Outfest 2012: “BearCity 2: The Proposal” made for a fun and funny evening at Ford Ampitheatre

The Ford Ampitheatre in Hollywood was positively buzzing Friday night with anticipation for the Outfest screening of BearCity 2: The Proposal, the sequel to the 2010 comedy that enchanted us at the festival two years earlier.

It’s fun to arrive early to the Ford with a picnic and bottle of wine and enjoy dinner before the movie. My friends Mark, Casey and I grabbed some seats next to a table where the cast was doing a meet-and-greet and signing posters, DVDs and other items.

The positive energy was bubbling over. I gabbed with star and co-executive producer Gerald McCullouch a bit (see photo below) and with Jason Stuart who had a small but very funny role in the movie. Then I snapped some red carpet shots and could not believe how thin Kathy Najimy has gotten. She looks terrific.

Once we all settled into out seats, we were treated to a Q&A moderated by Frank DeCaro with cast members McCullouch, Najimy, Stephen Guarino, Joe Conti, Richard Riehl and director Douglas Langway.

Then it was time for the movie and what a fun romp it was.

If you enjoyed the first BearCity, you will love the sequel.

The sequel has the boys, bears and cubs heading from NYC to Provincetown for a Bear Week bachelor party as Roger (McCullouch) and Tyler (Conti) prepare to tie the knot.

While there are all kinds of temptations for the engaged couple, we also get fun moments involving some of their parents.

Guarino’s mother – whose home the gang stays in during the trip – is played by Najimy who is natural and wonderful, funny and touching. She makes the most out of every scene she is in.

Tyler’s parents are a hoot! They are played by Richard Riehl and Susan Mosher and are a glorious addition to the franchise. Riehl, who you will recognize from his more than 250 TV and film credits, is an unwitting sex symbol to many of the bears but is blissfully clueless about it all.

Mosher is one of the most delightful surprises here as Tyler’s mom who just delights in telling anecdotes about her son who she doesn’t seem to realize – or much care – how mortified he is.

Brian Keane is back as Fred and is very effective in his role and Aaron Tone very sexy as Roger’s ex-boyfriend who still carries a torch for the silver fox.

Then then there is comic genius Guarino who we all remember from The Big Gay Sketch Show and would love to see even more of on ABC’s Happy Endings. He’s top-notch and has a few hilarious moments during a foam party scene that he improvised himself to very funny effect.

I gabbed with director Langway on Sunday morning after the awards brunch about what is next for his film. It screened as the closing night film at the 12th Philadelphia QFest Film Festival earlier today and will screen again tomorrow (Monday) as part of the festival favorites.

Then next Sunday, July 29. BearCity 2 will screen for one day, all day, in San Francisco at The Castro Theatre.

Go the the film’s Facebook page for more information!