Category Archives: Theatre and Entertainment
Broadway Hottie of the Month Marty Thomas at Gay Life NYC.org
BROADWAY HOTTIE
MARTY THOMAS
is interviewed this week
at Gay Life NYC.org
You may have seen Marty on the Great White Way in “The Secret Garden”, “Wicked” or “Xanadu“, or in concerts all over the world.
Marty Thomas is a singer of remarkable ability who made his Billboard debut with “Resurrect Me (Lift Me Up)” on Westend Records in 2001. His dance tunes soar into the realm of the club anthem with Marty’s shining vocal delivery firmly at the helm.
Remixed by artists such as Tom Moulton, Hex Hector, Blaze and Julian Marsh, he was recognized with Grammy nominations and Billboard awarded the song, song of the year in the gospel/contemporary christian category.
He takes time out of busy schedule this month to chat with Michael Cavanaugh at Gay Life NYC.org
Later this month, there’s a special edition of “Scott Nevins‘ Curtain Call” with Marty over at Splash bar. Monday, March 15th, 11:30pm, directly following the video madness of “Musical Mondays”, co-host Emily McNamara welcomes Marty Thomas back to town and back to “Curtain Call to serve up a full set of Broadway’s hottest tunes plus a few surprises!
Make sure to get there early to grab a seat to watch those legendary musical numbers on the big screens, and then sit tight as Marty performs live in person!
Admission is free until 10pm, $5 after.
Must be 21 w/ id. Splash Bar
50 west 17th st (b/w 5th and 6th)
Friend Marty on Facebook!
The Best of Gay New York
The Tempermentals – Free Ticket Give Away from Best Gay New York.com
Critics are saying The Temperamentals is intelligent, political,
witty, moving, wise, and most importantly, entertaining.
***UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!***
One winner in our ticket giveaway was selected at random today.
Thanks to the nearly 100 readers who entered our contest this month!
Using a RANDOM NUMBER selector, the scientific system chose
ANDREW BECK!
Congratulations Andrew! Someone will be contacting
you in the next day to make arrangements for your free tickets!
If you did not win, hopefully you can still see the great play.
$19.52 Preview Tickets! Limited time offer!
You have one of three ways
to use the following discount code: TEPREV12 Call (212) 947-8844
Go to the New World Stages Box Office or Visit Broadwayoffers.com
New World Stages @ 340 West 50th Street
For all other performance times and tickets, please visit Telecharge or call (646)871-1730
The Best of Gay New York
New Broadway Hottie Ace Young Joins HAIR Cast in New York City
The New York cast may be going to London, but HAIR on Broadway has a hot and sexy new cast!
Broadway Hottie and American Idol Finalist Ace Young , American Idol Finalist Diana Degarmo and Canadian Singer Songwriter and Broadway Hottie Kyle Riabko.
GAY LIFE NYC.org has interviews with the new cast!
Founder Mike Cavnaugh
also interviews Project Runway
finalist Chris March
about his book I Heart Chris March ,
new shows, and his dress for Meryle Streep!
Gaylifenyc.org is a non-profit entertainment news and AIDS Health Resources site dedicated to keeping you informed and keeping your spirits up where they should be.
The Best of Gay New York
Q TALK – The Gay View?
Q-Talk is a gay live talk/variety show with four hosts (each of which is a theater veteran), held monthly at the Metropolitan Room (@ 34 W. 22nd St., between 5th and 6th Ave.) in NYC on the third Saturday of every month at 9:45pm.
Just like the “View”, there are four hosts (except this time there are three gay guys and a lesbian), a topic, and several guest performers.
Qtalk, often described as “the Gay View” is much more fun, sassy and over-the-top. At the same time, Qtalk deals with very real issues, but manages to be entertaining and engaging. Qtalk’s live talk/variety show format is led by four hosts, Broadway veterans Joseph John, Frantz Hall, Stacey Todd Holt, and Angie McKnight.
The hosts tackle current events, fitness and lifestyle, punctuated by guest performances from Broadway, Cabaret, and the Pop world.
During the show, the hosts invite the audience to ask questions or offer their opinions on specific topics on the table, often leading to some lively discussions and perhaps opening some minds.
This month’s topic is “Gay Siblings.”
The three gay Gamblin Brothers will be there chatting – Is it Hereditary or Just Fabulous?
The date for this month’s show is Sat. Feb. 20 at 9:45pm.
It’s a lot of fun and worth checking out!
Time
9:45pm. You need to arrive by 9:15pm to guarantee your seat.
Cost
$5 per person admission, plus two drink minimum.
Reservations are required. Please call 212-206-0440 or go to
Metropolitan Room.com for a reservation.For more information, go to Q TALK or FaceBook Q Talk.
The Best of Gay New York
LOVE HURTS… On The Down Low March 2nd – 7th
Love Hurts
is an inspirationjal stage play about 4 couples who keep secrets within their relationships. One of the secrets that is reveiled is that 2 men in the play are on the “down low”. It’s a dramedy featuring musical performances. It will make you laugh – it will make you cry.
Four couples, who’ve known each other since high school are having their annual reunion. Every year they meet up at Diane and Wayne’s summer house upstate. While on vacation, they play a game of Truth or Dare.
Hidden secrets, desires, and deceit are all revealed and pushed to the surface. Secretly, there are two men that are on the downlow and have had a secret love affair unbenownst to their partners.
These Secrets threaten their long lasting bond of friendship, but also the marriages and families of all involved. Everything is revealed in the end and that’s when all hell breaks loose.
DARRLY JOHNSON presents this play examines the thoughts and desires of people in love and how much they hurt when secrets are kept.
Can the truth really set us free?
LOVE HURTS
will keep you on the edge of your seats!
LOVE HURTS – MARCH 2-7, 2010 @ ROY ARIAS THEATRE, 300 W. 43rd street
TICKETS AT Smart Tix.com USE PROMO CODE “couple” AND RECEIVE $10 OFF
LOVE HURTS ON FACEBOOK
The Best of Gay New York
Boys Night @ YANK…A World War II Love Story
BOYS NIGHT
At Yank! A World War II Love Story
Thursday, February 18th, 8 PM
Set during World War II, Yank! chronicles the relationship between two servicemen long before ―Don‘t-ask-don‘t-tell‖ was part of the national discussion. With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940‘s, Yank! captures the spirit and exuberance of the era as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival.
Bobby Steggert will enlist in the Off-Broadway premiere of Yank!
“We are thrilled to welcome Bobby back to the cast of Yank! after his sensational performance in Ragtime,” said Artistic Director Morgan said.
OFF-BROADWAY PREMIERE ENGAGEMENT BEGINS FEBRUARY 16, 2010
OPENING NIGHT SET FOR FEBRUARY 24, 2010
BOYS NIGHT = Purchase a $39.50 ticket to Yank! on Thursday, February 18th and receive a voucher for Free admission to the Post-Show Boys Night reception featuring wine, cheese and sodas. This is a perfect opportunity to see the show and mingle with fellow theatre-goers and the cast. Post-Show Boys Night Reception directly following the performance in the Music Room.
at The York Theatre Company – 619 Lexington Avenue (Corner of 54th St.)
Two Easy Ways to Purchase Boys Night Tickets
Join Boys Night at Yank! on Thursday, February 18th for just $39.50 (regularly $67.50)
1. Visit YorkTheatre.org and mention code BOYS39
2. CALL (212) 935-5820 and mention code BOYS39
Restrictions:
This offer is valid for the 8PM performance on February 18th only. Regular service charges apply to online and phone orders. Subject to availability. Not valid for prior purchases or in combination with any other offer. Limit 8 tickets per order. Offer may be revoked at any time. One party admission voucher is available per ticket purchased. Admittance to party is contingent on redemption of voucher and can only be redeemed for those 21 and over with valid ID.
The Best of Gay New York
Interview with Broadway Hottie Dan Robinson @ Gay Life NYC.org
Michael Cavanaugh
from GayLifeNYC.org
is back with a
February Valentines
Broadyway Hottie –
Dan Robinson!
He is a super hottie and was the main featured star last year at Broadway Bares in New York. This year, he is going behind the camera to film a documentary about the event.
On his video interview Dan talks about being on Broadway with Harvey Fierstein as well as his work in The Big Gay Musical .
Gaylifenyc.org is an AIDS Health Resources website with Entertainment News and On The Town updates.
It’s also dedicated to helping people getting around, get through and get over the system that hinders timely assistance for the newly diagnosed & people living with HIV/AIDS.
And it’s dedicated to entertaining you, and keeping your spirits up where they should be!
The Best of Gay New York
The Temperamentals…starring Michael Urie from Ugly Betty
Critics hail
The Temperamentals
as intelligent, political, witty, moving, wise, and most importantly, entertaining.
It tells the story of a group of courageous men who joined together to build the Mattachine Society, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The play features the intimate and complex relationship between Harry Hay and young fashion designer Rudy Gernreich, set against the backdrop of 1950’s Hollywood and the McCarthy era.
“it’s impossible not to be moved” – Time Out New York
“‘Evocative…The Temperamentals succeeds… the cast is, to a man, excellent” – New York Times
Michael Urie is an actor, television producer and director, best known for his portrayal of Marc St. James on the ABC dramedy series Ugly Betty. He joins The Tempermentals, as Rudy, in New York City this month!
“Temperamental” was code for “homosexual” in the early 1950’s, part of a created language of secret words that gay men used to communicate. The Temperamentals tells the story of two men – the communist Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich – as they fall in love while building the first gay rights organization in the pre-Stonewall United States.
Previews begin February 18th
Opening Night – February 28th
Tickets on sale NOW!
$19.52 Preview Tickets! Limited time offer!
You have one of three ways
to use the following discount code: TEPREV12
Call (212) 947-8844
Go to the New World Stages Box Office
or Visit Broadwayoffers.com
New World Stages @ 340 West 50th Street
For all other performance times and tickets, please visit Telecharge or call (646)871-1730
The Best of Gay New York
ON THE HOUSE Theatre Promotion Sale Returns to New York City
“Off Broadway is an important cornerstone of New York City’s arts and entertainment scene, and On the House gives us a forum to showcase the wealth of talent found in these unique productions throughout the City,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “The program also provides an affordable platform for residents and visitors to enjoy some of the City’s best theater.”
Theaters participating in the promotion are scattered throughout Manhattan, including Chelsea, Midtown, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, the East Village and the West Village. Long-running shows such as The Fantasticks and Perfect Crime join limited-engagement productions such as Mr. & Mrs. Fitch (starring John Lithgow) in this year’s promotion.
“On behalf of the Off-Broadway League, I am excited to see the return of the On the House program for the second year and also to see it extended an additional week this year,” said George Forbes, president of the Off-Broadway League. “The Off-Broadway theater community looks forward to offering this tremendous value to New Yorkers and visitors alike.”
Productions participating in On the House: A Lie of the Mind, Ages of the Moon, Avenue Q, Awesome 80s Prom, Candida, Circumcise Me, Clybourne Park, Equivocation, The Fantasticks, Fuerza Bruta, The Gazillion Bubble Show, Happy Now?, MazelTov Cocktail, Measure for Measure, Mr. & Mrs. Fitch, Naked Boys Singing!, Perfect Crime, The Pride, The Scottsboro Boys, Signs of Life, STOMP, The Tempermentals, Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers, Venus in Fur and Yank!
Check out NYC GO for details.
The Best of Gay New York
Lady Bunny and Matthew Pender Join When Joey Married Bobby
“ When Joey Married Bobby”, starring Lady Bunny, two-time S.A.G.Award Nominee Tina McKissick and introducing former Detroit Tiger Pitcher Matthew Pender as Joey, opens February 6, 2010 for an open-ended run at Off-Broadway house Theatre 80 St. Marks, between 1st & 2nd Avenues.
Bright-eyed hunk Joey (Matthew Pender) has finally met the man of his dreams and ready to take a plunge into marriage. The thought of a gay wedding has Joey’s southern socialite mother Sarah Edwards (Tina McKissick) in quite a tizzy.
Worried that the news of her son’s nuptials might jeopardize her chances of winning “Christian of the Year,” Sarah stops at nothing to protect her name, image and reputation. The legendary Lady Bunny co-stars in the play as the power-wielding, Baptist Minister’s Wife, Charity Divine.
The play runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. …
There is a special Valentines Day
show on Sunday, February 14th at 7pm.
Tickets range from $26.00-$30.00
Rows A-C: $30 Rows D-G: $26
All seating is reserved
Tickets can be purchased by calling:
212.388.0388 or by visiting: Theatre 80
Sorry Nick,
I think my heart now belongs to Matthew….sigh
When Joey Married Bobby
Lady Bunny
Photo Matthew Pender by DELGAR
The Best of Gay New York
Michael Aronov’s MANIGMA Returns Off-Broadway
Manigma will be staged from January 15 to March 13, at the Clurman in Theatre Row, located at 410 West, 42nd Street (between Ninth and Tenth Avenue). Tickets are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information, visit MANIGMA
Michael Aronov’s MANIGMA was a LGBT favorite in 2006. The show is being reincarnated this month, now directed by LAByrinth Theater’s artistic director Stephen Adly Guirgis (Jesus Hopped the A-Train dir. by Philip Seymour Hoffman).
The controversial solo show from highly acclaimed thespian Michael Aronov (Miss Julie, Mauritius, Spain) will begin at the Harold Clurman Theater on Theatre Row January 15 – March 13.
Manigma depicts six distinct characters-all performed by Aronov: “Chacha” – the saucy and resilient cabaret performer embracing her nasty past; “Sasha” – the beefy old-world immigrant hungry for a companion but stuck in his ways; “Frick” – the introverted penny collector who misses his mom; “T” – the thug from the streets who demands a revolt; “Pinchy” – the vulnerable self-helper hunting for courage; and “Rick” – the uninhibited wild man who urges us to abandon and live. These troubled opposites represent extrapolated versions of the actor’s own personality. The show highlights the inner conflict of these disparities and then embraces them, celebrating the complexities that make us unique.
His diverse look, intensity and multi-ethnic background have allowed him to be a chameleon on stage and screen. From the classics to contemporary cinema, Michael Aronov continues to carve out a career that celebrates the rich character work of the sixties and seventies.
Love and Licenses: Gay marriage and Border Passes – Conquering Love in Israel January 6th
Artists 4 Israel, Inc. (A4I) presents one night of two plays about the finding true love and, then, controlling and regulating it within the political and religious dystopia of Israel.
One night only – New York City –
January 6, 2010 –
Discussing gay marriage and cross-border affairs, Love and Licenses is poised to shock with its honest and unapologetic portrayal of love under restrictions. In this Off Broadway production, Israel is on trial. Tempering the visceral, raw emotion with complex subtleties and nuance, however, Love and Licenses premieres two plays that offer no easy critique. Neither the critic nor the supporter of Israel will find succor for long as the plays offer insightful and thought-provoking reviews of a complex situation. And, that is what theater should do – evoke dialogue and create joyous discomfort.
Te Busco, a solo show written and performed by Amir Levi, is the coming of age story about a young man who discovers that he is destined to be the next matriarch of his family. The play journeys through his mother and grandmother’s stories of how they met their romantic partners, as he discovers how his own story relates to theirs. It’s about love, fate, destiny and most importantly, motherhood. It’s the classic coming-of-age story with a new twist. The show, approximately 60 minutes, revolves around three characters: the protagonist (Amir) and his Mexican mother and grandmother, whose words are taken verbatim to keep the authenticity of the stories.
At A Loss begins with a missing corpse and ends with a beautiful love story for those who believe in fate, albeit two generations delayed. After traveling with her grandmother across America for two weeks, an Israeli woman finds herself stuck in the small town of Goodview, Virginia with a direction-less grocery store manager and the incompetent DHL deliveryman responsible for losing her grandmother’s dead body. To add to her helplessness: they can’t understand a word she says. As the scenes go back and forth in time we learn this trip, the random meeting of the grocery store manager, and the grandmother’s death might not be just coincidences, but perhaps all part of God’s “master plan.”
Both plays are being shown for the first time on stage in their completeness. The freshness of the plays is ably handled by a talented and veteran cast and two senior directors with an eye for detail.
Hosted by Artists 4 Israel, this is a bold move for a young organization to seek such a respected Off Broadway theater to host its inaugural production. However, A4I has already attempted to understand and share the complexities of Israel through graffiti, street art and fashion and proven successful.
“Beautifully Effective, Shockingly Creative”
45 Bleecker Street Theatre
TICKETS –
SPECIAL TO BEST GAY NEW YORK READERS!
Go to Broadway Offers enter code BLEECKER and SAVE!
About Artists 4 Israel, Inc. – Artists 4 Israel is a community of creative individuals working together in an ongoing, collaborative project expressing Israel’s right to exist in peace and security.
The Best of Gay New York
BOYS NIGHT at Made in Heaven Monday November 30th
Made In Heaven, an outrageous new comedy by Jay Bernzweig, tells the story of conjoined twins Max and Benjie who share everything — a life, a career, a penis. But when they plan to propose marriage to their mutual girlfriend, Benjie reveals a secret so big it threatens to tear the brothers apart. Family ties are put to the ultimate test in this irreverent comedy about love in all its various forms — and the messy complications that invariably get in its way.
“A Funny Farce! A Genuinely Silly, Entertaining Romp!“
– New York Post
“A Deliciously Dicey Sex Comedy!“
– TheaterMania
Made In Heaven won the ‘Outstanding Production of a Play Award’ at the 2009 Midtown International Theatre Festival.
BOYS NIGHT OUT Only $39! (includes 2 complimentary drinks*) Monday, November 30th, 2009
- Show at 7PM at the SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street
- Post-Show Boys Night Reception starts at 8:30PM
- At The Huron Club (directly downstairs from the theatre)
- Includes TWO complimentary drinks (*beer, wine or well drinks only)
Purchase a $39 ticket (reg. $59) to Made in Heaven and receive a voucher for admission to the Post-Show Boys Night reception at The Huron Club, which you will redeem at the party for two drink tickets. Mingle with your fellow theatergoers and meet the cast.
Three Easy Ways To Get Your $39
BOYS NIGHT Tickets to Made in Heaven:
1. ONLINE SoHoPlayhouse.com and enter discount code MHBN
2. PHONE 212-691-1555 and mention discount code MHBN
3. IN PERSON Print this article and bring it to the SoHo Playhouse Box Office, 15 Vandam Street (between Varick St and Sixth Ave)
*If you are unable to attend the Boys Night on Monday, November 30th,
you can still save on another performance by entering code: MHPR2.
THE BEST OF GAY NEW YORK
The Queens of Drag – NYC –
Drag legend Lady Bunny will reign supreme in this all-star cast of drag divas, which includes the ageless and evergreen Hedda Lettuce, uber-glam Sherry Vine, the hilarious Bianca Del Rio, drag superstar and extremely controversial Kevin Aviance, sexpot songstress Pepper Mint and the classless and campy Mimi Imfurst.
Breakout queens nipping at their platform heels like Epiphany Get Paid, Logan Slaughter, Chandilier Period and Dallas DuBois and will join these ladies of illusion.
The Queens of Drag: NYC will highlight all the talent and drama that is synonymous with making a living as a drag superstar in the most amazing and unforgiving city in the world.
Viewers will see the real grit of drag queens’ lives in and out of drag as they try to dominate the New York nightlife scene and navigate through the struggles of making it in the shiniest, filthiest city in the world.
Multiple networks have already expressed interest in the project, and filming for the pilot began last week.
Information will be available at The Queens of Drag.com –
Some Cast notes –
Mimi Imfurst is a 7 time Glammy award nominee and 3 time HX Drag Queen of the Year Award Nominee. Her TV/Film credits include: MTV’s Jackass, The Howard Stern Show, The Real World, and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. She was most recently seen in the Diary of Anne Frankenstein (Anne Frankenstein) and is currently playing the Virgin Mary in “The MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION”.
Dallas DuBois is the newest addition to the New York drag scene. Dallas is a versatile performer, combining everything from Pop to alternative- however, Dallas is known for her Broadway and theater performances. Now, also a Glammy nominee Dallas performs around NYC at several venues including Evolve Bar, and Stonewall Inn. The future isn’t clear for Dallas, but she definitely has bright future and long career ahead of her.
Kevin Aviance has appeared in several films, including Flawless starring Robert De Niro and the independent film Punks. Besides his feature-film work he has made guest appearances on such shows as the The Tyra Banks Show, and American’s Next Top Model, also hosted by Tyra Banks. His songs “Din Da Daa“, “Rhythm Is My Bitch”, “Alive”, “Give It Up” and “Strut”, have all reached #1 of the Billboard Dance Charts.
The Best of Gay New York
Behind The Scenes Look at Cirque Du Soleil’s BANANA SHPEEL Coming to New York City!
Cirque du Soleil has been around for nearly 25 years –
always creating, always evolving, now with a new twist!
Something new and different will make it’s premier in Chicago next week,
for a 8 week run, before moving on to New York City.
BANANA SHPEEL!
Is the newest creation from the Quebec company and will debut in Chicago for a limited run (November 19-January 3),
before moving to New York’s refurbished BEACON THEATRE for an open ended run starting February 4th, 2010.
We got a sneak peak behind the scenes as costume designer extraodinar Dominique Lemieux
put finishing touches and did fittings on some of her creative clothes.
WATCH CIRQUE BEHIND THE SCENES video!
We also got the chance to watch handsome male dancer LUKE HAWKINS…..
……rehearse his tap dance!
It is going to be an exciting show!
Banana Shpeel is a roller-coaster mix of styles that blends comedy with tap, hip hop,
eccentric dance and slapstick, all linked by a narrative that ignites a succession of wacky adventures.
This is not circus, or a musical or a variety show, or even vaudeville.
It is Banana Shpeel!
(makeup designer Eleni Uranis gives a cast member a lesson)
Writer and Director David Shine, who also directed KOOZA, is back at the helm once again this time.
He explains the world of vaudeville and his collaboration with creator Serge Roy.
How the new show has elements of vaudeville, but yet very modern,
with elements of circus as well.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cirque du Soleil celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 performing artists.
Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.
The Best of Gay Chicago
The Best of Gay New York
LOADED with Kevin Spirtas
a new play written by Elliot Ramón Potts, is set for a limited engagement from November 7, 2009 through January 23, 2010 at Theatre Row (The Lion Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street).
Directed by Michael Unger, this production will have its Official Opening on Sunday, November 15 at 3:00PM.
Loaded centers on Jude and Patrick, two men exploring whether or not their casual sexual relationship
has the potential to be something more. When the generation that separates them sparks a series of
misunderstandings and assumptions, their connection is strained and the conversation turns serious.
Loaded taps into the climate of 21st century gay culture as it seeks to make sense of the bewildering
chasm that separates middle-aged and younger gay men.
This production features Scott Kerns as Jude and Kevin Spirtas as Patrick. Scott Kerns’ New York
credits include Heart of the City (Orange Thoughts Productions at Urban Stages), It Pays to Advertise
(The Metropolitan Playhouse), Playground Rules (Slant Theatre Project). Kevin Spirtas is recognized for
his role as Dr. Craig Wesley on television’s “Days of Our Lives.” On Broadway, he has appeared in The
Boy from Oz, A Chorus Line and Meet Me In St. Louis.
Tickets may be arranged through Ticket Central or (212) 279-4200, or at the Theatre Row Box Office (12:00–8:00 PM daily).
Tickets are $49.00 including $1.25 restoration fee. For more information, visit Loaded Play.com
The Best of Gay New York
Alan Cumming – I Bought a Blue Car Today – in New York City
You know you’ve arrived when you become a vitamin. Scottish actor-singer Alan Cumming, cast as the Great Gazoo in “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas,” was informed by excited producers that his character had enough heat to make it into a bottle of Flintstones vitamins.
“I like to think of chubby American children chewing on me,” Cumming muses in his diverting new cabaret show, “I Bought a Blue Car Today.”
Alan Cumming has been touring his one man show I Bought A Blue Car Today from Londoa to Los Angeles. An album of the songs was just released and you can catch him here at New York City’s Highline Ballroomon October 25. This droll, naughty and seriously dishy evening, is not to be missed.
Cumming won the Tony Award for Cabaret. He will be seen on the big screen in Julie Taymor’s adaptation of The Tempest and is slated to play the Green Goblin in the upcoming Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, to be directed by Taymor. – Scheduled for February 2010. Music by Bono.
The Best of Gay New York
Brian Scott Bagley Pays Tribute to Josephine Baker in Montclair, New Jersey
Dancer/Producer/Choreographer Brian Scott Bagley never imagined his homage to the late Josephine Baker, a dance piece he’s ingeniously titled ‘Josefiend’, would steal thunder from the unstoppable sexpot Dita Von Teese. But that’s just what happened – unintentionally of course, as Bagley and Von Tesse are friendly colleagues – when “La Gentry de Paris Revue” opened to raves overseas just two weeks ago.
Now Bagley’s visiting stateside through the end of next weekend as both a choreographer and dancer in another Baker-related production, Jerome Savary’s “A La Recherche de Josephine” (“Looking for Josephine”), in which Jersey homegirl Nicolle Rochelle has her turn playing the revered icon.
Not unlike the late Baker herself, Bagley is an American in Paris, having lived there for the past three years (though he hasn’t surrendered his citizenship as Baker eventually did). Residency there has allowed his career to morph into something far more complex than what American Idol viewers might recall from the 2005 season when Bagley was one of the more memorable DC auditions, thereafter dubbed, ‘The Dancing Janitor,’ (a reflection of his employment at the time).
The Idol connection may have brought some fleeting recognition, but it wasn’t until he moved to Paris that Bagley – a former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Student – found some real footing in his career. Working on Savary’s ambitious storyline that celebrates African-American spirit through song and dance while juxtaposing Baker’s fiery legacy against a post-Katrina New Orleans (thus mirroring the civil rights issues from two different periods in American history), Bagley networked his way into the newly revitalized Parisian burlesque culture. At the center of the revival is a performer called ‘Gentry de Paris’ (Gentry Lane), and it was through Lane that a connection with Dita Von Teese was forged. Choreographic work on another Savary production has since followed, “Don Quichotte Contre L’Ange Bleu” (“Don Quioxte against the Blue Angel”) starring Arielle Dombalse, (you may remember her from “Miami Vice” but Bagley insists her current status as ‘France’s opera singing Aphrodite’ is a more accurate representation).
So, you can just imagine Bagley’s astonishment when the European press erupted over his performance of ‘Jospefiend’ in Lane’s “La Gentry de Paris Revue.” Known for her affinity toward Betty Grable and an aura that marries Bettie Paige with a miraculous concoction of depravity and elegance, surely Von Teese would steal the stage. And yet the European tastemakers still made plenty of room for Bagley.
CURRENTLY PLAYING AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY’S KASSER THEATER THROUGH SUNDAY, 9/28.
BUT TICKETS ONLINE AT PEAK PERFS
The Best of Gay New York
THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER at New Yorks Lincoln Center
The creators of the highly acclaimed play The Laramie Project, which since 2000 has been one of the most performed plays in America, will premiere a compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to the original piece. Entitled THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER, the play will be performed in New York at Lincoln Center,and in over 100 other theaters across the country on October 12, 2009. The writers of this play are Tectonic Theater Project members Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber.
The epilogue focuses on the long-term effects of the murder of Matthew Shepard on the town of Laramie. It explores how the town has changed and how the murder continues to reverberate in the community. The play also includes new interviews with Matthew’s mother Judy Shepard and Mathew’s murderer Aaron McKinney, who’s serving two consecutive life sentences. The writers also conducted many follow-up interviews Laramie residents from the original piece, including, Romaine Patterson, Reggie Fluty, Jedediah Shultz, Father Roger Schmidt, Jonas Slonaker, Beth Loffreda and others.
In tandem with the Premiere, an online interactive community will be launched where participants can blog, upload video and photos and share their stories about the play, experiences in preparing and presenting the Epilogue in their communities. The members of Tectonic Theater Project will be active participants in the online community, offering participants feedback and encouragement.
“The Tectonic Theater Project set out to find out how Laramie had
changed in the ten years since the murder of Matthew Shepard. When we
arrived, we were forced to confront the question, ‘How do you measure
change in a community?’ One of the things we found when we got there,
which greatly surprised us, was people in Laramie saying this was not
a hate crime,” said Moises Kaufman, Artistic Director of Tectonic
Theater Project.
“We found the people of Laramie still fighting to own their own
history, their own identity, their own story, and part of that is
shaped by how they understand what happened that night to Matthew,”
continued Leigh Fondakowski.
“Creating the epilogue also gave us the opportunity to talk to Aaron
McKinney about his crime, what his thinking is about it now, and what his experience has been in prison over the past decade,,” said Greg Pierotti, the company member who interviewed Aaron. “We were also able to speak with Matthew’s mother, Judy Shepard, whose striking transformation from privately grieving mother to civil rights activist has captured the nation’s attention,” concluded Andy Paris.
The Best of Gay New York
GRACE JONES! Back in New York City Tonight!
JAW-DROPPING!
EYE-POPPING!
UNBELIEVABLE!
This is what EVERYONE was saying after Grace Jones first US appearance in over 30 years! (She performed all over Europe earlier this year to sold out crowds). She played the Hollywood Bowl this week and TONIGHT is at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
Few artists command the microphone and the stage as Jones. It makes you yearn for a world in which Madonna was the one-hit wonder, with Jones occupying the Earth’s Most Celebrated Diva throne. From her odd accent, which has tinges of French, British and Jamaican patois within, to her carved, menacing face, to those legs, which seemed forged from steel, Jones somehow seemed too large for even the Bowl stage. THIS IS A PERFORMER AND A STAR! Go back and sit down Britney.
At 61, you would never expect the caliber of performance that she delivered. Throughout the night Jones had, if we’re counting correctly, seven amazing costume changes. And while she was off stage changing, she talked to the audience via her mic and you could actually hear her rustling into the next outfit and next pair of 6 inch stilettos backstage!
(Her costumes were designed by infamous costume designer Eiko Ishioka, known for her Oscar winning wardrobe in Bram Stroker’s 1992 Dracula, Cirque du Soleil: Varekai, and the costumes for the Beijing-2008 Olympics to give you an idea of a few iconic pieces of her work.)
Sitting in a box seat at the Hollywood Bowl, Halle Barry and beau Gabriel Aubry (and pals) danced up a storm during Grace’s performance, while Gabriel just rested his chin on Halle’s shoulder. “During ‘La Vie en Rose’ the actress stood up and went crazy and applauded,” an onlooker told People. “It was wild!”
SEE MORE IMAGES FROM THE LA SHOW AT TREND LAND
This whole rebirth of Grace was not even planned! There was never supposed to be a new album, let alone a TOUR! “Hurricane was an accident. Blame it on Ivor Guest. I’d decided never to do an album again. Record companies today don’t allow artistic freedom, and I just couldn’t be bothered anymore. But when Ivor brought me the music to ‘Devil In My Life’, from there we had a creative chemistry and the music just flowed.
We followed where my voice was taking the music and where the music was taking my voice. We didn’t work to some industry formula of what the Grace Jones sound is. It doesn’t matter that it’s taken twenty years because me and the music are always in the same place. It doesn’t sound like the past or the future. It sounds like now, whenever now is. I don’t count. Quality surpasses quantity at any time.” – Grace Jones
Will there be a world tour???? God, I hope so!
Follow Grace Jones on MySpace.
The Best of Gay New York
