Get it Bruce – Tim Gaskin

Hollywood funnyman Bruce Vilanch makes his Empire Plush Room debut with “Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous.” He’s fresh off of the New York Broadway production of “Hairspray” where he starred as Edna Turnblad, he’s mid way through filming “Celebrity Fit Club 3” with other z-list stars such as 80s supermodel Kelly Le Brock and Cher’s daughter Chastity Bono and credits the show for his already thirty-five pound lighter frame.

Vilanch had to alter his trademark look, which includes a full beard, wild blonde-gray locks, thick red glasses and gay-suggestive tee-shirts, for “Hairspray”. He had to shave the facial hair, but says he’s keeping it off so that viewers of “Fit Club” can, “Watch my neck shrink for themselves.”

The hefty, quipping gagster has long been associated with the Academy Awards telecast where over the past 14 years he was behind the scenes writing for such hosts as Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman and Billy Crystal (he won two Emmys for the Billy Crystal-hosted years). He’s also created shows and special material for most of Bette Midler’s stage and television appearances and written for Barbra, Lily, Shirley, Rosie, Cher , and many more.

Of his work on self-congratulatory award shows Vilanch says, “I would have no career if it wasn’t for people’s desperate need for approval.”

The writer turned celebrity after becoming a wisecracking regular on the revamped "Hollywood Squares" game show, seated next to Executive Producer Whoopi Goldberg in the left center square and being the subject of the comedy/documentary “Get Bruce” which covers his 20 year career and took two years to film.

On being famous Vilanch says, “I hope people realize you can be a square peg and fit into a round hole, that you can be unusual and individualist and still make it!”

“Bruce Vilance: Almost Famous” was written and conceived by Vilanch, the show takes a peek at his encounters with the glamorous, ego-driven, pansexual denizens of Tinsel town. The production provides an insider's journey through the world of movie openings and exclusive parties, cell-phone gridlock, backstage crises, flak attacks, "big deals" and agent fallout. "I Love Los Angeles . If you can't be a star, at least you can be a star witness," says Vilanch.

The Empire Plush Room, San Francisco ’s leading venue for intimate cabaret presents Hollywood funnyman and Broadway actor Bruce Vilanch, November 8-19. Celebrity Fit Club 3 premieres in January.