With an Instagram feed replete with shirtless selfies, James Franco is no stranger to taking his clothes off in public. But on Sunday night in New York, the star of Spider-Man and 127 Hours bared more than would be deemed acceptable by the social network's decency rules.
Franco made an unannounced appearance at Broadway Bares, an annual HIV fundraiser that features a cast of lithe Broadway dancers performing striptease routines in a burlesque-style spectacular.
This year's rock-themed event, Broadway Bares – Rock Hard!, took place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan on Sunday, with two performances front of audiences of more than 1,000 who had paid between $75 and $1,000 for tickets.
The actor made a surprise appearance in a sketch in which he was forced to plead with drag queen Bianca Del Rio – who appeared on stage to a bigger cheer than the one that greeted Franco – in order to gain entry to a fictional nightclub.
"Don't you know who I am?" he implored of a clipboard-wielding bouncer, before finally acceding to Rio's demands to drop his pants. Turning his back to the audience, Franco feigned outrage as the bouncer and Rio, who was wearing a yellow household glove, yanked down his jeans. The crowed yelled in appreciation.
This year's event featured an array of the top talent from Broadway shows in a series of slickly choreographed, high-concept routines set to rock anthems by, among others, Tina Turner, Metallica, Michel Jackson and Prince. Dancers included Spider-Man understudy Brandon Rubendall, Kinky Boots performer Joey Taranto, and Morgan James of Motown the Musical. It also featured marine-turned-model Alex Minsky, who lost part of his right when his truck ran over an IED in Afghanistan, and cameos from British actor Alan Cumming and Rocky star Andy Karl.
Naturally, Franco posted a picture of the event on Instagram later.
Broadway Bares, now in its 24th year, was created by Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, the choreographer of the hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots. Last year's show raised more than $1.4m for Broadway Cares /Equity Fights Aids.
