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BRADLEY "GNOSIS" STANFIELD
"I see myself as a huge fiery comet, a shooting star. Everyone stops, points up and gasps 'Oh look at that!' Then - whoosh, and I'm gone... and they'll never see anything like it ever again, and they won't be able to forget me - ever." -Jim Morrison, quoted on Bradley's profile Bradley Stanfield (aka Bradley Gnosis, Bradditup/Additup, Paris Faith, BrA.D.D.ley) came to us as an audience member during the Tempe Cinemas period (1999-2001). He first attended the show because his friend and schoolmate Nezzy Hill was playing Trixie for us at the time. He kept to himself during our run there, but we got to know him after we lost that location, and he was put on the "short list" of recruits when we finally did get a new home. When the folks at Grand Cinemas offered us their Spectrum theatre in Phoenix in October 2002, no one was more surprised than Bradley when he was asked not just to join the cast but to play the lead role of Frank-N-Furter (especially since he was ACTUALLY hoping to get the part of Riff Raff!). However, once he'd accepted his fate, he took to it with glee. He was instrumental in helping us promote the grand opening of ROCKY's return to the Valley after a 16-month absence, and by introducing us to his lifelong best friend Steven Boger, he helped us with the solution to another problem--someone to perform the role of Rocky Horror himself! Bradley in late 2002 with Phoenix Frank alumni: the Valley Art 's Harrison Ross and Tempe Cinemas' Alex Ringler Once he'd stepped into Frank's heels, he hit the ground running, quickly becoming something of a heartthrob to quite a few girls (and boys!) in our audience. He tackled the role the way he approached everything in life, from rollerblading to fighting at the S.C.A.--bigger and louder than anyone else. For nearly two-and-a-half-years at Grand Cinemas in Phoenix and Chandler, Bradley performed Frank and a number of other roles, and was also heavily involved in our productions of HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH. And on Friday, August 13th 2004, he and longtime girlfriend Becca Maccart hosted their own concept preshow night based on their favourite obsession, PARTY MONSTER. Bradley continued his involvement with ROCKY even after the theatres closed in early 2005, attending the 30th Anniversary Convention in Las Vegas in June of that year, and he remained a member of Banned On Broadway/Broadway Bound & Gagged to the end." Additionally, he recently displayed an entrepreneurial spirit with his Oxygen Bar business, Clarity 02, which had been quite a hit at recent local events such as Goth~Rotica and the AZ Fetish Balls.
Bradley passed away the evening of Sunday, April 9th, 2006. Services were held the following Saturday, April 15th, 2006, at the Mormon Temple in North Phoenix. Hundreds of Bradley's fans, friends and castmates past and present put aside all differences and joined his family both in mourning and in celebrating his life and spirit. The minister spoke beautifully, as did Bradley's parents, best friend Steven Boger, and several members of the congregation. There is no doubt Bradley was having the last laugh in getting three hundred punks, Goths, ROCKY fans and other assorted freaks out in broad daylight, and to a church! The Broadway Bound & Gagged Theatrical Troupe gave a tribute show dedicated to Bradley's memory at Big Daddy's North in Phoenix on May 6th, 2006. It was heavily attended and numerous Bradley in-jokes were worked into the performance. The organizers of the Arizona Fetish Prom chose not to rent Bradley's already-reserved vendor space and instead feature a tribute booth with photos and video of Bradley performing; a raffle at this event raised funds for Bradley's family, as did the debut performance of the Come As You Are cast at the Chandler Cinema Cafe on September 16th. He leaves behind his loving family and a large number of friends, fans and fellow cast mates, past and present. His time was far too brief, and he will be missed. Rest in Peace, Bradley. Genuine Love Eternal.
The following was posted on April 11th, 2006 by Bradley's mother Dorinda:
Two days ago I lost my oldest son Bradley to an accidental drowning. He was 1 month short of his 23rd birthday. For those who wish to send cards or flower arrangements, our address is 2202 W. Beaubien Dr, Phoenix AZ 85027 For help with the funeral costs and the medical expenses we have a Paypal account set up. Donations can be sent to dorinda2212@yahoo.com Dorinda (Bradley's Mom) Condolences can be sent HERE and will be forwarded to Bradley's loved ones A memorial photo album, where comments can be left, has been created HERE. More pictures will be added as time goes on. Anyone with photos they would like to contribute, please contact morphiaflow@yahoo.com . Photos taken from Bradley's Myspace and Yahoo profiles, the AZROCKY Photo Gallery, the Midnight Insanity Photo Gallery, and the personal archive of Matteo Yenkala. |
