Lee Roy Reams: Uncensored! For Adults Only!

Lee Roy Reams

Uncensored! For Adults Only!

54 Below, NYC, May 7, 2025

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

Lee Roy Reams

If there had been any doubt in anyone’s mind that Lee Roy Reams was the current quintessential showman, his recent performance eradicated it. He ascended the stage in a silken shirt so colorful and vibrant that it almost seemed symbolic of what was to follow. His own comment was “I knew I was gay when I bought this shirt!” He stated that his show was about his awakening sexuality, and the personal tales he told were touching, at times hilarious, relatable, and curiously surprising. All this was done within the confines of sophisticated propriety, if you can believe it!

Broadway royalty was in attendance, including Donna McKechnie, fresh off her appearance on the same stage, and Christine Andreas, who will be appearing there in October. Alex Rybeck at the piano as music director did his best to keep Reams on track, which became another sparkling thread in this glorious tapestry of a show.

Things got rolling with “A Great Big Hand” (Leroy Anderson music/Joan Ford, Jean and Walter Kerr lyrics) from Goldilocks, which had been originally performed by Elaine Stritch. The audience responded by giving him just that, and Reams was off and running. There was much rollicking laughter: the vivid description of seeing Tallulah Bankhead’s private (although for her it was more public than private) part sans underwear, his response to an overture by Sal Mineo (“never **** the boss’s boyfriend”), and his description of Michael Bennett’s apartment as being like “Brigadoon on weed” were just a few of the names that were dropped and bounced around. The Juliet Prowse stories were hilarious; when Reams repeats this show, you can hear them for yourself. (They are unrepeatable here!)

Reams tampered a bit with Irving Berlin’s lyrics to “You’d Be Surprised” describe a romantic encounter with a young fan. What the lyrics didn’t convey, Reams’ facial expressions did. Part of his gift at entertaining was the ability to tell stories convincingly and tersely, proving that brevity is indeed the soul of wit. He did get serious at points, particularly when he discussed his partner of 50 years, Bob Donahoe. Photos of Bob as a baby and throughout his life—most of which was shared with Reams—were especially touching.

An imperative to an evening like this was his rendition of the Jerry Herman song that has become an anthem for all: “I Am What I Am.” George Hearn’s version, which won him a Tony Award, was the gold standard in my mind. But while Hearn’s rendition had a strong underpinning of anger, which was appropriate in the context of La Cage aux Folles, Reams’ was more plaintive and endearing.

This was an evening of fun, frolic, and expert storytelling, where intimate details were told with style and grace. We all got to know Lee Roy Reams a bit better and, hence, to love him even more. He’ll be back at 54 Below on June 3 with a reprise of his Lauren Bacall show.

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Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.