Go Go Tales
RAY RUBY’S PARADISE: a classy go go/cabaret in downtown Manhattan is a factory of dreams and dreamers, run by the charismatic impresario Ray Ruby, with the expert assistance from long time cronies and colourful hangers on and featuring the most beautiful and talented girls in paradise. So talented that the girls, not only lap dancers, but are members of the RAY OF HOPE talent agency, run by Ray himself which promises them future stardom while showcasing their talents as well as their dancing.
Unfortunately all is not well in Paradise and in the course of one eventful nite, (the film takes place from sundown to sunrise): Ray and his main sidekick, accountant Jay,
are facing imminent foreclosure by the landlady. In fact things have gotten so bad that even the dancers are threatening their beloved Ray with a strip-strike unless money
is paid. Even Ray’s saviour, and ace in the hole, his younger brother and financier Johnny, wants to pull the plug on the Paradise, no longer willing to lend him the money needed to keep the club open.
But the dreamer in Ray will not give in. He and Jay the accountant have bought a foolproof system to win the Lottery. Suffice to say, on this magic night they hit the Lottery but true to form can’t find the ticket. The results are HOPEFULLY both poignant and hilarious. Keep in mind this is our first screwball comedy, and I mean SCREWBALL complete with wall to wall music, go go dancing and whatever else...
RAY RUBY'S PARADISE
USA
CAST
WILLEM DAFOE
IN THE ROLE OF RAY RUBY - Having made over one hundred films in his legendary career, Willem Dafoe is internationally respected for bringing versatility, boldness, and daring to some of the most iconic films of our time. His artistic curiosity in exploring the human condition leads him to projects all over the world, large and small, Hollywood films as well as Independent cinema.
MATTHEW MODINE
IN THE ROLE OF JOHNIE RUBY - Matthew studied with Stella Adler at her Conservatory of Acting. While still a student of hers, he began landing starring roles in film, and later theatre and television. Matthew has worked with many of the most highly regarded directors
SYLVIA MILES
IN THE ROLE OF LILIAN MURRAY - Sylvia Miles was an American actress, born and raised in Greenwich Village, New York City. She was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, without ever winning the Award.
PRAS MICHEL
IN THE ROLE OF SANDMAN - is an American rapper and record producer. He is best known as a member of the hip hop group Fugees, which he formed with fellow New Jerseyans Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill in 1990.
BURT YOUNG
IN THE ROLE OF MURRAY - Young was nominated for an Oscar, and has gone on to reprise the role in all five "Rocky" sequels to date! Peckinpah re-hired him to play renegade trucker "Pigpen" in the moderately successful Convoy.
EUROPEAN
CAST
BOB HOSKINS
IN THE ROLE OF THE BARON - he played also in the Cotton Club, Mona Lisa, which won him an Oscar nomination as well as a BAFTA award, Cannes Film Festival and Golden Globe), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Golden Globe nomination), and he’s known also for Mermaids, Hook, Nixon, Felicia’s Journey and Enemy at the Gates.
ROY DOTRICE
IN THE ROLE OF JAY - Known for his considerable success in one-man shows such as Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, Will Rogers and Winston Churchill, his superb one-person show "Brief Lives", drawn from the Elizabethan diaries of John Aubrey, played for over 1,700 performances over a period of nearly a decade
ASIA ARGENTO
IN THE ROLE OF MONROE - In 1993 she co-starred in Carlo Verdone’s “Perdiamoci di vista” in which she played Arianna, a physically disabled girl--an intricate, difficult role that won her the David di Donatello for best actress (1993-1994). She also had a featured role in the international cast of Queen Margot. In 1995 she again won a David di Donatello and a Grolla d'oro.
RICCARDO SCAMARCIO
IN THE ROLE OF Dr STEVEN - his film success brought him prominence as a sex symbol and boosted requests for his acting skills, leading to his role in Texas (2005), directed by Fausto Paravidino and soon to him joining the cast of Romanzo Criminale, playing a monosyllabic, enigmatic thug character in a powerful portrait of a mafiosi community directed by Michele Placido.
BIANCA BALTI
IN THE ROLE OF ADRIAN - Her career took off when she was part of the Dolce&Gabbana campaign, she has also appeared on the covers of many fashion magazines, including Vogue,Harper’s bazaar, Marie Claire, as well in Playboy. Her campaigns includeRoberto Cavalli, Cristian Dior, Armani, Missoni and many others.