In case you haven’t heard, Freak Out, the long running queer variety show at The Stonewall Inn is about to have a New Jersey sister kicking off Monday, March 3rd at The Williams Center in Rutherford right across the pond from Manhattan’s West Village. We took a little time out of our cuckoo schedule to have a fabled Chauncey Chat with Freak Out NJ’s producer (and the original catalyst for Stonewall’s Freak Out) Francesco Paladino. Here’s how it went down…just as brilliant as expected!
Chauncey: How are you Francesco?
Francesco: I’m Freaking Out! Thank you for asking me to do this. I’m honored.
I’m excited to come see what you’re about to release into the world on March 3rd for the virgin NJ show of Freak Out. Can you tell us a little bit about what to expect and any fun details about the venue?
GET TICKETS FOR FREAK OUT NJ AT THE WILLIAMS CENTER 3/3/25
Freak Out NJ will feel like Coachella and the VMA’s meets Drag Race with a side order of The Met Gala at Ringling Brothers’ circus. Our host and ringmaster, Donna Vee, will see to it! The Williams Center (located near THE METLIFE STADIUM) is an artist-run arts center and cinema complex located in Rutherford, New Jersey. Offering a wide range of enriching experiences including film screenings, concerts, comedy, film and fringe festivals and event space rentals. The William Center loves artists!
You perform as well, it’s the reason you brought the idea of producing a variety show at The Stonewall Inn 8 years ago to me in the first place, but have recently started venturing into different avenues of the entertainment business.
Acting came first for me. I studied at Strasberg and the Actor’s Studio in New York. I did my first off-Broadway play in the mid 90’s, and later became a member of SAG. I took that experience very seriously. I then toured as a comedian and met so many creatives on the road. Over time, I observed performers losing a sense of agency and having zero control over their careers. I have always been a writer, producer, and director even when I didn’t think I was. I see so much talent every day. I needed to produce shows and curate opportunities for performers who could not advocate for themselves. This is especially evident when working with artists that are overlooked by capitalistic productions that keep casting the same faces over and over. There is a competition show for everything and that’s great, but there is an abundance of talent that doesn’t have the access to these shows or the stages that require you to pay to play. Chauncey, just like you, I want to create safe inclusive spaces for artists who feel ignored and need support.
Can you tell us what you’ve been up to?
I’m currently in pre-production with Fata Films for two films that I wrote and will direct. There are also some other big creative pots boiling on the stove that I will talk about real soon.
Will you be performing at Freak Out NJ or just taking a producer role?
It’s safe to say that I will pop in to perform from time to time. As the producer and (to a certain degree) the director, it is difficult to truly focus on performing while wearing all those hats at the same time. Time will tell.
What are some of the qualities that will give someone the beloved title of “freak”?
A freak is unabashedly unapologetic and walks the earth uninhibitedly. A freak is a unicorn. A freak has something to say. A freak wants to be seen on THEIR terms. A real freak embraces this term to describe themself without hesitation or judgement. A “Freak Out” freak may not always have the confidence to wave their flag in public or in front of their family, but they raise it high on stage.
As a fellow Jersey boy, I’ve suffered a lifetime of snark and ridicule about being from The Garden State and have made it a point to defend it. What are some of the misconceptions about Jersey that you think cause this kind of thinking and how do you convince people how great NJ is?
New Jersey has a bad reputation and yet it is home to so many artists and much historical greatness. Did you know that the first silent movies were filmed in Fort Lee? 550 movies were filmed in New Jersey in 2023. Many of these films passed up the opportunity to shoot in other competing states including California. Netflix plans to build a $400 billion studio here. Why? Because New Jersey is so close to NYC and Philly. It’s home to several major cities, mountains, lakes, villages, suburban neighborhoods, and of course…the beach. If the film industry can see the significance, why can’t anyone else? As we see the cost of living in New Jersey rise and many artistic industries grow in our backyards, it is an indication that New Jersey is a fast growing creative empire.
Why now? What were the factors involved in making this particular moment in time the right time to start a New Jersey version of Freak Out?
Freak Out NJ needed the right home. No home can obviously compare to the legendary Stonewall Inn, but when experiencing The Williams Center for the first time, I knew this was it. Contrary to popular belief, New York City and New Jersey both have very few venues for hungry artists. I know all too well that venues in NY and NJ mean a basement of a bar or a makeshift platform in a banquet hall. There are thousands of theatres in the NY Metro area and yet so many remain unused while others expect an absorbent amount of money for an evening performance. Finding the partnership with The Williams Center certainly happened at the right time.
You’re the type of person who could perform full throttle in front of ten or ten thousand people. What advice would you give someone who wants to perform and doesn’t quite have the hutzpah to do it yet?
(laughs) My advice is to take it slow. Start with readings (short stories, poems, etc.) and perform at open mics and safe gatherings. Then start to incorporate more elements of production. (Side note: bring a printed piece of paper with you like it’s 1991. Don’t read off a device. It is not reliable.) From there figure out what is the most authentic thing for you to do. What do YOU want to do? Aside from stage confidence, build confidence in rehearsals and training. As artists we can’t always get jobs to support our resume and passion, but we have to attend groups, take acting classes, work with vocal coaches, do improv, seek dance instruction, etc. We could learn alot from drag queens. The drag performers I know, rehearse on a regular basis even if they have not booked a show yet. They learn to build costumes, they practice make-up and hair techniques, they learn about lighting, and invest their time in researching all aspects of their art. We just need to want to do it. I have never stopped working in entertainment and art because for me it is a “need”. Need definitely scares the fear away.
How can people follow you and your endeavors online?
I can be followed on Instagram @thefrancescoshow and @fata_films for all things production related.
