For those old enough to remember, or if you watch MeTV, you may recall the television series The Twilight Zone.
Rod Serling, the series’ creator and head writer, taped a voiceover intro that many people remember as starting with “Imagine, if you will…” Although Serling never actually said those lines, the voiceover from one season could certainly apply to the new musical Upside Down, opening on Jan. 30 at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4849 N Dixie Hwy, in Oakland Park, and running Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 14.
“You're travelling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination - Next stop, the Upside Down!"
The thing is, this Upside Down is nothing like the one on the Netflix series, Stranger Things. In this Upside Down, opening here in Fort Lauderdale after a critically acclaimed off-Broadway run, playwright Tony Sportiello and his collaborator, composer and lyricist, Albert M Tapper imagine a world with a comedic twist on societal norms, flipping the script on traditional gender roles and relationships. In their world, women rule most everything, including the military, and 90% of the population identifies as gay. The story follows two gay songwriters, Jack and Robert, who aspire to create the first-ever Broadway "straight" musical in a world where they are the minority. The musical tackles themes of identity, acceptance, and social mores through humor and satire, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. The musical flips some common topics and events; a straight couple is denied a wedding cake, they are derided for public displays of affection, and a TV talk show featuring straight issues raises hackles and hatred. What keeps this from being a diatribe is the light-hearted comedic approach, making the bigots fools. Show queens will also enjoy the winks and nods and musical theater in-jokes.
A New York critic said, “If you’re looking for a lighthearted satire with catchy tunes and a fresh ensemble, it’s well worth rooting for this production.” Jim Catapano of Arts Independent, reported, “Upside Down is a positive triumph {…} It combines old-school Broadway flair with modern wit and sensibility, and is a joyful adventure from the first note to the coda.” Bill Eisenring’s review of Upside Down on ShowTone.com said, “A good fun off-Broadway show that will supply an evening of solid entertainment.” and A.A. Cristi, writing on BroadwayWorld.com said, “The world of Upside Down will put you in the zone ... The Twilight Zone...”
The librettist Tony Sportiello is also the artistic director of AMT Theater Productions in New York City, and the author of several plays and the book for internationally produced musicals. His plays Contract Time and National Pastime are in The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Al Tapper wrote his first musical at the age of 20. Since then, he has written special material for regional productions and composed seven musicals. He has written two straight plays and is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild of America and ASCAP.
Regular South Florida theatregoers will recognize many cast members. Heidi Maria Saloria was in Sweeney Todd with Entr’Acte Theatrix. She was the guest soprano soloist in Handel’s “Messiah” with The Robert Sharon Chorale and has had the pleasure of singing with Capitol Opera of South Florida for an original production in 2019. Quinn Colon was in Last of the Red Hot Robots at Empire Stage. Michael Ellison is a visiting assistant professor for the musical theatre program at Florida Atlantic University, where he recently choreographed The Pirates of Penzance. Kevin Fortney has sung with GALA choruses and locally with the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida. Katie Jackson has been seen in California Suite with Curtain Call Players and The Goddess Tour with Lesbian Thespians. Fay Albernas, known throughout our community as FayWhat?! Is making her stage debut in South Florida (see sidebar). Direction is by William Olsen, musical direction by Kevin Wallace.
Upside Down will run Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 30 through Feb. 14, at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4849 N. Dixie Hwy. in Oakland Park. Tickets are $40 general admission, $45 orchestra, and can be purchased at cslftlauderdale.org. Call 954-566-2868 for more information.
FayWhat?!’s Upside Down World
Fay Albernas, or as she’s better known, FayWhat?!, is a familiar face in our community. She’s won the Your Choice Awards for Television Personality for her dual roles on What’s Happening television network (available via YouTube, AppleTV, Roku, and many other streaming platforms) where she is an anchor on the daily news show as well as hosting the eponymous, FayWhat?! Show. She is also well known for her devotion to animal rights and hosts many events devoted to that cause. Additionally, she is a popular event MC from Miami to Palm Beach. Devoted to our community, she is now adding stage actress to her resume, as she plays the President in Upside Down, a musical making its Florida debut after a successful run Off-Broadway. She took a few minutes to answer some questions about her new foray into stagecraft.
OSF: Greetings, Fay, or shall I address you as Madam President from now on, as you play President Grant in the new musical, Upside Down, making its South Florida debut. What attracted you to this part?
FW: William Olson and John Pritchard are hard to say no to. I had literally been asking the Universe whether it was time for me to act again, and then they showed up and offered me the role of the President. When the Universe sends you a role where you’re a Latina Lesbian President, you say yes.
OSF: Were you a theater kid growing up? Were you in school plays or drama club?
FW: Absolutely. I’m gay — of course I was in drama club! I’m from Passaic, New Jersey — about 20 minutes from New York City. When most kids cut school and went to the mall, I cut school and went into the city to catch whatever matinee I could get into. Broadway was always an escape. Honestly, I ran to drama club. I was a lot shier back then, and I found real comfort in getting to be someone else for a little while, and being around people who were their true, authentic selves. I was in A Chorus Line and played Bobby — a gay boy. They renamed me, and I became “girl Bobby.” That should’ve told me something about my lifelong devotion to gay boys.
OSF: What is your earliest theater memory?
FW: Grease. My sister was in it, and I was completely enamored. She played Rizzo, and I was stung by the theater bug right then. She told me all about Broadway, and from that moment on, I knew I would find safety and light in theater.
OSF: What is your favorite theater moment?
FW: Getting completely lost in the “La Vie Bohème” sequence in Rent on Broadway in 2000. For a few minutes, nothing else existed but that stage and that story.
OSF: Upside Down is a musical, are we secretly harboring a Mariah Carey?
FW: Sadly, no. I am not a singer. My wife can attest to that as she’s had to hear me practice my song at home. I’m praying for enough reverb and good sound to save me. My love interest in the play, General Howe, (Katie Jackson) is an incredible singer, so my goal is simply not to make her sound bad. Think of Michelle Yeoh in Wicked, standing next to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande — some of us are here for heart, not high notes.
OSF: So, you’re not a karaoke queen?
FW: Nooooo. I don’t drink, so I don’t have the liquid courage required for karaoke. And have you been to karaoke in our community? These people can sing. I’m not embarrassing myself like that. I’m the one picking songs for everyone else. On cruises, my gay boys take over the karaoke room, and I’m the DJ — Britney, Backstreet Boys, One Direction, Jodeci, Bad Bunny, even Tay Tay. Very presidential behavior, obviously.
OSF: On a scale of 1–10, how scared are you?
FW: A 48. Honestly. I may vomit. I’m in front of people all the time, and I’ve interviewed some incredible people in my career — but this is different. This feels important. There’s also this beautiful irony in Upside Down: in this world, a Latina lesbian immigrant is President. In real life, we’re dealing with very real and very scary immigration issues, families being torn apart, and people living in fear. So here I am, getting to step into a version of the world where someone like me not only belongs, but leads. The show lets us laugh and escape, but it also makes you think about who gets to have power, and who gets to feel safe. It’s funny, and it’s meaningful - both at the same time.
OSF: How supportive has the cast been?
FW: Incredibly supportive. These actors are so talented — I’m genuinely blown away by their timing, their fearlessness, and their commitment to excellence. They show up prepared, present, and all-in, and that energy lifts everyone around them. I run into them at the store or at events and they’re always so warm and happy to see me. I keep saying, “No, you’re amazing,” because they truly are.
OSF: What have you learned about live theater?
FW: That anything can happen. And that, if you’re not talking, you don’t move — which is very different from presenting or hosting. I’m learning to live inside the moment instead of just leading it.
OSF: What can we expect when we go see Upside Down?
FW: Smiles. Laughter. A lot of heart. And maybe a few moments that make you think about the world a little differently — in the best way.
