Fairy Tales: Traditional Tales Retold for Gay Men

Those amused by the notion of Hansel as a Bavarian drag queen or of an Ugly Duckling whose transformation is wrought by aerobics and yoga will find writer/performer Cashorali's reworkings of traditional fairy tales diverting reading. Those expecting more imaginative or substantive alternatives to tradition will be disappointed. The facile humor (exemplified by the inevitable pun of the title), moreover, will strain readers' patience. Cashorali works with obscure as well as familiar tales (including stories retold by Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and Italo Calvino, among others); his usual strategy is to change heroines into gay heroes and to move them into a distinctly upscale, urban milieu. His protagonists make wisecracks about poppers and ACT-UP, and dream of making it big in Hollywood. Such capitulations to yuppie readers narrow the appeal of the book; ironically, the most engaging tale of all, a reworking of ``Puss in Boots'' featuring a dog in penny loafers, is effective to the degree that it only incidentally dramatizes any element of gay life. Author tour. (Oct.)