Category Archives: Theatre and Entertainment
Larry Kramer to Receive special Tony Award June 9th, in New York
Larry Kramer is a playwright, author, public health advocate, and LGBT rights activist. Kramer introduced a controversial and confrontational style in his 1978 novel Faggots, which earned mixed reviews but emphatic denunciations from the gay community for his portrayal of shallow, promiscuous gay relationships in the 1970s.
Kramer will receive this year’s
Isabelle Stevenson Award, a non-competitive Tony award given to an
individual from the theater community who has made a substantial
contribution on behalf of humanitarian, social service or charitable
organizations.
“Writers who are activists are very rarely taken seriously as
artists,” Kramer said in an interview. “I look upon this recognition as
acknowledgment that a serious writer can also be a serious activist, and
no less an artist for it.”
Kramer, who will turn 78 years old in June, won a 2011 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, for the revival of “The Normal Heart” on Broadway, which starred Joe Mantello, Ellen Barkin and John Benjamin Hickey.
Kramer also wrote the screenplay for a coming HBO film based on the
play, which will be directed by Ryan Murphy (“Glee”) and star Mark
Ruffalo as Ned Weeks, the young activist at the center of the story.
“We are so excited about it,” Kramer said of the film, which begins
shooting in New York in June. “It’s much bigger than the play. It’s the
same basic plot but one is able to open it up and show much more about
AIDS and also explore the character of the doctor [which will be played
by Julia Roberts] which I wanted to do in the play, but it didn’t work.” – Barbra Streisand wanted to make to film and had bought the rights – but she struggled with Kramer for over 15 years, then gave the rights back to him.
Ross Mathews Takes a Bite out of New York City in May
As
a young kid growing up in a farm town, Ross Mathews might as well have
wished for a pet unicorn or a magical calorie-free cookie tree to grow
in his front yard.
probably been more likely to come true than his real dream: Working on
television in Hollywood, California. I mean, seriously, that stuff just
doesn’t happen to people like Ross. But guess what. It totally did.
Ross Mathews, is now one of the most in-demand television personalities today. Ross
has traveled the world as a Tonight Show correspondent,interviewing everyone from Oscar winners to British royalty, quickly
becoming a late-night television staple and a favorite of the
public.
will be in New York that week doing press, as May 7 is the official
release date of the book as well!
The MAN UP book will out May 7th.
The book, Man Up!: Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence , willbe Mathews’ first and include a humorous collection of observations and
personal stories and takes readers inside Mathews’ personal journey as a
super fan, revealing the most embarrassing and hilarious moments of his
small town life and big city adventures, and how he managed to turn an
obsession with pop culture into one on one interactions with celebrities
like Paltrow, Tiffani-Amber Theissen, Madonna, and Michelle Kwan [to
name a few] without ever having a single restraining order issued
against him. It also will feature a foreword by actress Gwyneth Paltrow and an afterword by late-night host Chelsea Handler.
“Ross has been a friend of mine for 10 years, and this book is
hilariously sad, hilariously naïve and hilariously gay. I love this
book,” Handler said.
“The book is about my experiences, thus far, in
life. Growing up in a small town and then navigating Hollywood. The
theme that’s been running through that is something I talk about on
Chelsea a lot; what I’ve coined as “man-up.” I think I always try to
man-up,” explains Ross.
“What I mean by that is, understanding you are what you are and
you’re going to have your flaws, but rather than heaping a lot of
negativity on whatever makes you different or whatever makes you unique,
really shine the light on that and use it to make you stand out, I
think that’s just something innately that I’ve done my entire life,
totally on accident. I probably owe it to my mother, because she was
effusive with her compliments, even when they were undeserved. I would
love to spread that message. Like, come on, life is short you gotta love
yourself. Get over it and let’s keep movin’ on to make a difference in
the world.“
Mathews
currently lives in Los Angeles with his partner, Salvador, and their
two rescue dogs, Louise and Mijo. When not working on his many projects,
Mathews is a strong supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, speaking at
many of their nationwide events and he received their Visibility Award
in 2011.
When once asked, Why do you think visibility is so important for our community?
He says, “Oh my gosh, it’s like crazy, super, big time important!
I grew up in a teeny farm town in Mount Vernon, Washington, and I was a
little gay kid and I didn’t know what it meant to grow up to be a big
gay grown-up. I didn’t know any gay people and back then I didn’t see
any gay people on TV. I didn’t learn until I went to college that I
could be a totally happy grown up, loud, proud, out gay person. It’s a
different world now, in part, not to toot my tooter, partly because
people like me are on TV, out, loud and proud for a decade now!” TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!
5/7/13
Check our Ross’s Blog and grab all of his social media links!
Surviving Mommie Dearest with Cristina Crawford in New York for a limited Engagement!
CHRISTINA CRAWFORD
in
SURVIVING MOMMIE DEAREST
BEST SELLING AUTHOR WHO SHOCKED THE WORLD WITH THE FIRST CELEBRITY
TELL-ALL WILL STAR IN AN INSPIRATIONAL NEW OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION
ABOUT SURVIVAL & HER TURBULENT RELATIONSHIP WITH
MOVIE LEGEND MOTHER JOAN CRAWFORD
LIMITED RUN!
MOTHER’S DAY WEEK MAY 8th -12th
AT THE SNAPPLE THEATER CENTER
Mommie Dearest Inc. in association with Producer Jerry Rosenberg have announced dates for the New York premiere of SURVIVING MOMMIE DEAREST an empowering and inspirational new production starring Christina Crawford – actress, activist and author of the 1978 best-selling autobiographical book “Mommie Dearest.”
The show features an award–winning bio-pic documentary covering
100 years of show-biz history and details the turbulent relationship
between Christina and her movie legend mother, Joan Crawford. Complete
with film clips and footage from forgotten 1940’s home movies, SURVIVING MOMMIE DEAREST is
slated for a limited run of 5 performances, during the week of Mother’s
Day and will run off-Broadway at the Snapple Theater Center in
Manhattan.
In addition to the Hollywood glitz and glamour of SURVIVING MOMMIE DEAREST,
Ms. Crawford who wrote and narrates the documentary, recounts the abuse
that she endured in her life, discusses her road to recovery, takes
questions from the audience and closes the 90 minute show with a book
signing.
Christina
Crawford’s memoir, “Mommie Dearest” created a worldwide sensation and
was published in seven foreign languages. Since then, she has written: Black Widow (a novel), Survivor, No Safe Place and Daughters of the Inquisition, in addition to publishing first the 20th Anniversary and then the 30th Anniversary
Editions of “Mommie Dearest”, with updates and some revisions. The film
of the same name was released in 1981 but without her participation in
production or final approval. She has not received any royalty payments
in the 30 years since the film was released.
Born in
Hollywood, California and adopted by film star Joan Crawford, Christina
Crawford was the focus of movie magazine photo shoots, press conference
interviews and studio publicity.
Since 1993, she has lived on over 100 acres in Northern
Idaho where she initially owned a successful country inn, worked seven
years as entertainment manager for the Coeur D’Alene Casino and produced
her own regional weekly TV show that won three Telly Awards. She also
served one term as County Commissioner. Christina is co-owner of the
production “Surviving Mommie Dearest” which she wrote, co-directed and
in which she currently stars.
She
has served as appointed Commissioner on the first Lost Angeles County
Commission for Childrens Services and has been given awards from the
Illinois Governor, the California Attorney General and the United States
Dept. of Children and Family Services for her work on behalf of public
awareness regarding child abuse & family violence prevention.
Performances of SURVIVING MOMMIE DEAREST are on May 8-9th at 8PM, May 10-11th at 5PM and Sunday, May 12th at 12PM.
Tickets for SURVIVNG MOMMIE DEAREST are $40 for premium seats; and $25 and are available at the Snapple Theater Center box office at 212-921-7862.
The Snapple Theater Center is located at 1627 Broadway / 210 W. 50th St. near the corner of 50th Street and Broadway with two entrances, one on Broadway (stairs only) and one around the corner with an elevator.
Sneak Peak at New Yorks Broadway Bares 2013
From sea to shining sea, this year’s
Broadway Bares will crisscross the country in a racy, raucous road
trip, exploring the United States as the 23rd annual edition of the
immensely popular modern-day burlesque show arrives as Broadway Bares
23: United Strips of America.
This video offers an exclusive
behind-the-scenes look at the Broadway Bares photo shoot, hosted by this
year’s director, Nick Kenkel.
Produced by and benefiting
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Bares 23will arrive Sunday,
June 23, for two performances only — at 9:30 PM & Midnight — at
Roseland Ballroom in NYC.
In Broadway Bares 23: United Strips of
America, more than 200 of New York’s sexiest and most delectable
dancers will discover — and uncover — amber waves and mountain
majesties that only Broadway Bares could find. This trip across the
fruited plains of America will most certainly be the stuff patriot
dreams are made of. TICKETS ON SALE NOW.
WATCH NOW
Michael Urie Plays Barbra Streisand in Buyer and Cellar
Alex More has a story to tell. A
struggling actor in L.A., Alex takes a job working in the Malibu
basement of beloved megastar, Barbra Streisand!
downstairs to play. It feels like real bonding in the basement, but
will their relationship ever make it upstairs?
Buyer & Cellar is an outrageous comedy about the price of fame, the cost of things,
and the oddest of odd jobs.
Michael Urie will be playing Barbra Streisand Off Broadway, and
every other character in Buyer &
Cellar, playwright Jonathan Tolins new one-man play which opened recently at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. An exceptionally gifted comedian
and stage performer, Urie does the diva justice—and she’s just one piece of the
story.
Tolins’ play is well crafted, hilarious, and completely
accessible to folks who know nothing about Barbra Streisand. Of course, the
show’s success is thanks in no small part to Urie’s charming, whirlwind
performance. I spoke to Michael about his work on the play, his choice of gay
roles, and his personal feelings on the lady of the house.
Spiderman Adam Roberts is the HERO of the Month
Spiderman – Turn off the Dark!
Live Out Loud Kinky Boots and Harvey Fierstein March 20
MARCH 20th!
Kinky Boots is an uplifting show featuring music by Cyndi Lauper, book by Harvey Fierstein, and choreography by Jerry Mitchell!
Writer Harvey Fierstein and Kinky Boots actors will participate in a talkback after the show!
Proceeds
from these premium tickets will benefit Live Out Loud’s educational
programs that connect LGBTQ youth with LGBT role models.
Tickets are limited and will sell out soon! Click here to buy your tickets now!
Location: The Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 West 45th Street, New York, NY
New York Show Deals! 20 at 20
FOR 20 DAYS ONLY, SEE THE BEST OF OFF-BROADWAY FOR ONLY $20!
ABSOLUTELY AFFORDABLE!
Here is your chance to catch up with shows you may have
missed, get a sneak peek at the next big show, or revisit a favorite –
all for only $20 each!
ALWAYS ON!
Since Off-Broadway has performances to fit everyone’s
schedule, you can see more than one. Where else can you see five shows
in one day, for less than the price of ONE BROADWAY TICKET?
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS!
Beginning Tuesday, January 22nd, and running through Sunday,
February 10th, tickets for all 20at20 shows are only $20, starting 20
minutes before show time. Just go to the box office of the show you want
to see 20 minutes before it begins and say, “20at20” and you’ll get
your ticket to a real New York theater experience!
SEE 7 SHOWS AND GET DINNER ON US!
See any 7 of the participating 20at20 shows from 1/22/13 through 2/10/13
and receive a FREE voucher for dinner for 2 at an area restaurant!
Mail in your ticket stubs once you have seen 7 shows and we will send
you your voucher while supplies last.
Questions about 20at20? Visit our frequently asked questions page!
Best of New York Deals and Bargains
WHERE WILL YOU BE
Last Minute Gifts at Broadway Cares
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS sets the stage for another season of on-line gift-giving with our latest A Catalog of Giving. The curtain goes up on a new ensemble of unique and original merchandise that is sure to garner applause from Broadway and theatre fans everywhere.
UNDERWORLD VI: Broadway Understudies & MTWorkers DEC 10th
ONE-NIGHT ONLY BENEFIT ENGAGEMENT
The annual benefit event headlines Broadway understudies performing their favorite songs and sharing their most intimate career changing stories.
UNDERWORLD VI will include Broadway understudies Nick Cartell (Scandalous, Jesus Christ Superstar), Elizabeth DeRosa (Mary Poppins), KJ Hippensteel (The Book of Mormon), Amanda Lea LaVergne (Annie, Grease) and Billie Wildrick (Scandalous). With MTWorkers Carol Hickey (Barrier Island), Heather Massie (Flashbacks), Maureen O’Boyle (The Oath, Good Lonely People), David Stallings (A Home Across the Ocean), and Susan Wallack (Good Lonely People).
Chris March Presents BUTT-CRACKER SUITE for the Holidays
JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
BUTT-CRACKER SUITE!
(“Project Runway” and Bravo’s “Mad Fashion”), performances of this
limited Off-Broadway engagement run November 24 – December 29 at HERE
(145 Avenue of Americas at Dominick Street, one block south of Spring
Street).
Nutcracker” set, of course, in a trailer park. Dancing pink flamingos, cans of Spam, and ugly Christmas sweaters come to life on Christmas Eve… but no Sugar Plum Fairies or Snowflakes in this version!
season’s most unique and outrageous show. With a lot of fun music, over-the-top costumes, fabulous dancers, and just a hint of blasphemy, this show is the tacky gift that keeps on giving!
March returns to his theater roots with this new holiday comedy.
Drawing upon his special brand of no-holds-barred outrageousness,
March continues to parody pop culture from his roles in “Christmas
with the Crawfords” to his many television appearances. For more info
visit www.butt-crackersuite.com
Pink Milk at New York City Fringe Fest Aug 10-19
An alluring drama infused with dance, PINK MILK is based on the true story of Alan Turing –
the man basically responsible for ending WWII in Britain but later
criminally charged for being gay who chose chemical castration over
prison and whose death is shrouded in mystery.
Movement, nosebleeds,
electronica, and a talking daisy PINK MILK, inspired by the father of Computer Science, explodes themes of creation, destruction and eternal love.
2012 is internationally known as Alan Turing Year as
it is the centennial anniversary of his birth (6/23/1912) and while
most of the world-wide celebrations will focus on Turing’s technological
and mathematic contributions, PINK MILK explores the uncelebrated side of his genius which ultimately led to his untimely death.This past February, PINK MILK premiered in Chicago where we shared the story of Alan Turing with a combined audience of 700 over
three nights of performances.
Alan is a lonely, gay, Snow White obsessed boy genius who meets
Christopher, a gentle boy with a passion for piano as deep as Alan’s
passion for pi. Their intellects clash in a symphony of science and
art. And as soon as he is there, Christopher is gone. Alan grows older
building technology to replace his lost love. Until the fateful day
Alan meets Arnold, a reckless boy seemingly with a passion for Alan.
But Arnold’s sensual and supposed princely promise leads to the poisoned
apple that causes Alan’s life to spiral out of control. Through
movement, poetry and music, PINK MILK is an experience that explores a
rich fantasy world while navigating complex topics from our present
reality. Remounted after a successful Chicago run, White Elephant is
proud to bring PINK MILK to the 16th Annual New York International
Fringe Festival – FringeNYC and Chicago Fringe Festival.
PINK MILK: a new magical tragedy inspired by the life of Alan Turing coming to FringeNYC August 10 – 19!
FRINGE NYC
Be a producer – Help PINK MILK!
Cyndi Lauper Kinky Boots Music for Broadway
Iconic performer Cyndi Lauper has released “Sex is in the Heel” and a selection of remixes from the upcoming musical Kinky Boots. The remixes are now available on iTunes http://bit.ly/SexIsInTheHeel-
Kinky Boots, the new musical that brings together four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy® Award-winning Cyndi Lauper (Music & Lyrics), will have its pre-Broadway world premiere in Chicago this fall. Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots will play the Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL) beginning October 2 through November 4, 2012, in anticipation of a 2013 Broadway opening.
In Kinky Boots, Charlie Price is forced to step in and save his family’s shoe factory in Northern England, following the sudden death of his father. Help comes from the unlikeliest angel, a fabulous drag performer named Lola. Together, this improbable duo revitalizes the failing business, while helping one another grow into the men their fathers always dreamed they would become and transforming an entire community through the power of acceptance.
Inspired by a true story and based on the film, Kinky Boots features a warm and witty book by Mr. Fierstein (La Cage, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies) and a richly diverse musical score from Ms. Lauper, in her stunning theatrical debut. Mr. Mitchell (Hairspray, La Cage, Broadway Bares) has crafted a production bound to move, inspire and set audience’s feet dancing.
CAN’T WAIT!!!!
www.cyndilauper.com