Category Archives: Celebrity
Broadway Premiere of “8” – All-Star Cast Reading
LAST NIGHT,
Broadway was buzzing, like it has not buzzed in a long time!
The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact launched the all-star Broadway premiere of “8” to a packed and enthusiastic audience.
The play, which chronicles the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California’s Proposition 8, was written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and directed by Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.
The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case filed by AFER to overturn Prop. 8, which eliminated the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry in California. Prop. 8 was ruled unconstitutional in August 2010.
The premiere featured an all-star cast
including Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban;
Emmy and Tony Award winner and two-time Golden Globe Award nominee Ellen Barkin; acclaimed “White Collar” television star Matt Bomer;
Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown;
Golden Globe Award winner and four-time Emmy Award nominee Anthony Edwards;
Academy and Golden Globe Award winner and Tony nominee Morgan Freeman;
Tony Award nominee Jayne Houdyshell;
award-winning Broadway, television and film star Cheyenne Jackson;
celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer;
Academy, Emmy and two-time Golden Globe Award winner Christine Lahti;
two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow;
Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O’Malley;
two-time Emmy Award-winning, Academy and multiple Golden Globe-nominated director and actor Rob Reiner;
Broadway star Kate Shindle;
Emmy Award winner Yeardley Smith;
two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella;
and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford.
The cast of “8” also featured Tony Award nominee K. Todd Freeman, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Ken Leung and Ben Rosenfield.
The “8”premiere attracted a sell-out crowd with more than 80 people lined up outside the theatre this morning to snap up the remaining tickets; some camped out overnight. Opinion and political leaders, philanthropists, business leaders and actors turned out to support “8,” including …
Lieutenant Dan Choi, Chace Crawford, Anna Deavere Smith (Pulitzer Prize winner), Fran Drescher, Adrian Fenty (former Mayor of Washington DC), Celia Keenan-Bolger, Laurene Powell Jobs, Joel Klein (Executive Vice President of News Corporation), Judith Light, Dan Loeb (CEO, Third Point Capital),Sir Deryck Maughan (Partner, Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts), Stuart Milk, Stephen Pasquale, Christine Quinn (NY City Council Speaker), Rt. Rev. Bishop V. Gene Robinson, Barbara Walters, and Brian Williams.
WOW!
Black, who penned the Academy Award-winning feature film Milk, based “8” on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.
AFER and Broadway Impact will now license “8” to schools and community organizations nationwide in order to spur action, dialogue and understanding. AFER and Broadway Impact will coordinate these staged readings across the country, so that “8” will live on beyond its September premiere.
Initial Casting for Broadway Staged Reading of Dustin Lance Black’s New Play “8” Sept. 19th Event
This past week, the American Foundation for Equal Rights in partnership with Broadway Impact announce initial casting for the highly anticipated one night only staged reading of “8,” a new play chronicling the historic trial in the federal legal challenge to California’s Proposition 8. Black, who penned the Academy-Award winning feature film Milk, based “8” on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families. The new play will have its world premiere on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York City on Monday, September 19, 2011 for an exclusive, one night only fundraiser to benefit AFER. Additional casting for the all-star benefit will be announced soon. Following the New York debut on September 19, AFER and Broadway Impact will license “8” to schools and community organizations nationwide in order to spur action, dialogue and understanding. AFER and Broadway Impact will help produce these staged readings across the country, so that “8” will live on beyond its September premiere. The story for “8” is framed by the trial’s historic closing arguments in June 2010, but features the best arguments and testimony from both sides of the issue. Scenes include reenactments of many of the well-documented jaw-dropping moments of trial, such as the admission by Proposition 8 supporters’ star witness David Blankenhorn that “we would be more American on the day we permitted same-sex marriage than we were on the day before.” The video of the trial has been kept under seal due to a federal protective order. AFER’s attorneys have filed a motion asking the court to make the full and unedited recordings available for all to see (Hearing scheduled for August 29th before Judge Ware at US District Court), but there is no guarantee that the footage will ever be available for viewing and this is precisely the reason Black wrote “8.” Proceeds from the September 19 reading will go directly to the fight for full federal marriage equality and to support educational efforts on the freedom to marry nationwide.
The play is written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black and will be directed by two-time Tony Award-winning actor and director Joe Mantello.
Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei will appear in the auspicious one night only event
September 19, 2011.
The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.
AFER prevailed in federal district court when, based on the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Judge Walker concluded that California had no rational basis or vested interest in denying gays and lesbians marriage licenses and thus found Proposition 8 “unconstitutional” on August 4, 2010. It is currently under appeal by the anti-marriage Proponents and is being expedited through the courts system at a relatively rapid pace.
Unfortunately, the American public was not given a chance to witness the historic trial because the Proponents of Proposition 8 launched a number of desperate attempts to forever hide the trial videotapes. Although the trial proceedings were open to the public, and all courtroom testimony and events were thoroughly documented, the trial video most vividly compares the weakness of the Proponents’ arguments to the well-reasoned, valid and constitutionally-based arguments and evidence put forth by AFER’s renowned legal team, plaintiffs and expert witnesses.
For more information including how to buy tickets, visit: www.afer.org/broadway8
For information on how your local theater can produce “8,” visit: www.BROADWAYIMPACT.com
Follow “8” on Twitter: @8theplay or on Facebook.
Jack Mackenroth Releases Scorching Hot Calendar for Charity!
New Yorker Jack Mackenroth competed in the fourth season of Project Runway. Mackenroth was the first openly HIV-positive contestant in the show’s history. Proceeds Benefiting amfAR — As the first television personality since Pedro Zamora to be vocal about his HIV status, Jack Mackenroth has quickly become the most visible, out HIV+ advocate and educator in the country. . . if not the world. With the release of his 2012 calendar, he hopes to raise both money and awareness for AIDS research, and to show through his photographs that a person living with HIV can be in top physical form, healthy and sexy. All proceeds from the calendar will go to amfAR (Amfar.org) to help find a cure for AIDS. Mackenroth has been living with the disease for 22 years. Designer, athlete and HIV/AIDS activist and educator Jack Mackenroth has had the priveledge of shooting with some of the best photographers in the business. Each month of the 15 month calendar will feature a different photographer with a very different style. Jack is a role model to many people in the HIV community and a fitness model that many aspire to emulate. Photographers taking part in the project include Adam Bouska, Rick Day, Carsten Fleck, Frank Louis, James Franklin, Karl Giant, Tommy Synnamon, Mattheus Lian, Richard Gerst, Ray John Pila, Sonny Tong, Thomas Evans, Krys Fox and Preston Cros. “I have amassed such an amazing collection of images that I wanted to put out a calendar that will help to combat the silence and stigma associated with being HIV-positive,” says Mackenroth. He adds, “If I can raise money for HIV/AIDS research, it’s even better.” Jack has been a vocal and visible advocate of the HIV community, touring the country through numerous speaking engagements and special appearances at events. He continues to speak around the country and will be planning calendar signing events in the upcoming months. His memoir, “Making Lemonaids” will be released this winter. The autographed calendar will be available for pre-sale starting in mid-August, with shipping starting Sept. 15, 2011. All proceeds benefit amfAR—The American Foundation for AIDS Research. (Amfar.org) The calendar’s dimensions are 8.5 x 11 inches, and are available through (ONLINE NOW) for $14.95 (plus tax and shipping).
This month he launches his 2012 Calendar with 100% of
The American Foundation for AIDS Research
For additional information, please visit Jackmackenroth.com.
BestGayNewYork.com
Michael Kors & Lance Le Pere Marry in South Hamptons
Mazel tov! Michael Kors and his longtime partner Lance Le Pere have finally made it official, reports Women’s Wear Daily. The couple were married in a private ceremony on Tuesday in Southampton with the town’s mayor Mark Epley officiating. It has been a long time coming for Kors and Le Pere, who have known each other since 1990 when Le Pere joined the designer’s company. They fell in love with Paris, Le Pere told New York in an interview from last August: “We share a certain level of taste… an American point of view, and I think we like to play with Americana. Over the years and the day-to-day process of dreaming together, things just naturally fell into place.” Kors and Le Pere had given hints that a marriage ceremony was impending, as the two were spotted on August 3 at New York’s City Hall applying for a marriage license. Kors said in a statement, “Lance and I are very excited to finally be able to have the opportunity to marry in our home state after many years together. We have no plans for a major party, but we will be getting married privately.”
Congratulations guys!!
Vin @ nyc2suburbia Meets Barbra Streisand
Vin @ nyc2suburbia
got to meet Barbra Streisand recently, and spent time with her on the set of her next movie, My Mothers Curse, filming now in Las Vegas…
“So what do you do when you finally get a chance to meet a celebrity you’ve admired your entire life? I am not a fanatic, but Barbra’s career has been important & meaningful to me ever since I can recall! Lines from her movies & songs are a part of my daily vocabulary. “Don’t tell me not to live just sit & putter…”
Read about his exciting adventure!
The Gay Housewives Are Back…A List Season 2
Fasten Your seat belts….The A LIST Season 2 premiers July 25th….
Logo’s gay housewives are back, and their decadent dramas are more outrageous and over the top than when we left them last season. Will Reichen and Rodiney make it this time? Will Austin make more enemies than friends? Will Ryan and his husband make a baby? The entire high-rolling, label-whoring, beach-house-hopping cast returns, with some new frenemies and besties, including fierce gal-pal Nyasha, added to the mix. Whether you love them, or love to hate them, the boys are bringin’ it, and NYC is getting guilty with pleasure all summer long!
And our media partner Michael Cavnaugh at GayLifeNYC.org got up close and personal with some of the cast at the cast party this past week in New York.
Mike Ruiz Interiew
famed celebrity photographer and video director and a passionate board member of several gay based charities, Mike is going global. In the midst of launching a t-shirt line (profits support Ali Forney Center) and shooting a coffee table book.
Reichen Interview
Reichen moved to NYC last summer to take on Broadway. With the closing of his show, he only has about ten other careers to fall back on: actor, model, author, activist, Air Force pilot, jewelry designer and now, as the face of his own skincare line.
Derek and Rodiney Interview
Gay socialite / male model Derek and male model Rodiney.
Austins Interview
A favorite of the gossip pages during his storied modeling career and relationship with designer Marc Jacobs, Austin has now been joined in New York by his husband, Jake Lees. Austin’s latest modeling venture is to grace the pages of Playgirl.
Get more A list on LOGO
Nick Adams and Priscilla Launch Felicia Says….
QUEEN OF THE DESERT is the HOTTEST ticket on Broadway! And of course, you know we adore Nick Adams, one of its stars!
They recently launched a new fun viral tool on their Facebook page where fans can see Felicia’s (played by Nick Adams) quote of the week and easily Retweet it to their friends.
Felicia always has something sassy to say, and the quotes are fun and entertaining.
Nick on Felicia….”it’s interesting cause anytime anybody ever said like, “Do you have a dream role?” That’s what I would say is that “I wanted to originate a role and in a new Broadway show.” I think it’s been the most like exciting and freeing experience because I’ve had the liberty to sort of just play in and bring a lot of like what I thought I wanted to bring the role of Felicia… and our creative team, our director really allowed me to kind of have my own spin on it and bring a different energy to this part and then in the West End Production and what they had in Australia.
As actors, what we wanna do is to really feel like we’re creating character and not mimicking somebody else’s performance or fitting like a specific mold of a different actor, so to get to like build this person from the ground up has been awesome to know that, for always and like theatrical history that would have been my role. It’s Pretty great!”
AND CHECK THIS OUT –
Priscilla is launching ‘Safe Ride’ bar nights:
Join us for a bar-hopping trip to New York’s most popular LGBT hotspots by seeing Priscilla and showing a valid ticket stub to the ruggedly handsome cowboy Wily Jack, who will be found in the lobby following select shows.
Saddle up for a fantastic ride full of prizes, giveaways, enjoying fine wine and all out fabulousness! Each rider will receive a boa or cowboy hat and will toast with a glass of Wily Jack wine at each of the 2-3 stops which include some of the most popular New York gay and LGBT friendly bars and restaurants.
The Wily Jack® party bus will first departed from the Palace Theatre this past Saturday and now will be offered following Wednesday night and Saturday matinees through August 31.
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Offer is limited to the first 35 people per show, so hustle up…don’t mosey…and meet the man in black, Wily Jack.
Safe Ride Bar Nights on Facebook
Buy Tickets to Priscilla
SEE ALSO Nick Adams VLOG at Broadway.com,
where he takes you behind the scenes of Priscilla.
BestGayNewYork.com
Mo’Nique has Cher and Amanda Lepore at Show Taping July 29-31
$15 !!!
I knew that would get your attention!
New Gay Talk Show
Tapes Live Pilot in NYC
“The HoMo’Nique Show”
July 29 – 31 at
The Laurie Beechman Theatre
* with Cher, Sarah Palin, stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Village People
cowboy, Michael Musto, Amanda LePore & more *
Oscar winner and acclaimed comedian Mo’Nique — as embodied by
RuPaul’s Drag Race sensation Stacy Layne Matthews — comes to NYC to
tape a gay version of her popular B.E.T. talk show for the very low
budget G.E.T. (the fictional Gay Entertainment Television). That is
the concept behind “The HoMo’Nique Show”, a live talk show parody
beginning performances July 29 at The Laurie Beechman Theater at West
Bank Café.
“The HoMo’Nique Show” will be hosted by drag star Stacy Layne Matthews
as Mo’Nique. Each show will feature a different roster of gay-positive
icons and performers. The guest star lineup (which is still in
formation and subject to change) is as follows:
Friday, July 29 at 7:30pm
– Carmen Carerra (from RuPaul’s Drag Race)
– Judy Garland (as embodied by Tommy Femia)
– Amanda Lepore (transgender icon, fashionista, and recording artist)
– Randy Jones (the original cowboy from The Village People)
Saturday, July 30 at 7:30pm
– Cher (as embodied by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Mimi Imfurst)
– Michael Musto (Village Voice gossip columnist and media personality)
– Sarah Palin (as embodied by Dorothy Bishop)
Sunday, July 31 at 7:30pm
– Jenn Harris (acclaimed star of the Off-Broadway hit Silence! The Musical)
– Colton Ford (singer-songriter, actor and former porn star)
– Stacy Layne Matthews (from RuPaul’s Drag Race, live via satellite).
A native of Back Swamp, North Carolina. drag star Stacy Layne Matthews made big waves on season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race standing out as one the token ‘plus size queens’. In one of the most memorable episodes, Matthews stole the show with a spot-on impersonation of Mo’Nique.
Entertianment Weekly’s Tanner Stransky wrote, “I was absolutely mesmerized when she was on screen…. Besides the spot-on makeup, hair, and sweat suit, SLM most magnificently managed to nail every single one of Mo’Nique’s ticks, like that nasty, snorty grunt she’d always cough out.”
Since appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race she has performed throughout the US including gigs in Alaska, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Milwaukee. This past June, she made her
Off-Broadway debut in My Big Gay Italian Wedding.
“The HoMo’Nique Show” runs Friday July 29 – Sunday, July 31 at 7:30pm.
The Laurie Beechman Theater is located inside West Bank Cafe at 407
West 42nd Street — at Ninth Avenue, accessible from the
A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2 & 3 trains at 42nd Street).
Tickets are $15 plus a $15 food/drink minimum.
To purchase tickets call 212-352-3101 or visit
SpinCycleNYC.com.
Peter Nelson Joins Chicago and Talks to GayLifeNYC.org
Gaylifenyc.org
interviews the very handsome and talented Peter Nelson.
Peter got his first Broadway role his first three months in NYC. He is a fitness pole dancer, does charity work including Broadway Bares and is a super nice and smart man.
Born and raised Morman, he LOVES sweets and chocolates – but of course, spends lots of time in the gym.
He is moved to NYC just 3 months ago and has landed a role in CHICAGO!
Lots of hot pictures of him pole dancing!
Check out Peter Nelson and Michael Cavnaugh on YouTube
GayLifeNYC.org
Ronnie Kroell and Taylor Proffitt Talk Gay Pride and New York City
SOULMATES
are hard to find.
But when it happens…you know.
Whether it is a love relationship or a platonic friendship some connections feel deeper than others, like they have been there forever. Sometimes it is just as if you “click” and other times it is like you’ve known one another your entire lives.
As Pride month comes to an end, and with New York City on a high with gay marriage passing, we caught up with supermodel, actor, singer Ronnie Kroell recently and talked about the LOVE of his LIFE, Taylor Proffitt.
“We first met at a bar in New York City. A drag queen had brought him up on stage to tease him and kind of play with him – and I thought, gosh, this guy is gonna need a cocktail – so I ordered him a drink and we chatted a bit afterwards, but I was sort of dating this guy at the time, so it was just a friendly drink and conversation.
MONTHS PASS, and our paths crossed on a dating site. But it didn’t click at first. It wasn’t until we went out to dinner, it all come together we remembered, we had already met. So the Universe, for a 2nd time, was bringing us together, and now I was ready and open for a relationship. And actually, in looking back, we realized we had connected on MySpace, even BEFORE the chance bar meeting! So three times, we were brought together by destiny. And the rest is history!
We are both “soulful”. Sex is sex. Relationships are not easy and you need so much more than sex, to make it work. True love goes beyond sex. There’s a spiritual connection; an intellectual connection; a heart connection.
There always will be give and take. There will always be compromise and I think many couples just give up when the smallest of problems arise. They just want to walk away. Communication and honesty is paramount. “
When did you realize you were gay?
“I was in sixth grade and I had a girlfriend and we used to hold hands a lot, and that was about it. Then in my sophomore year I had another girlfriend, and I just knew it wasn’t right, it didn’t feel right. Once when we kissed, she actually said to me – “Ronnie, I think you might be gay!” – I was scared. It was very hard for me accept. And the pressure of society “norms”…so it took a while for me to come to grips with all of that. It took a while for me to get comfortable in my own new skin.
I embrace it now! And I am so excited about everything going on and our visibility with It Gets Better, the Trevor Project, HRC…Google Chrome is going to feature It Gets Better! This is an amazing and exciting time! New York just passed Gay Marriage!!
When I was 16 my mom caught me kissing a boy, out behind the house! My mom started crying and we started to argue…then my Grandmother came out and said, “Charlene, you’ve got to just love him for who he is. Otherwise I am going to clock you with my cane!”
It all boils down to fear. Fear of the unknown. And in that moment, my mom felt fear. And here is my grandmother, who was like – SO WHAT? LET’S JUST LOVE HIM!
And it took time…there was lots of dialogue and communication and eventually you reach acceptance. Now my mom and I share everything. We’re best friends! And we are SO CLOSE. I am so lucky.
Taylors parents are amazing also. It’s really been a blessing.
And Taylor chimes in…”I am so thankful as well, for my family and how accepting they are. They’ve really welcomed Ronnie with open arms, and I’m very lucky to have that.
I think of Ronnie Kroell as a very wise soul. In talking with him, he is wise beyond his years. At 28, he knows more and understands the world, more than some 40 or 50 year olds that I know.
I have friends of all ages, sizes, shapes, colors…I love to connect with people and I love learning from people. I have learned many great life lessons from all of these people I have met.
I have learned you need to be open and aware as you go through life. And when you ask the Universe for something we’re not always ready to get that gift…AND the Universe does not always present us, exactly what we asked for.
I have learned you can’t always be in control. Sometimes you have to let go and give into the Universe, and just let things happen. WALK…and don’t rush through life.
Back to Taylor!
I asked Taylor, what are some of their favorite things to do in New York…..
One of our favorite things to do in NYC is karaoke! We’ll go and rent a room with some friends or just by ourselves and sit drinking sake whilst singing to each other. Best places for that are Japas 55 (on 55th in between 8th and Bway) or if you’re on the East side Top Tunes (on 53rd in between 2nd and 1st).
Karaoke is good for night time fun, but during the day time- picnic in Central Park in Sheep’s Meadow or a more recent gem I’ve found is watching the sunset behind the city along the water in BK at the East River Park.
Our go-to restaurant is hands down Merchants NY in Chelsea. We’ve eaten there countless times just to chill with friends downstairs next to the fireplace or sit on their patio in the front and have a few cocktails. The best thing on the menu is the Rigatoni Bolognese. We’re a little obsessed! It’s located on 17th and 7th ave (easy to remember!) and is open until all hours of the night.
Another great restaurant with a bit of a different vibe, is actually right across the street! Cafeteria is an awesome place that is a great place for brunch, but its also open 24 hours so its a pretty happening spot when the clubs and bars let out. They’ve got some amazing food (and green bloody marys?!) so I’d suggest to go and check it out.
Other than that, pretty simple things. The Highline park in Chelsea, the cloisters up in the heights, or getting to trek out to the Hamptons or Fire Island during the summer. 😉
One thing is for sure, you can never get bored here in New York!
Taylor first hit the performing arts scene when he was 4 years old, spending years traveling with the Anaheim Ballet Company performing The Nutcracker. With this inspiration and experience under his belt, he traveled to Englewood, Florida where he starred in productions such as CATS, Oklahoma!, Seussical, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. After graduating, he traveled back to the Golden Coast to attend the American Music and Dramatic Academy’s Los Angeles campus. There he performed in several Dance Workshops and a showcase directed by Tony Award Winner Jane Lanier.
After two years of hard work, he graduated and set his sights on the Big Apple- New York City. Since, he has worked with Alec Baldwin and Tony Wal
ton in EQUUS at the John Drew Theatre in East Hampton and has been actively involved in playwright workshops at the Manhattan Theatre Source and The Player’s Club .
And Ronnie has been busy filming a new movie, an incredible new thriller called, “Into the Lion’s Den”, in production now. Produced by Dan Lantz and distributed by Breaking Glass Pictures, Into the Lion’s Den is a sure to keep you on the edge of your seat thriller!
Join Michael (Ronnie Kroell), Johnny (Jesse Archer), and Ted (TBD) as they embark upon a road trip from LA to NYC that will change their lives – forever. What starts out as a fun-loving and much needed adventure quickly takes a turn for the worse when the boys find themselves in an unfamiliar town and stumble – “Into the Lion’s Den”. Imagine “Deliverance” meets “Hostel” meets “Broken Hearts Club” as this moving story of friendship and self-discovery unfolds, boundaries are crossed, and the will to survive is the only ally that you have in the face of certain death.
RONNIE KROELL official site
TAYLOR PROFFITT official site
Most Photos by Getty Images photographer Bryan Bedder.
The tuxedo picture is by Jeffrey Eason.
American Flag and Pride Parade – personal archive on Ronnie and Taylor
New York City Gay Pride Parade
What an amazing weekend!
With the passing of Gay marriage for the state of New York, people celebrated with rainbow flags waving and throbbing dance music blaring, as many as 6,000 marchers in Manhattan’s annual Gay Pride parade celebrated this past weekend.
Cuomo led elected officials at the parade, including Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the body’s first openly gay leader.
The parade stretched almost two miles (3.2 kilometers) from midtown to Greenwich Village and past the Stonewall Inn, where a 1969 police raid spawned the gay-rights movement. Participants were dressed in everything from feathers and glitter to almost nothing at all, and held signs reading “Thank You Governor Cuomo.” About 2 million people watched, up from the typical 1.5 million, said Britton Hogge, media director for Heritage of Pride, the event’s organizer.
Just before the parade began, Cuomo told reporters, “New York has sent a message to this nation, loud and clear. It’s time for marriage equality.” And marchers held signs proclaiming, “Promise Kept!” There was so much joy and excitement in the air this year, it was truly monumental!
As we left our hotel Sunday to come back to Maryland, we got caught up in the crowds watching the city’s Gay Pride Parade. It was quite an experience. The night before, the New York State Assembly had passed, and the governor had signed into law, a bill guaranteeing marriage equality, so the crowd was in especially high spirits. What impressed us the most were the spectators. Lined up five and eight deep along Fifth Avenue was a cross-section of the city’s population cheering on the gay and lesbian marchers, the politicians who had pushed the bill to passage and all the straight participants who marched with them to show support for their gay neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members.
In the crowd along the avenue were old people and young and folks across the ethnic spectrum as well as families and out-of-town tourists like ourselves. What seemed to most invigorate both the marchers and the watchers was a sense that American freedom had once again triumphed, and small-minded bigotry had been pushed further into the past.
An estimated two million people converged on Manhattan Sunday for the gay Pride march, the annual event that took on an “extra special” meaning, in the words of the day’s star attraction, Gov. Andrew Cuomo….
“I think you’re going to see this message resonate all across the country now,” he said. “If New York can do it, it’s OK for every other place to do it. If New York did it, every other place is now going to be posed with the question, and I think that’s a good thing.”
Photos by Andy T. Dickinson
see more of his work at WHAT ANDY ATE BLOG
MORE 2011 PRIDE PHOTOS
Ari Gold Music Artist & Gay Activist- Statement on the Passing of Marriage Equality
As someone who grew up as an orthodox Jew its also great to see other people from religious communities understand that this is not a religious issue but an issue of civil rights.
New York is where gay liberation in this country began so it only makes sense for New York to be one of the first states to make marriage equality a reality. And for this to pass during gay pride—it is truly a day to feel proud of being a New Yorker and American on the right side of history.”
Ari Gold/Singer, Writer, Performer and Gay Activist
Highly accomplished and openly gay pop artist Sir Ari Gold is a buzz worthy, subculture celebrity in his own right, quickly winning over critics far beyond the reach of the LGBT community.
Shortly after the release of his captivating and controversial “Make My Body Rock” single, Ari releases the second single off his fourth studio album Between the Spirit & the Flesh. “Sparkle” emerged with instant interest-catching soul and flavor. The track features Sarah Dash of Labelle (Patti Labelle and Nona Hendrix) to add a powerhouse female vocal that plays well with Ari’s range and strength.
This self-empowerment anthem is a rallying cry against bullies, but most importantly one’s own view of self-worth. The music video is directed by acclaimed visual artist and HIV/AIDS activist Duane Cramer. Making cameo appearances in the “Sparkle” music video are underground NYC superstars, LadyFag, Stephan Keating, Mila Jam, Laverne Cox (from VH-1’s Transform Me) and even Sir Ari’s mother.
As the mainstream catches up to this pioneering recording and performing artist’s future-forward genius, “Sparkle” continues Sir Ari’s unwavering commitment to LGBT rights and equality.
“There are some out gay artists who want to sort of push aside their sexuality,” he continues, “and that makes them more palatable to straight people. You’ve got to deal with the fact that I do actually like to have sex with men. I’m not just some funny, campy entertainer for straight people to laugh at.” (Read more of this interview from 2004.)
The NYU and Yale-educated Gold has been doing the national pride circuit — he is promoting his new album but also celebrating his connection with his gay fans.
SPARKLE video
OFFICIAL Ari Gold
Priscilla Wins a TONY and Nick Adams Goes Backstage
Nick Adams is back this week with a new episode of his Muscles and Mascara video blog, for Broadway.com.
In episode 13, he takes you to a gay pride rally in NYC, plus backstage for the all the Tony Award excitement! ( Did you see that performance with Martha Wash and the Priscilla cast, of “it’s Raining Men”?? WOW! If you missed it, here it is on YouTube.)
Also in this newest episode, Nick talks about his 28th birthday and his Fellowship/Award from the American Theater Hall of Fame as a “breakthrough performance” for his role in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Congratulations Nick!
Nick Adams blog
Nick Adams Twitter
Nick Adams Facebook
Priscilla on Broadway
Broadway in Bryant Park THURSDAYS
A host of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows will take part in the annual free Thursday afternoon concert series, “106.7 Lite fm Presents BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK 2011,” which will kick off July 7 at 12:30 PM on the Bryant Park Stage.
The 11th annual presentation of lunch-hour performances will continue through Aug. 11.
Performances are scheduled for 12:30 PM-1:30 PM on Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and Aug. 4 and 11. Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library on 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets. Lawn seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The schedule for the concert series follows:
July 7 (Lite fm Emcee: Victor Sosa)
STOMP, Baby It’s You, Sister Act, Zarkana
July 14 (Lite fm Emcee: Delilah)
Chicago, Million Dollar Quartet, Catch Me If You Can, Newsical
July 21 (Lite fm Emcee: Helen Little)
The Addams Family, Billy Elliot, Memphis, Rock of Ages, Voca People
July 28 (Lite fm Emcee: Christine Nagy)
Anything Goes, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Fantasticks, Hair, Traces
Aug. 4 (Lite fm Emcee: Bob Bronson)
Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Rent, Wicked, Death Takes a Holiday
Aug. 11 (Lite fm Emcee: Rich Kaminski)
Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Avenue Q Priscilla Queen Of The Desert
Judy Gold Back on the New York Stage June 30th
Judy Gold is pretty much your typical New York City Jewish mother of two, but funnier: she’s a comedian with 20 years in show business behind her, she dreams of creating her own sitcom, and oh yeah, she’s gay.
You know Judy, right? Judy Gold! For twenty years I’m telling you; twenty years she’s been performing stand-up all over the world! She’s won two Emmys for writing & producing The Rosie O’Donnell Show. She was a series regular in Margaret Cho’s 90s sitcom, All American Girl and she’s been in all kinds of other shows.
Plus she’s had her very own Off-Broadway one woman show, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, based on interviews she did with Jewish ladies all over the United States, all mixed up with commentary about her own life as a lesbian mom of two sons. Two! This month, Judy’s back Off-Broadway appearing in the Vagina Monologues-esque love letter to clothing: Love, Loss and What I Wore, written by Nora & Delia Ephron.
JUDY IS BACK IN
NEW YORK THIS MONTH!
Judy Gold’s The Judy Show: My Life as a Sitcom will play Off-Broadway’s DR2 Theatre-
Emmy-winning actress will return to the New York stage June 30 in a brand-new show entitled The Judy Show: My Life as a Sitcom. The solo show, which was written by Gold and Kate Moira Ryan, will be directed by Amanda Charlton, who helmed the production’s earlier incarnation at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
The Judy Show also features songs by Gold and Ryan with additional material by Eric Kornfeld and Bob Smith. The Judy Show, according to Variety, “chronicles Gold’s current life as the lesbian mother of two as well as the avid television enthusiasms of her childhood.”
Three Easy Ways to Save $20 on tickets to
The Judy Show: My Life as a Sitcom!
Get your $45 (regularly $65) tickets today.
1.CLICK HERE or Visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code JSHHC45
2. CALL 212.947.8844 and mention code JSHHC45
3. *IN PERSON: Bring a printout of this offer to The DR2 Theatre Box Office at 103 East 15th Street (between Park Avenue and Irving Place).
RESTRICTIONS: This offer is valid through 9/10/11 and is subject to availability. Not valid on prior purchase. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts of promotions; blackout dates and restrictions may apply. Limit ten (10) tickets per order. No refunds or exchanges. Offer may be revoked at any time. All discounts include .50 facility fee.
*The DR2 Theatre Box Office Box Office Hours – Opens 1 hour prior to the performance. Please Note: Tickets may also be purchased at the Daryl Roth Theatre Box Office, 101 East 15 Street (Tuesday: 1pm – 6pm Wednesday – Friday: 1pm -8pm Saturday: 1pm -10pm Sunday: 1pm – 7pm)
Priscilla On Broadway Hits 100! And Nick Adams Tells All!
It appears that producer Bette Midler, has a hit on her hands! Following hit productions in Australia, London and Toronto, Priscilla Queen of the Desert opened to critical acclaim on March 20 at the Palace Theatre and recently celebrated it’s 100th performance on Broadway. It’s the feel-good, happy joyous show of the year! Sequins and lights, feathers and fringe, it’s a spectacular big party, not to be missed!
Priscilla’s global success and now Broadway is growing at leaps and bounds. #1 Cast recording on Billboard charts; #1 selling new musical on Broadway this season; Priscilla recently joined the Millionaires Club with box office earnings!
Heck, Governor Cuomo even held his fundraiser at Priscilla last week and Australian actor Tony Sheldon (Bernadette) is up for a Tony this weekend. Sheldon says, “after 3 years of edits of changes and revisions, I think this is the PRIMO PRISCILLA!” – Sheldon has played the part Bernadette over 1,000 times in Australia and London alone! FYI …Tony Sheldon has been nominated for every award he’s eligible for on Broadway this season including Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League awards and a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. He has been honored with a Theatre World Award for his Broadway debut. And his AUNT is 70’s pop star Helen Reddy.
We caught up with Nick last week, who took time to chat with BestGayNewYork.com about the show and other New York things….
BGNY: 20 dance-floor classics and a dazzling array of more than 500 outrageous costumes, 200 hats and headdresses and 72 wigs ! And you wear 21 costumes! WOW!
Nick: I have a dresser who helps me backstage. He is with me the entire show, but we sometimes have 4 people hidden in the bus helping me make a quick change. My favorite is the silver suit I wear atop the shoe.
I know, it’s crazy! When we started rehearsing the show – without even adding in the costumes or lighting – I lost like 15 pounds. It’s like non-stop dancing, cardio and sweating. It’s quite a workout, so I don’t have worry about about cardio – which I hate. And they wanted to me to lose a bit of my muscle – so that has been nice – not having to spend so much time at the gym!
And Nick comments on his co-stars Tony and Will : They are a dream team. I love those men like family. We are a family. The chemistry onstage is so true because we are thick as thieves offstage. I have never worked with such encouraging, inspiring actors. They make me better every night.
BGNY: How does it feel to create an original leading Broadway role?
Nick: Well, it’s interesting cause anytime anybody ever said like, “Do you have a dream role?” That’s what I would say is that “I wanted to originate a role and in a new Broadway show.” I think it’s been the most like exciting and freeing experience because I’ve had the liberty to sort of just play in and bring a lot of like what I thought I wanted to bring to it, and our creative team, our director really allowed me to kind of have my own spin on it and bring a different energy to this part and then in the West End Production and what they had in Australia.
As actors, what we wanna do is to really feel like we’re creating character and not mimicking somebody else’s performance or fitting like a specific mold of a different actor, so to get to like build this person from the ground up has been awesome to know that, for always and like theatrical history that would have been my role. Pretty great.
BGNY: Your first love is Broadway – that’s obvious. But I saw you in An Englishman in New York and Sex and the City 2 , you have done a couple soaps….Do you want to do more acting on film?
Nick: Oh, absolutely. I mean I grew up wanting to be an actor and my dream was to do Broadway shows. I don’t know, I just love live theater and I love that like instant sort of gratification of an audience sitting there and getting to see their response, that’s really exciting to me.
To be completely honest, I mean the most lucrative side of acting is with TV and film, financially. So, absolutely. I absolutely want to explore more of that. I just kept notching off goals, each show that I did sort of fulfilled some type of goal of mine. At times I feel like I’ve maxed out on the Broadway scene and it’s like, what else can I do to top this now? Which is mind-blowing to me that I’ve done it. So now I’ve just set some new sites on some other things. Broadway is always gonna be where I feel like home and my place, but I definitely wanna move into some areas that could help me pay my rent a little bit more.
BGNY: Now that you’ve done so much, is your goal list getting longer or shorter?
Nick: I think it gets longer, ‘cause I think each one unlocks a new possibility. It’s longer ‘cause when I was a kid it was like, “I wanna be on Broadway.” And then it was, “I wanna be starring in a Broadway show.” And now it keeps growing. I think it’s healthy though, keeps me motivated, keeps me pro-active.
BGNY: What about more singing?? I saw (heard) some YouTubes Video of you singing…Is there a Nick Adams CD possibly in your future? ( NY State of Mind and After Party 2 and OnTheOtherSide )Nick: Actually…potentially…there could be. I did a concert at Birdland, it was a one man show, they invited me to come do a night. It was so much work to put together, but yet so much fun and so rewarding. It was like an hour and half of me singing, with a three piece band and it was great. And that was maybe the first time I really thought about a cd or recording….I am not a song writer by any means. But a lot of people have expressed interest in me possibly doing something. I started out as a singer first and foremost as a kid. And now with Priscilla, it’s given me a chance to really show people what I can do. So who knows – we’ll see!
BGNY: As an out actor, do you look to Broadway leading men like Cheyenne Jackson for inspiration?
Nick: Absolutely —If there was a career I could model mine after, it would be Cheyenne Jackson because he is fantastic, incredibly talented, and active in the gay community. I’ve just started to dabble in some TV and film, and I think it’s sort of the natural way it goes. If you have a successful theater career, it’s a much easier transition. I’ve always just wanted to be an actor… in any genre. I’m hoping the opportunities open up even more than they already have. I aspire to be like Cheyenne because he comes from the ensemble and was an understudy and then a leading man. It’s so surreal this is actually what’s happened to me.
On opening night, he sent me this huge bouquet of orchids to my dressing room and this amazing card that’s taped on my vanity. When I was in college, I came to the city and I saw “All Shook Up” and Cheyenne was the star and I thought he was amazing and knew that’s what I wanted to do. So now, being in the same theater and having him send me those flowers, its just crazy how things work out.
BGNY: Since this is Best Gay New York – we’re always looking for what’s hot, what’s new, what’s next – any favorite place you want to share with us?
Nick: There is this new place, I have been raving about! It’s right in the theatre district, in Hells Kitchen, on 9th Avenue between 45-46th, and it’s called Ember Room. It just opened a couple months ago and is some of the best food I have ever had!
It’s sort of an Asian American Fusion sort of Barbeque…they have things like Chocolate Ribs, Red Chilli Sea Bass, Bacon wrapped meatloaf…everything is so beautifully presented and the flavor is unlike anything I have ever had. I have been there three times in the last week! I am trying to get through everything on the menu! And it’s reasonable – especially for this neighborhood. The other night we had 3 appetizers, 2 entrees and a bottle of Proseco, for under $100. The portions are hearty and the quality is amazing. I’m obsessed with the place!
BGNY: Obviously, theater keeps you in NY – do you love, love, love NY? Or could you see yourself anywhere else?
Nick: I love this city. I think even if I didn’t do this, I would still want to be here. When I was about 15 years old, I came here for the first time, and I knew I wanted to do theater and be an actor, but I had never been here. We drove here from Pennsylvania with my family, and the minute I could see the city, the minute the skyline came into view, I was just overwhelmed with this sense of…that’s my home, that’s where I am going to live. And I never get tired or over it here. If leave or go on vacation, I can’t wait to get back. Even though it can be hectic here and the energy like…maniacal at times…I guess I crave that. I love the warm weather and the beaches in Los Angels and California…and that is something I could definitely get into – but I could never not have a place here in the city. I think I will always have to have a place here.
BGNY: It’s the same thing for us when we come to NY – there is this ENERGY here.
Nick: Yeah, it’s like the center of the universe. I love it that someone can come to this city and make shit happen! It’s so crazy to think that I came here from this little small town and now doing the things I dreamt of as a little kid – and this is where I made it happen – and I think with any profession – you come here, and everything is at your fingertips. It really is a magical place. I love it here!
Thank you! Nick Adams for sharing your time with us!
Special links of interest –
For more of Nick Adams check out his blog.
Priscilla on Broadway Tickets, info and news
Plan a Party at Priscialla – use the exclusive Concierge Service!
Sneak peaks backstage at Priscialla from Broadway.com
and Nicks video blog Muscles and Mascara series – over 20 videos!
Night of a Thousand Judys June 13 Joes Pub
Photo Credit: Christian Coulson
The critically acclaimed gay monthly comedy/variety show “The Meeting,” hosted by fellow “Adaumbelle’s Quest“ participant Justin Sayre will present a very special June edition called “Night of A Thousand Judys” on Monday, June 13 at 7pm at Joe’s Pub in NYC to benefit the Ali Forney Center, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. AFC’s goal is to provide homeless LGBT youths, aged 16-24, with the support and services they need to escape the streets and begin to live healthy and independent lives.
Celebrating one legend at one legendary location, this edition of “The Meeting” is dedicated to the one and only Judy Garland and is being presented at Joe’s Pub, one of NYC’s famed showcase venues for live music and performance.
“Night of A Thousand Judys” will feature special skits, tributes and songs from Judy’s storied career presented by a host of accomplished performers including the host of “The Meeting,” Justin Sayre as well as Jackie Hoffman (“Hairspray,” “Xanadu,” “The Addams Family”), Kim Smith (award winning cabaret singer), Lady Rizzo (Grammy winning singer and chanteuse), Summer & Eve (the folk-musical comedy band featuring NADIA QUINN of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”), Natalie Joy Johnson (“Legally Blonde,” “But I’m A Cheerleader”), Cole Escola (Logo TV’s “Jeffrey and Cole Casserole”), Jeff Hiller (“Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” “30 Rock”) and more special guests to be announced!
“The Meeting” is produced by Adam Rosen and Dan Fortune and this special edition will be directed by Ben Rimalower (“Project: Lohan,” “Leslie Kritzer Is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches”).
“Night of A Thousand Judys” will be on Monday, June 13 at 7pm at Joe’s Pub in NYC (425 Lafayette Street). Tickets are $25 and benefit The Ali Forney Center. Click here for tickets!
Garrett Swann in Steve Balderson’s THE CASSEROLE CLUB June 22-26
“FASHION HOUSE ” star, Garrett Swann, co-stars alongside Kevin Richardson (former member, Back Street Boys), Daniela Sea (L Word), Susan Traylor (Greenberg) and Jane Weidlin (The Go-Go’s) in Steve Balderson’s newest film “THE CASSEROLE CLUB.”
The film will premiere at VisionFest 11, June 22-26, 2011 in New York City.
They start a recipe club, and hold dinner parties while testing out their new casseroles. But when the gatherings become increasingly focused on boozy flirtation, and more than recipes are swapped, the story moves swiftly from stylized and campy to a drama about irresponsibility, selfishness, and damaged people.
The film also stars Michael Maize, Jennifer Grace, Starina Johnson, Hunter Bodine, Pleasant Gehman and Mark Booker.
In the film, Swann plays Sterling Bloom, a closeted Suburbanite husband to a cookie cutter wife who ultimately becomes a victim of his own downfall. “It’s easy to play a gay character in a film, but when you’re gay playing a straight man who’s closeted, that’s a challenge!” “I thought ‘oh God I have to go back in the closet again…scary” said Swann.
While doing a casting search, Balderson accidentally saw Garrett’s photo (wearing his 60’s like eyeglass frames) on a fellow director’s Facebook page and immediately reached out to him. “That’s the first, getting a part via Facebook” said Garrett. A great working relationship ensued and in process Swann was invited to co-produce the film as well.
“Garrett is a great actor,” quotes Balderson, “He is the kind of actor who gives it his ALL, and for that alone he is amazing. “
The Casserole Club screening is scheduled for Friday night, June 24, at 7 PM, followed by Q&A.
The Casserole Club
Best Gay New York.com
David Leddick at Rizzoli June 2
In Love in the Loire, the newest book by David Leddick, Hugo is now in his early twenties, an actor, and working in a summer theater festival in a French village. New York celebrities muster there and Hugo confronts lots of romance and the decision as to what will be next in his life.
BOOK PARTY FOR DAVID LEDDICK’S
NEW NOVEL “Love in the Loire “
Thursday, June 2 at 5:30 PM
Rizzoli Bookstore
31 West 57th St. (Between 5th & 6th Avenues)
New York, NY 10019
David Leddick Online
and David Leddicks Fabulous Blog
Davids Gay Dish
David Leddick is known world-wide for his novels and homoerotic art books. The author of the Lambda Award-winning books: “Naked Men” and “The Male Nude”, David Leddick has published no less than 20 works.
BestGayNewYork.com
Adam Joseph Video Release Party June 7 at Industry
Music Video/Single Release Party at Industry Bar on June 7th in NYC.
“Chasing The Dream” Music Video/Single Release Party
with LIVE Performance by Adam Joseph!
Industry Bar- Hell’s Kitchen, NYC 355 W 52nd St, New York, NY 11pm No Cover 21+
