Spring Street is an American LGBT web series created by David Beck. The series was a production of The Great Griffon, Beck's non-profit LGBT film company dedicated to "telling tales of the underdog". In addition to Beck, the series stars Alanna Blair, Giordan Diaz, Luis Villalobos, Michael Earle-Fajardo, Rosina Fernhoff, and Jennifer Bobbi. Dealing with the themes of loss, betrayal, addiction, and the healing power of music, the series focuses on Mr. Christopher, a reclusive piano teacher (played by Beck), his pregnant sister recovering from a heroin addiction (Blair), and a mysterious new student who may or may not have ties to their grandmother's death (Diaz). The first season was released on YouTube in nine episodes between March and May 2017. On March 15, 2017, Zach Stafford of OUT Magazine featured an exclusive sneak peek of Spring Street before its premiere. A second season is yet to be announced.
Production
The successful Kickstarter campaign was endorsed by The HuffPost, who quoted Beck: "This is not an LGBTQ story; this is a human story." Internationally recognized drag queen Manila Luzon also championed the web series. Production for the eighty-eight minute web series took place over nine days throughout New York, including one overnight on the subway. Fashion designer Viktor Luna was hired as a key set dresser in addition to designing the red gown for Rosina Fernhoff in the pivotal episode six on the New York subway. Greek queer filmmaker Natalia Bougadellis co-directed alongside Beck, in addition to creating the cinematography and acting as producer. Iorgo Papoutsas and editor Susan Hunt were also on board as producers.
Cast
David Beck as Christopher O'Brien
Giordan Diaz as Ricardo
Alanna Blair as Anna O'Brien
Michael Earle Fajardo as Manny
Luis Villalobos as Sergio
Nairoby Otero as Elena
Rosina Fernhoff as Maggie "Grammy" O'Brien
Jennifer Bobbi as Betty
Rosemarie Mitchell as Lena
Sarah Jun as Cindy
Kenny Chin as Pete
Toni Murray as Lucy
Dolly Mariah as Yara
Mariana Parma as Marta
Phoenix Williams as Clayton Davies
Kate Hodge as Mrs. Davies
Gloria Makino as Opera Singer
Elliot Fishman as Young Christopher
Gary Roth as Old Man in Dream
Colin Buckingham as Violinist on Street
Aaron Kelly as Gay Piano Bar Patron / Streetwalker in Drag
Thomas M. Harland as Gay Piano Bar Patron / Opera Patron
Iorgo Papoutsas as AA Chairperson
Robert Arteca as AA Meeting Attendee / Gay Piano Bar Patron
Anand Dharawat as AA Meeting Attendee
Claudia Fanaro as AA Meeting Attendee
Jose Carlos Goma as AA Meeting Attendee
Candice Opperman as AA Meeting Attendee
Sam Smith as AA Meeting Attendee
Anthony Wills Jr. as Jammal / Cabaret Pianist
Aaron Kelly as Streetwalker in Drag / Gay Piano Bar Patron
Aunt Barbara (Jennifer Bobbi) as Drag Queen
Jorge Gigi Cutina Flores as Drag Queen
Hector Simone Xtravaganza as Drag Queen
Roberto Mejia as Topless Waiter
Robert Benge as Gay Piano Bar Patron
McCailey Contreras as Gay Piano Bar Patron
Tad Greene as Gay Piano Bar Patron
Elijah Krenik as Gay Piano Bar Patron
Jim Quinlivan as Gay Piano Bar Patron
Daniel Silvestre as Gay Piano Bar Patron
Mary-Anne Brady Bennett as Opera Patron
Marko Caka as Opera Patron
Mason Gooding as Opera House Bartender
Viktor Luna as Opera Patron (cameo) Louis Herrera as Opera Patron Barry Liebman as Opera Patron Robin Westle as Opera Patron Daddy Tom as Guy in Bar Daisy Park as Eila / Iris and Auden Park as Family in the Park
Music
The music, mainly composed and performed by Beck, who is a professional pianist, is inspired by classical music, including Chopin, Mozart, and Dvorak. Luis Villalobos, acclaimed violinist of the Villalobos Brothers, also contributed to the score. Singer-songwriter Meg Cavanaugh covered the jazz standard "How About You" for the teaser. Cavanaugh also contributed her original songs "Pinafore" and "Waltz" to the soundtrack, which also includes "Sons and Daughters" by Radiant Reveries.