Indie film star Mel England (“Ron and Laura Take Back America”) has joined the cast of the hit TV series “Child of the 70s” written by and starring Michael Vaccaro. The comedy stars an assemblage of some of Hollywood’s most famous names from the 70s and 80s. England is cast in the role of the aspiring and scheming Victor, opposite Emmy-Award winner Bruce Vilanch.
England’s episode premiered on March 16th, the same week his film “Ron and Laura Take Back America” opened its theatrical run in Los Angeles. Staring in the title role, England was nominated for Best Actor at both the New York City International Film Festival and Idyllwild Independent Festival of Cinema, along with winning Best Acting Ensemble, and Best Director & Best Screenplay (he co-wrote and co-directed with Janice Markham) on the festival circuit. “Ron and Laura Take Back America” opens in New York City on March 25th and runs through March 31th at the Cinema Village.
In its fourth season, "Child of the 70s” stars household names from past decades, including entertainment icons like Randy Jones (The Village People), Ted Lange (Love Boat), Judy Tenuta (TMI Hollywood), Susan Olsen (Brady Bunch), Carol White (Laverne and Shirley), Ann Walker (Sordid Lives), and also stars Sheena Metal (Music Highway), Chuck Saculla (Where The Bears Are), and Terry Ray (God Wrest His Soul). The show is a hit with LGBT audiences worldwide and plays on OUT TV internationally, is available on gaydirect.com and also on Funny or Die.
“What a blast to work with these incredible people,” says England. “They are not only some of the most talented folks, but seriously, the greatest group of people.” He continues, “Michael is such a great actor and writer and anytime someone brings you into their project like this, it’s like joining the family! And Bruce Vilanch is a national hero to me because he was one of the first out gay men on TV to openly about talk and make jokes about it!”
So what happens to England’s character Victor? England said, “Well, he’s definitely trouble… We'll see…”
Michael Vaccarro said "Is Mel the new love interest for the lascivious 'Larry Lawrence,' played by Bruce Vilanch? You'll have to tune in to find out!"
About MEL ENGLAND
("Ron,” co-writer/co-director) has starred on screen and stage, Off Broadway, internationally and across the USA. In addition to “Ron and Laura Take Back America,” he stars in the feature “Best Day Ever” (available worldwide on Amazon), winner Best LGBT Film (IndieFest USA), and appears alongside Academy Award® Best Actress Nominee and Golden Globe® Winner Sally Kirkland in “Archaeology of a Woman.” He recently signed to star with Kirkland in the upcoming film "Love Anonymous.” England also stars in indie hit "Little Big Top” (released worldwide on Netflix & Amazon), "Persona Au Gratin," Winner Best Comedy (IndieFest USA), and in "Highlights," nominated for Best Drama (Moviefone Short Film Festival).
On stage, England has performed Off Broadway, regionally and internationally. England's solo show "Swimming with the Polar Bears" premiered Off Broadway, and as part of a benefit for The Climate Project featured posters of the show signed by Vice President Al Gore. It then toured worldwide, to LA, Washington DC's National Mall for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. England's solo show "Navajo Memoirs" was dubbed "Ingenious" by Backstage. Other Off Broadway credits include "Hecuba," "Marriage," and "Imaginary Invalid." England starred in the NY and LA premieres of Israel Horovitz’s "3 Weeks After Paradise." Other notable productions include "Lucky Man" (Best Acting Ensemble, NY Fringe) and "A Shayna Maidel" (Best Play of the Year, Denver). He was a proud part of the original NY productions of Chris Sanderson's "Midsummer Night's Dream," "Sea Monkeys" by Tony Nominee Chad Beguelin, "The Honeysuckles" (developed for TV by FOX), and "King of Connecticut" with Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
About “CHILD OF THE 70s”
"Child of the '70s," the brainchild of Michael Vaccaro, is a parody of and a loving homage to the sitcoms Vaccaro loved growing up in the 1970s, and it stars many sitcom celebrities from the era, including Susan Olsen ("The Brady Bunch"), Ted Lange("The Love Boat") and the original Cowboy from The Village People, Randy Jones. Join us as we follow 'Carlo Perdente,' our hero, as he makes his way through Hollywood alongside his boss, narcissistic and egomaniacal 1970s TV star 'KiKi Lawrence'(played by Ann Walker).
