Canned Ham is an insider ‘show-biz musical’ that recounts the true life adventures of Tom Judson, and established actor off and on Broadway, who, at age 43, became a gay porn star “Gus Mattox”. Tom’s theater career was thriving, and he was composing music for films and television (including Metropolitan, MTV and even Sesame Street) when he made an unexpected splash in the porn world as Mattox. To date he is still the oldest recipient of the GayVN ‘Performer of the Year’ Awards; the porn industry’s Oscar!

BGHV had the opportunity to preview the show back in September the very first time it was performed  – and after instantly falling in love with it – we had to bring the show to Poughkeepsie so that more of the Hudson Valley could enjoy it.

Simply put; Canned Ham was fabulous, and exceeded any and all expectations that I might have had for the show. Who knew that ex-adult fim stars could not only be great actors, but could also be capable of tickling the keys of both the accordian and a Baby Grand Piano with such skill and precision? (OK, insert your own “organ” joke here).  I laughed, I cried, and we are now so excited to make Canned Ham accessible to so much of our local community by presenting it this coming Friday, October 16th at 8pm in the 200-seat Victorian Theater of the Cunneen Hackett Art Center, located at 12 Vassar Street in downtown Poughkeepsie.

Just a short three-block stroll up Main Street from the Poughkeespie Train Station, the theater is convenient for anyone that might be taking Metro-North from New York or other points to the south.

In Canned Ham Tom recalls working with show business greats Rob Marshall (director of Chicago), Ann Magnuson, Teri Hatcher, and many others. In this moving and hilarious show, Judson accompanies himself on the accordion while revealing what it’s really like on the set of a porn movie (and explaining that being a male escort can have some surprisingly touching moments…). For those faint of heart; the show is R-rated, and contains graphic language and adult themes, but above all, Canned Ham is a comedy.

Poughkeepsie's Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center

Now, I am not the only one that loved Canned Ham; Tom has received similar acclaim over the last few weeks from a variety of media ranging from GayHudson.com to Time Out NY and even the Advocate.

You can purchase your tickets online for the Friday, October 16th performance of Canned Ham for just $15 per person by using the “Add To Cart” link below. Not only will enjoy a show by a talented Broadway performer, you’ll also be supporting the Hudson Valley AIDS Walk on Saturday, October 17th, as a portion of the proceeds will benefit ARCS.

Tickets will be available for $15 at the door for the show this Friday, October 16th.  The Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center is located at 12 Vassar Street in Poughkeepsie.  ____________________________________________________________________

Want to know more about Canned Ham? Check out this 5 minute sample of “Canned Ham” that was recently uploaded to YouTube, or check out  Tom’s Canned Ham Blog.

We look forward to seeing you all on Friday evening, October 16th at the Cunneen Hackett Arts Center. Doors open at 7pm, and the show starts at 8pm.