Category Archives: Underwear

“Never give anything away.

There’s no more where it came from.

We give the audience everything, and when it’s gone, c’est ca, c’est tout.

Basta, finito.

We’re the ones who end up empty.” 

~ Terence McNally, ‘Master Class’

“That’s what we artists do for people.

Where would you be without us? Eh?

Think about that.

Just think about it while you’re counting your millions or leading your boring lives with your boring wives.”

~ Terence McNally, ‘Master Class’

~ The Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy’s Tale ~

1. Pink Frilly Fairy: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three
2. Homage to Herb: Part One, Part Two and Part Three
3. A Purple-Hued Interlude
4. Style & Panache: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
5. Purple Puff Confection: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
6. A Blue-Hued Interlude
7. Fuchsia Fabulousness: Part One. Part Two and Part Three.
8. Bad Boy Bangs: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
9. Vanity Under Where: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
10. Sugar Plum Ballerina: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
11. A Pool Frolic: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
12. A Cemetery Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
13. Powder Blue Fur Doll: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
14. A Milky Interlude 
15. Rock Out, Cock Out/ Hang Out, Wang Out: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
16. Cocktail Cocktale: Part One and Part Two.
17. A Fairy’s Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
18. Willy Wonkers: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
19. A Peacock In Everything But Beauty: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
20. Swan Lake Fantasia: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four.
21. Black & White in Briefs: Part One.

The photographs for this entry of The Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy’s Tale were taken over two decades ago, and posting this project online for the first time is forcing an exercise in nostalgia – a space where I don’t often put myself. As I approach 50, this year feels like a good place to indulge in some looking back. This particular portion of the project coincides with a recent visit to the current production of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ at the Music Box Theatre. A vainglorious quote by Mr. Wilde leads off this section:

“It is better to be beautiful than to be good. But it is better to be good than to be ugly.” – Oscar Wilde

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” – Oscar Wilde

~ The Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy’s Tale ~

1. Pink Frilly Fairy: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three
2. Homage to Herb: Part One, Part Two and Part Three
3. A Purple-Hued Interlude
4. Style & Panache: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
5. Purple Puff Confection: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
6. A Blue-Hued Interlude
7. Fuchsia Fabulousness: Part One. Part Two and Part Three.
8. Bad Boy Bangs: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
9. Vanity Under Where: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
10. Sugar Plum Ballerina: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
11. A Pool Frolic: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
12. A Cemetery Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
13. Powder Blue Fur Doll: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
14. A Milky Interlude 
15. Rock Out, Cock Out/ Hang Out, Wang Out: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
16. Cocktail Cocktale: Part One and Part Two.
17. A Fairy’s Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
18. Willy Wonkers: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
19. A Peacock In Everything But Beauty: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
20. Swan Lake Fantasia: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four.

Looking back twenty years ago has been a trip – especially when looking at how young I was, how vain, how foolish, how ridiculous, how lovely and how wistfully tinged with innocence. On the cusp of thirty that year, I felt as old as I had ever felt – how quaint that seems now that I teeter on fifty. 

The musical accompaniment of this, a cover of Madonna’s ‘Dress You Up‘ given an immaculate glow-up by the brilliant Darren Hayes, pays tribute to those moments I felt beyond the reach of mere mortals. May you have felt such a brush with greatness in your mind as well. 

…Where Vanity lies with Divinity…

You’ve got style, that’s what all the girls say

Satin sheets and luxuries so fine…

All your suits are custom-made in London

But I’ve got something that you’ll really like…

I’m gonna dress you up in my love…

Feel the silky touch of my caresses,

They will keep you looking so brand new…

Let me cover with you with velvet kisses,

I’ll create a look that’s made for you. 

This is the tale of how a vain little boy grew into a vain young man.

Vanity was his weapon of choice against encroaching insecurity.

Boisterous, attention-getting, contagious vanity.

Cruel, vicious, wicked vanity.

He wasn’t much to look at, but through sheer force of will

he forged himself into someone desirable. 

Through hell-bent tenacious rage he willed himself handsome,

and one day it suddenly came to be true.

… no matter how much he was loved…

~ The Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy’s Tale ~

1. Pink Frilly Fairy: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three
2. Homage to Herb: Part One, Part Two and Part Three
3. A Purple-Hued Interlude
4. Style & Panache: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
5. Purple Puff Confection: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
6. A Blue-Hued Interlude
7. Fuchsia Fabulousness: Part One. Part Two and Part Three.
8. Bad Boy Bangs – Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.