, "In the first 1/2 of my life, I was a supporting role in everyone else's reality. Now, in the second 1/2 of my life, I'm starring in MY reality." He didn't escape unscathed. He has "scar tissue on his brain due to having suffered many light stokes" and is "a partial amnesiac due to brain swelling." However, he can finally see clearly now and can feel a brand new day! The rainbow he's been waiting for is here! Tym Moss appreciates his new life and is making the best of it. He has a successful internet radio show, has been cast in a number of plays, and is now in the process of filming a movie. Most of all, he appreciates his friends and fans whose love he credits for lifting him higher and higher - in a whole new way!
This show entitled Tym Moss (A)live!! Fun! Fabulous!! Flamboyant!!! is a huge success and audience-pleaser. It is brilliantly and impressively directed by Lennie Watts with the talented and professional Andrew Sotomayor as Musical Director. Tym Moss appeared on stage wearing a black shirt and pants, with a red bow tie and beautiful red boa. His made-to-order red jacket featured real peacock feathers. He made it clear he was ready to show all his true colors with pride and with not a single body part left to gather dust in the closet. He fulfilled his promise to be fun, fabulous, and flamboyant! "Tym's Dream Medley" was particularly impressive and his other songs were perfectly selected to accompany his life's journey. Those songs included, "Creep," "Do You Wanna Dance," "He Touched Me," Bring On The Men," "It's Raining Men," "I'm The Greatest Star," "Mercy," "Hurt," "Man In The Mirror," "Help," "On A Clear Day," "I Can See Clearly Now," "A Brand New Day," "Your Love (Higher & Higher)," and "Put A Little Love In Your Heart."
The person who deserves the most credit for this funny and inspirational show is Tym Moss. Back from being one of the Walking Dead, Tym Moss is indeed alive! He is a consummate entertainer and a joy to watch. During this show, his debut cabaret performance, he takes you on an emotional journey and comes across as being totally authentic giving us his all and holding back nothing. I was particularly impressed with how he depicted his frenetic search for drugs during one of his many binges. Tym Moss is larger than life. He is a charismatic presence and a force of nature dedicated to making up for lost time. His energy seems boundless and I am certain he will succeed in achieving all his goals especially since he has a wonderful voice and a great stage presence.
I highly recommend you see Tym Moss (A)live!! Fun! Fabulous!! Flamboyant!!! at Don't Tell Mama while you can. His next show is on Sunday, October 15, 2017, at 8:00 p.m. Call 212-757-0788 (after 4:00 p.m.) for information and reservations.
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