Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 4/27/09

Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 12 No. 17 April 27, 2009
Newsletter Editor: OnQYB@aol.com

The Fine Print

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The Gay Agenda: Datebook: April 27-May 3, 2009

Ongoing: Portland, OR: Coming Out: Discourses and Resources. A new discussion group led by a of rotating queer-identified trusted individuals. Neither therapy nor lecture. 6PM-7PM on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. www.pdxqcenter.org

thru SUN: 6/28: Minneapolis, MN: Everything Kushner at The Guthrie. a celebration honoring the work of out playwright Tony Kushner (best known for his epic "Angels in America"). www.guthrietheater.org/kushner

theu SUN: 5/03: Miami, FL: Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. www.MGLFF.com

MON: 4/27: Arcata, CA: David Sedaris reads from "When You Are Ingulfed in Flames". Also: WED: 4/29: Los Angeles, CA: THU-FRI: 4/30-5/01: Seattle, WA: SAT: 5/02: Albuquerque, NM: SUN: 5/03: Las Vegas, NV: http://www.barclayagency.com/sedaris_appearances.html

MON: 4/27: New York, NY: Live Out Loud 8th Annual Young Trailblazers Benefit Gala. Hosted by Nick Adams. Chelsea Art Museum. www.livoutloud.info

MON: 4/27: New York, NY: Making The Boys, a documentary about the making of "The Boys in The Band" premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival. 4:30PM. Mart Crowley, the playwright, and Michael Musto, the Village Voice columnist, lead the post-screening discussion. http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/archives/2009/03/more_life_for_t.php

MON-TUE: 4/27-4/28: New York, NY: 23rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition, the two-day Broadway spectacular that features the companies of more than 20 Broadway, off-Broadway and touring productions singing, dancing, and donning original Easter bonnets. A benefit for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org

MON-SUN: 4/27-5/03: Philadelphia, PA: Equality Forum. largest national & internationall LGBT civil rights forum with 60+ programs, parties & special events. www.equalityforum.com

TUE: 4/28: New York, NY: Gay Parents Night at "Exit Cuckoo", the off-Broadway play about nannies. , Reception, performance, and post-show discussion led by David Strah, author of "Gay Dads: A Celebration of Fatherhood." www.theworkingtheater.org.

WED: 4/29: Philadelphia, PA: Nathaniel Frank, author of "Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America" does a reading and booksigning. 8:30PM. Equality Forum. http://www.unfriendlyfire.org/events.php

Newsworthy:

New York: Governor David A. Patterson unveiled his same-sex marriage bill.
The New York Times reports: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/paterson-unveils-same-sex-marriage-bill/?hp
Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2009/04/ny-gov-david-paterson-introduces-samesex-marriage-legislation.html

New Yorkers Favor Gay Marriage, according to a new poll released by the Siena College Research Institute. 53% of those polled approved of Gov. David Paterson's marriage equality bill, even though his approval ratings have tanked. OnTop reports: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3684&MediaType=1&Category=26

At The Miss USA Pageant, Miss California says that her answer to Perez Hilton's gay marriage question cost her the crown. The New York Daily News reports: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/04/21/2009-04-21_miss_usa_controversy_carrie_prejean_says_gay_marriage_answer_cost_crown_but_she_.html

The Gay Marriage Debate: Perez Hilton verses Miss USA California. Editor's Note: What's interesting is the coverage this has gotten from unusual sources such as Larry King and cable news. The Wall Street Journal recaps: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/04/22/perez-hilton-and-miss-usa-contestant-debate-gay-marriage/

The Buzz (People Making News)

Gavin Newsom, the San Francisco mayor and gay marriage ally, has launched his bid for governor of California. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid79807.asp

Awards and Honors:

Winner GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles: "Proposition 8: The Musical" (which is also nominated for a Webby Award). www.glaad.org.

Nominees: Outer Critics Circle Awards (excellence in New York theatre): "Billy Elliot" nabs 10 nominations; also on the list: playwright Christopher Durang; directors Moises Kaufman and Arthur Laurents; actors Raul Esparza, Nathan Lane, John Benjamin Hickey, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Sieber, and more. www.outercritics.org

Rosie O'Donnell and her project "Rosie's Broadway Kids" were honored at a Dramatist Guild benefit on 4/20/09. www.dgfund.org

In Memoriam:

Tharon Musser, the dean of American theatre lighting designers, has died at age 84. Her work on "A Chorus Line" and "Follies" was legendary. She's survived by her partner, Marilyn Rennagel. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/theater/21musser.html?ref=theater

Photo Shoots and Video

***Broadway Beauty Pageant to benefit New York's Ali Forney Center, which provides shelter for homeless LGBT youth in New York City. BroadwayWorld.com reports: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_2009_Broadway_Beauty_Pageant_20090421

Features

Op-Ed Piece of the Year!: What Is A Gay Icon? Judy ? Barbra? Liza ? Little Edie? Alan Cumming, the actor, wonders in Newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/id/192486

Rev. V. Gene Robiinson, the first out Episcopal bishop, advocates separation of civil and religious marriage.The Los Angeles Times reports: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/04/gay-episcopal-bishop-says-civil-and-religious-marriage-should-be-separate.html

Basil Twist, the gay puppeteer whose recent onstage partnership with Joey Arias was a hit of the Off-Broadway season, has a new work in progress. EDGE New York reports: http://www.edgenewyork.com/index.php?ch=entertainment&sc=theatre&sc2=news&sc3=&id=90146

Gavin Creel, star of Broadway's "Hair", is featured in OUT Magazine this month. He originated the role of the gay boyfriend of Addison Mizner in Sondheim's "Bounce" ("Roadshow"). BroadwayWorld.com reports: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/HAIRs_Gavin_Creel_Featured_in_OUT_Magazine_20090418

In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance

New York City (and Broadway)

***Blithe Spirit. Rupert Everett makes his Broadway debut in Noel Coward's ghostly comedy. Angela Lansbury and Christine Ebersole co-star.
***Hair, The first major American rock musical, which has "sodomy" and other words in its lyrics. www.publictheater.org.
***9 to 5: The Musical. Dolly Parton has adapted her film for Broadway. www.9to5themusical.com
***West Side Story. The acclaimed musicalization of "Romeo & Juliet" in a new production directed by Arthur Laurents. www.broadwaywestsidestory.com.

Elsewhere...

***Blind Faith. a world premiere by Harry Cronin. Two teen boys fall in love in conservative Colorado Springs. to 5/03/09. New Conservatory Theatre Pride Season. San Francisco, CA. www.nctcsf.org
***Dead Man Walking. The Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally opera based on the film about Sister Helen Prejean and death row. 5/02/09-5/10/09, Ft. Worth, TX. www.fwopera.org.
***Falsettos, the William Finn/ James Lapine musical doublebill about a man, his ex-wife, child, their shrink, the man’s lover and the lesbians next door. 5/01/09-5/10/09. Northampton, MA. www.pacetheater.com.
***Grey Gardens, the award-winning musical about mother and daughter Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, former society queens turned into recluses with 51 cats.to 5/17/09. Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. www.ordway.org.
***New Year's Eve. Out playwright/director Arthur Laurents' new comedy which features Marlo Thomas. to 5/10/09. New Brunswick, NJ. www.gsponline.org.

On Screen (and Video & DVD)

Resource: Cine-Queer: GLAAD's Guide to What's LGBT in Film: http://www.glaad.org/eye/cinequeer.php

Out on Screen...

***Every Little Step. A documentary about the making of the 2006 Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line".
***Little Ashes, Paul Morrison's drama about the young lives and loves of Salvador Dali, Luis Bunuel and Frederico Garcia Lorca. www.littleashes-themovie.com.
***The Universe of Keith Haring, a documentary on the late gay pop artist. Now making the rounds of film festivals and independent cinemas
***Valentino: The Last Emperor, a new documentary about the life of the Italian fashion designer, focusing on his business and romantic relationship with Giancarlo Giametti, who says they've spent a total of two months apart since they met..

Out On Video & DVD

***A Jihad for Love, the daring documentary filmed in 12 countries in which Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma explores the intersections of Islam and homosexuality.
***Barbra Streisand: The Concerts. 3 DVD set including her concert with Il Divo, the HBO special, and the Broadway Album special.
***Doubt, the film adaptation of John Patrick Shanley's award-winning drama. A nun (Meryl Streep) suspects a popular priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of abusing a boy.
***Kiki & Herb Live at The Knitting Factory. The Tony-nominated gender-bending downtown club act.
***King Lear. Out gay rights activist Sir Ian McKellan stars as Shakespeare's elderly king. www.shoppbs.org.

On TV Of Note: All times listed are ET. Check local listings for times in your area.

Resource:TV Gayed, GLAAD's Weekly Guide to What's LGBT on TV: Updated every Friday. www.glaad.org/eye/tv_listings.php

***May: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***THU: 4/30: Grey Gardens, a new movie about eccentric Jackie O cousins Edie Beale and her mother, starring Drew Barrymore as Little Edie and Jessica Lange as her mother Big Edie. 12:30PM & 8PM. HBO. www.hbo.com/films/greygardens
***SAT: 5/02: Grey Gardens, (see 4/30/09) 8AM & 4:30PM. HBO. www.hbo.com/films/greygardens

Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events

5/04/09-5/17/09: Dublin, Ireland: Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. www.gaytheatre.ie

5/06/09-5/09/09: Toronto, ON: We're Funny That Way. Canada's International LGBT Comedy Festival. www.werefunnythatway.com

5/10/09: New York, NY: When You’re Good to Mama: The Mother of All Mother’s Day Concerts. Broadway salutes the bonds between LGBT people and their moms. A benefit for the LGBT Community Center. www.gaycenter.org

5/11/09: New York, NY: The Leading Men IV, A benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with Jonathan Groff, James Barbour, Norm Lewis, Seth Rudetsky and Tony Yazbeck. www.birdlandjazz.com or www.broadwaycares.org.

5/14/09-5/24/09: Toronto, ON: Inside Out: Toronto LGBT Film & Video Festival. www.insideout.on.ca

5/14/09-5/17/09: New Orleans, LA: Saints & Sinners. LGBT writers & readers from around the country gather for a weekend of readings, panels & performances including Dorothy Allison, Michelle Tea & Mark Doty. A benefit for the New Orleans AIDS Task Force. www.sasfest.com

Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Death of a Porn Star

1. Question: Name this adult film star, one of the most famous of all time, who appeared in over 2,500 gay and straight loops, stag films, and features in the 1970s and 1980s. He was best known for his endowment, which was promoted as the largest in the industry. His involvement in a famous 1981 crime brought him notoriety; Mark Wahlberg and Val Kilmer played him in two different film treatments of that crime. Answer: John Holmes, occasionally known as Johhny Wadd after a film character he played. He was portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in "Boogie Nights" and Val Kilmer in "Wonderland", two movies about the Wonderland murders. Bob Vosse, the cinematographer, said "John Holmes was to the adult film industry what Elvis was to rock 'n' roll. He simply was The King."

2. Question: Name this popular adult film star, whose tragic demise from prostitution, drugs, and crime was captured in a biography by a writer who is now one of the New York Times' most important arts and entertainment reporters/reviewers. This star outed several major entertainment industry celebrites, including David Geffen. Madonna used him as a model in her 1992 book, "Sex". Answer: Joey Stefano. New York Times theatre critic Charles Isherwood wrote his tragic biography: "Wonder Bread and Ecstasy: The Life and Death of Joey Stefano" (Alyson Publishing).

3. Question: Name this Broadway dancer and director who made a 1971 gay adult film, which was considered a landmark for its day. It took its title from an off-Broadway play that was amongst the first commercially successful and critically-acclaimed dramas to deal with gay men. This director worked with Noel Coward in a Florence Henderson musical and with director Joe Layton staging shows with Angela Lansbury. Answer: Wakefield Poole, director of "The Boys in The Sand".He worked with Coward on "The Girl Who Came to Supper" and with Layton on "Dear World", "No Strings" and "George M". A documentary of his life, "Dirty Poole" is on DVD. www.dirtypoole.com/

4. Question: Name this American adult star who starred in the film made by #3, which cemented his status as a gay film icon. He actually was successful in legitimate theatre, performing on Broadway opposite Ingrid Bergman; appearing in a Lincoln Center production of Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" and producing and starring in a production of Terrence McNally's "The Ritz". Answer: Casey Donovan, also known as Calvin Culver.

5. Question: Name this adult film star, who, after leaving the industry, produced a Broadway musical with Lesley Ann Warren and John Pizzarelli; wrote cabaret and revue material for numerous theatre artists, and conceived the idea of turning Johnny Mercer's "St. Louis Woman" into a ballet for Dance Theatre of Harlem. He was a board member of the Johnny Mercer Foundation. Answer: Jack Wrangler.

4/27: This Week’s Trivia Quiz: May Milestones

1. Question: Name this military strategist and acclaimed warrior, Macedonia’s favorite son, born May 15, in 536BC. His friendship with a young man was the type that was made for the silver screen, although the last attempt to film his life was a box-office bomb.

2. Question: Name this American politician, who came out (under pressure) in the Boston Globe on May 30, 1987. One of the first elected officials to come out, he’s been a leader of the LGBT community ever since.

3. Question: Name this newspaper column, which premiered on May 24, 1976. Its author portrayed a group of diverse people in a small San Francisco house. The serial column became a book, a series of sequels, and television miniseries.

4. Question: Name this Pulitzer Prize winning play, which opened on Broadway on May 4, 1993. A sweeping chronicle of America in the age of AIDS, it swept up every major theatre award before being adapted into a television film, which did likewise.

5. Question: Name this American author, born May 16, 1921 in Chicago. Among his most unforgettable literary characters is a madcap aunt, who brings up her nephew in non-traiditional ways.

The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: OnQYB@aol.com. If you do not want your email address to appear in the blog format of this newsletter, please indicate that. http://cosnewsweekly.blogspot.com/