From Obscurity to Revival: How One Local Theater Professional Created a Lifeline for Queer Art
By Steven Maisonet
I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Vinny Murphy, a 2020 University at Buffalo theater graduate. Vinny Murphy, who has graced local WNY stages with various companies and in various roles, has stepped into a new role as an emerging director for Buffalo United Artists (BUA), Buffalo’s only multiple Artie Award-winning LGBTQ theater.
What started as a suggestion led into a passion project and a musical revival of the 1970s queer musical comedy, Gulp! The Gay Beach Musical.
Gulp! a book by J.B. Hamilton and Stephen Greco, co-authored by John Glines, with music by Scott Kingman and lyrics by J.B. Hamilton and Robin Jones. The show was last directed by John Glines, with musical direction by Charles Eubanks and choreography by Toots Taraval.
The show follows Homer, a closeted lifeguard who has decided to hire a hitman to end his life by the end of the night during the fireworks. The story follows Homer and introduces a series of characters, including Chris, Homer’s lover; Teddy, an over-the-top, flamboyant Brooklyn queen; Father Williams, a mysterious man of faith sent on a divine mission; journalist Birdie; and stud Manny, Teddy’s partner.
The show follows the trials and tribulations of being queer in the circa-1970s era following liberation, formerly known as Christopher Street Liberation Day, through dance and music.
Gulp! made waves (beach pun intended) at the Glines Theater, an off-off-Broadway company founded by John Glines, Barry Laine, and Jerry Tobin. Glines became the first openly gay man to thank his same-sex partner, Lawrence Lane (the original Homer), during his 1983 Tony Award acceptance speech for Best Play for Torch Song Trilogy, making history.
The show had a successful run in 1977, making it the longest-running off-off-Broadway production, as well as a run in Houston, Texas, in 1987. The show’s original production not only served as a trailblazer but as a pioneer in queer theater. Now, the production has gained new life through this 2026 revival in Buffalo, NY, through one passionate and driven theater professional.
How It All Began
When I met Vinny, his commitment and drive to preserve queer art were immediately apparent. His connection to this show began after a virtual trivia night hosted by Rob W. Schneider’s J2 Spotlight Theater Company during the global pandemic. Murphy became aware of this production, and from there, the project began.
Through his process and connections within the theater scene, he pieced together and tracked down the remnants of this production. Through an archival process, including reaching out to Yale University archives, John Glines’ alma mater, he was able to obtain materials for the production.
He even went as far as reaching out to Charles Eubanks and Stephen Greco and working with a musical team to transcribe handwritten musical compositions. That work was done by Nikki Fae Dahlen, a multitalented writer, composer, and music director/producer.
Through their collaboration and the support of the Buffalo United Artists artistic team and Artistic Director Rick Lattimer, Gulp! was revived.
Why This Show?
This show matters for more than just the act of revival. It is about reigniting the importance of preserving queer art.
Murphy’s commitment to making this show leave a mark goes beyond dramaturgy and theater knowledge. It is a show that is sending a message about being queer and being human.
The show, as described by Murphy, is a story of passion, resilience, and humanity. It predates the dark period of queer history brought on by the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, and the show is meant to highlight the humanity of queer joy and preserve the storytelling art of being in community.
Through happenstance, Homer, an emotionally struggling person, has taken matters into his own hands by arranging his own demise, only to be introduced to a plethora of characters and witty personalities that highlight the diversity of the queer community.
Murphy compared the experience to a Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland adventure.
The show does not subscribe to stereotypical or satirical ideas of what it means to be queer. Instead, it encompasses the differences of being gay during a time when homosexuality would soon face further criminalization and scrutiny, while a disease would go on to ostracize many within the community.
Following in the footsteps of Stonewall and the liberation movement, the show demonstrates the liberating feeling of being authentic and free.
This was something Murphy took into consideration when directing and casting the show, highlighting the authenticity of representation through a queer-identifying cast and production team.
An Immersive Directing Process
Murphy’s process goes beyond his academic degree and theater experience. It is an immersive style of learning and directing.
He shared his commitment to traveling to Coney Island, walking on the beach where Homer walked, eating a hot dog at Nathan’s, and even riding the Cyclone, the amusement ride referenced in the show.
Murphy did what many would not: he exposed himself to the elements of the show. He wanted not only to preserve the integrity of the storytelling but also to showcase his own expertise and experience to bring this new experience to his actors.
It demonstrates his willingness to learn as he teaches his actors what it means to exist in this period.
For example, he connected his actors with materials that explain the sexual revolution, Stonewall, and the depth of what it meant to be a queer person in the 1970s.
Murphy, as a new director, has stated that in addition to his immersive directing process, he has received lots of support and blessings from the original Gulp! production team.
He has also received local support from experienced director Drew McCabe, former director of The Hung Man, a show in which Murphy starred in the BUA space.
The commitment and exemplification of this style of art have surpassed the modern stage. It is creating a bigger space for more shows to be created and cultivated by professionals who are seeking to make a difference.
Even local organizations and nonprofits have been supported through this process, with BUA connecting with Niagara Pride to highlight why this show is important.
Challenging the Narrative
Murphy shared his process and experience, including moments when he felt discouraged from continuing to pursue acting and was told to commit to being a dramaturg. His experience has challenged the narratives of who these spaces are meant for.
Murphy has extensive knowledge and exposure to what queer media and theater should be and what it can be.
He spoke about similar shows, such as Angels in America, The Boys in the Band, and As Is, another Glines production, and how Gulp! can be perceived as something more nurturing and supportive of what the queer narrative can be.
Murphy’s message to the local WNY audience is simple: come and see the show and be open to having a conversation about why shows like this, which have been dusted off the shelves and brought to new stages, are crucial in preserving art.
Hopefully, it will resonate with audience members who see themselves on stage and even those who experienced and lived through these times as queer people in America.
Seeing Gulp! Come to Life
I had the privilege of attending a rehearsal and witnessing the pure joy being created through this process and storytelling.
The music is silly, real, and emotionally serene.
This show is a one-of-a-kind production and may never be seen again after its run at BUA. This is a show that cannot, and should not, be missed.
See Gulp! The Gay Beach Musical
Buffalo audiences will have the opportunity to experience Gulp! The Gay Beach Musical this September as Buffalo United Artists presents the Western New York premiere of the rarely seen 1970s queer musical comedy.
The production runs September 11–27, 2026, with performances on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
Performance Schedule:
- Friday, September 11 — 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 12 — 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 18 — 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 19 — 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 20 — 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 25 — 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 26 — 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 27 — 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: General admission is $30, with student tickets available for $20 with valid student ID.
Location: Compass Performing Arts Center, 545 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
Director Vinny Murphy
Stage Manager: Sage Becker
Musical Direction: Lucas Colón and Nikki Fae Dahlen
Choreography: Nicole Cimato
Cast of Gulp! The Gay Beach Musical, presented by Buffalo United Artists: Corey Beiber (Homer), Ryan Blunt (Teddy), Michael Flanagan (Father William), Robert McKnight (Chris), Zachary Kushner (Manny), and Matt Rittler (Birdie)
Purchase tickets and view the full cast and production information
For more information about Buffalo United Artists and its upcoming productions, visit Buffalo United Artists
