www.ambiente.us JUNE | JUNIO 2009
DRAMA QUEERS, the latest novel from Frank Anthony Polito
Jack & Brad live on in Frank Anthony Polito's new novel Drama
Queers! Destined for theatre or the big screen, Polito fills in the
blanks on these high school friends in his latest book. A must
read for anyone who was in the band at school, has ever had
a strong bond with anyone that may have drifted away, likes
boys, or simply wants a good laugh, cry & entertaining read.
Destined to make a mark in the LGBT literary world, we can't
wait to see what Polito does next! - Ambiente Magazine
In his debut novel, Band Fags!, award-winning playwright, Frank Anthony Polito,
introduced readers to Brad Dayton, the foul-mouthed best friend of goody-two-
shoes, Jack Paterno.
After meeting in 7th grade Varsity Band, Jack and Brad became fast friends
thanks to their mutual appreciation of New Wave music, Days of our Lives, and
TV mega-hunk, Jon-Erik Hexum. Together, they went through thick and thin
navigating the halls of Webb Junior High as “Band Fags” in the Detroit suburb of
DRAMA QUEERS, the latest novel from Frank Anthony Polito
Jack & Brad live on in Frank Anthony Polito's new novel Drama
Queers! Destined for theatre or the big screen, Polito fills in the
blanks on these high school friends in his latest book. A must
read for anyone who was in the band at school, has ever had
a strong bond with anyone that may have drifted away, likes
boys, or simply wants a good laugh, cry & entertaining read.
Destined to make a mark in the LGBT literary world, we can't
wait to see what Polito does next! - Ambiente Magazine
In his debut novel, Band Fags!, award-winning playwright, Frank Anthony Polito,
introduced readers to Brad Dayton, the foul-mouthed best friend of goody-two-
shoes, Jack Paterno.
After meeting in 7th grade Varsity Band, Jack and Brad became fast friends
thanks to their mutual appreciation of New Wave music, Days of our Lives, and
TV mega-hunk, Jon-Erik Hexum. Together, they went through thick and thin
navigating the halls of Webb Junior High as “Band Fags” in the Detroit suburb of
| . |
| . |
| . |
“Hazeltucky” during the mid-
1980s. But once the boys got
to “Hillbilly High,” they
discovered that the label held
a truth for them both—more so
than the average marching
band member.
Through sophomore and junior
years, Brad did his best to
convince Jack to be proud of
being gay. But Jack wanted no
part of chasing cute boys and
hitting the gay bars on Friday
nights after football games. Instead, he pursued a life of popularity, giving up his
position as 1st chair trumpet-player during senior year—and as Brad’s best
friend—leaving Brad to all but disappear from Band Fags!
Now with DRAMA QUEERS!, Polito shows readers exactly how Brad spent the nine
months from September 1987- May 1988 when he and Jack were estranged.
“A lot of readers contacted me,” says Polito, “expressing an interest in seeing
more of Brad Dayton.” While a sequel to Band Fags! was one way of telling Brad’
s story, Polito decided to go back and fill in the blanks. “I wanted to show
Brad going it alone during senior year, finding his way without his best friend at his
side. Just because Jack was no longer there, Brad wasn’t about to lay down and
die—not with the world of the Theatre calling!”
1980s. But once the boys got
to “Hillbilly High,” they
discovered that the label held
a truth for them both—more so
than the average marching
band member.
Through sophomore and junior
years, Brad did his best to
convince Jack to be proud of
being gay. But Jack wanted no
part of chasing cute boys and
hitting the gay bars on Friday
nights after football games. Instead, he pursued a life of popularity, giving up his
position as 1st chair trumpet-player during senior year—and as Brad’s best
friend—leaving Brad to all but disappear from Band Fags!
Now with DRAMA QUEERS!, Polito shows readers exactly how Brad spent the nine
months from September 1987- May 1988 when he and Jack were estranged.
“A lot of readers contacted me,” says Polito, “expressing an interest in seeing
more of Brad Dayton.” While a sequel to Band Fags! was one way of telling Brad’
s story, Polito decided to go back and fill in the blanks. “I wanted to show
Brad going it alone during senior year, finding his way without his best friend at his
side. Just because Jack was no longer there, Brad wasn’t about to lay down and
die—not with the world of the Theatre calling!”
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An actor himself for many years, Polito earned his B.F.A. in Acting from Wayne
State University in Detroit before moving to New York City to pursue a career as
a professional. He has since appeared off-Broadway, and on both TV and in Film,
including the soap “One Life to Live” and the film One True Thing with Meryl
Streep and Renee Zellweger.
In the fall of 2008, Polito landed a featured role in the comedy One Angry Man,
starring the legendary Jackie Mason. Based on the classic drama Twelve Angry
Men, Polito played “Iris,” a transsexual juror trying to keep her true identity a
secret. “I’d never done drag before,” Polito admits, “but the experience was a
great challenge, and I had a total blast!”
In DRAMA QUEERS! Polito also revisits key scenes between Brad and Jack from
Band Fags!—this time told from Brad’s point of view. “When you write in the first
person narrative, you can only show one character’s side of the story,” says
Polito. “I thought it would be fun for readers to go back and see what Brad was
thinking and feeling during those important moments.”
There are also events in Band Fags! pertaining to Brad’s life that readers only get
to hear about: his role as “Doody” in the Drama Club production of Grease, his
trip to New York City to audition for the Juilliard School of Drama, his time spent
working at a local gay bar. “Now, in Drama Queers!, readers will actually get to
see Brad doing these things, and with whom!”
Part of the reason for fleshing out Brad’s story stems from Polito’s desire to one
day see his tale of two friends told onscreen. Polito received his M.F.A. in
Dramatic Writing from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 2006.
The following year, his stage play Another Day on Willow St was named
“Outstanding New Play” by Talkin’ Broadway after premiering at the New York
International Fringe Festival. “Fingers crossed,” says Polito, “the story of Jack
Paterno and Brad Dayton will soon be coming to a big (or small) screen near you!”
More information can be found online at: www.frankanthonypolito.com
State University in Detroit before moving to New York City to pursue a career as
a professional. He has since appeared off-Broadway, and on both TV and in Film,
including the soap “One Life to Live” and the film One True Thing with Meryl
Streep and Renee Zellweger.
In the fall of 2008, Polito landed a featured role in the comedy One Angry Man,
starring the legendary Jackie Mason. Based on the classic drama Twelve Angry
Men, Polito played “Iris,” a transsexual juror trying to keep her true identity a
secret. “I’d never done drag before,” Polito admits, “but the experience was a
great challenge, and I had a total blast!”
In DRAMA QUEERS! Polito also revisits key scenes between Brad and Jack from
Band Fags!—this time told from Brad’s point of view. “When you write in the first
person narrative, you can only show one character’s side of the story,” says
Polito. “I thought it would be fun for readers to go back and see what Brad was
thinking and feeling during those important moments.”
There are also events in Band Fags! pertaining to Brad’s life that readers only get
to hear about: his role as “Doody” in the Drama Club production of Grease, his
trip to New York City to audition for the Juilliard School of Drama, his time spent
working at a local gay bar. “Now, in Drama Queers!, readers will actually get to
see Brad doing these things, and with whom!”
Part of the reason for fleshing out Brad’s story stems from Polito’s desire to one
day see his tale of two friends told onscreen. Polito received his M.F.A. in
Dramatic Writing from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 2006.
The following year, his stage play Another Day on Willow St was named
“Outstanding New Play” by Talkin’ Broadway after premiering at the New York
International Fringe Festival. “Fingers crossed,” says Polito, “the story of Jack
Paterno and Brad Dayton will soon be coming to a big (or small) screen near you!”
More information can be found online at: www.frankanthonypolito.com
| . |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Frank Anthony Polito is a Brooklyn-based actor and playwright. He holds an M.F.A.
in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.F.A. in
Theatre/Acting from Wayne State University. He grew up in the Detroit suburb of
Hazel Park where he was both a Band Fag and a Drama Queer.
DRAMA QUEERS! by Frank Anthony Polito
Kensington, an imprint of Kensington Publishing
June 2009/Fiction/Trade Paperback Original
$15.00 ($17.95 Canada) ISBN: 978-0-7582-3164-2
UPCOMING EVENTS
Author Residence: Brooklyn, NY
· Reading/Signing: June 1, 2009 (7:00pm) @ Barnes and Noble #1979, 2289
Broadway @ 82nd Street New York, NY 10024
· Book Launch Party: June 5, 2009 (10:00pm-4:00am) @ 1984 @ The Pyramid
Club, 101 Avenue A (Btw 6th & &7th Street) New York, NY 10009
· Reading/Signing: June 18, 2009 (6:30pm) @ Barnes and Noble #2094, 500
South Main Street Royal Oak, MI 48067
Craig Bentley, Publicist
Kensington Publishing Corp.119 West 40th St, Fl 21
New York, NY 10018 (212) 407-1571
cbentley@kensingtonbooks.com
Copyright 2009| Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.
Frank Anthony Polito is a Brooklyn-based actor and playwright. He holds an M.F.A.
in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.F.A. in
Theatre/Acting from Wayne State University. He grew up in the Detroit suburb of
Hazel Park where he was both a Band Fag and a Drama Queer.
DRAMA QUEERS! by Frank Anthony Polito
Kensington, an imprint of Kensington Publishing
June 2009/Fiction/Trade Paperback Original
$15.00 ($17.95 Canada) ISBN: 978-0-7582-3164-2
UPCOMING EVENTS
Author Residence: Brooklyn, NY
· Reading/Signing: June 1, 2009 (7:00pm) @ Barnes and Noble #1979, 2289
Broadway @ 82nd Street New York, NY 10024
· Book Launch Party: June 5, 2009 (10:00pm-4:00am) @ 1984 @ The Pyramid
Club, 101 Avenue A (Btw 6th & &7th Street) New York, NY 10009
· Reading/Signing: June 18, 2009 (6:30pm) @ Barnes and Noble #2094, 500
South Main Street Royal Oak, MI 48067
Craig Bentley, Publicist
Kensington Publishing Corp.119 West 40th St, Fl 21
New York, NY 10018 (212) 407-1571
cbentley@kensingtonbooks.com
Copyright 2009| Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.
