" They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy, and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion.' -Thomas Hobbes, English political philosopher (1588-1679)
Go ahead, make my day! Today is the 81st birthday of the former mayor of Carmel, NY. A mayor who although he has had a major Hollywood career and still manages to do so has never been involved in a scandal! His first leading lady and screen kiss was with Carol Channing! Happy Birthday, Clint Eastwood! "'Clint Eastwood: A Life in Pictures," edited by Pierre-Henri Verhlac (Chronicle Books, $40), a new book documenting legendary actor Clint Eastwood's life.
Clint started trying out for bit parts in B-movies, and was signed as a contract player for Universal. He found work as an actor with brief, uncredited appearances in Tarantula (1955) and Revenge of the Creature (1955)
. Revenge of the Creature is the first sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon. The film is notable as being the only sequel to a 3-D film to be also shot in 3-D. It is also the first screen role for Clint Eastwood, who appeared as an uncredited lab technician early in the film. He is shown having a discussion with the professor, accusing a test subject cat of eating a lab rat. However his character had in fact accidentally put the lab rat in his lab coat pocket. The movie was released May 11, 1955, in the United States. In 1997, it was aired as an episode of the comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000, which mocked the film. Having survived being riddled with bullets at the end of the first film, the Gill-man is captured and sent to the Ocean Harbor Oceanarium in Florida, where he is studied by animal psychologist Professor Clete Ferguson and ichthyology student Helen Dobson. Helen and Clete quickly begin to fall in love, much to the chagrin of Joe Hayes, the Gill-man's keeper. The Gill-man takes an instant liking to Helen (as he did to Kay in the first film), which severely hampers Professor Ferguson's efforts to communicate with him. Ultimately, the Gill-man escapes from his tank, killing Joe in the process, and flees to the open ocean. Unable to stop thinking about Helen, he soon begins to stalk her and Ferguson, ultimately abducting her from a seaside restaurant where the two are at a party. Clete tries to give chase, but the Gill-man escapes to the water with his captive. Clete and the local law enforcement must now try to track down Helen and her amphibious abductor. John Agar was also in this film!
John G. Agar (January 31, 1921 – April 7, 2002)ANOTHER AQUARIAN! He and Carol Channing were born on the SAME DAY! John's birthplace: Chicago, IL. Location of death: Burbank, CA John was an American actor. He starred alongside John Wayne in the films Sands of Iwo Jima, Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, but was later relegated to B movies, such as Tarantula, The Mole People, The Brain from Planet Arous, Flesh and the Spur, and Hand of Death. He also starred with Lucille Ball in the 1951 movie The Magic Carpet.
REVENGE OF THE CREATURE led to credited supporting roles in Francis in the Navy
(1955), The First Traveling Saleslady (1956), Lafayette Escadrille (1958)
and Ambush at Cimarron Pass (1958). He got his breakthrough at the end of the decade with the TV series "Rawhide"
(1959), where he was a cast member for six years. As Rowdy Yates, he made the show his own and became a household name around the country.
Perhaps the icon of macho movie stars, and a living legend, Clint Eastwood has become a standard in international cinema. Born in San Francisco, he is the son of steelworker Clinton Eastwood Sr. (1906-1970), and factor worker Ruth Eastwood-Belden (nee Runner, 1909-2006). The family moved around Northern California before settling in Oregon.
After graduating high school, he moved to Seattle and worked as a lifeguard before training as a lifeguard for the military in 1951. After completing his service, he moved to Los Angeles where he found work digging swimming pools.
Funny, Carol Channing was born in Seattle and moved to San Francisco. But Eastwood found even bigger and better things with A Fistful of Dollars (1964), and For a Few Dollars More (1965). But it was the second sequel where he found one of his trademark roles: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
. The movie was a big hit and he became an instant international star. Blondie (The Good) is a professional gunslinger who is out trying to earn a few dollars. Angel Eyes (The Bad) is a hit man who always commits to a task and sees it through, as long as he is paid to do so. And Tuco (The Ugly) is a wanted outlaw trying to take care of his own hide. Tuco and Blondie share a partnership together making money off Tuco's bounty, but when Blondie unties the partnership, Tuco tries to hunt down Blondie. When Blondie and Tuco comes across a horse carriage loaded with dead bodies, they soon learn from the only survivor (Bill Carson) that he and a few other men have buried a stash of gold in a cemetery. Unfortunately Carson dies and Tuco only finds out the name of the cemetery, while Blondie finds out the name on the grave. Now the two must keep each other alive in order to find the gold. Angel Eyes (who had been looking for Bill Carson) discovers that Tuco and Blondie meet with Carson and knows they know the location of the gold... (Source: Jeremy Thomson) Eastwood got some excellent roles thereafter. He starred in Coogan's Bluff (1968), the western Hang 'Em High (1968) and the musical Paint Your Wagon (1969). Eastwood went in an experimental direction again with Kelly's Heroes (1970) and Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970), both of which combined tough-guy action with offbeat humor. 1971 proved to be his best year in film, or at least one of his best. He directed his first movie, the thriller Play Misty for Me (1971), in which he played a man being stalked by a crazed female admirer whose obsession with him turns from seductive to violent. That same year, he played the hard edge police inspector in Dirty Harry (1971) that gave Eastwood one of his signature roles and invented the loose-cannon cop genre that has been imitated even to this day. Eastwood also found work in American revisionist westerns like High Plains Drifter (1973), which he also directed. He had constant quality films over the next few years, teaming up with Jeff Bridges in the buddy action flick Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), and starring the "Dirty Harry" sequels Magnum Force (1973) and The Enforcer (1976/I), and the quintessential western The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), the action flick The Gauntlet (1977), and the hugely successful comedy Every Which Way But Loose (1978) with Clyde the orangutan.Eastwood found even more solid work with the fact-based thriller Escape from Alcatraz (1979). The sequel to "Every Which Way but Loose", Any Which Way You Can (1980), was also a blockbuster despite negative reviews from critics. It was the fourth 'Dirty Harry' sequel, Sudden Impact (1983) (the highest grossing film of the series) that made him a viable star for the eighties. Clint also starred in Firefox (1982), Tightrope (1984), Pale Rider (1985), and Heartbreak Ridge (1986), which were all big hits but did not become classics. His fifth and final "Dirty Harry" movie, The Dead Pool (1988), was a minor commercial hit but severely panned by critics. Shortly after his career declined with the outright bomb comedy Pink Cadillac (1989) and the disappointing cop adventure The Rookie (1990). It was fairly obvious Eastwood's star was declining as it never had before. Happy Birthday, Clint Eastwood!
Today is also the 73rd birthday of Pete Yarrow. Peter Yarrow, Bethany Yarrow, and Rufus Cappadocia perform a beautiful rendition of the international classic "Puff, the Magic Dragon."
Joe Namath is 68 today!
Joseph William "Joe" Namath (born May 31, 1943), nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie",is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) during the 1960s and 1970s. Namath was an American Football League icon and played for that league's New York Jets for most of his professional career but finished his career with the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Namath retired after playing in 140 games 62 wins, 63 losses and 4 ties. In his career he threw 173 touchdowns, 220 interceptions, and completed 1,886 passes for 27,663 yards. During his thirteen years in the AFL and NFL he played for three division champions (the 1968 and 1969 AFL East Champion Jets and the 1977 NFC West Champion Rams), earned one league championship (1968 AFL Championship), and one "world championship" (Super Bowl III).In 1999, he was ranked number 96 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. He was the only player on the list to have spent a majority of his career with the Jets. He is known for brashly telling the media that he guaranteed that his team would upset Don Shula's NFL Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969, and then delivering on his promise. Namath's Hungarian-born grandfather, known as A.J. to his family and friends, came to Ellis Island and worked in the coal and steel industries of the Pittsburgh Metro Area.While growing up, Joe was close to both of his parents, who were divorced. Following his parents' split, Joe lived with his mother, Rose.
Remembering Vicki Sue Robinson on her Birthday.She was instrumental in defining the "disco era". [May 31st 1954-April 27th 2000].Our dance queen, Vicki.
Camille Savitz's birthday today!
Happy Birthday, Danny Goggin!
Judy Garland concert headed for theaters Mark Marino -- Special to CNN
Justin Bieber
.Canadian Justin Bieber become famous via YouTube and ever since he has gathered millions of fans all over the world. Four of Bieber's pre-album singles 'One Time', 'One Less Lonely Girl', 'Love Me' and 'Favorite Girl' (was he referring to Selena Gomez?). They all were in Top 15 hits on the Canadian Hot 100 and Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. This made Bieber the only artist in Billboard history to have four singles from a debut album chart in the Top 40 of the Hot 100 before the album's release. Since last year, Bieber is also a constant presence on Twitter. In early February, he spent an entire week at the top of the Trending Topics list. Just imagine how many people will look for information about him today!"On March 1st, 12:56am. A baby boy was born, the most gorgeous, kind hearted, beautiful person in the world. That person is Justin Bieber", one fan wrote on the Twitter. "A few years ago 'justin' meant timberlake, and now it means bieber", another one said. The Bieber Mania is fueled by Justin himself, who, once in a while, uses to post messages for his fans. "Surrounded by great friends and my birthday is almost here. thanks to everyone for the well wishes", he wrote for his fans on his birthday.
Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers have all seen their tours get transferred to the big screen, and now an unlikely star is getting the concert-film treatment: late Hollywood legend Judy Garland. According to the L.A. Times, Garland's historic 1961 Carnegie Hall concert will be turned into a documentary courtesy of filmmakers Steven Lippman, Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein. Though Garland's comeback performance earned critical raves, countless standing ovations, and spawned a chart-topping double album, no footage exists of the actual event. "The concert is a cultural touchstone, something I remember vividly as a kid," Friedman tells the L.A. Times. "It's a magical moment in theatrical history. And yet there's almost no record of it." Until now. The filmmakers hope to re-create the Carnegie Hall experience with "Stay All Night," a documentary that will combine music snippets and recently uncovered backstage footage of Garland with new interviews of people who witnessed the show. The movie will focus on the connection between Garland and her audience that evening, and the team hopes to evoke that same feeling for those seated in theaters.
GO SEE A LIVE SHOW TONIGHT! Become A Facebook friend of mine! Follow me on Twitter If you've seen one of my appearances/shows, add your thoughts to my guestbook at www.RichardSkipper.com
Tomorrow's blog will be about YOU TELL ME!! I'm open to suggestions
Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED SUMMER! Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com
"Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree, & I will spend the 1st four sharpening my axe." -Abraham Lincoln (stay inspired)
Liza Minnelli to Perform at St. George Theatre in November (SOURCE:Andy Propst)
Liza Minnelli will offer a one-night only performance of Liza Minnelli in Concert at the St. George Theatre on November 20. In the concert, Minnelli will offer a selection of American standards, accompanied by her quartet. Minnelli's most recent Broadway show, Liza's at the Palace, won a 2009 Tony for Best Special Theatrical Event, and Minnelli has also won Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for Flora the Red Menace and The Act.
She also won a special Tony Award in 1974 "for adding lustre to the Broadway season." She was Tony- nominated for The Rink and additional Broadway credits include Victor/Victoria and Chicago. She won the Academy Award for Cabaret and the Emmy Award for Liza With a "Z".
For further information, visit: www.stgeorgetheatre.com.
Liza Minnelli Cancels Toronto Concert (SOURCE: Adam Hetrick, PLAYBILL.COM)
Liza Minnelli has canceled her Oct. 21 concert at Toronto's Sony Centre due to scheduling conflicts. Minnelli, who will be performing her latest show from Chicago to Tucson in the coming year, has not announced plans to reschedule the Toronto engagement. The Sony Centre is currently contacting ticket holders for the cancelled date. She presented a tribute to her late father Minnelli on Minnelli at the Palace, and has appeared in the films "The Sterile Cuckoo," "Arthur," "New York, New York" and "Stepping Out."
She was most recently seen on Broadway in her Tony-winning show Liza's at the Palace.
PLAYBILL.COM EXCLUSIVE: Cabaret Convention Sets Fall Dates; Elaine Stritch to Host Noel Coward Evening (SOURCE:Andrew Gans)
The 21st Annual New York Cabaret Convention, which salutes the best in Manhattan cabaret, will be held Oct. 7-9 at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The Friday, Oct. 8 performance will celebrate the songs of the late Noel Coward. Tony and Emmy winner Elaine Stritch, who appeared on Broadway in Coward's Sail Away, will host the evening, which is titled If Love Were All: Celebrating the Timeless Words and Music of Noel Coward.
The evening will also include the presentation of the first Noel Coward Cabaret Award: A grant of $5,000 will be given to the cabaret performer chosen to receive the award, which is funded by the Noel Coward Foundation and administered by the Mabel Mercer Foundation.
Details about the other two cabaret evenings will be announced at a later date. Elaine Stritch received Tony and Emmy Awards for Elaine Stritch at Liberty, which traces a stellar career that boasts roles in Company, The Little Foxes, Bus Stop, A Delicate Balance, Sail Away and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
For more information about the upcoming convention, visit www.mabelmercer.org or call (212) 980-3026.
Produced by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, the first annual Cabaret Convention was mounted in 1989. Donald F. Smith is executive director of the Foundation, which is the "first to perpetuate the American popular song through the art of cabaret." White's Lies May Become a Sitcom
(SOURCE: Andrew Gans, PLAYBILL.COM) Although reviews for the new Ben Andron comedy White's Lies at Off-Broadway's New World Stages were mixed, the author is currently in negotiations to turn his new play into a situation comedy.
In a statement White's Lies producer Aaron Grant said, "I can't get into specifics for obvious reasons. "But it's not surprising, especially since so many people likened the play to a sitcom, our audiences rarely stop laughing and the cast list reads like a who's who of television talent and history."
Bob Cline directs a cast that boasts Tony winner Betty Buckley, Tuc Watkins, Peter Scolari, Christy Carlson Romano, Rena Strober, Andrea Grano and Jimmy Ray Bennett. "He's a divorce lawyer, representing one of his many ex-girlfriends and above all else, he's a bachelor who wouldn't have it any other way. So when his mother desperately wants him to start a family, he'll do the next best thing: make one up! What could go wrong?"
The production features set design by Robert Andrew Kovach, lighting design by Solomon Weisbard, costume design by Michael Bevins, sound design by Nathan Leigh and video design by Ron Eyal. Producers are Grant, Jeremy Handelman, Jana Robbins, Jeff Davis, Alan Laytner, Craig Haffner & Karl E. Held with Sneaky Pete Productions.
New World Stages is located in Manhattan at 340 West 50th Street. For tickets, priced $60 and $75, call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.whitesliesonstage.com.
Just days ago, a Boston third-grader's admission to a Catholic school was rescinded – solely because his parents are lesbians. But here's the worst part – this is no isolated incident. Just a few months ago, a Catholic elementary school in Colorado expelled two preschoolers (that's right, preschoolers) for the same reason.
And these are just some of the cases we know about. Has the Church hierarchy apologized? No. Have they come out and said it was wrong to target the children of LGBT families? No. Have they said that they won't discriminate against LGBT families in the future? Not one bit. Now, we understand that our constitution protects the right of religious institutions to make decisions that may be inconsistent with state nondiscrimination laws. But that doesn't make it right. The Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you – should apply to us all. Will you help us take a stand against the Catholic Church hierarchy's deeply hurtful rejection and exclusion of those children's parents?
Please, send a letter to Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, urging him to not make this a nationwide trend and to end these hurtful practices targeting LGBT parents and their kids. For five years, HRC's Religion and Faith Program has worked with faith communities across the country to create a culture of acceptance for their LGBT members. By engaging religious leaders in difficult, yet faithful, conversations about LGBT equality, we've seen that transformation is possible, one congregation and one community at a time.
Please, send your letter today. Thank you for taking the time to fight this terrible injustice. Sincerely,
Harry Knox Director, Religion and Faith Program
Crane's Madoff Memories Make Off With Cabaret Cashout
(SOURCE: Andrew Martin, NITELIFE EXCHANGE) CynthiaBy now, so much has been said about cabaret legend (and 2010 MAC Award nominee) Cynthia Crane, that it's almost impossible to think of where to begin. But with the most recent performances of her show John Denver, Bernie Madoff, and Me at Don't Tell Mama, those who were already fans find themselves once again sailing along on the beautifully moonlit bay of her talents as a vocalist and communicator. And those who were previously unfamiliar have, as always, gotten a firm shot to the brain to let them know that this is a cabaret artist who, now and for always, will remain at the top of her game. A most unfortunate victim of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, in which she and family were taken for a great deal of money, Crane has taken the lemons handed her by life and turned them the sweetest pitcher of lemonade in town on any cabaret stage, before or since.
Crane is home before she begins when, aided by musical director Mark Janas at the piano and Bobby Kneeland's exquisite technical direction, she opens with the Duke Ellington/Marshall Barer composition "Spider & The Fly," which is still as marvelous as when she recorded it for her first CD, The Secret Life Of A WASP. Her medley of such songs as Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Who's Sorry Now?" is as delectable as chocolate mousse, and her poignancy on Rodgers & Hammerstein's "How Can Love Survive" is as potent as a trip to Utopia and back. She also touches beautifully on love and marriage, as with "I'm Your Girl," sung as a love letter to husband Ted Story (who also directed the show, and gorgeously at that, to say the very least). By the time she gets around to "Pleurer des Rivieres" (a rendering of "Cry Me A River" en Francais), the audience is virtually weeping. And the little-heard Broadway gem "No, I Don't Think I'll End It All Today" (from Jamaica, written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg) may possibly be even more heartfelt than when Jeff Harnar premiered it in his Algonquin show, The 1959 Broadway Songbook, some years ago. Special mention must be made herein for guitarist Sean Harkness, in particular for his work on Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" besides a thoroughly-solid job throughout. Cynthia Crane, and the show, both serve as true testament that the cream always rises. Because, this time around, ladies and gentlemen, she is the cream of the crop and the top of the heap. Please take note if you hear she might be performing the show again somewhere soon.
Steinway Society Welcomes Board Members Clint Eastwood, Carol Channing
(SOURCE: John Hussar/PRNewsWorks)
The Steinway Society of Riverside County and the Coachella Valley has announced that actor-director Clint Eastwood, wife Dina and legendary entertainer Carol Channing have joined Advisory Board.
"We are so excited to have The Eastwoods and Channing on our advisory board because they are so dedicated to our mission to provide music to our children," said Ruth Moir, Steinway Society president and founder.
Attending the recent Sixth Annual Festival Winners Concert, Channing said, "I'll never forget this afternoon and the young performers' individual expressions of the most wonderful force in the world - music!"
Other distinguished members of the 13-member Advisory Board include Broadway songwriter Jerry Herman, actress Florence Henderson, conductor Carlo Ponti Jr. and pianist Bill Marx. The honorary chairman is the great entertainer Roger Williams.
In another exciting announcement, Moir said that The Steinway Society has received a $7,500 grant for their "Classics Concerts in Schools Program" from The Community Foundation serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
The Steinway Society of Riverside County, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, is the premier music educational provider and serves more than 9,000 children annually.
For more information about becoming a proud sponsor of The Steinway Society of Riverside County, please call (760) 341-4130 or visit online at www.SteinwayRiverside.org
The Steinway Society of Riverside County, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is the premier music education provider in Riverside County and the Coachella Valley and serves more than 9,000 children annually. The Classics Concerts in Schools Program showcases live, concert-level classical and jazz performances. The Piano Labs Program provides piano classes during daytime and after-school programs. The Outreach Program gives private piano lessons and provides pianos at home to deserving children with a financial need. The Docent Program teaches music appreciation classes at elementary schools. The Steinway Society of Riverside County, based in Palm Desert, Calif.. sponsors an Annual Festival Competition & Winners Concert. This exceptional competition features world-class judges, master classes, study awards and performance opportunities for piano students ages 7-18 from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Now That You Mention It, Rock Hudson Did Seem Gay (EDITORIAL NOTE: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE AREN'T NECESSARILY MY OWN, RS)
This is a sentence I never thought I would type: I'm coming to the defense of a theatre critic.
Newsweek's Ramin Setoodeh wrote an article last week titled "Straight Jacket" in which he argues that gay actors can't and shouldn't play straight characters. His "Exhibit A" in the piece is Sean Hayes, the stunningly gifted actor who came to our attention playing Jack MacFarland on the much beloved NBC half-hour comedy Will and Grace. (This was back when NBC broadcast television shows.) Mr. Hayes just opened in the Broadway revival of Promises, Promises, a 1968 musical by Neil Simon, Burt Bacharach and Hal David that was based on The Apartment, the Academy Award-winning film by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. (Izzy) Diamond that starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Are you following so far?
It doesn't really matter, because all you need to know is that Sean Hayes plays C.C. Baxter in this great show, and that C.C. Baxter is a man who is attracted to women. Ramin Setoodeh, unlike the overwhelming majority of the people in the audience at the two preview performances I attended, was unhappy with Sean Hayes' performance. This reaction was not due to Mr. Hayes' acting, singing, dancing, comedy, unique charm and exceptional rapport with the audience.
Mr. Setoodeh's problem with the star's performance was that in real life, Mr. Hayes is gay. And as if the studio had given the screenwriter a note that the story had to be spicier, Mr. Setoodeh is gay as well. Much is being made of the Newsweek piece. Much should be. I'm proud to say that my friend, Kristin Chenoweth, who stars opposite Mr. Hayes in the show (and about whose performance I can't possibly be objective -- she's sensational and we'll leave it at that) led the charge -- posting an online rebuttal to Mr. Setoodeh in which she called him homophobic. For an actress who makes her living and her reputation on Broadway, throwing down with a prominent theatre critic isn't something you do as a career move. In her response to Setoodeh, Ms. Chenoweth made good point after good point after good point... ...and missed the point.
So did Setoodeh. First things first. An actor, no matter which sex they're attracted to, can't "play" gay or "play" straight. Gay and straight aren't actable things. You can act effeminate and you can act macho (though macho usually ends up reading as gay), but an actor can't play gay or straight anymore than they can play Catholic.
The most disturbing thing to me about this episode is that the theater critic for Newsweekdidn't know that. Of COURSE gay actors can play straight characters -- it's impossible to believe that Mr. Setoodeh would prefer if Ian McKellen would stop doing King Lear.
But with sincere respect to Ms. Chenoweth and the hundreds and hundreds of Internet posters who've crashed down on Setoodeh in the last few days -- some understandably passionate and some unfortunately hostile -- I don't think Setoodeh was being homophobic. Just wrong.
The problem doesn't have anything to do with sexual preference. The problem has everything to do with the fact that we know too much about each other and we care too much about what we know. In one short decade we have been reconditioned to be entertained by the most private areas of other people's lives. We've become the family dog who's allowed to eat anything that falls on the floor, and the press is the little kid in the family who keeps dropping food.
Sandy Bullock's life falls apart? That's for us. A golfer gets caught with strippers? We'll take that, thank you. Lindsay Lohan's an alcoholic? Mmm, mmm good! When Jennifer Aniston plays a movie character who's looking for love, her performance -- always sublime -- doesn't stand a chance against the real story we've been told it's okay to pay attention to, which is that Jennifer Aniston is looking for love. I can't hum a single John Mayer song but I can name five women he's slept with. Sean, for Setoodeh, the show began before you even showed up to the theater that night. The volcanic eruption of tabloids, Internet insanity and -- you better believe it -- reality TV, has made the private lives of public people -- in the vocabulary of television writers -- the "A" story. And in a not-so-convoluted way, the "A" story has an author -- thousands of authors in an extraordinary collaboration. When I need the audience to know that a piece of information they're about to hear is important, I can use words, a close-up, a push-in, music... when the authors of the no-longer-private-lives "A" story want the audience to know that something's important, it shows up on our Yahoo homepage. (The third story on my homepage yesterday was that Britain, our closest ally, has a new Prime Minister. The first story was about Justin Bieber. Unless the new Prime Minister is Justin Bieber, something's obviously gone wrong.) Is Sean Hayes' sexuality relevant to his performance? It has to be -- the "authors" told us it was important. (Though Setoodeh would have done well to have asked himself if Mr. Hayes' performance would have been any different if C.C. Baxter was in love with a man instead of Ms. Chenoweth's Fran Kubelik. It wouldn't have been.)
I would never presume to -- and those words are almost always followed by whoever said them proceeding to do exactly what they just said they would never presume to do -- but I would never presume to tell someone how they should feel about something. I can only imagine that Setoodeh's piece felt like a solid kidney punch, not to just Mr. Hayes and the other actors tagged in the story, but to teenagers -- kids who live in daily fear of what their parents are going to say, of getting the hell beaten out of them at school, of being an oddity. Gay actors, you'll forgive the expression, are caught between a rock and a hard place. Only criminals and adulterers should have to hide who they are. And in addition to living their own lives in sun and not shadow, these actors want to -- admirably -- be role models for these kids. But they also know the blanker their canvas the better their chance of marginalizing the "A" story. They know that even in 2010, there's still no such thing as an actor who's gay, a movie star and alive all at the same time.
So while I would never presume to tell someone how to feel, if it were me, I would re-direct my energy away from Mr. Setoodeh. (Ryan Murphy-- the very gifted creator of Glee whose cast member, the invaluable Jonathan Groff, was also smacked in the teeth by Setoodeh-- has called for a boycott of Newsweek. I get it completely, but I say please don't boycott Newsweek -- it's still one of the very last places left where we can find news. Boycott the red carpet instead. You're going to win the Emmy, Ryan, and you're going to get the whole publicity bump that comes with it. You and your cast should proudly walk past every microphone that's shoved in your faces. The people holding the microphones are writing the "A" story and you don't have script approval. Boycott In Touch and Us Weekly and Brangelina Daily and every other piece of crap that makes us feel like we're all sitting under hairdryers.)
Gay actors are in absolutely no danger of losing parts in Broadway shows, so if it were me, I'd re-direct my anger to the real problem. The honest-to-God, no kidding around, small-minded, mean-spirited, hysterically frightened, pig-ignorant bigots who don't think homosexuals are fit to get married, adopt children or fight and die for their country. The ones who hold signs saying "God Hates Fags." Those people aren't in the backwoods of Idaho, they're in Congress. Fight THEM. I'll help.
And you know who else will help? Ramin Setoodeh. I promise you he's on the side of the good guys.
I'LL RELAX WHEN I'M DEAD. A reluctantly prolific cabaret. Music & lyrics by: Seth Bisen-Hersh.
Sat, 5/15 at 5:30; Sun, 5/16 at 7:15; Mon, 5/17 at 9:15
With: Elyse Beyer, Allison Linker, Gordon Maniskas, Ryan Neller, Jace Nichols, Rori Nogee, Mary Orzano & Brian Shaw
Directed by Laura Pestronk
$12 Cover/ 2 Drink Minimum (Cash Only) Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St. Call for reservations after 4: 212-757-0788 or online at donttellmamanyc.com
Seth Bisen-Hersh, composer of six cabarets including "Neurotic Tendencies," "Why Am I Not Famous Yet?" and "Writer's Block" returns to Don't Tell Mama this May to premiere his 7th cabaret: "I'll Relax When I'm Dead." With direction by Laura Pestronk and co-starring Elyse Beyer, Allison Linker, Gordon Maniskas, Ryan Neller, Jace Nichols, Rori Nogee, Mary Orzano & Brian Shaw, "I'll Relax When I'm Dead" features 10 new songs as well as 2 mini-musicals developed at The Small Pond Musical Theatre Writing Lab last fall.
"My New Computer" (book by Zachary Drummer) explores the exciting and exhilarating journey switching from PC to Mac.
"What If...?" (book and co-lyrics by Michael DiGaetano) follows the loves and lives of 4 New Yorkers at a crossroads. The ten new songs include both comedy numbers and tearjerkers: "Um, Yeah..." about an awkward okcupid first date, "Can You Believe I Was Ever Sad We Broke Up?", "To My Grandparents" and "The Wedding Song" which was dedicated to and performed at Bisen-Hersh's best friend's wedding last summer.
For more info, please visit: http://www.sethbh.com/relax .
Well, Hello, Cady!: Tony Winner Huffman to Star in Summer Dolly!
(SOURCE: Andrew Gans, PLAYBILL.COM)
Cady Huffman, who won a Tony Award for her performance as Ulla in The Producers, will star in Theatre By The Sea's upcoming production of the Tony-winning Jerry Herman musical Hello, Dolly!
Directed and choreographed by Kevin Hill, performances are scheduled to begin at the Rhode Island venue June 23. The creative team will also include musical director Bob Bray, lighting designer Aaron Meadow, set designer Kimberly Cox, costume designer Lou Bird and sound designer Ryan P. McGinty.
Opening night is June 25; performances will continue through July 11.
Hello, Dolly!, suggested by Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker, features a score by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart. Directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, the original production opened in January 1964 at the St. James Theatre, playing 2,844 performances before closing Dec. 27, 1970. The original cast featured Carol Channing, Eileen Brennan, David Burns, Jerry Dodge, Alice Playten, Charles Nelson Reilly and Ken Ayers. The musical won ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Actress in a Musical (Channing).
(THIS CLIP CAME FROM YOU TUBE; I DID NOT TAKE IT) Cady Huffman received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her performance in The Producers. She has also appeared on Broadway in The Will Rogers Follies, Steel Pier, Big Deal, La Cage aux Folles and Dame Edna: The Royal Tour and Off-Broadway in Surface to Air. Huffman has been seen on screen in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "One Life to Live," "Sunday on the Rocks," "Hero," "Space Marines," "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" and "Romance & Cigarettes."
The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI. Tickets are $35 for preview performances and $39-$49 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 782-3800, ext. 18. For more information visit www.theatrebythesea.com.
Scott Nevins, the "hilarious hottie" from truTV's hit show "The Smoking Gun Presents" brings his critically acclaimed one man comedy show to Key West for one night only!
Tickets are only $15
760-322-3554
www.bourbonlivekw.com
Support THE ARTS! LIVE THEATRE! Go see a show this week!
Send me your reviews and suggestions and I will put them in my next blog coming out May 15th Here's to an ARTS-filled week! Don't forget to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS:http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm
With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper
Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper HERE IS WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT MY WORK:
Sandee and I love Richard and Dana, We always have a good time at Iguana. The food is good and reasonable. Richard and Dana are the best host and Hostess in town. The talent is top notch, the jokes can make you laugh, and one can get home at a decent hour... Michael Janin, Long Beach New York
Every time I go to the Iguana it just gets better! It's always a fabulous night of amazing entertainment, and such a warm and supportive community that gathers there. Thank you for inviting me to sing! You can bet I'll be back soon. Catt John, http://www.cattjohn.com
Richard, Another evening of non-stop talent and non-stop fun. You and Dana were dripping with charm, humor and pizazz as usual and kept things moving and grooving. After missing two Wednesdays, I felt like I had missed a whole month. It's a wonderful way to break up the middle of the work week and regain some spirit to last the rest of the week. Thanks and congratulations again on your nomination. --Mary Lahti
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NYC THE AWARD WINNING WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA STARRING DANA LORGE, RICHARD SKIPPER, AND FRIENDS! Dana Lorge and I have put our OWN spin on the variety show format and are now hosting every Wednesday night in NYC at The Iguana VIP Lounge (http://www.iguananyc.com) in the heart of NYC (240 West 54th Street 8-11PM/with an intermission).
Cover: $12 - no food or drink minimums – but remember – the food is great! WINNER OF TWO 2010 MANHATTAN ASSOCIATION OF CABARETS AND CLUBS AWARDS (MAC) FOR OUTSTANDING VARIETY SHOW AND OUTSTANDING HOSTS! or more info, please call 845-365-0720 or visit _www.RichardSkipper.com_ RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!!!!! 212-765-5454.
May 19th: Dana Lorge will be hosting without me due to a prior commitment. Jack Demonte, Adrienne Haan, Barbara Gurskey, Bobbie Horowitz, Evan Lawrence
May 26th: We celebrate 2010 MAC AWARD WINNER SUSAN WINTER'S BIRTHDAY!Michelle Collier, 2010 Bistro Award winner Danielle Grabianowski, and Catt John
June 2nd: D'Yan Forest and Tod Hall, Pam Palmieri
June 16th: 2010 Julie Reyburn, Lisa Raze returns and Lorinda Lisitza joins us for the first time!
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