"Ragtime" Revival Opens on Broadway This Weekend. Should You Care??!
The cast of Ragtime busts it out in the opening number.
By Bradford Proctor
Ragtime is back from the dead (no
pun intended), and better than ever! Originally opening on Broadway in 1998 and
running for two years, this behemoth of a show based on the 1975 book by E.L.
Doctorow has finally been made manageable onstage by Director Marcia Milgrom
Dodge.
Let me break it down for you, if
you don’t know Ragtime, this is one of those traditional old-timey musicals
with a huge cast, lush orchestra, and a dynamic if-not somewhat depressing
plot. But that’s the point! It’s like taking a trip back in time 100 years to experience all the racism and class hatred that we Generation X (or Y) ‘ers
didn’t. Well actually, we still experience those atrocities, but just in
different ways (Maybe a modern retelling could be called “Fagtime?” But I
digress.).
Maybe I've not sipped enough of my giant McCafe this morning (think if I write that McDonald's will send me freebies?), but I can't for the life of me figure out what the hell Lady Gaga is talking about when she describes what her music performance is gonna be like on Gossip Girl on November 19th. Can someone help me translate this? A 35-foot-long dress? Chuck Bass will be totes jealous.
In more Lady Gaga interviews, she also tells MTV's Sway all about her big Monster Ball tour (which sounds amazingly bonkers), her collabo w/Adam Lambert, her rise to fame, the Haus of Gaga, and lots of other batty sh*t. Enjoy, Pumpkins!!!
Florence + the Machine: The New Stevie Nicks Has Arrived? Live NYC Show Review! Gush! Love!
Just like a white wing dove, and with killer pipes and spewing power and emotion: Florence Walsh of Florence + the Machine.
by Paul O'Donnell
As a New Yorker today we are often plagued with the feeling that we missed out on something. There's always so much going on, where else should I be right now? Or did I get to NYC 15 years too late? Have I missed an era or all of the monumental moments? Last night proved that wrong when Britain's Florence + the Machine took the stage at the classic Bowery Ballroom. Wow.
First, haunting Holly Miranda opened the show for Florence. Missing her sidekick violinist Marques Toliver, but backed up by guitarist Tim Mislock and the infamous Nada Surf she sent goosebumps though the crowd from beneath a veil of overgrown bangs. Her performance was spectacular and had an edge of heavy rock that came slightly close to matching the razor sharpness of her voice. Miranda is definitely someone to watch, and last night she was the perfect intro to Florence + the Machine.
So here goes...
Florence's first real New York show, supporting her just-released CD Lungs(which is brilliant), introduced the audience to someone who will be remembered. A new Courtney Love mixed with Stevie Nicks, Florence pelted out vocals that were jaw-dropping while whirling around her flames of red hair contrasted against a white dress of flowing magic. Surrounded by disco-ball twilight Florence banged on a drum, put both hands in the air a la Eva Peron and let out some of the most beautifully awkward notes that made you wonder if you should cry or laugh nervously...
Sigh. Ladies and gentlemen, it was amazing.
Read more, including the Top 9 highlights of the Flo show after the jump!
Kristin Chenoweth & Sean Hayes Return to Broadway in "Promises, Promises" for Spring 2010
Cute + Cute + Bacharach = "Promises, Promises"
You loved her on Glee, Pushing Daisies and as Broadway's original Glinda in Wicked. You loved him as "Just Jack" McFarland on TV's Will & Grace. Now get ready as these two red-hot Emmy-winners are taking vows to dazzle Broadway next spring in the first-ever revival of the Burt Bacharach musical, Promises, Promises!
Sorry for the showbiz/commercial talk... But yup, two of gaydom's faves, Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes are teaming up on Broadway next Spring. And among those producing this enterprise: Candy Spelling! Why not?
Mika Does Letterman; Arjan's Got a Free "Rain" Remix for You! Download Away!
Mika arrives the Letterman studio on Wednesday. Cute, much?
Lovely Brit-boy pop star Mika is making the rounds for his new album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Tonight he hits NYC with a sure-to-be sparkly good show way uptown at the gilded and ornate United Palace Theatre. I'm going! I'll serve up a report on Monday.
Fittingly, given the completely cold and messy weather we're having, Arjan at Arjanwrites has a hot mp3 download of the new Magistrates remix of "Rain" which can be yours for free right now. The track (which Mika wrote about a big breakup) was produced by Stuart Price, and the result is a sleek pop confection that's also kind of gorgeously angsty. The official "Rain" single gets released on November 23rd.
Lady Gaga Announces "Monster Ball" Dates; Tour Kicks Off November 27th; Kid Cudi's Opening!
These kids are taking it on the road, monstrously.
If Freddie Mercury were alive, he'd be Lady Gaga. Or that what's I'm thinking as I heard that Miss G has announced details for her "Monster Ball" tour, which is gonna kick off in Montreal on November 27th and spook its way (voguing throughout, I'm sure) across North America before it wraps up in the singers hometown of NYC with dates at Radio City Music Hall on January 20th and 21st.
Kid Cudi is going to opening for Gaga (and Kanye West can just sit at home and pick at scabs).
Says Lady Gaga of this gay-tastic event: "The Haus of Gaga had been designing 'The Monster Ball' for premiere in 2010 at the O2 Arena in London, but due to diligent work and preparation, 'The Monster Ball' will begin on November 27 in Montreal. 'The Monster Ball' is a multimedia artistic experience in the style of the first-ever 'pop electro opera.'" I'm gagging already.
On November 23rd, Lady Gaga will serve up the release of The Fame Monster, a revamp of The Fame album, with eight entirely new songs, including the already leaked "Bad Romance." And here's another instructional quote from the singer: "A message to all my little monsters: 'The Fame Monster' will come out four days before the first live show. You have exactly 96 hours to learn all of the lyrics so you can sing along. Dress accordingly."
Get all The Monster Ball show dates and more info at LadyGaga.com.
Just a sample of the crazy staging and lighting Minogue crafted for her US tour.
This weekend marked a historic event in gay history. No, I’m
not talking about the National March for Equality in WashingtonDC; I’m talking about the culmination of Kylie
Minogue’s first US tour here in the center of the entertainment universe, New York City. The deed went down at The Hammerstein Ballroom, a pretty big venue, but still surprisingly intimate. Kylie's set list was filled with the usual suspects, 'Come Into My World', 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head', 'Love At First Sight', etc.
The show, simply put, was FAB-U-LOUS. Every aspect of Kylie’s
performance was 100% on point. Her show was an experience with wild lights,
futuristic costumes and SEXY DANCERS (see below). I'm told the set was stripped down from her other international shows, but still, Kylie was lowered on stage standing on top of a giant metallic skull. So hot.
Look at these sexy dancers! These were some of their 'more conservative' outfits, catch my drift?
The cast of Broadway's Hair took the stage at the National Equality March and Rally yesterday, toward the end around 5pm. The sun was beaming down on the Capitol and the hundreds of thousands gathered there, and when the gorgeous cast members belted out "Let the Sun Shine In" it was pretty amazing. Get a small sample above!
Hair's Gavin Creel led his crew of Broadway Impact activists (a group of theater professionals from NYC), bringing buses of people to the march and rallying support for the march. Gavin also tweeted nonstop; you can review his posts from the live coverage still viewable on 365Gay.com.
Morningwood + White Tie Affair + Six Flags = Fun Concert Action? And Rides! And Gayness!
Morningwood (top) and the boys from White Tie Affair wanna give you a twirl at Six Flags Magic Mountain in L.A. Are you tall enough for this ride?
Summer's over, but not in L.A. So get ready for one more fun summer-ish bash when Logo's NNN Concert Series hits Six Flags Magic Mountain on Friday, September 25th. The raucous kids from Morningwood and White Tie Affair will be headlining, and those identically cute DJs, The Perry Twins, will be spinning tunes, too. It's all part of a big gay-themed "Out on the Mountain" bash where the park throws a private party for the gays. Nice, right?
Anyway, the bash runs from 6pm - midnight, with the concert shows kicking off at 8pm. Last weekend, Six Flags up in SF hosted one of the shindigs, with party guys LMFAO and those tipsy Paradiso Girls headlining. Check out pics from that event after the jump. And watch some hot Morningwood & White Tie Affair vids, too!
Starting Sept. 14th, Lenk will take over the role of Franz, a great comedic role in the show; the character is the son of the villainous German real estate mogul who plans to raze the rock club that's the main setting of the show's action. Franz transforms from baddie to totally cute audience favorite during the show, and he gets to belt out the Pat Benatar classic "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" in spandex. Yay!
I've seen Rock of Ages. It's a trashy yet fun, cheezy yet totally well-produced show. Art it ain't. They serve cans of beer in the theater!!! But for mass-market fluff, it's smart and doesn't take itself seriously. At all.
Some cute pics of Tom are attached, after the jump (including fun undie shots). Break a leg, Tom!
This Week In Fabulous, 7/24: Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniel Radcliffe, Firemen, Madonna & More!
The always raunchy Madonna beckons you to read the rest of this post.
--by Cory Stottlemyer
It's time once again to find out what was truly fabulous about the past week! This week, there seems to be an overwhelming amount of fabulous news involving very attractive men. You know, I'm not complaining. Check it all out below!
5. Jake Gyllenhaal gets his sexy on in the new poster for Prince of Persia.
There's not really much to say about this. Jake Gyllenhaal's upcoming movie, Prince of Persia, just released this movie poster and hot damn, Jake is looking incredibly buff. I'm hoping this movie will follow in Jarhead's footsteps and feature Jake in as little clothes as possible. It's a Disney film, though, so I don't know how much skin will be shown. Oh well, his face is still pretty.
Check out more hot men and other celebrity news after the jump!
The Addams Family Is Coming to the Great White Way!
Well, this certainly will be interesting. The wonderfully morose and comically gothic Addams family is coming to Broadway. I used to love watching the Addams family movies when I was younger, and I can totally imagine just how bizarre and oddly funny a musical based on the dark family will most likely be.
Broadway mega stars Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth are set to star as Gomez and Morticia, so you know that this musical will be good. According to a press release, in the musical the "famously macabre Addams Family is put to the test when outsiders come to dinner, hurling Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandmama and Lurch headlong into a night that will change the family forever." It's set to open Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, so start saving your money now! Head on over to the musical's website for more information.
Justin Bond Concert in NYC! New "Pink Slip" EP! Hurrah!
Beauty, thy name is Bond.
Justin Bond may be known best as the singing/cocktail-wielding Kiki, one-half of the world-renowned performance duo, Kiki and Herb, and it’s no wonder. The pair have had a Tony-nominated run on Broadway, played Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House -- and of course crusty gay venues from Avenue A to Kangaroo Island.
But Justin Bond is striking out on his own, with a new EP of original music just released, and a big concert next Wednesday, July 22nd at NYC’s Highline Ballroom. The EP, Pink Slip, boasts 4 new original tunes from Bond and his collaborator Our Lady J, and one killer Radiohead cover (“Weird Fishes”). The results are gorgeous, dramatic, melodic, severe and searingly fresh, much like Bond himself. (“The Puppet Song” is beyond fabulous.) And head’s up: A full-length release of new tunes from Justin is due later this year!
If you’re in NYC, don’t miss the concert next week. Clint Michigan (a rising indie duo you should know) will be opening, as will the comic treats Jeffery & Cole (also seen in "Jeffery & Cole’s Casserole" on Logo). AND... If you can, splurge and buy the VIP seats for the show; for $50, the proceeds will benefit the Ali Forney Center, which provides housing and services for LGBT homeless youth. Plus, you’ll get a meet-and-greet with La Bond himself!
And go check out Butt Magazine’s great, lengthy new interview with Justin, in which he discusses his music-making process, Radical Faeries, Michael Jackson, life after Kiki, and other tasty topics.
After the jump, check out our video interview with Justin and Our Lady J from last year, when Justin's show "Lustre" was opening at P.S. 122 in the East Village. (And apologies: The sound on the video is low. You'll need to turn it UP. Thanks!)
Get ready, New Yorkers, the performers of Breaking Out in Song are going to randomly entertain to you all over the city. From July 16-19, random song and dance performances will be taking place all over the city to Broadway hits such as "Consider Yourself," "If My Friends Could See Me Now" and even "Don't Rain on My Parade."
Now, I can't tell you where they'll be performing, but if you head on over to their website you can check out the list of choreographers, video and musical directors, casting directors, production managers, and producers. With a tagline like, "All the world's a stage. We'll prove it in NYC," who wouldn't want to see the performances? I hope I'm lucky enough to catch a showing...
Check out lots more footage of the rehearsals...after the jump!
Daniel Craig & Hugh Jackman Naked & Wet on Broadway!!!
These photos have absolutely nothing to do with Broadway, but who cares???
Okay, I got carried away with that completely mendacious post title, but... News just came out that studly (if often strangely pouty-lipped) Daniel Craig and studly (if oft blade-fingered and/or show-tune singing) Hugh Jackman are gonna be in a play together on Broadway this fall. First Jude Law, now this?
The play (not a musical, sorry) is called A Steady Rain and it's about Chicago cops. (Bring on the fake Yank accents!) But "Rain" eh? Might they get wet? Might there be nudity? Might there be full-frontal action? Oh, of course probably not but still... The play in my mind will have all of those things.
Quotes about the play have called it a "hallucinatory roller-coaster ride" (in my hallucination they're getting busy on that roller-coaster) and it also says the play's story is "riddled with love, loyalty, guilt, shame, and a primal inevitability." Helloooo!!! They're totally gonna do it!! Bring on the serious shame!!!
Find out more via Playbill. Perfs begin on September 10th and will run for 12 weeks only. See you at the Stage Door!
Not only can you spot Jude Law in the reportedly homo-tastic-ish Sherlock Holmes film this September, you can also buy tickets to catch him onstage as Hamletin a big production being imported over from London's classy/edgy Donmar Warehouse. Law's currently playing the role there, it's a hit, and it's set to begin previews on Broadway on September 12th, and run for 12 weeks at the Broadhurst Theatre. Opening night is October 6th.
Michael Grandage (Frost/Nixon) will direct. And it's likely that more Brits will join the NYC cast; full casting details will come later. AmEx cardholders can buy tix today; the general public can shop for Jude/Hamlet seats starting July 18th.
More Jude pics (including one from the London production) after the jump!
Lady Bunny, Patricia Field & Cleve Jones Score amfAR Honors!
Hot host Alan Cumming and the amFAR-award-winning legendary Lady Bunny!
Last night in NYC, the esteemed AIDS-fighting/awareness-raising organization amfAR held its 10th-annual Honoring with Pride gala, in which the bestowed Courage Awards on three notables who've been fighting the battle against AIDS for years: drag legend Lady Bunny, fashion mogul Patricia Field, and long-time activist/Harvey Milk colleague/AIDS Quilt & NAMES Project founder Cleve Jones.
The shindig was held at the Edison Ballroom and was a pretty swank who's-who of NYC gay celebs, showbiz folks, fashion stars and all-around do-gooders! I went and snapped many pics, and rubbed elbows with Project Runway alums (Jack Mackenroth, Kevin Christiana & Christian Siriano), music stars (Debbie Harry, Ari Gold, Colton Ford), designers (Kenneth Cole, The Blonds) and all around glam types (Alan Cumming, Jenny Shimizu, Michael Musto, Cheyenne Jackson)...
Lady Bunny was the most garrulous award recipient, turning her acceptance speech into a rollicking and hilarious foul-mouthed monologue of zingers, teasing her old pal Pat Field, Flotilla, bragging that her hair was bigger & better than amfAR founder Dr. Mathilde Krim's, and generally cracking filthy jokes about servicing busboys ("See this trophy? Now, I'm an award-winning c***sucker!"). But truly, Bunny -- who founded Wigstock and has DJ'd more AIDS benefits than probably anyone -- has always, in her fabulously abrasive and smartly tart way been a champion of queer equality and AIDS awareness.
The NewNowNext Awards are Coming! With Celebs and Horny Monsters!
The NewNowNext Awards air this Saturday (June 13th, 9pm) on Logo. It's hosted by RuPaul, you can spot appearances by Lady Gaga & Britney Spears, and you'll also get Vanessa Williams, a few Real Housewives, hot stage stud Cheyenne Jackson, Gossip Girl's Taylor Momsen, up-and-coming music stars like Livvi Franc, The Fire and Reason, the Paradiso Girls (who perform and turn it out), hot artists like Eve, Sia and Morningwood, and, well... a whole bunch of delicious people. Paulina Porizkova even is forced to lip-sync for her life!
And the mad red-carpet reporter Mike Diamond can also be glimpsed during the big pre-show (which airs at 8pm); he's certifiable! And amazing. Watch him interview the stars of Avenue Q above, where quizzes them on topics such as f*sting, drug abuse and his love of furry folks.
Below, you can see a spicy little trailer for the show. Watch the whole thing this Saturday night (June 13th) starting at 8pm at NewNowNextAwards.com!
The Tony Awards: Neil Patrick Harris Rules, Bret Michaels Gets Clocked, Liza & Billy Elliot Win
Liza and cast members from Hair, Shrek & everything else serve up a love-in at the Tonys!
The Tony Awards last night were a fun mess. The show moved pretty tightly with Neil Patrick Harris as its fantastic, yeomanlike host, moving it all along clad in a leathery-looking tuxedo. The big opening number medley gave us Liza, the cast of Hair attacking the audience, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Stockard Channing looking drag-queeny and a sluggish Bret Michaelsgetting throttled by moving scenery.
Billy Elliot won most of the big awards, including Best Musical and its three young Billys jointly took home the prize for Best Actor in Musical. Their gobsmacked acceptance speech (shades of Anna Paquin's Oscar win) was adorable! Liza rocked the stage as a performer, presenter and winner (for Liza's at the Palace) and her legendary ebullience never gets old.
David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik, aka "Billy Elliot." Yay!
AfterElton's got a great write-up and list of winners. One complaint: Whoever was directing the camera coverage of the show was drunk! I'm sure it's hard to capture all the dancing and singing when a huge group number is happening on stage, but the big musical moments during the show were a slipshod mess, camera-wise. Somebody needs to talk to someone from, say, the MTV Video Music Awards to find out how to cover these kinds of things.
Best moment of the night? Apart from moving acceptance speeches (Karen Olivo from West Side Story, Jerry Herman snagging a Lifetime Achievement Award, the three Billy Elliots and a wacky, nearly ranting Alice Ripley) and some fun peformances by the casts of Hair and West Side Story, it was Neil Patrick Harris' fun closing number, sung as the show wrapped. Watch it now, but hurry because I'm sure it will be yanked down soon.
NPH is adorable even when he's being stern. Awwwwwww...
Cynthia Nixon Announces Engagement at Broadway Impact Marriage Rally
Cynthia Nixon at the Broadway Impact rally in NYC. Call her Mrs. Big, perhaps?
Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon is engaged and plans to get hitched! At yesterday's big Broadway Impact rally in NYC to voice support for gay marriage, Nixon announced she and her longtime girlfriend Christine Marinoni have swapped rings and plan to make it official! Nice!
Watch a great video of Nixon's empowering speech at Broadway.TV. And there's more coverage on AfterEllen and JoeMyGod, too! And yes, DListed (Nixon and Marinoni's #1 fan) is on it, too!
Other stars at the massive rally included Cheyenne Jackson, David Hyde Pierce and the cast of Broadway's Hair. And if you're a fan of Hair's leading man, cute out actor Gavin Creel, he's been blogging about the Broadway Impact marriage cause for awhile.
It's a bright and shiny day in Gay-land!!!! Kylie Minogue has announced she's coming to the US for her first-ever North American tour this fall. Right now, little fawns and ponies and fairies are dancing and rejoicing, from P'town to Blacks Beach (which is just outside of San Diego and full of nudies, fyi)!
I may have to get an American Express card just to be able to buy tix a week before all the other gays. (AmEx cardholders can snatch tix on May 7th -- which is tomorrow! ack!). Everybody else must wait til May 16th.)
The glittery glamfest begins on Sept. 30th in Oakland, and prances through Vegas, L.A., Chicago, Toronto and NYC from there on! See tour dates.
And befitting a nelly icon of her status, Kylie will visit with the wonderful & hag-tastic Kathie Lee and Hoda on The Today Show this Sunday, May 8th to discuss it all. I'll be drunk and watching!!! With my Mom!!!
Below is the graphic Ky-Ky's got posted for the tour already. Bonkers! Brilliance!
After the jump, four reason why she rules... Video-style!
Start with a strong-woman ensemble piece like the 1980 film “9 to 5.” Add music written by gay-fave country diva Dolly Parton. Throw in an orchestra, some sequins and a bit of razzle-dazzle, and you should have a recipe for a little slice of gay heaven.
"9 to 5: The Musical," which opened at New York's Marriott Marquis Theater last night, comes pretty close.
There's reason for skepticism. The whole show hangs on one song, the movie's Oscar-nominated, Parton-penned title track. Is it enough?
This story could have been expressly written for the stage: Three secretaries, Violet, Judy and Doralee, fed up with taking memos and fetching coffee for cigar-chomping chauvinists under a class ceiling, hack the legs off the corporate ladder to get revenge on their boss, the "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot," Mr. Franklin Hart, Jr (Marc Kudisch). Between the 6 a.m. alarm at the top of the show and the triumphant finale, there's an office sex scandal, a little pot smoke, a mix-up with a dead body at the hospital, and some light bondage.
Golden Girls and Maude star Bea Arthur, as I'm sure you know, passed away this weekend at her home in L.A.
I got to meet her twice, once when I interviewed for a cover story for NYC's Next Magazine when she was doing her Tony-nominated one-woman show on Broadway in 2004. The second was in 2005, when she generously came back to NYC to do a one-night-only reprisal of the show as a benefit for the Ali Forney Center, the organization which houses homeless LGBT youth and which she steadfastly supported.
She was sharp, really kind and much more timid and frail in person than you'd expect. Of course, she was around 82 years old, and when she arrived for the Next Magazine photo shoot, she was coming from two other press events, including a TV Guide photo shoot. She was tired, but she dove in to the interview and photo shoot, which involved photographer Bradford Noble getting her to rock out, air-guitar-style, and pose in lots of "mod" 60's furniture.
But she was also Bea, so she was funny and a bit imperious. A couple of times during the interview she corrected me about old showbiz facts I was asking about, and once she even said, after I blathered out a ill-worded question "My dear boy, was that a question or were you just rattling on?" I loooved it!
Two of the shots of Bea from our Next Magazine cover shoot in 2004. Photos by Bradford Noble; NoblePhoto.com.
The scene above is just one of the fab moments from the new showbiz documentary, Every Little Step, which chronicles the origins of the legendary Broadway musical, A Chorus Line. Watching the amazing and heartbreaking Jason Tam nail his audition for the role of the gay dancer Paul (with one of theaterdom's most memorable monologues) for A Chorus Line's 2006 Broadway revival is pretty intense. Grab a Kleenex!
But all of Every Little Step is worth seeing. It's a great portrait of the anxiety of a Broadway audition, the creative process that makes a show possible (from the director to the writer to the choreographer to the actors), and it's just a lovefest for anyone who's ever been a fan of musical theater.
After the jump, our Brad Proctor's got a nice preview of the film, too!
I've been a massive Rufus fan since day one, I've seen him a zillion times, including his concert doing Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall! In what makes the most sense in the world, he's prepping his debut opera, Prima Donna, for its big premiere this July at the amazingly cool Manchester International Festival in Manchester, England.
The Manchester Fest is a big artsy 17-day extravaganza featuring new works and performances by the likes of Kraftwerk, Antony & the Johnsons, Lou Reed & Laurie Anderson, ballet hottie Carlos Acosta, Damon Albarn and more! And it's where Rufus' gorgeous opera debut will happen!
Watch the video interview with Rufus above to find out more! Opera! Divas! Drama! And Rufus talks about sex with his boyfriend, Anne Hathaway playing Judy Garland, and why he likes rough English blokes.
The big new revival of West Side Story opens on Broadway tonight. Big stars like Steve Martin, Bobby Cannavale, Sarah Paulson, Lauren Bacall, Vanessa Williams and her little Ugly Betty costar Mark Indelicato, Cheyenne Jackson and others are gonna attend. But I saw it this past Tuesday (Lucy Liu was in the house!). And the show? Really, really wonderful!
Don't get me wrong, some moments worked better than others, but I'd only seen my wonky high school production of the show and to see it get a full-on Broadway treatment was pretty fantastic. In fact, I'm gonna rattle off what I liked about it... So brace yourself for that, now!
And guess who's starring in the show? Our old NewNowNext pal Cody Green, winner of last year's Step It Up & Dance reality show and a visitor here! He's the second male lead and leader of the Jets, Riff. Yay, Cody!
Cody Green = Riff, a jet all the way
After the jump, more of what I loved about this new big splashy revival of West Side Story!
Natasha Richardson at an AmFAR benefit in NYC last month.
As you've no doubt heard, actress Natasha Richardson was injured in a seemingly minor ski accident outside of Montreal on Monday, which has turned serious. She now in NYC's Lenox Hill Hospital with her family -- including husband Liam Neeson, mother Vanessa Redgrave and sister Joely Richardson -- gathering at her side.
The NY Post is reporting that she's brain dead, and People says it's not looking good, but other reports are being more cautious. Let's hope for the best.
Broadway Preview: Reasons to Be Pretty... Or Petty?
The "Reasons to Be Pretty" cast: Thomas Sadoski, Marin Ireland, Piper Perabo & Stephen Pasquale
Guest Blogger: Bradley Proctor
Want to endure tumultuous emotional relationships but don’t want the trappings of an actual partner? Then you might wanna check out the Broadway show I saw this weekend: Reasons to Be Pretty, in previews now at the Lyceum Theater. It’s Neil LaBute’s Broadway debut, and he is leaving no room for subtlety with his acerbic wit and cutting social commentary.
Bursting out of the New York City bubble, LaBute most identifies with the seemingly simple blue-collar lives of the young people about whom he writes. But the truth is, even if the setting may be less immediate to most New York City theatergoers, the themes are painfully relevant. Who hasn’t felt slighted by an offhand comment about their looks?
So here’s the story: Greg (played by the convincingly vulnerable Thomas Sadoski) made an insensitive comment about his girlfriend Stephanie’s looks - her friend heard it from the other room and immediately told Stephanie. Basically, one simple comment ruined Greg’s relationship and was the epicenter of a chain reaction of relationship woes.
Broadway Guy Nick Adams, Interviewed: NewNowNext NOISE!
Nick on the cover of HX in January 09; and in his skivvies.
Guys and Dolls is in previews on Broadway right now (opening March 1st) and among its big, ballsy cast is hot out actor/dancer Nick Adams. You've seen Nick on the cover of HX and Instinct, in other B'way shows like A Chorus Line (where he allegedly made Mario Lopez jealous of his muscles), and in 2Xist undies ads.
That's all we needed to know for a reason to chat him up! Watch the video interview as Nick talks about the new show, undressing with Mario Lopez, backstage "showmances" and why he's single.
Warning: You'll hear me ask brilliantly probing questions like "So is it weird being an underwear model?" Lord help us all. Thanks, Nick!
Broadway superstud (my term, not his) Cheyenne Jackson got quizzed by New York Magazine about his personal love affair with NYC. It's cute!
Jackson opines about city noise, Donald Trump, the new Times Square vs. old Times Square (that's the mermaids & tranny porn reference), and makes himself the new spokesman for DiGiorno pizza! Check it out!
And catch him at Feinstein's for his one-man cabaret show in early March. If you can get in.
Mercy. Here's a very gay way to start to your day:
Theatre icons Charles Busch, Whoopi Goldberg and Lypsinka will star in the first-ever New York presentation of the infamous Broadway-play-that-wasn’t, LEGENDS!. This legendary catfight was written by Pulitzer-Prize and Tony-Award winner James Kirkwood (A Chorus Line), and will be presented in a special one-night-only staged reading benefit on Monday evening, March 23 at 8PM at Town Hall. Out star of Mad Men, Bryan Batt will also star.
Daily Buzz Bits: Daniel Radcliffe's Gay Horse Dance, Star Trek Update, Naked Aussie Ruggers
God, I love Australia. Presenting the Gods of Football 2009 Calendar. Sexy. Ridiculous. Necessary. – AfterElton
Daniel Radcliffe sings and dances gaily about “The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Neigh.” Awwww... – Towleroad
Brody Jenner and his Bromance men did sort of gay it up in a hot tub. And he’s cool with that. – E! Online
And I don’t think I can link there directly (we're a family site), but go over to Defamer and scroll down if you’re a fan of Scott Caan. – Defamer
J.J. Abrams is talking to MTV about the Star Trek movie. Woo-hoo! - MTV.com
David Archuleta looks like he’s nine years old in his new video “A Little Too Not Over You.” – Just Jared
A nice gay NYC couple got married at their country house in Connecticut. They met in the Hamptons, have a super cute dog, a great home or two, and matching sweaters. Watch the video. And don’t hate them. You'll meet the right guy someday. Of course you will... – NY Times
Daily Buzz Bits: Hugh Bags Oscar, Tom Ford Flips, Next's Men of '09
Tom Ford has some advice for gays: "Sleep with a woman for once, why don’t ya?" - Queerty
Javier Bardem sucks on a stogie in L’Uomo Vogue. This came yesterday, but I still love it! – Towleroad
Next Magazine is serving up its 2009 Calendar in this week’s issue. It features NYC bartenders in their undies. Cheers! – Next
Hugh Jackman to host the Oscars? Must he wear clothes??! – Gawker
Feeling chipper and full of holiday spirit? Not for long! Here’s a roundup of the saddest Xmas tunes—ever! “Please Daddy Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas” is only #9. Ouch! – EW.com
And as if you hadn’t heard, Liza’s on Broadway. And you really oughtta go. - AfterElton
Finally, let’s all have a moment of silence and serve up some leopard-print bikini-clad homage: Bettie Page has died. – AfterEllen
And finally, here's sort of a holiday song... It's Miss Piggy and Rudolph Nureyev - really! - getting frisky in a steam room. Ah-maz-ing!!!!!
Rufus Wainwright and the McGarrigles Bring Xmas to Carnegie Hall
Last night, as he’s done before, Rufus Wainwright brought his family—plus a slew of starry guests—to Carnegie Hall for what seems to be now a biennial holiday concert known as The McGarrigle Christmas Hour.
Sister Martha, Mom Kate McGarrigle and aunt Anna McGarrigle and her kids joined in. As did longtime Wainwright collaborator Teddy Thompson, and other pals like Justin Bond (of Kiki & Herb), Emmylou Harris, Laurie Anderson, Jimmy Fallon, Lou Reed (as a sort of Grinch/Scrooge character) and a few more.
Rufus has been busy week. He and mom Kate made Xmas cookies with Martha Stewart on Tuesday. Watch him screw up the cookie-making process, and tell Martha about his new opera (debuting in Manchester in July)! And check out the entire family in ski sweaters on Martha, too.
Also, Rufus recently talked to Rolling Stone about other new work and being stalked by Amy Winehouse.
Thankful for Britney! Awesome Performances, For The Record - Oh, But Those Poor London G-A-Ys
I feel a little ridiculous reporting Britney Spears has been everywhere this weekend: really, when has Britney not been everywhere? But if you've tuned to MTV or to your list of European awards shows, you've probably seen plenty of our girl... working... and looking amazing... and performing like she used to! Rejoice, fellow Britney fans! (I can't embed the video, but I highly recommend the "Womanizer" performance on Star Academy in France.)
And over our way, the tell-all documentary, Britney: For The Record, aired last night on LOGO and MTV, and - even though you can't really trust such a mega-fan - the film was really well-done and offered authentic looks into Brit's bizarre, sometimes-amazing, sometimes-awful day-to-day.
But some sad news for gay Brits: After our girl performed for Simon Cowell on The X Factor, Britney made an impromptu pit stop at club G-A-Y. Needless to say - and even with only a 10-minute warning - the gays mobbed the club, and Brit holed up in VIP and never went on stage. Oh, but get over it: Brit did have her birthday cake amongst her gay fans. That's pretty special, right?
Awww... more pictures of sad London gays after the jump.
So ... What Was Going on at The MTV Europe Awards?
Well, I guess Katy Perry hosting answers that question. Yes, fauxmosexual Katy helmed this year's MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool, and she supposedly "wet herself, Fergie-style!" when she found out about the gig. I posted some choice pictures and performances after the jump. (Let's
just say Katy straddling a giant cherry chapstick isn't the weirdest
thing she did.)
Overall, there were some totally cool performances from the likes of Ms. Perry, Duffy, Kanye West & Estelle, Beyonce, The Killers and The Ting Tings - all of which you can watch online.
'You don't care how it hurts,' B! Watch the performance - that metal hand can turn into a giant laser cannon!
Britney Did Get on Stage With Madonna, Y'all! And Madge is Not Happy About Prop 8...
Wow ... what a wacky evening: Not only was Madonna's Sticky & Sweet concert in L.A. last night 3 hours late due to technical difficulties, both Justin Timberlake (for "4 Minutes") and Brit Brit (for "Human Nature" ...?) joined Madge on her malfunctioning stage. It looks like Britney's still tentatively doing well, and she even greeted Madonna's audience with an affectionate, "It's Britney, bitch." But alas, some slight disappointments: Brit and J.T. were never onstage together, and Brit and Madonna only kissed on the hand. Aww...
Madge made time for a political statement, of course: With President-elect Obama on the screen behind her, Madonna lamented, "I am sorry we did not win Proposition 8. If we can have an African-American in the White House, we can have gay marriage."
Daily Buzz Bits: Madonna, Britney & Justin All on One Stage?
P!nk said while she thinks Katy Perry is "f*cking awesome," she's more on the fence about Katy's material: “I thought 'I Kissed a Girl' was trivializing being gay. I've been speaking to my gay girlfriends about it, and they're kinda put off by it.” - StarPulse
Meanwhile, on the MTV Europe Music Awards red carpet, Katy Perry’s boobs have ... eyes? ... and her purse is a cupcake! - Getty
Patrick Dempsey laid on the sarcasm for Ellen when she asked him about Grey’s Anatomy's recent de-gaying. – Defamer
Somehow I doubt this, Ryan Seacrest - but some good authority has it both Brit Brit and J.T. will join Madonna onstage at her show in L.A. this week. – MTV.com
Gay fave Hugh Jackman has made some ... interesting career choices, some of which turn out to be triumphant (The Boy from Oz), and some less so (Viva Laughlin). However, one of his possible upcoming projects takes the cake when it comes to sheer "HUH?"-ness.
Catherine Zeta-Jones may return to the genre that brought her the most acclaim in a new big-screen musical (her first, Chicago, won her the Oscar) based on the life of Cleopatra, to be directed by the eclectic Steven Soderbergh:
"For his next directing effort, Steven Soderbergh is plotting a 3-D live-action rock ’n’ roll musical about Cleopatra. He is courting Catherine Zeta-Jones to play the Egyptian queen and Hugh Jackman to play her lover, Marc Antony."
Gays love musicals, the popular logic goes, so this was probably inevitable: A new queer indie film called The Big Gay Musicalgoes before the cameras today in New York City.
According to a press release, the film will boast dozens of Broadway veterans, including Liz McCartney (Taboo, South Pacific), Jim Newman (Curtains, Minnelli on Minnelli),current Mr. Broadway Marty Thomas (Xanadu), Andre Ward (Xanadu), Joey Dudding (A Chorus Line, La Cage aux Folles, Xanadu, Wicked, The Secret Garden), as well as Trick co-star Steve Hayes.
By now the secret's out about the Scissor Sister's unannounced concerts in New York city this week. (Click here for our blog coverage of Monday's show - why hello, Anderson Cooper! - when the SS went as "Queef Latina.")
And now we have some lovely photos of Jake Shears and Ana Matronic rocking out and sweating up the stage - this time as "Debbie's Hairy" - Tuesday night at Mercury. Looks like quite a show, kiddies!
Scissor Sisters Stage Secret NYC Concert ... as "Queef Latina"?
-- by NNN.com contributor Robert Levy
On an unseasonably sultry Monday night in New York, up-and-coming rockers Queef Latina made their debut at Mercury Lounge. Consisting of former members of Bridget Jones's Diarrhea, Portion Control, and Megapussi, the electro-country-funk-rock-soul band played an inspired set that really bodes well for their future... Fingers crossed they make it big someday!
Oh, who are we kidding? We're actually talking about local heroes Scissor Sisters, appearing in the latest of their increasingly legendary series of pseudonymous secret shows (see previous alter ego band names from years past above; tonight they're back at Mercury Lounge as Debbie's Hairy). For those fortunate to attend last night's gig (including, of course, No. 1 Sister Anderson Cooper), the band took to the stage following opener Amanda Lepore (naked! and featuring Cazwell!) and proceeded to rip through a full two-hour set of brand-new songs (11 of them!), covers of Roxy Music and Buffy Sainte-Marie, and a few old faves such as "Laura" and "Tits on the Radio" to help keep the faith. They were, in a word, divine.
-- by NNN guest writer & LOGOonline ad sales producer Eric Walter
What town but Minneapolis could host the world premiere of a musical adaptation of "Little House on the Prairie"? Minnesota is obsessed with the prairie, and Minneapolis loves its theater. (It boasts more theater seats per capita than any other city outside of Manhattan.) Michael Landon would be proud.
The musical is a conflation of the more notable events of the adolescence of Laura Ingalls Wilder taken from the series of Little House books she wrote. The Ingalls family is on the move again, this time out west to a tiny settlement in Dakota Territory, in search of a homesteader claim from Uncle Sam.
The show's overture begins with an Indian drumbeat, which introduces an American identity crisis that underlies everything about this show: These pioneers are essentially intruders on land that is not theirs. Do we praise them for their adventurous wanderlust — or do we despair over the spoiled prairie?
Is Adele’s song “Chasing Pavements” too gay for U.S. airplay? Huh? Something can be too gay? -- Queerty
Steven Soderbergh is gonna make a biopic about Liberace? Yay! Sequins! Candlelabras! But it’ll star Michael Douglas as the icon. Er... Huh? – Page Six
Marc Jacobs and his strapping man-pony got kissy at Pastis in NYC this morning. Um, you guys gonna finish those fries? – BauerGriffin
A new Antony and the Johnsons song. Brought to you by Prada!!! Er, this is runway music? – Stereogum
VH1 has been hyping the crap out of their new Sharon-Osbourne hosted redux of Charm School, featuring the Rock of Love slags. Is it worth watching without Mo'Nique? Decide for yourself. – VH1 Blog
Good pre-Broadway word on the 9 to 5 musical!!! Yay! As if we ever doubted Dolly... – PopBytes
Finally, some hot new DJ Earworm mash-ups for your weekend, via Arjan. Want some Lady Gaga with your Mary J., New Order and Queen? Yes you do! – Arjanwrites
I’m fairly certain that my neighbors reached for the phone to call the emergency equivalent of 911 over here in France when they heard my joyful shrieking (which to them may have sounded more like a mutated cat giving birth to elephants.) I couldn't help it when I received the news that a film version of the Wicked musical was in the works. Just the other day I was telling my girlfriend that the Wicked movie was long overdue, and now it turns out that my prayers have been answered (that, or Hollywood has bugged my apartment).
Universal Studios has teamed up with producers Marc Platt (Silence of the Lambs) and Stephen Schwartz to bring the Broadway hit to the silver screen (though it sounds like production is still in the very early stages.) Universal’s Donna Langley implied that the film is mainly in talks at the moment, and being that Platt is currently busy with the film Nine, it sounds like it will be some time before we get any concrete details about the Wicked movie.
George Michael Is Feeling Good for The Gays at Madison Square Garden
I lucked out and got a couple of tickets to see George Michael's 25 LIVE show Monday night - part of his first U.S. tour in 17 years - and it turns out Georgie can still make a few Americans crowds go wild.
Between numbers George thanked the loyals, dis-ed some record labels and asked if we gays could get married yet - adding that our government gives cool Americans a bad name. But of course by the end, we impatient Americans were chanting 'FREEDOM!' until George caved and performed "Freedom 90!" for his second encore in a flashy, rainbow scream-fest. But he also treated straight guys to Dita Von Teese in pasties on the big screen during his "Feeling Good" cover, so everybody wins.
The most a girl could ever hope for in life is to be a professional athlete, or a pirate, or a Jane Austen heroine, or the lead in a Broadway musical. Last week reported that Keira Knightley is in talks to star in a remake of My Fair Lady, so I guess that makes her the luckiest girl in the world.
Daily Buzz Bits: The Tonys Are In The Heights, Emma's in The Money
They totally bonded over Lance penis! Apparently, two Lance Bass exes Pedro Andrade and Ben Thigpen are maybe-dating. Please be more incestuous. - Towleroad
Katy Perry's oft gay-themed debut album – think tracks "Ur So Gay" and "I Kissed a Girl" – faces the critics after her big appearance on TRL. - Idolator
Because that 18-year-old needed more money, Emma Watson signed a $6 million deal to be the new face of Chanel. I'm glad Keira Knightley's gone, but I'm still stuck on that crotch-shot... - Defamer
These Tony winners sure look happy! Particularly Laura Bell Bundy and In The Heights creator and big winner, Lin-Manuel Miranda. - Gawker
American Apparel is now selling marked-up vibrators in its online store. Trendy! - Radar
Daily Buzz Bits: Night of The Living, Gay-ish Sequels!
Madonna will supposedly work with her In Bed director on a follow-up doc for her 50th birthday. - ONTD
The New York City Opera commissioned a Brokeback Mountain opera for spring 2013. - Towleroad
And Andrew Lloyd Webber wants a sequel called Phantom: Once Upon Another Time. Um, really? Well, holding onto he-could-do-whatever-he-wanted hot Gerard Butler for the leading role is certainly the right idea. – Just Jared
Ah, Lee Pace pictures: always welcome. To play Calpernia Addams in Soldier's Girl, Lee told Venice magazine he dropped a ton of weight, tapped into "a raw nerve" and went to drag shows for research. - ONTD
Charlize Theron interviews are consistently foul-mouthed and fantastic: She didn't get the memo, so she doesn't give a f*ck. – Hollywood Rag
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