the first public figure to die of COVID-19 complications, at this year's Outfest Legacy Awards, which due to the pandemic had to drastically change its format in order to proceed.The nonprofit, which in addition to coordinating two film festivals provides critical services in preserving LGBTQ+ moving images, had to forgo its usual star-studded gathering at Vibiana, a flashy venue in downtown Los Angeles, for its annual fundraiser.
Instead, it was held beneath actual stars for a drive-in experience at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu.Due to the extraordinary times, Mantello — a multihyphenate known for directing the revival of The Boys in the Band and being one of the original Broadway cast members of Angels in America — was not physically present.