Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 13 April 5, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
See previous editions:
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: April 5-11, 2010
MON: 4/05: New York, NY: Celebrity Autobiography. Carson Kressley, Mario Cantone, Kristen Johnston and more read from celebrity tell-all autobiographies. www.celebrityautobiography.com
MON: 4/05: New York, NY: TalkOut at “The Tempermentals”. The after-performance talk-back about the play which profiles the rise of The Mattachine Society and gay rights before Stonewall Guests: David Hyde Pierce and Brian Hargrove. www.thetempermentals.com.
FRI: 4/09: New Haven, CT: Chocolate and Chesecake for a Cause. A fundraiser for True Colors. a non-profit that combats homophobia, gender bias, and racism. They provide support, education, and advocacy to those responsible for the health, education, and well-being of LGBT, and Intersex Youth and Families. www.ourtruecolors.org.
SAT: 4/10: San Francisco, CA: An Evening with Mario Cantone, the comic known for “Laugh Whore” and as Anthony Marantino on Sex and the City. The Castro Theatre. www.therrazzroom.com.
SUN: 4/11: New Haven, CT: AIDS Walk New Haven. www.aidswalknewhaven.org.
SUN: 4/11: New York, NY: Broadway Bares: Solo Strips “Around The World”. Theatre hot men and women strip for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at Splash. www.broadwaybares.com.
SUN: 4/11: New York, NY: Panel: New Directions for Gay Theatre. with Leslie Jordan, Jon Marans, Christopher Sieber, Michael Urie, Michael Zam, and Joseph Zellnick. The New York Times’ Patrick Healv moderates the discussion. www.offbroadwayalliance.com
Newsworthy:
Coming Out: Ricky Martin has come out. Huffington Post reports: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/29/ricky-martin-comes-out-im_n_517625.html
Half of Americans would support an out president, accordining to a new “60 Minutes/Vanity Fair” poll. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/29/Half_of_Americans_Would_Support_Gay_President/
Coming Soon
“Tales of the City” musical to world premiere in San Francisco. The San Francisco Chronicle reports: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/26/DDAF1CIO4M.DTL
Tony Kushner’s latest play, “The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism With a Key to the Scriptures,” his first epic-size work about American life since his Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angels in America” in the early 1990s, will have its New York premiere next spring in a co-production by the Public Theater and the Signature Theater Company, the two theaters announced Monday. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/theater/23theaters.html
The Buzz (People Making News)
Chaz Bono has filed a petition to legally change his name and gender with the state of California. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/29/Chaz_Bono_Legally_Changing_His_Name_Gender/
Chris Armstrong has been elected the first out gay student president at the University of Michigan. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/29/Univ_of_Michigan_Elects_Gay_Student_Body_President/
Awards and Honors:
Jerry Mitchell, creator of “Broadway Bares”, was honored at the 24th annual Night of a Thousand Gowns, produced by The Imperial Court of New York. The fundraiser benefited Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and God's Love We Deliver. www.icny.org.
Photo Shoots and Video
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. CBS’ Sunday Morning reporter Kimberly Dozier reports on the personal impact. The Advocate shares: http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/28/DADT_On_CBS_Sunday_Morning/
Features
Gender Ambiguity: The Third Sex. The Independent explains: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/the-third-sex-the-truth-about-gender-ambiguity-1922816.html
Cheyenne Jackson gets a New York Times profile (sort of ): http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/cheyenne-jackson-gets-his-new-york-times-profile-sort-of/
The Resource Center:
Equally Wed is the nation's premier same-sex wedding magazine, providing LGBT couples with a modern, elegant and unique guide to wedding planning, from ring shopping and proposing to tying the knot and living happily ever after. http://equallywed.com/index.php
In Print:
Resource for Readers: Lambda Literary. The leader in LGBT book reviews, author interviews, opinion and news since 1989. http://www.lambdaliterary.com/
Metropolitan Lovers: The Homosexuality of Cities byJulie Abraham. University of Minnesota Press. An academic yet playful account of how gays have shaped the development of modern cities. Abraham tackles a big subject, bringing in everyone from James Baldwin to Baudelaire as she argues that queer culture has been part of the modern metropolis since cities like Manchester and Washington, D.C. blossomed from villages into concrete jungles.
On CD:
Resource: Sony Masterworks has launched MasterworksBroadway.com, a comprehensive Broadway site “Where Show Tunes Take Center Stage.” A celebration and testament to America’s unique art form, the site documents the history of the cast album from Finian's Rainbow (1947) to last year’s critically acclaimed revival of West Side Story. www.masterworksbroadway.com.
Of Note:
***For Heaven's Sake. Carol Channing goes gospel. New Day Entertainment records.
***Finian's Rainbow. A great Broadway score with Cheyenne Jackson. PS Classics Label.
***A Little Night Music. The Stephen Sondheim classic waltz musical with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury. PS Classics and Nonesuch Records.
***Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli "Live" at the London Palladium. The 1965 concert, previously double LP. Remastered from the original tapes and digitally transferred. DRG.
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***Anyone Can Whistle, Sondheim's quirky musical about a mayoress and the residents of the local cookie jar. Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster co-star. 4/8/10-4/11/10. www.nycitycenter.org
***Justin Bond in residence at Joe’s Pub with guests Sandra Bernhard, Jake Shears, and Martha Wainwright. to 5/09/10. www.joespub.com
***La Cage Aux Folles, a revival of the 1983 Jerry Herman/Harvey Fierstein musical, based on a French film, which inspired the film "Birdcage". "La Cage" was one of the first mainstream Broadway musicals to portray gay characters in a positive light. Kelsey Grammer stars. \www.LaCage.com
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***Promises, Promises. Newly-out Sean ("Will & Grace") Hayes likes basketball and Kristin Chenoweth will never fall in love again in the Burt Bacharach & Hal David & Neil Simon musical.
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
Elsewhere...
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Master Class. Terrence McNally's Tony-Award winning play is a portrait of opera diva Maria Callas. (played by Tyne Daly). to 4/18/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast . to 4/24/10. Los Angeles, CA. www.bangstudio.com.
***Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads. The lovechild of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine’s latest club hit. 4/07/10-4/18/10, San Francisco, CA. www.varlaonline.com.
On Display
thru 4/22: New Britain, CT: Revealed, The Tradition of Male Honoerotic Art, a new exhibition at Central Connecticut State University Art Gallery, including six Mapplethorpe images among the more than 100works ranging from the late 19th century to present day. www.art.ccsu.edu/Gallery.html
Spoken Word
David Sedaris, out author and humourist, does a national reading and booksigning tour. thru 5/09/10. http://www.barclayagency.com/speakers/appearances/sedaris.html
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Written and directed by Reed Cowan and narrated by Dustin Lance Black.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey a con, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***The Big Gay Musical, the 2009 musical film with many Broadway types.
***MadMen, Season #3.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels which won Mo’Nique an Oscar.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
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/tvgayed
***April: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***WED: 4/07: Bryan Batt, most recently seen as Salvatore Romano on “Mad Men”, stars on Ugly Betty. 8PM. ABC. Check local listings.
***WED: 4/07: Glee comes to Oprah. Jane Lynch, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, and Matthew Morrison chat with Ms. Winfrey. Check local listings.
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
4/13/10: New York, NY: 25th Annual Bistro Awards, honoring the best in NYC nightlife. Award winners include: Michael Feinstein, Cheyenne Jackson, David Hyde Pierce and Alan Cumming. www.bistroawards.com.
4/13/10: New York, NY: The 3rd Annual Big Gay Variety Show, a benefit for the New York Civil Liberties Union LGBT work. www.nyclu.org/event/big-gay-variety-show
4/15/10: Chicago, IL: OUT at CHM: “Sexuality and Civil Rights: Rethinking the Sixties”. Chicago History Museum’s LGBT program. http://chicagohistory.org/planavisit/upcomingevents/out-at-chm
4/16/10: Nationwide: The National Day of Silence www.dayofsilence.org/index.cfm
4/16/10-4/18/10: Buffalo, NY: Sh(out): Celebrating Self, Creating Community. The 2010 Northeast LGBT Conference. www.nelgbtc.com/buffalo
4/16/10-4/18/10: St. Paul, MN: The BECAUSE Conference. Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience. Hamline University. www.becauseconference.org.
4/16/10-4/22/10: San Diego, CA: FilmOut San Diego LGBT film festival. www.filmoutsandiego.com
4/16/10: Northampton, MA: 2nd Annual Lesbian Film Fest, presented by Out for Reel at the Academy of Music. www.outforreel.org
4/17/10: Los Angeles, CA: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. Wilson Cruz and Candis Cayne host. Drew Barrymore will be honored. www.glaad.org/mediaawards
4/17/10-4/18/10: San Francisco, CA: Building Bridges: Struggle, Solidarity, Equality. Northern California Regional Equality Across America Conference. http://www.lgbtbridges.org/
4/19/10: New York, NY: 4th Annual Male Beauty Pageant, to benefit the Ali Forney Cente, the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. www.aliforneycenter.org/beauty
4/21/10: New York, NY: Sondheim on Sondheim LGBT Night. post-show reception after the Broadway musical with Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams. www.roundabouttheatre.org
4/23/10: College Park, MD: DC Queer Studies Symposium. 3rd annual program at the University of Maryland. www.lgbts.umd.edu/
4/23/10-5/02/10: Miami, FL: Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. www.MGLFF.com
4/26/10: New York, NY: Live Out Loud 9th Annual Young Trailblazers Benefit Gala. Alan Cumming hosts. Live Out Loud is a non-profit dedicated to connecting LGBT youth with role models and leaders in the LGBT community. www.liveoutloud.info.
4/26/10-5/02/10: Philadelphia, PA: Equality Forum. largest national and international & LGBT civil rights forum with 60+ programs, parties & special events. www.equalityforum.com
4/26/10-4/27/10: New York, NY: The 24th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.
4/26/10: New York, NY: City Center Honors Stephen Sondheim On the Occasion of His 80th Birthday. Featuring Michael Cerveris, Barbara Cook, Raúl Esparza, Sutton Foster, Victor Garber, Joanna Gleason, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Donna Murphy,
Bernadette Peters and more. www.nycitycenter.org.
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: April Milestones
1. Question: Name this out Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning actor born April 9, 1966.She’s best known for playing one of a quartet of sassy independent New Yorkers. She made Broadway history by performing in two different plays at the same time. She came out in New York Magazine in 2006. Answer: Cynthia Nixon of “Sex and The City”. She appeared in “The Real Thing” and “Hurlyburly” on Broadway. She had small parts which allowed her to run the two blocks from one theatre to the other to do her roles.
2. Question: Name this out actor, born April 3, 1959. He was nominated for an Emmy over 11 consecutive years for his sitcom role as a psychiatrist; he wom the Tony playing a Boston detective who liked showtunes. In between, he was sleepless in Seattle, and a roundtable knight. Answer: David Hyde Pierce, star of “Frasier”, “Curtains”, “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Spamalot”.
3. Question: Name this novel, first published in April, 1974. The story of a coach and his runner, the gay-themed book was one of the first such books to become a bestseller in the mainstream markets. It is frequently mentioned as a possible film. Answer: The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren.
4. Question: Where was the first LGBT community center in America opened in April, 1966? It was begun by the Society for Individual Rights. A) Key West, FL. B) Provincetown, MA, C) San Francisco, CA. Answer: C) San Francisco, CA.
5. Question: Name this gay fairy tale author, born on April 2, 1805. One of Sondheim’s musical characters wondered if he was ever risque. Answer: Hans Christian Anderson.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Baseball!
1. Question: Name this professional baseball player with the LA Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics who was the first pro baseball player to come out while still actively playing the sport.
2. Question: Name this gay baseball professional who called the shots. He was outed in 1988 by the New York Post.
3. Question: Name this out outfielder. He played with teams in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Diego before coming out in 1999. He’s been a restauranteur and a realtor, and he recently guest-starred on Kathy Griffin’s TV show.
4. Question: Name this Tony Award winner about a major league baseball player who comes out. It was a huge Broadway hit, partty because of its controversial topic, partly because it’s a valentine to baseball as a sport, and and partly because there was a lot of nudity in the locker room scenes.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 3/29/10
Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 12 March 29, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
See previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 29-April 4, 2010
thru SAT: 4/03: Fairfax,VA (Washington, DC): George Mason Pride Week ‘10. All activities at George Mason University. http://gbtq.gmu.edu/calendar.pdf
MON: 3/29: Portland, OR: Bear to Make a Difference, a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. www.matthewshepard.org
MON: 3/29: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. at “The Tempermentals”, the play about The Mattachine Society. www.thetempermentals.com.
WED-SUN: 3/31-4/04: Palm Springs, CA: The Dinah 2010. The women’s golf and party weekend. Featuring Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westernhoefer, Ke$ha, and more. www.thedinah.com.
WED-SUN: 3/31-4/04: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. the annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org
SAT: 4/03: Wellington, FL: 1st Annual International Gay Polo Tournament. Grand Champions Polo Club. www.gaypolo.com
Newsworthy:
Prom Update: A Mississippi federal court ruled that school officials violated a lesbian student’s First Amendment rights when it canceled the high school prom rather than let the student attend with her girlfriend. The ACLU reports: http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/court-rules-mississippi-school-violated-first-amendment-rights-lesbian-student
Prom Update 2: The school’s wrong, but the prom won’t go on. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/McMillens_School_Wrong_But_Prom_Wont_Have_to_Go_On/
Prom Update 3: Gay Prom Date Approved in Georgia. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/Gay_Prom_Date_Approved_in_Georgia/
Broadway named a theatre for out composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday. Playbill.com reports: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138071-Light-the-Lights-Stephen-Sondheim-Gets-Broadway-Theatre-in-His-Name
Rosie O’Donnell’s forthcoming talk show will be positioned as a suitable replacement for Oprah Winfrey, her producers said, adding a new twist in an effort by local stations to revamp their lineups in a post-Winfrey era. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/business/media/23rosie.html
Out Loud: HBO plans a film about the Louds, a family featured on a 1973 series that was both the first reality TV series and one to show a family member (Lance) coming out. The Hollywood Reporter reports: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ib6547f261e43d0f67bb7806f4aa7d799
The Buzz (People Making News)
Coming Out: James Randi, the stage magician turned skeptic challenger of pseudoscience and the paranormal, says that he is gay. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Entertainment_News/Magician_James_Randi_Im_Gay/
In Memoriam:
Midge Costanza, aide to President Jimmy Carter who handled the first White House meeting with gay leaders, died on 3/23/10 at age 77. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/LGBT_Advocate_White_House_Aide_Costanza_Dies/
Features
Lt. Dan Choi, the DADT activist, talks with Newsweek about civil disobedience, gay rights and activism. http://www.newsweek.com/id/235290
Bryan Batt talks about MadMen and gays in Hollywood. Huffington Post reports: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katy-hall/bryan-batt-talks-sals-mad_b_501000.html
On CD:
Resource: Sony Masterworks has launched MasterworksBroadway.com, a comprehensive Broadway site “Where Show Tunes Take Center Stage.” A celebration and testament to America’s unique art form, the site documents the history of the cast album from Finian's Rainbow (1947) to last year’s critically acclaimed revival of West Side Story. The site goes live on 4/01/10. www.masterworksbroadway.com.
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***The Addams Family. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and Jackie Hoffman co-star in the musical based on the TV sitcom. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
***A Little Night Music. Sondheim's all-waltz musical stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (singing "Send in the Clowns") and Angela Lansbury.
***Ballad of the Bad Bad Girls. Drag Theatre Company Shim Mamsir Performance Series. 3/31/10. www.SpinCycleNYC.com
***Justin Bond in residence at Joe’s Pub with guests Sandra Bernhard, Jake Shears, and Martha Wainwright. to 5/09/10. www.joespub.com
***Looped. Valerie Harper stars as Tallulah Bankhead. www.loopedtheplay.com.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***Promises, Promises. Newly-out Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth star in the Burt Bacharach & Hal David & Neil Simon musical.
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 4/04/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***Billy Elliot, Elton John’s Tony-winning musical about a boy who wants to become a ballet dancer. Chicago, IL. www.broadwayinchicago.com.
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. Malcolm Gets and John Glover star. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Master Class. Terrence McNally's portrait of opera diva Maria Callas. (played by Tyne Daly).. to 4/18/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast . to 4/24/10. Los Angeles, CA. www.bangstudio.com.
On Display
thru 4/22: New Britain, CT: Revealed, The Tradition of Male Honoerotic Art, a new exhibition at Central Connecticut State University Art Gallery, including six Mapplethorpe images among the more than 100works ranging from the late 19th century to present day. www.art.ccsu.edu/Gallery.html
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Written and directed by Reed Cowan and narrated by Dustin Lance Black.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison.
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Breakfast With Scot. The lives of a closeted ex-hockey player and his partner are thrown into turmoil when they take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year old who is not the sports-loving boy they were expecting.
***MadMen, Season #3.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels with a riveting performance by Mo-Nique.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
***March/April: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***FRI: 3/26: Neil Patrick Harris joins Regis & Kelly. Syndicated. Check local listings.
***FRI 4/02: Nathan Lane brings some laughs to David Letterman. 11:35PM. CBS.
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
4/09/10: New Haven, CT: Chocolate and Chesecake for a Cause. A fundraiser for True Colors. www.ourtruecolors.org.
4/11/10: New Haven, CT: AIDS Walk New Haven. www.aidswalknewhaven.org.
4/11/10: New York, NY: Broadway Bares: Solo Strips Broadway strips to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS at Splash. www.broadwaycares.org.
4/13/10: New York, NY: 25th Annual Bistro Awards, honoring the best in NYC nightlife. Award winners include: Michael Feinstein, Cheyenne Jackson, David Hyde Pierce and Alan Cumming. www.bistroawards.com.
4/16/10: Nationwide: The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. www.dayofsilence.org
4/16/10-4/18/10: Buffalo, NY: Sh(out): Celebrating Self, Creating Community. The 2010 Northeast LGBT Conference. www.nelgbtc.com/buffalo
4/16/10-4/18/10: St. Paul, MN: The BECAUSE Conference. Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience. Hamline University. www.becauseconference.org.
4/16/10-4/22/10: San Diego, CA: FilmOut San Diego LGBT film festival. www.filmoutsandiego.com
4/17/10: Los Angeles, CA: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. www.glaad.org/mediaawards
4/17/10-4/18/10: San Francisco, CA: Building Bridges: Struggle, Solidarity, Equality. Northern California Regional Equality Across America Conference. http://www.lgbtbridges.org/
4/19/10: New York, NY: 4th Annual Male Beauty Pageant, to benefit the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. www.aliforneycenter.org/beauty
4/23/10: College Park, MD: DC Queer Studies Symposium. 3rd annual program at the University of Maryland. www.lgbts.umd.edu/
4/23/10-5/02/10: Miami, FL: Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. www.MGLFF.com
4/26/10-5/02/10: Philadelphia, PA: Equality Forum. largest national and international & LGBT civil rights forum with 60+ programs, parties & special events. www.equalityforum.com
4/26/10-4/27/10: New York, NY: The 24th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.
4/26/10: New York, NY: City Center Honors Stephen Sondheim On the Occasion of His 80th Birthday. www.nycitycenter.org.
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Big Announcement: Coming Out
k.d. Lang was the first person to come out in The Advocate. Sean Hayes was the most recent. Can you name some of these others ?
1. Question: Name this person who came out on Oprah in 1997.She later came out on a TV sitcom. Amongst LGBT rights people, her coming out "ranks, hands down, as the single most public exit in gay history". Answer: Ellen Degeneres, comic, talk-show host and actress.
2. Question: Name this person who came out in the Washington Star in 1975. He was the first professional athlete to open the closet door. The move impacted his career, but he’s a leading LGBT acitivst today. Answer: David Kopay, the NFL running back.
3. Question: Name this beat poet (1919-1988), who may have been the first public figure to come out in America. In 1944, he published “The Homosexual in Society” in Politics. He was a contempoary of Alan Ginsburg and (supposedly) involved with Robert DiNiro’s father. Answer: Robert Duncan, the poet.
4. Question: Name this professional athlete who came out in a New York Times interview in 1981. The news has not hurt the career of this still active athlete and activist. Answer: Martina Navratilova, the tennis champion.
5. Question: Name these two actors who starred as a knight. One came out via his publicist as he was about to win a Tony Award for a subsequent play or musical. The second came out in People Magazine before heading to Broadway to replace the first. Answer: David Hyde Pierce, who played Sir Robin in “Spamalot” who was replaced by American Idol star Clay Aiken in the same part.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: April Milestones
1. Question: Name this out Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning actor born April 9, 1966.She’s best known for playing one of a quartet of sassy independent New Yorkers. She made Broadway history by performing in two different plays at the same time. She came out in New York Magazine in 2006.
2. Question: Name this out actor, born April 3, 1959. He was nominated for an Emmy over 11 consecutive years for his sitcom role as a psychiatrist; he wom the Tony playing a Boston detective who liked showtunes. In between, he was sleepless in Seattle, and a roundtable knight.
3. Question: Name this novel, first published in April, 1974. The story of a coach and his runner, the gay-themed book was one of the first such books to become a bestseller in the mainstream markets. It is frequently mentioned as a possible film.
4. Question: Where was the first LGBT community center in America opened in April, 1966? It was begun by the Society for Individual Rights. A) Key West, FL. B) Provincetown, MA, C) San Francisco, CA.
5. Question: Name this gay fairy tale author, born on April 2, 1805. One of Sondheim’s musical characters wondered if he was ever risque.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Volume 13 No. 12 March 29, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
See previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 29-April 4, 2010
thru SAT: 4/03: Fairfax,VA (Washington, DC): George Mason Pride Week ‘10. All activities at George Mason University. http://gbtq.gmu.edu/calendar.pdf
MON: 3/29: Portland, OR: Bear to Make a Difference, a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. www.matthewshepard.org
MON: 3/29: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. at “The Tempermentals”, the play about The Mattachine Society. www.thetempermentals.com.
WED-SUN: 3/31-4/04: Palm Springs, CA: The Dinah 2010. The women’s golf and party weekend. Featuring Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westernhoefer, Ke$ha, and more. www.thedinah.com.
WED-SUN: 3/31-4/04: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. the annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org
SAT: 4/03: Wellington, FL: 1st Annual International Gay Polo Tournament. Grand Champions Polo Club. www.gaypolo.com
Newsworthy:
Prom Update: A Mississippi federal court ruled that school officials violated a lesbian student’s First Amendment rights when it canceled the high school prom rather than let the student attend with her girlfriend. The ACLU reports: http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/court-rules-mississippi-school-violated-first-amendment-rights-lesbian-student
Prom Update 2: The school’s wrong, but the prom won’t go on. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/McMillens_School_Wrong_But_Prom_Wont_Have_to_Go_On/
Prom Update 3: Gay Prom Date Approved in Georgia. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/Gay_Prom_Date_Approved_in_Georgia/
Broadway named a theatre for out composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday. Playbill.com reports: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138071-Light-the-Lights-Stephen-Sondheim-Gets-Broadway-Theatre-in-His-Name
Rosie O’Donnell’s forthcoming talk show will be positioned as a suitable replacement for Oprah Winfrey, her producers said, adding a new twist in an effort by local stations to revamp their lineups in a post-Winfrey era. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/business/media/23rosie.html
Out Loud: HBO plans a film about the Louds, a family featured on a 1973 series that was both the first reality TV series and one to show a family member (Lance) coming out. The Hollywood Reporter reports: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ib6547f261e43d0f67bb7806f4aa7d799
The Buzz (People Making News)
Coming Out: James Randi, the stage magician turned skeptic challenger of pseudoscience and the paranormal, says that he is gay. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Entertainment_News/Magician_James_Randi_Im_Gay/
In Memoriam:
Midge Costanza, aide to President Jimmy Carter who handled the first White House meeting with gay leaders, died on 3/23/10 at age 77. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/23/LGBT_Advocate_White_House_Aide_Costanza_Dies/
Features
Lt. Dan Choi, the DADT activist, talks with Newsweek about civil disobedience, gay rights and activism. http://www.newsweek.com/id/235290
Bryan Batt talks about MadMen and gays in Hollywood. Huffington Post reports: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katy-hall/bryan-batt-talks-sals-mad_b_501000.html
On CD:
Resource: Sony Masterworks has launched MasterworksBroadway.com, a comprehensive Broadway site “Where Show Tunes Take Center Stage.” A celebration and testament to America’s unique art form, the site documents the history of the cast album from Finian's Rainbow (1947) to last year’s critically acclaimed revival of West Side Story. The site goes live on 4/01/10. www.masterworksbroadway.com.
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***The Addams Family. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and Jackie Hoffman co-star in the musical based on the TV sitcom. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
***A Little Night Music. Sondheim's all-waltz musical stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (singing "Send in the Clowns") and Angela Lansbury.
***Ballad of the Bad Bad Girls. Drag Theatre Company Shim Mamsir Performance Series. 3/31/10. www.SpinCycleNYC.com
***Justin Bond in residence at Joe’s Pub with guests Sandra Bernhard, Jake Shears, and Martha Wainwright. to 5/09/10. www.joespub.com
***Looped. Valerie Harper stars as Tallulah Bankhead. www.loopedtheplay.com.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***Promises, Promises. Newly-out Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth star in the Burt Bacharach & Hal David & Neil Simon musical.
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 4/04/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***Billy Elliot, Elton John’s Tony-winning musical about a boy who wants to become a ballet dancer. Chicago, IL. www.broadwayinchicago.com.
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. Malcolm Gets and John Glover star. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Master Class. Terrence McNally's portrait of opera diva Maria Callas. (played by Tyne Daly).. to 4/18/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast . to 4/24/10. Los Angeles, CA. www.bangstudio.com.
On Display
thru 4/22: New Britain, CT: Revealed, The Tradition of Male Honoerotic Art, a new exhibition at Central Connecticut State University Art Gallery, including six Mapplethorpe images among the more than 100works ranging from the late 19th century to present day. www.art.ccsu.edu/Gallery.html
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Written and directed by Reed Cowan and narrated by Dustin Lance Black.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison.
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Breakfast With Scot. The lives of a closeted ex-hockey player and his partner are thrown into turmoil when they take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year old who is not the sports-loving boy they were expecting.
***MadMen, Season #3.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels with a riveting performance by Mo-Nique.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
***March/April: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***FRI: 3/26: Neil Patrick Harris joins Regis & Kelly. Syndicated. Check local listings.
***FRI 4/02: Nathan Lane brings some laughs to David Letterman. 11:35PM. CBS.
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
4/09/10: New Haven, CT: Chocolate and Chesecake for a Cause. A fundraiser for True Colors. www.ourtruecolors.org.
4/11/10: New Haven, CT: AIDS Walk New Haven. www.aidswalknewhaven.org.
4/11/10: New York, NY: Broadway Bares: Solo Strips Broadway strips to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS at Splash. www.broadwaycares.org.
4/13/10: New York, NY: 25th Annual Bistro Awards, honoring the best in NYC nightlife. Award winners include: Michael Feinstein, Cheyenne Jackson, David Hyde Pierce and Alan Cumming. www.bistroawards.com.
4/16/10: Nationwide: The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. www.dayofsilence.org
4/16/10-4/18/10: Buffalo, NY: Sh(out): Celebrating Self, Creating Community. The 2010 Northeast LGBT Conference. www.nelgbtc.com/buffalo
4/16/10-4/18/10: St. Paul, MN: The BECAUSE Conference. Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience. Hamline University. www.becauseconference.org.
4/16/10-4/22/10: San Diego, CA: FilmOut San Diego LGBT film festival. www.filmoutsandiego.com
4/17/10: Los Angeles, CA: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. www.glaad.org/mediaawards
4/17/10-4/18/10: San Francisco, CA: Building Bridges: Struggle, Solidarity, Equality. Northern California Regional Equality Across America Conference. http://www.lgbtbridges.org/
4/19/10: New York, NY: 4th Annual Male Beauty Pageant, to benefit the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. www.aliforneycenter.org/beauty
4/23/10: College Park, MD: DC Queer Studies Symposium. 3rd annual program at the University of Maryland. www.lgbts.umd.edu/
4/23/10-5/02/10: Miami, FL: Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. www.MGLFF.com
4/26/10-5/02/10: Philadelphia, PA: Equality Forum. largest national and international & LGBT civil rights forum with 60+ programs, parties & special events. www.equalityforum.com
4/26/10-4/27/10: New York, NY: The 24th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.
4/26/10: New York, NY: City Center Honors Stephen Sondheim On the Occasion of His 80th Birthday. www.nycitycenter.org.
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Big Announcement: Coming Out
k.d. Lang was the first person to come out in The Advocate. Sean Hayes was the most recent. Can you name some of these others ?
1. Question: Name this person who came out on Oprah in 1997.She later came out on a TV sitcom. Amongst LGBT rights people, her coming out "ranks, hands down, as the single most public exit in gay history". Answer: Ellen Degeneres, comic, talk-show host and actress.
2. Question: Name this person who came out in the Washington Star in 1975. He was the first professional athlete to open the closet door. The move impacted his career, but he’s a leading LGBT acitivst today. Answer: David Kopay, the NFL running back.
3. Question: Name this beat poet (1919-1988), who may have been the first public figure to come out in America. In 1944, he published “The Homosexual in Society” in Politics. He was a contempoary of Alan Ginsburg and (supposedly) involved with Robert DiNiro’s father. Answer: Robert Duncan, the poet.
4. Question: Name this professional athlete who came out in a New York Times interview in 1981. The news has not hurt the career of this still active athlete and activist. Answer: Martina Navratilova, the tennis champion.
5. Question: Name these two actors who starred as a knight. One came out via his publicist as he was about to win a Tony Award for a subsequent play or musical. The second came out in People Magazine before heading to Broadway to replace the first. Answer: David Hyde Pierce, who played Sir Robin in “Spamalot” who was replaced by American Idol star Clay Aiken in the same part.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: April Milestones
1. Question: Name this out Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning actor born April 9, 1966.She’s best known for playing one of a quartet of sassy independent New Yorkers. She made Broadway history by performing in two different plays at the same time. She came out in New York Magazine in 2006.
2. Question: Name this out actor, born April 3, 1959. He was nominated for an Emmy over 11 consecutive years for his sitcom role as a psychiatrist; he wom the Tony playing a Boston detective who liked showtunes. In between, he was sleepless in Seattle, and a roundtable knight.
3. Question: Name this novel, first published in April, 1974. The story of a coach and his runner, the gay-themed book was one of the first such books to become a bestseller in the mainstream markets. It is frequently mentioned as a possible film.
4. Question: Where was the first LGBT community center in America opened in April, 1966? It was begun by the Society for Individual Rights. A) Key West, FL. B) Provincetown, MA, C) San Francisco, CA.
5. Question: Name this gay fairy tale author, born on April 2, 1805. One of Sondheim’s musical characters wondered if he was ever risque.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 3/22/10
Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 11 March 22, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
see previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 22-28, 2010
MON: 3/22: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: authors Charles Kaiser and John Loughery. www.thetempermentals.com.
MON: 3/22: New York, NY: Sondheim 80, the Roundabout Theatre salues composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday with an all-star gala. www.roundabouttheatre.org.
MON: 3/22: Washington, DC: Terrence McNally: In Conversation. A panel about and featuring the out playwright and Zoe Caldwell, Audra McDonald, and Richard Thomas. www.kennedy-center.org.
TUE: 3/23: Boston, MA: Seth Rudetsky, Broadway veteran musical director and pianist and talk-show host, receives the SpeakEasy Stage Company honors. www.speakeasystage.com.
FRI-SUN: 3/26-3/28: New York, NY: Tenn99, non-stop, 24/07, 3-day weekend festival celebrating the works of gay playwright Tennessee Williams with Ellen Burstyn, Bobby Cannavale, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jesse L. Martin and more. www.labtheater.org.
Newsworthy:
Gay Couple marry at Ben & Jerry’s. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/03/gay-couple-to-marry-at-georgetown-ben-and-jerrys-today.html
Coming Out: Seniors are coming out later in life, according to a new study. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/15/Seniors_Reborn_Coming_Out_Later_in_Life/
Ranker.com ranks top 10 antigay activists who hook-up with gays. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/16/The_Top_10_Antigay_Activists_Who_Like_Gay_Hookups/
The Buzz (People Making News)
Jane Krakowski (“Ali McBeal”, “30 Rock”) and author, political strategist and civil rights activist David Mixner, will be among the recipients of the Point Foundation's Courage, Inspiration and Legend Awards. Point is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBT students of merit.
Awards and Honors:
GLAAD Media Awards: New York City winners: http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=1342
Finalists: 22nd Annual Lambda Literary Awards for outstanding LGBT literature: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/datastream/news/03/16/finalists-announced-for-the-22nd-annual-lambda-literary-awards/
In Memoriam:
The Rev. Robert Carter, who in the early 1970s was one of the first Roman Catholic priests in the country to come out, and who helped found the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, died on 2/22/10 at age 82. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/nyregion/15carter.html
Roverta Boen, the woman who opened the first gay bar in Northeast Florida, died recently at age 81. News4Jax.com reports: http://www.news4jax.com/news/22814994/detail.html
Photo Shoots and Video
Coming Out: Video: Coming Out in Middle School. From The Today Show: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/35814028#35814028
Coming Out in Transition: Susan Stanton transitioned from man to woman in 2007. CNN has produced a documentary about her transition called “Her Name Was Steven”. http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/10/her.name.was.steven/?hpt=Mid
Coming Out in Transition: Chaz Bono explains the transgender transition process to Anderson Cooper (via Towleroad): http://www.towleroad.com/2010/03/watch-anderson-cooper-talks-to-chaz-bono-about-transition.html
Features
Profile: Terrence McNally, the out playwright who has combined his love of opera and gay sensibility, is now the focus of a Kennedy Center Festival for his plays about opera. The Washington Post reports: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031200148.html
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***A Life in Three Acts. Bette Bourne stars in his autobiographical show about his life as a drag entertainment from his childhood in post-WW2 London to the present. Mark Ravenhill wrote the script. to 3/28/10. www.stannswarehouse.org.
***My Queer Youth. Phil Geoffrey Bond's solo performance piece, a humorous look at growing up queer in Farmland, USA. . to 3/28/10. 212 695 6909.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***The Pride. Hugh Dancy and Ben Whislaw are lovers in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s new drama about sexual identity. to 3/28/10. www.mcctheater.org
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 4/04/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***Golden Age. Terrence McNally's drama about Donizetti set backstage at the premiere of his last opera "I Puritani". to 4/04/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. Malcolm Gets and John Glover star. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Master Class. Terrence McNally's portrait of opera diva Maria Callas. (played by Tyne Daly). to 4/18/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Phantom of the Oprah. The Gold Dust Orphans and Varla Jean Merman team up for outrageous gay comedy. to 3/28/10, Boston, MA. www.golddustorphans.com
***Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast . to 4/24/10. Los Angeles, CA. www.bangstudio.com.
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Written and directed by Reed Cowan and narrated by Dustin Lance Black.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison and makes regular attempts to escape when the object of his affections is released.
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels about an overweight, illiterate Harlem teen, pregnant with her second child, who is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. There’s a great trailer at the website. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
***March: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***WED: 3/24: Opus Jazz, a documentary about Jerome Robbins’ 1958 jazz ballet “New York City Opus Jazz”. PBS. Great Performances. Check local listings. For the trailer: http://www.playbill.com/playblog/?p=5215
***THU: 3/25: Dame Edna co-hosts on “The View”. 11AM. ABC. Check local listings.
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
3/29/10: Portland, OR: Bear to Make a Difference, a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Former Gov. Barbara Roberts and Portland entertainer Darcelle XV will receive the awards from Foundation co-founder Judy Shepard. www.matthewshepard.org
3/29/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: actress Elizabeth Ashley and director Michael Wilson. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/31/10-4/04/10: Palm Springs, CA: The Dinah 2010. The women’s golf and party weekend. Featuring Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westernhoefer, Ke$ha, and more. www.thedinah.com.
3/30/10-4/04/10: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. the annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org
4/11/10: New Haven, CT: AIDS Walk New Haven. www.aidswalknewhaven.org.
4/11/10: New York, NY: Broadway Bares: Solo Strips Broadway strips to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS at Splash. www.broadwaycares.org.
4/16/10: Nationwide: The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. www.dayofsilence.org/index.cfm
4/16/10-4/18/10: Buffalo, NY: Sh(out): Celebrating Self, Creating Community. The 2010 Northeast LGBT Conference. www.nelgbtc.com/buffalo
4/16/10-4/18/10: St. Paul, MN: The BECAUSE Conference. Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience. Hamline University. www.becauseconference.org.
4/16/10-4/22/10: San Diego, CA: FilmOut San Diego LGBT film festival. www.filmoutsandiego.com
4/17/10: Los Angeles, CA: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing and honoring media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. www.glaad.org/mediaawards
4/19/10: New York, NY: 4th Annual Male Beauty Pageant, to benefit the Ali Forney Center. Tovah Feldshush hosts. Broadway cast members representing their respective Broadway shows, competing for the title crown through talent, interview and swimsuit competitions. www.aliforneycenter.org/beauty
4/21/10: New York, NY: Sondheim on Sondheim LGBT Night. post-show reception after the Broadway musical with Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams. www.roundabouttheatre.org
4/23/10: College Park, MD: DC Queer Studies Symposium. 3rd annual program at the University of Maryland. www.lgbts.umd.edu/
4/23/10-5/02/10: Miami, FL: Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. www.MGLFF.com
4/26/10-5/02/10: Philadelphia, PA: Equality Forum. largest national and international & LGBT civil rights forum with 60+ programs, parties & special events. www.equalityforum.com
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Sondheim at 80
Stephen Sondheim, one of America’s Broadway legends, turns 80 on the 22nd. An out man, he’s included gay talent and gay characters in his works. A new revue of his music opens on Broadway soon (Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams star). To watch excerpts from Sondheim musicals: http://www.bluegobo.com/index.php
1. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about a conflicted possibly bisexual or gay bachelor who, at age 35, seeks commitment. Hint: In the most recent Broadway revival, the lead came out as bisexual in the Sunday New York Times. In the original cast, the lead was gay. Answer: Company. Larry Kert, the original star, was gay. Raul Esparza, the most recent star, came out in print.
2. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about two real-life brothers, one straight and one gay. The straight one was a hustler, gambler, producer and cokehead. The gay one designed Boca Raton. Answer: Road Show, previously called Bounce and Wiseguys, the story of Wilson and Addison Mizner. The song “You Are The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” is a marvellous duet for two gay men.
3. Question: Name this Sondheim musical, based on a true story about a mother of two vaudevillians, who in real life ran a lesbian boarding house after one daughter ran off with a boyfriend and the other became a star. It’s rumoured that the older daughter liked women. Answer: Gypsy, the story of Rose Hovick, and her daughters Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee) and June (June Havoc).
4. Question: Name this Sondheim backstage musical, choreographed by a bisexual man who created two more backstage musicals without Sondheim, one about Broadway and one about Motown. Answer: Follies, choreographed by Michael Bennett, who later created “A Chorus Line” and “Dreamgirls”.
5. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about crimes against political leaders. In its recent Broadway revival, it starred an out comic and an out TV sitcom star as real-life crimsters. Answer: Assassins, the story of real-life presidential killers. Mario Cantone and Neil Patrick Harris co-starred in the revival.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Big Announcement: Coming Out
k.d. Lang was the first person to come out in The Advocate. Sean Hayes was the most recent. Can you name some of these others ?
1. Question: Name this person who came out on Oprah in 1997.She later came out on a TV sitcom. Amongst LGBT rights people, her coming out "ranks, hands down, as the single most public exit in gay history".
2. Question: Name this person who came out in the Washington Star in 1975. He was the first professional athlete to open the closet door. The move impacted his career, but he’s a leading LGBT acitivst today.
3. Question: Name this beat poet (1919-1988), who may have been the first public figure to come out in America. In 1944, he published “The Homosexual in Society” in Politics. He was a contempoary of Alan Ginsburg and (supposedly) involved with Robert DiNiro’s father.
4. Question: Name this professional athlete who came out in a New York Times interview in 1981. The news has not hurt the career of this still active athlete and activist.
5. Question: Name these two actors who starred as a knight. One came out via his publicist as he was about to win a Tony Award for a subsequent play or musical. The second came out in People Magazine before heading to Broadway to replace the first.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Volume 13 No. 11 March 22, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
see previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 22-28, 2010
MON: 3/22: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: authors Charles Kaiser and John Loughery. www.thetempermentals.com.
MON: 3/22: New York, NY: Sondheim 80, the Roundabout Theatre salues composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday with an all-star gala. www.roundabouttheatre.org.
MON: 3/22: Washington, DC: Terrence McNally: In Conversation. A panel about and featuring the out playwright and Zoe Caldwell, Audra McDonald, and Richard Thomas. www.kennedy-center.org.
TUE: 3/23: Boston, MA: Seth Rudetsky, Broadway veteran musical director and pianist and talk-show host, receives the SpeakEasy Stage Company honors. www.speakeasystage.com.
FRI-SUN: 3/26-3/28: New York, NY: Tenn99, non-stop, 24/07, 3-day weekend festival celebrating the works of gay playwright Tennessee Williams with Ellen Burstyn, Bobby Cannavale, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jesse L. Martin and more. www.labtheater.org.
Newsworthy:
Gay Couple marry at Ben & Jerry’s. Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/03/gay-couple-to-marry-at-georgetown-ben-and-jerrys-today.html
Coming Out: Seniors are coming out later in life, according to a new study. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/15/Seniors_Reborn_Coming_Out_Later_in_Life/
Ranker.com ranks top 10 antigay activists who hook-up with gays. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/16/The_Top_10_Antigay_Activists_Who_Like_Gay_Hookups/
The Buzz (People Making News)
Jane Krakowski (“Ali McBeal”, “30 Rock”) and author, political strategist and civil rights activist David Mixner, will be among the recipients of the Point Foundation's Courage, Inspiration and Legend Awards. Point is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBT students of merit.
Awards and Honors:
GLAAD Media Awards: New York City winners: http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=1342
Finalists: 22nd Annual Lambda Literary Awards for outstanding LGBT literature: http://www.lambdaliterary.org/datastream/news/03/16/finalists-announced-for-the-22nd-annual-lambda-literary-awards/
In Memoriam:
The Rev. Robert Carter, who in the early 1970s was one of the first Roman Catholic priests in the country to come out, and who helped found the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, died on 2/22/10 at age 82. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/nyregion/15carter.html
Roverta Boen, the woman who opened the first gay bar in Northeast Florida, died recently at age 81. News4Jax.com reports: http://www.news4jax.com/news/22814994/detail.html
Photo Shoots and Video
Coming Out: Video: Coming Out in Middle School. From The Today Show: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/35814028#35814028
Coming Out in Transition: Susan Stanton transitioned from man to woman in 2007. CNN has produced a documentary about her transition called “Her Name Was Steven”. http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/10/her.name.was.steven/?hpt=Mid
Coming Out in Transition: Chaz Bono explains the transgender transition process to Anderson Cooper (via Towleroad): http://www.towleroad.com/2010/03/watch-anderson-cooper-talks-to-chaz-bono-about-transition.html
Features
Profile: Terrence McNally, the out playwright who has combined his love of opera and gay sensibility, is now the focus of a Kennedy Center Festival for his plays about opera. The Washington Post reports: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031200148.html
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***A Life in Three Acts. Bette Bourne stars in his autobiographical show about his life as a drag entertainment from his childhood in post-WW2 London to the present. Mark Ravenhill wrote the script. to 3/28/10. www.stannswarehouse.org.
***My Queer Youth. Phil Geoffrey Bond's solo performance piece, a humorous look at growing up queer in Farmland, USA. . to 3/28/10. 212 695 6909.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***The Pride. Hugh Dancy and Ben Whislaw are lovers in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s new drama about sexual identity. to 3/28/10. www.mcctheater.org
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 4/04/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***Golden Age. Terrence McNally's drama about Donizetti set backstage at the premiere of his last opera "I Puritani". to 4/04/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. Malcolm Gets and John Glover star. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Master Class. Terrence McNally's portrait of opera diva Maria Callas. (played by Tyne Daly). to 4/18/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Phantom of the Oprah. The Gold Dust Orphans and Varla Jean Merman team up for outrageous gay comedy. to 3/28/10, Boston, MA. www.golddustorphans.com
***Streep Tease: An Evening of Meryl Streep Monologues performed by an All-Male Cast . to 4/24/10. Los Angeles, CA. www.bangstudio.com.
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Written and directed by Reed Cowan and narrated by Dustin Lance Black.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison and makes regular attempts to escape when the object of his affections is released.
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels about an overweight, illiterate Harlem teen, pregnant with her second child, who is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. There’s a great trailer at the website. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
***March: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
***WED: 3/24: Opus Jazz, a documentary about Jerome Robbins’ 1958 jazz ballet “New York City Opus Jazz”. PBS. Great Performances. Check local listings. For the trailer: http://www.playbill.com/playblog/?p=5215
***THU: 3/25: Dame Edna co-hosts on “The View”. 11AM. ABC. Check local listings.
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
3/29/10: Portland, OR: Bear to Make a Difference, a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Former Gov. Barbara Roberts and Portland entertainer Darcelle XV will receive the awards from Foundation co-founder Judy Shepard. www.matthewshepard.org
3/29/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: actress Elizabeth Ashley and director Michael Wilson. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/31/10-4/04/10: Palm Springs, CA: The Dinah 2010. The women’s golf and party weekend. Featuring Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westernhoefer, Ke$ha, and more. www.thedinah.com.
3/30/10-4/04/10: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. the annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org
4/11/10: New Haven, CT: AIDS Walk New Haven. www.aidswalknewhaven.org.
4/11/10: New York, NY: Broadway Bares: Solo Strips Broadway strips to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS at Splash. www.broadwaycares.org.
4/16/10: Nationwide: The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. www.dayofsilence.org/index.cfm
4/16/10-4/18/10: Buffalo, NY: Sh(out): Celebrating Self, Creating Community. The 2010 Northeast LGBT Conference. www.nelgbtc.com/buffalo
4/16/10-4/18/10: St. Paul, MN: The BECAUSE Conference. Bisexual Empowerment Conference: A Uniting, Supportive Experience. Hamline University. www.becauseconference.org.
4/16/10-4/22/10: San Diego, CA: FilmOut San Diego LGBT film festival. www.filmoutsandiego.com
4/17/10: Los Angeles, CA: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing and honoring media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. www.glaad.org/mediaawards
4/19/10: New York, NY: 4th Annual Male Beauty Pageant, to benefit the Ali Forney Center. Tovah Feldshush hosts. Broadway cast members representing their respective Broadway shows, competing for the title crown through talent, interview and swimsuit competitions. www.aliforneycenter.org/beauty
4/21/10: New York, NY: Sondheim on Sondheim LGBT Night. post-show reception after the Broadway musical with Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams. www.roundabouttheatre.org
4/23/10: College Park, MD: DC Queer Studies Symposium. 3rd annual program at the University of Maryland. www.lgbts.umd.edu/
4/23/10-5/02/10: Miami, FL: Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. www.MGLFF.com
4/26/10-5/02/10: Philadelphia, PA: Equality Forum. largest national and international & LGBT civil rights forum with 60+ programs, parties & special events. www.equalityforum.com
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Sondheim at 80
Stephen Sondheim, one of America’s Broadway legends, turns 80 on the 22nd. An out man, he’s included gay talent and gay characters in his works. A new revue of his music opens on Broadway soon (Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams star). To watch excerpts from Sondheim musicals: http://www.bluegobo.com/index.php
1. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about a conflicted possibly bisexual or gay bachelor who, at age 35, seeks commitment. Hint: In the most recent Broadway revival, the lead came out as bisexual in the Sunday New York Times. In the original cast, the lead was gay. Answer: Company. Larry Kert, the original star, was gay. Raul Esparza, the most recent star, came out in print.
2. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about two real-life brothers, one straight and one gay. The straight one was a hustler, gambler, producer and cokehead. The gay one designed Boca Raton. Answer: Road Show, previously called Bounce and Wiseguys, the story of Wilson and Addison Mizner. The song “You Are The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” is a marvellous duet for two gay men.
3. Question: Name this Sondheim musical, based on a true story about a mother of two vaudevillians, who in real life ran a lesbian boarding house after one daughter ran off with a boyfriend and the other became a star. It’s rumoured that the older daughter liked women. Answer: Gypsy, the story of Rose Hovick, and her daughters Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee) and June (June Havoc).
4. Question: Name this Sondheim backstage musical, choreographed by a bisexual man who created two more backstage musicals without Sondheim, one about Broadway and one about Motown. Answer: Follies, choreographed by Michael Bennett, who later created “A Chorus Line” and “Dreamgirls”.
5. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about crimes against political leaders. In its recent Broadway revival, it starred an out comic and an out TV sitcom star as real-life crimsters. Answer: Assassins, the story of real-life presidential killers. Mario Cantone and Neil Patrick Harris co-starred in the revival.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Big Announcement: Coming Out
k.d. Lang was the first person to come out in The Advocate. Sean Hayes was the most recent. Can you name some of these others ?
1. Question: Name this person who came out on Oprah in 1997.She later came out on a TV sitcom. Amongst LGBT rights people, her coming out "ranks, hands down, as the single most public exit in gay history".
2. Question: Name this person who came out in the Washington Star in 1975. He was the first professional athlete to open the closet door. The move impacted his career, but he’s a leading LGBT acitivst today.
3. Question: Name this beat poet (1919-1988), who may have been the first public figure to come out in America. In 1944, he published “The Homosexual in Society” in Politics. He was a contempoary of Alan Ginsburg and (supposedly) involved with Robert DiNiro’s father.
4. Question: Name this professional athlete who came out in a New York Times interview in 1981. The news has not hurt the career of this still active athlete and activist.
5. Question: Name these two actors who starred as a knight. One came out via his publicist as he was about to win a Tony Award for a subsequent play or musical. The second came out in People Magazine before heading to Broadway to replace the first.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 3/15/10
Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 10 March 15, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
See previous editions.
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 15-21, 2010
thru THU: 3/18: St. Louis, MO: QFest queer arts and culture. www.stlqfest.org
MON: 3/15: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: playwright Bill C. Davis aamd activist Tom Viola. www.thetempermentals.com.
MON: 3/15: New York, NY: Valley of The Dolls. A stage version of the movie as a benefit for The Actors Fund. Charles Busch as Helen Lawson, Heidi Blickenstaff as Neely O'Hara, Tovah Feldshuh as Miriam Polar, Martha Plimpton as Anne Welles and Christopher Sieber as Ted Casablanca. Additional casting to be announced. www.actorsfund.org.
MON-TUE: 3/15-3/16: New York, NY: Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. The out composer celebrates 80 with The New York Philharmonic and Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, and Bernadette Peters.Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Joanna Gleason, John McMartin, Laura Osnes, David Hyde Pierce, Bobby Steggert, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton, and Chip Zien. www.nyphil.org.
MON-SUN: 3/15-3/21: Chicago, IL: Fresh Squeezed Theatre Series features out solo artists Tim Miller (“Lay of The Land”) and Holly Hughes (“The Dog and Pony Show”. Victory Gardens. www.victorygardens.org
WED: 3/17: New York, NY: Talk Back at “Yank”, the gay-themed World War II musical. Topic: Gay and Lesbian Characters in Musicals. www.yorktheatre.org.
FRI: 3/19: Washington, DC: Lobby Day 2010. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network descends upon Capitol Hill to urge repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/lobby-day-2010/
SAT: 3/20: Washington, DC: SLDN 18th Annual National Dinner. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network benefit with Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA). http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/18th-annual-national-dinner/
SAT: 3/20: Northampton, MA: Screening: City of Borders. A documentary about five gay and lesbian Palestinians and Israelis as they navigate their sexuality through the political and cultural mine fields of Jerusalem. www.outforreel.org/films/city-of-borders
SAT-SUN: 3/20-3/21: New York, NY: The 17th Annual GLBT Expo. http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/index.php?ref=home
SUN: 3/21: New York, NY: ABC & SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares, ABC-TV's annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.
SUN: 3/21: New York, NY: The Other Side of Broadway. The Joe Iconis Band, Meredith Patterson, and Shonn Wiley perform a Broadway Speaks OUT benefit. www.broadwayspeaksOUT.com
Newsworthy:
DADT Repeal Filed In Senate. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, introduced a bill on 3/03/10 to repeal the ban on openly gay service members in the military, but at a hearing later in the day Republican lawmakers questioned why lifting the ban was necessary. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/politics/04military.html
Vatican Hit By Gay Sex Scandal. A chorister has been fired to procuring boys for the papal gentlemen-in-waiting. The Guardian reports: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/04/vatican-gay-sex-scandal
Roy Ashburn, The California state senator who was arrested for driving while intoxicated after a night at a gay bar announced 3/08/10 that he is gay. Ashburn had a decidedly anti-gay voting record. The Fresno (CA) Bee reports: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/03/08/1851096/ashburn-says-hes-gay-defends-vote.html
The AIDS Virus hides in bone marrow, says new research. Associated Press reports: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jIzw5TNPc3bTHfHDOrmqk5VNd9rgD9E9UL400
California: Hollywood has its Walk of Fame and The Castro could have its Rainbow Honor Walk. The San Francisco Chronicle reports: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=58674
Colorado: A preschooler was kicked out of nursey school because his parents are gay. 9News Colorado reports: http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=133945&catid=339
Cyberbullying: One in two LGBT youth are regularly bullied online. 365Gay.com reports: http://www.365gay.com/news/1-in-2-lgbt-regularly-cyberbullied/
The Buzz (People Making News)
Neil Patrick Harris will star as a live-action character and Alan Cumming, Jonathan Winters and George Lopez will lend their voices to a live-action/animated Smurfs movie, according to a report in Variety.
Cheyenne Jackson, recently on Broadway in the revival of Finian's Rainbow, has landed a role in the new ABC pilot "It Takes a Village”. Playbill.com reports: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137604-Cheyenne-Jackson-Lands-Role-in-ABC-Pilot
Awards and Honors:
Winners: Academy Awards: http://oscar.go.com/oscar-night/winners?cid=10_oscars_gridLayout_livenow
Winners: Spirit Awards. “Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire” was the big winner which took home a slew of honors including an award for its out director Lee Daniels. www.spiritawards.com.
Features
Coming Out: Sean Hayes: The Advocate Interview. “Jack” from “Will & Grace” takes onBroadway’s “Promises, Promises”. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/People/Sean_Hayes_I_Am_Who_I_Am/
Going Gay for the Gold. the Advocate looks at the 30 men and women nominated for Oscars for playing LGBT on film. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Film/Going_Gay_for_the_Gold/
The Boys in The Band: It helped gay writers find their beat. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/theater/07influence.html?ref=theater
Review: Bette Bourne: A Life in Three Acts. While New York theatre is a-bloom with plays about the American gay experience, Bette Bourne’s autobiography joins the fold. Bourne has been a drag entertainment in London for over 50 years. The New York Times reports: http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/theater/reviews/08life.html
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***The Addams Family. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and Jackie Hoffman co-star in the musical based on the TV sitcom. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
***A Life in Three Acts. Bette Bourne stars in his show about his life as a drag entertainer from his childhood in post-WW2 London to the present. to 3/28/10. www.stannswarehouse.org.
***My Queer Youth. Phil Geoffrey Bond's solo performance piece, a humorous look at growing up queer in Farmland, USA. . to 3/28/10. 212 695 6909.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***The Pride. Hugh Dancy and Ben Whislaw are lovers in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s new drama about sexual identity. to 3/28/10. www.mcctheater.org
***Sondheim on Sondheim. A new revue showcasing the out composer's music with Barbara Cook, and Vanessa Williams. to 6/13/10. www.roundabouttheatre.org
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay, designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie) and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 4/04/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***Billy Elliot, Elton John’s Tony-winning musical about a boy who wants to become a ballet dancer. Chicago, IL. www.broadwayinchicago.com.
***Golden Age. Terrence McNally's drama about Donizetti set backstage at the premiere of his last opera "I Puritani". Marc Kudisch and Jeffrey Carlson star. to 4/04/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Grease. The Gay Men’s Chorus all-male version is the word. 3/19/10-3/21/10. Washington, DC. http://www.gmcw.org/season/0910/grease.php
***Justin Bond: Angels of the Morning, The Ladies of AM Radio. 3/12/10-3/13/10. San Francisco, CA. www.therrazzroom.com
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. Malcolm Gets and John Glover star. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Phantom of the Oprah. The Gold Dust Orphans and Varla Jean Merman team up for outrageous gay comedy. to 3/28/10, Boston, MA. www.golddustorphans.com
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey plays a convict, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Breakfast With Scot. The lives of a closeted ex-hockey player and his partner are thrown into turmoil when they take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year old who is not the sports-loving boy they were expecting.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. The stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels about an overweight teen, and her abusive mother (Mo’Nique).
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. There’s a great trailer at the website. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
3/22/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: authors Charles Kaiser and John Loughery. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/22/10: New York, NY: Sondheim 80, the Roundabout Theatre salues composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday with an all-star gala. www.roundabouttheatre.org.
3/22/10: Washington, DC: Terrence McNally: In Conversation. A panel about and featuring the out playwright. www.kennedy-center.org.
3/29/10: Portland, OR: Bear to Make a Difference, a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. www.matthewshepard.org
3/31/10-4/04/10: Palm Springs, CA: The Dinah 2010. The women’s golf and party weekend. Featuring Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westernhoefer, Ke$ha, and more. www.thedinah.com.
3/30/10-4/04/10: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. the annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Oscars
1. Question. Name this Oscar-winning film musical in which a woman playing a man playing a woman sings an Oscar-winning original musical score. Hint. Its star found the sound of music as a nanny. Answer: Victor Victoria, the 1982 movie starring Julie Andrews as an opera singer who masquerades as a drag queen. Hency Mancini and Leslie Bricusse wrote the score.
2. Question. Name this film musical with Nazis that picked up 8 Oscars. Inspired by a gay author’s diaries, scored by a gay song-writing duo, and starring a gay icon daughter of a gai icon, its plot included a bisexual meange a trois. Answer: Cabaret, the Kander & Ebb musical based on Christopher Isherwood’s diaries, which starred Liza Minnelli, daughter of Judy Garland.
3. Question. Name this X-rated Oscar winner (the only X-rated movie to win “Best Picture”) about a hustler. Its director was gay. One of its stars was a recent graduate, the other is known today as father of a humanitarian. Answer: Midnight Cowboy, John Schlesinger’s film starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight, father of Angelina Jolie.
4. Question. Name these actors who won their Oscars portraying true life stories of LGBT people: A) a TG girl who transformed herself into a boy only to be raped and beaten to death when his secret was discovered; B) a gay southern writer transfixed by a midwestern murder and its murderers; C) a Florida lesbian serial killer Answers: A) Hilary Swank, Oscar winner for “Boys Don’t Cry”, the true story of Brandon Teena, born Teena Brandon; B) Philip Seymour Hoffman as writer Truman (“In Cold Blood”) Capote in “Capote”; C) Charlize Theron in “Monster” as serial killer Aileen Wournos who was put to death by lethal injection in 1992.
5. Question: Name this Oscar winning actor, who played a gay windowdresser with Hollywood dreams in a film based on a Latin writer’s prison drama. The film became a Broadway musical which made Chita Rivera and Vanessa Williams sing and dance. Answer: William Hurt, who starred in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” which became a musical.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Sondheim at 80
Stephen Sondheim, one of America’s Broadway legends, turns 80 on the 22nd. An out man, he’s included gay talent and gay characters in his works. A new revue of his music opens on Broadway soon (Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams star). To watch excerpts from Sondheim musicals: http://www.bluegobo.com/index.php
1. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about a conflicted possibly bisexual or gay bachelor who, at age 35, seeks commitment. Hint: In the most recent Broadway revival, the lead came out as bisexual in the Sunday New York Times. In the original cast, the lead was gay.
2. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about two real-life brothers, one straight and one gay. The straight one was a hustler, gambler, producer and cokehead. The gay one designed Boca Raton.
3. Question: Name this Sondheim musical, based on a true story about a mother of two vaudevillians, who in real life ran a lesbian boarding house after one daughter ran off with a boyfriend and the other became a star. It’s rumoured that the older daughter liked women.
4. Question: Name this Sondheim backstage musical, choreographed by a bisexual man who created two more backstage musicals without Sondheim, one about Broadway and one about Motown.
5. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about crimes against political leaders. In its recent Broadway revival, it starred an out comic and an out TV sitcom star as real-life crimesters.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Volume 13 No. 10 March 15, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
See previous editions.
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 15-21, 2010
thru THU: 3/18: St. Louis, MO: QFest queer arts and culture. www.stlqfest.org
MON: 3/15: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: playwright Bill C. Davis aamd activist Tom Viola. www.thetempermentals.com.
MON: 3/15: New York, NY: Valley of The Dolls. A stage version of the movie as a benefit for The Actors Fund. Charles Busch as Helen Lawson, Heidi Blickenstaff as Neely O'Hara, Tovah Feldshuh as Miriam Polar, Martha Plimpton as Anne Welles and Christopher Sieber as Ted Casablanca. Additional casting to be announced. www.actorsfund.org.
MON-TUE: 3/15-3/16: New York, NY: Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. The out composer celebrates 80 with The New York Philharmonic and Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, and Bernadette Peters.Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Joanna Gleason, John McMartin, Laura Osnes, David Hyde Pierce, Bobby Steggert, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton, and Chip Zien. www.nyphil.org.
MON-SUN: 3/15-3/21: Chicago, IL: Fresh Squeezed Theatre Series features out solo artists Tim Miller (“Lay of The Land”) and Holly Hughes (“The Dog and Pony Show”. Victory Gardens. www.victorygardens.org
WED: 3/17: New York, NY: Talk Back at “Yank”, the gay-themed World War II musical. Topic: Gay and Lesbian Characters in Musicals. www.yorktheatre.org.
FRI: 3/19: Washington, DC: Lobby Day 2010. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network descends upon Capitol Hill to urge repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/lobby-day-2010/
SAT: 3/20: Washington, DC: SLDN 18th Annual National Dinner. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network benefit with Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA). http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/18th-annual-national-dinner/
SAT: 3/20: Northampton, MA: Screening: City of Borders. A documentary about five gay and lesbian Palestinians and Israelis as they navigate their sexuality through the political and cultural mine fields of Jerusalem. www.outforreel.org/films/city-of-borders
SAT-SUN: 3/20-3/21: New York, NY: The 17th Annual GLBT Expo. http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/index.php?ref=home
SUN: 3/21: New York, NY: ABC & SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares, ABC-TV's annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.
SUN: 3/21: New York, NY: The Other Side of Broadway. The Joe Iconis Band, Meredith Patterson, and Shonn Wiley perform a Broadway Speaks OUT benefit. www.broadwayspeaksOUT.com
Newsworthy:
DADT Repeal Filed In Senate. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, introduced a bill on 3/03/10 to repeal the ban on openly gay service members in the military, but at a hearing later in the day Republican lawmakers questioned why lifting the ban was necessary. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/politics/04military.html
Vatican Hit By Gay Sex Scandal. A chorister has been fired to procuring boys for the papal gentlemen-in-waiting. The Guardian reports: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/04/vatican-gay-sex-scandal
Roy Ashburn, The California state senator who was arrested for driving while intoxicated after a night at a gay bar announced 3/08/10 that he is gay. Ashburn had a decidedly anti-gay voting record. The Fresno (CA) Bee reports: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/03/08/1851096/ashburn-says-hes-gay-defends-vote.html
The AIDS Virus hides in bone marrow, says new research. Associated Press reports: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jIzw5TNPc3bTHfHDOrmqk5VNd9rgD9E9UL400
California: Hollywood has its Walk of Fame and The Castro could have its Rainbow Honor Walk. The San Francisco Chronicle reports: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=58674
Colorado: A preschooler was kicked out of nursey school because his parents are gay. 9News Colorado reports: http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=133945&catid=339
Cyberbullying: One in two LGBT youth are regularly bullied online. 365Gay.com reports: http://www.365gay.com/news/1-in-2-lgbt-regularly-cyberbullied/
The Buzz (People Making News)
Neil Patrick Harris will star as a live-action character and Alan Cumming, Jonathan Winters and George Lopez will lend their voices to a live-action/animated Smurfs movie, according to a report in Variety.
Cheyenne Jackson, recently on Broadway in the revival of Finian's Rainbow, has landed a role in the new ABC pilot "It Takes a Village”. Playbill.com reports: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137604-Cheyenne-Jackson-Lands-Role-in-ABC-Pilot
Awards and Honors:
Winners: Academy Awards: http://oscar.go.com/oscar-night/winners?cid=10_oscars_gridLayout_livenow
Winners: Spirit Awards. “Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire” was the big winner which took home a slew of honors including an award for its out director Lee Daniels. www.spiritawards.com.
Features
Coming Out: Sean Hayes: The Advocate Interview. “Jack” from “Will & Grace” takes onBroadway’s “Promises, Promises”. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/People/Sean_Hayes_I_Am_Who_I_Am/
Going Gay for the Gold. the Advocate looks at the 30 men and women nominated for Oscars for playing LGBT on film. http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Film/Going_Gay_for_the_Gold/
The Boys in The Band: It helped gay writers find their beat. The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/theater/07influence.html?ref=theater
Review: Bette Bourne: A Life in Three Acts. While New York theatre is a-bloom with plays about the American gay experience, Bette Bourne’s autobiography joins the fold. Bourne has been a drag entertainment in London for over 50 years. The New York Times reports: http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/theater/reviews/08life.html
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***The Addams Family. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and Jackie Hoffman co-star in the musical based on the TV sitcom. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
***A Life in Three Acts. Bette Bourne stars in his show about his life as a drag entertainer from his childhood in post-WW2 London to the present. to 3/28/10. www.stannswarehouse.org.
***My Queer Youth. Phil Geoffrey Bond's solo performance piece, a humorous look at growing up queer in Farmland, USA. . to 3/28/10. 212 695 6909.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***The Pride. Hugh Dancy and Ben Whislaw are lovers in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s new drama about sexual identity. to 3/28/10. www.mcctheater.org
***Sondheim on Sondheim. A new revue showcasing the out composer's music with Barbara Cook, and Vanessa Williams. to 6/13/10. www.roundabouttheatre.org
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay, designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie) and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 4/04/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***Billy Elliot, Elton John’s Tony-winning musical about a boy who wants to become a ballet dancer. Chicago, IL. www.broadwayinchicago.com.
***Golden Age. Terrence McNally's drama about Donizetti set backstage at the premiere of his last opera "I Puritani". Marc Kudisch and Jeffrey Carlson star. to 4/04/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***Grease. The Gay Men’s Chorus all-male version is the word. 3/19/10-3/21/10. Washington, DC. http://www.gmcw.org/season/0910/grease.php
***Justin Bond: Angels of the Morning, The Ladies of AM Radio. 3/12/10-3/13/10. San Francisco, CA. www.therrazzroom.com
***The Lisbon Traviata, Terrence McNally's story of opera queens and diva worship. Malcolm Gets and John Glover star. to 4/11/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Phantom of the Oprah. The Gold Dust Orphans and Varla Jean Merman team up for outrageous gay comedy. to 3/28/10, Boston, MA. www.golddustorphans.com
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the involvement of the Church of Latter Day Saints' involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 in California.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey plays a convict, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Breakfast With Scot. The lives of a closeted ex-hockey player and his partner are thrown into turmoil when they take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year old who is not the sports-loving boy they were expecting.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. The stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels about an overweight teen, and her abusive mother (Mo’Nique).
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. There’s a great trailer at the website. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
3/22/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: authors Charles Kaiser and John Loughery. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/22/10: New York, NY: Sondheim 80, the Roundabout Theatre salues composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday with an all-star gala. www.roundabouttheatre.org.
3/22/10: Washington, DC: Terrence McNally: In Conversation. A panel about and featuring the out playwright. www.kennedy-center.org.
3/29/10: Portland, OR: Bear to Make a Difference, a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. www.matthewshepard.org
3/31/10-4/04/10: Palm Springs, CA: The Dinah 2010. The women’s golf and party weekend. Featuring Meredith Baxter, Suzanne Westernhoefer, Ke$ha, and more. www.thedinah.com.
3/30/10-4/04/10: Breckenridge, CO: OutBoard. the annual LGBT snowboarding festival. www.outboard.org
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: The Oscars
1. Question. Name this Oscar-winning film musical in which a woman playing a man playing a woman sings an Oscar-winning original musical score. Hint. Its star found the sound of music as a nanny. Answer: Victor Victoria, the 1982 movie starring Julie Andrews as an opera singer who masquerades as a drag queen. Hency Mancini and Leslie Bricusse wrote the score.
2. Question. Name this film musical with Nazis that picked up 8 Oscars. Inspired by a gay author’s diaries, scored by a gay song-writing duo, and starring a gay icon daughter of a gai icon, its plot included a bisexual meange a trois. Answer: Cabaret, the Kander & Ebb musical based on Christopher Isherwood’s diaries, which starred Liza Minnelli, daughter of Judy Garland.
3. Question. Name this X-rated Oscar winner (the only X-rated movie to win “Best Picture”) about a hustler. Its director was gay. One of its stars was a recent graduate, the other is known today as father of a humanitarian. Answer: Midnight Cowboy, John Schlesinger’s film starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight, father of Angelina Jolie.
4. Question. Name these actors who won their Oscars portraying true life stories of LGBT people: A) a TG girl who transformed herself into a boy only to be raped and beaten to death when his secret was discovered; B) a gay southern writer transfixed by a midwestern murder and its murderers; C) a Florida lesbian serial killer Answers: A) Hilary Swank, Oscar winner for “Boys Don’t Cry”, the true story of Brandon Teena, born Teena Brandon; B) Philip Seymour Hoffman as writer Truman (“In Cold Blood”) Capote in “Capote”; C) Charlize Theron in “Monster” as serial killer Aileen Wournos who was put to death by lethal injection in 1992.
5. Question: Name this Oscar winning actor, who played a gay windowdresser with Hollywood dreams in a film based on a Latin writer’s prison drama. The film became a Broadway musical which made Chita Rivera and Vanessa Williams sing and dance. Answer: William Hurt, who starred in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” which became a musical.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Sondheim at 80
Stephen Sondheim, one of America’s Broadway legends, turns 80 on the 22nd. An out man, he’s included gay talent and gay characters in his works. A new revue of his music opens on Broadway soon (Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams star). To watch excerpts from Sondheim musicals: http://www.bluegobo.com/index.php
1. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about a conflicted possibly bisexual or gay bachelor who, at age 35, seeks commitment. Hint: In the most recent Broadway revival, the lead came out as bisexual in the Sunday New York Times. In the original cast, the lead was gay.
2. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about two real-life brothers, one straight and one gay. The straight one was a hustler, gambler, producer and cokehead. The gay one designed Boca Raton.
3. Question: Name this Sondheim musical, based on a true story about a mother of two vaudevillians, who in real life ran a lesbian boarding house after one daughter ran off with a boyfriend and the other became a star. It’s rumoured that the older daughter liked women.
4. Question: Name this Sondheim backstage musical, choreographed by a bisexual man who created two more backstage musicals without Sondheim, one about Broadway and one about Motown.
5. Question: Name this Sondheim musical about crimes against political leaders. In its recent Broadway revival, it starred an out comic and an out TV sitcom star as real-life crimesters.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Coming Out Support Newsweekly: 3/08/10
Coming Out Support (COS) Newsweekly
Volume 13 No. 9 March 8, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
See previous editions
Subscription Information: This newsletter is available via free email subscription only. Our mailing list is confidential.
To subscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Subscribe COS News” in subject line.
To unsubscribe: Email COSNewsweekly@gmail.com and write “Cancel COS News” in subject line.
The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 8-14, 2010
SUN: 3/07: Northampton, MA: Screening: Straightlaced: How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up with director Debra Chasnoff, Oscar-winning our filmmaker. A special community event to address bullying, homophobia, gender identity and roles among our teens. www.outforreel.org.
thru MON: 3/08: Whistler, BC: WinterPRIDE: Whistler Gay Ski Week. www.gaywhistler.com
thru SUN: 3/14: Lake Tahoe, CA: Lake Tahoe Winterfest Gay and Lesbian Ski Week. 15th annual edition. www.laketahoewinterfest.com.
MON: 3/08: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: radio hosts Derek and Romaine. www.thetempermentals.com.
MON: 3/08: New York, NY: John Kander, out composer of "Cabaret" and "Chicago" will be honored at the Vineyard Theatre's benefit. David Hyde Pierce hosts. Liza Minnelli performs. www.vineyardtheatre.org
FRI-SAT: 3/12-3/13: Storrs, CT: True Colors XVI. Conference sponsored by the non-profit that provides Sexual Minority Youth and Family Services in Connecticut. http://www.ourtruecolors.org/
FRI-SUN: 3/12-3/14: Falls Village, CT: Jewish Lesbian Retreat, The Second Annual Nehirim Women’s Retreat, a weekend of community and spirituality for self-identified lesbian, bisexual and trangendered Jewish women and their families. www.nehirim.org.
SAT: 3/13: New York, NY: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing and honoring media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. www.glaad.org/mediaawards
SUN-THU: 3/14-3/18: St. Louis, MO: QFest queer arts and culture. www.stlqfest.org
Newsworthy:
Washington, DC: Marriage Equality comes to the District of Columbia. Same-sex couples began applying for marriage licenses today. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/03/DC_Couples_Apply_for_Marriage_Licenses/
France has dropped transexualism from its list of mental disorders. TIME reports: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1968767,00.html
The Buzz (People Making News)
Laura Ricketts, a lesbian activist, has acquired the Chicago Cubs. She’s the first lesbian to own a professional ball team. EDGE Boston reports: http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=102879
Marc Delphine is the first openly gay candidate to run for federal office in the history of Oregon. The college and financial planner filed as a candidate for U.S. Senate 3/01/10 seeking the Libertarian Party nomination. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/02/First_Gay_Candidate_for_Senate_from_Oregon/
Steve Pougnet, the mayor of Palm Springs, has launched a campaign to unseat Chaz Bono’s stepmother from Congress. The mayor is gay, married, and with children. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/Politics/Marriage_Equality/Married_With_Children/
Daniel Radcliffe filmed a public service announcement for The Trevor Project, the organization focused on suicide prevention amongst LGBT youth. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/02/26/Harry_Potter_Star_Daniel_Radcliffe_Films_PSA_For_Trevor_Project/
Rachel Maddow, the out MSNBC talk show host, will be the speaker at Smith College’s 2010 commencement ceremony. The liberal political analyst will receive an honorary degree May 16 from the Northampton college. About a year after launching her MSNBC show in April 2008, Maddow was nominated for the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information.
Awards and Honors:
Precious, the acclaimed film about an abused Harlem teen, won six Image awards, including one for its out director, Lee Daniels.
In Memoriam:
Ben Gardiner, gay rights activist, actor, computer enthusiast and longtime fixture in San Francisco's Castro district died last month of heart failure at the age of 88. He was, a key player in gay rights and HIV/AIDS issues. He founded the first computerized AIDS bulletin board system in the nation, served as president of the now-defunct Stonewall Democratic Club, and worked on political campaigns, including those for former Supervisor Harvey Milk. The San Francisco Chronicle reports: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/27/BAIH1C63CH.DTL
Photo Shoots and Video
Video: PBS’ “Bill Moyer’s Journal” aired a piece about the Proposition 8 trial in California on 2/26/10. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02262010/watch.html
Features
Newer LGBT Rights Groups and Established Ones don’t always agree with methodology. Newsweek reports: http://www.newsweek.com/id/233701
Rufus Wainwright: The Guardian interview: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/21/rufus-wainwright-prima-donna-feature
The Resource Center:
Lambda Literary Foundation has laucnhed a new website for LGBT literature (fiction and non/fiction) lovers:Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/03/lambda-literary-foundation-launches-site-for-lgbt-book-lovers.html
In Print:
Party Animals by Robert Hofler. DaCapo Press. A biography of flamboyant “Grease” producer Allan Carr. The Advocate reviews: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Books/Born_to_Hand_Jive/
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***The Addams Family. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and Jackie Hoffman co-star in the musical based on the TV sitcom, cartoon series and films. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
***A Little Night Music. Sondheim's all-waltz musical stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (singing "Send in the Clowns") and Angela Lansbury.
***The Boys in the Band. A revival of Mart Crowley's landmark pre-Stonewall comedy/drama, one of the first plays to deal with contemporary life among gay men. to 3/14/10. www.transportgroup.org.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***The Pride. Hugh Dancy and Ben Whislaw are lovers in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s new drama about sexual identity. to 3/28/10. www.mcctheater.org
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***When Joey Married Bobby. A new comedy by William Wyatt, starring Lady Bunny, Tina McKissick and introducing former Detroit Tiger Pitcher Matthew Pender as Joey. www.whenjoeymarriedbobby.com.
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 3/21/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***The Beebo Brinker Chronicles, the stage adaptation of Ann Bannon's groundbreaking, award-winning lesbian pulp fiction novel. to 3/13/10. San Francisco, CA. www.brava.org
***Golden Age. Terrence McNally's drama about Donizetti set backstage at the premiere of his last opera "I Puritani". Marc Kudisch and Jeffrey Carlson star. Part of Kennedy Center's "Terrence McNally's Nights at the Opera Series". to 4/04/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Phantom of the Oprah. The Gold Dust Orphans and Varla Jean Merman team up for outrageous gay comedy. to 3/28/10, Boston, MA. www.golddustorphans.com
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison and makes regular attempts to escape when the object of his affections is released.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels about an overweight, illiterate Harlem teen, pregnant with her second child, who is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Breakfast With Scot. The lives of a closeted ex-hockey player and his partner are thrown into turmoil when they take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year old who is not the sports-loving boy they were expecting.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. There’s a great trailer at the website. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
***Ongoing: The Wanda Sykes Show. The out comic's late night talk show. 11PM Saturdays. FOX.
***March: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
3/15/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: playwright Bill C. Davis and activist Tom Viola. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/15/10: New York, NY: Valley of The Dolls. A stage version of the movie as a benefit for The Actors Fund. Charles Busch as Helen Lawson, Heidi Blickenstaff as Neely O'Hara, Tovah Feldshuh as Miriam Polar, Cheyenne Jackson as Tony Polar, Martha Plimpton as Anne Welles and Christopher Sieber as Ted Casablanca. Additional casting to be announced. www.actorsfund.org.
3/15/10-3/16/10: New York, NY: Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. The out composer turns 80 with The New York Philharmonic and an all-star cast. www.nyphil.org.
3/15/10-3/21/10: Chicago, IL: Fresh Squeezed Theatre Series features out solo artists Tim Miller (“Lay of The Land”) and Holly Hughes (“The Dog and Pony Show”. Victory Gardens. www.victorygardens.org
3/17/10: New York, NY: Talk Back at “Yank”, the gay-themed World War II musical. Topic: Gay and Lesbian Characters in Musicals. www.yorktheatre.org.
3/19/10: Washington, DC: Lobby Day 2010. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network descends upon Capitol Hill to urge repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/lobby-day-2010/
3/20/10: Washington, DC: SLDN 18th Annual National Dinner. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network benefit with Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA). http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/18th-annual-national-dinner/
3/20/10: Northampton, MA: Screening: City of Borders. A documentary about five gay and lesbian Palestinians and Israelis as they navigate their sexuality through the political and cultural mine fields of Jerusalem. http://www.outforreel.org/films/city-of-borders
3/20/10-3/21/10:New York, NY: The 17th Annual GLBT Expo. http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/index.php?ref=home
3/21/10: New York, NY: ABC & SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares, ABC-TV's annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.
3/21/10: New York, NY: The Other Side of Broadway. The Joe Iconis Band, Meredith Patterson, and Shonn Wiley perform a Broadway Speaks OUT benefit. www.broadwayspeaksOUT.com
3/22/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: authors Charles Kaiser and John Loughery. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/22/10: New York, NY: Sondheim 80, the Roundabout Theatre salues composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday with an all-star gala. www.roundabouttheatre.org.
3/22/10: Washington, DC: Terrence McNally: In Conversation. A panel about and featuring the out playwright and Zoe Caldwell, Audra McDonald, and Richard Thomas. www.kennedy-center.org.
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: March Milestones
1. Question: Name this film, an adaptation of a hit Off-Broadway play, which opened on March 17, 1970. It profiled a group of gay men at a birthday party, and was the first mainstream Hollywood film about gay life. Answer: The Boys in the Band, adapted from Mart Crowley’s play, which is currently being revived in New York.
2. Question: Name this middle-eastern nation, which decriminalized same-sex acts between consenting adults on March 23, 1988. Answer: Israel.
3. Question: Name this activist group formed on March 14, 1987, as a response to the government’s indifference to the AIDS epidemic in the United States. One of its founders was an outspoken author, playwright, and HIV+ person. Answer: ACT-UP, The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. Larry Kramer was the primary mover and shaker associated with ACT-UP’s formation.
4. Question: Name this Oscar-winning film, which picked up the statue for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards on March 25, 1985. It was the first documentary on a gay subject to do so. Recently, a film on the same subject matter won Oscars. Answer: The Times of Harvey Milk. In his acceptance speech, director Robert Epstein thanksed his “partner in life, John Wright”.
5. Question: Name this legendary out composer, born March 22, 1930. His works have included lyrics for a pushy stage mother and a dancing gang. His music accompanied throat slashers, presidential killers, shoguns, and showgirls. Answer: Stephen Sondheim, lyricist of “Gypsy” and “West Side Story” and composer/lyricist of “Sweeney Todd”, “Assassins”, “Pacific Overtures” and “Follies”.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Hooray for Hollywood
1. Question. Name this Oscar-winning film musical in which a woman playing a man playing a woman sings an Oscar-winning original musical score. Hint. Its star found the sound of music as a nanny.
2. Question. Name this film musical with Nazis that picked up 8 Oscars. Inspired by a gay author’s diaries, scored by a gay song-writing duo, and starring a gay icon daughter of a gai icon, its plot included a bisexual meange a trois.
3. Question. Name this X-rated Oscar winner (the only X-rated movie to win “Best Picture”) about a hustler. Its director was gay. One of its stars was a recent graduate, the other is known today as father of a humanitarian.
4. Question. Name these actors who won their Oscars portraying true life stories of LGBT people: A) a TG girl who transformed herself into a boy only to be raped and beaten to death when his secret was discovered; B) a gay southern writer transfixed by a midwestern murder and its murderers; C) a Florida lesbian serial killer
5. Question: Name this Oscar winning actor, who played a gay windowdresser with Hollywood dreams in a film based on a Latin writer’s prison drama. The film became a Broadway musical which made Chita Rivera and Vanessa Williams sing and dance.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
Volume 13 No. 9 March 8, 2010
Newsletter Editor: M. G. Auerbach Email: COSNewsweekly@gmail.com
The Fine Print
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The Gay Agenda: Datebook: March 8-14, 2010
SUN: 3/07: Northampton, MA: Screening: Straightlaced: How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up with director Debra Chasnoff, Oscar-winning our filmmaker. A special community event to address bullying, homophobia, gender identity and roles among our teens. www.outforreel.org.
thru MON: 3/08: Whistler, BC: WinterPRIDE: Whistler Gay Ski Week. www.gaywhistler.com
thru SUN: 3/14: Lake Tahoe, CA: Lake Tahoe Winterfest Gay and Lesbian Ski Week. 15th annual edition. www.laketahoewinterfest.com.
MON: 3/08: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: radio hosts Derek and Romaine. www.thetempermentals.com.
MON: 3/08: New York, NY: John Kander, out composer of "Cabaret" and "Chicago" will be honored at the Vineyard Theatre's benefit. David Hyde Pierce hosts. Liza Minnelli performs. www.vineyardtheatre.org
FRI-SAT: 3/12-3/13: Storrs, CT: True Colors XVI. Conference sponsored by the non-profit that provides Sexual Minority Youth and Family Services in Connecticut. http://www.ourtruecolors.org/
FRI-SUN: 3/12-3/14: Falls Village, CT: Jewish Lesbian Retreat, The Second Annual Nehirim Women’s Retreat, a weekend of community and spirituality for self-identified lesbian, bisexual and trangendered Jewish women and their families. www.nehirim.org.
SAT: 3/13: New York, NY: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing and honoring media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. www.glaad.org/mediaawards
SUN-THU: 3/14-3/18: St. Louis, MO: QFest queer arts and culture. www.stlqfest.org
Newsworthy:
Washington, DC: Marriage Equality comes to the District of Columbia. Same-sex couples began applying for marriage licenses today. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/03/DC_Couples_Apply_for_Marriage_Licenses/
France has dropped transexualism from its list of mental disorders. TIME reports: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1968767,00.html
The Buzz (People Making News)
Laura Ricketts, a lesbian activist, has acquired the Chicago Cubs. She’s the first lesbian to own a professional ball team. EDGE Boston reports: http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=102879
Marc Delphine is the first openly gay candidate to run for federal office in the history of Oregon. The college and financial planner filed as a candidate for U.S. Senate 3/01/10 seeking the Libertarian Party nomination. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/02/First_Gay_Candidate_for_Senate_from_Oregon/
Steve Pougnet, the mayor of Palm Springs, has launched a campaign to unseat Chaz Bono’s stepmother from Congress. The mayor is gay, married, and with children. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/Politics/Marriage_Equality/Married_With_Children/
Daniel Radcliffe filmed a public service announcement for The Trevor Project, the organization focused on suicide prevention amongst LGBT youth. The Advocate reports: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/02/26/Harry_Potter_Star_Daniel_Radcliffe_Films_PSA_For_Trevor_Project/
Rachel Maddow, the out MSNBC talk show host, will be the speaker at Smith College’s 2010 commencement ceremony. The liberal political analyst will receive an honorary degree May 16 from the Northampton college. About a year after launching her MSNBC show in April 2008, Maddow was nominated for the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information.
Awards and Honors:
Precious, the acclaimed film about an abused Harlem teen, won six Image awards, including one for its out director, Lee Daniels.
In Memoriam:
Ben Gardiner, gay rights activist, actor, computer enthusiast and longtime fixture in San Francisco's Castro district died last month of heart failure at the age of 88. He was, a key player in gay rights and HIV/AIDS issues. He founded the first computerized AIDS bulletin board system in the nation, served as president of the now-defunct Stonewall Democratic Club, and worked on political campaigns, including those for former Supervisor Harvey Milk. The San Francisco Chronicle reports: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/27/BAIH1C63CH.DTL
Photo Shoots and Video
Video: PBS’ “Bill Moyer’s Journal” aired a piece about the Proposition 8 trial in California on 2/26/10. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02262010/watch.html
Features
Newer LGBT Rights Groups and Established Ones don’t always agree with methodology. Newsweek reports: http://www.newsweek.com/id/233701
Rufus Wainwright: The Guardian interview: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/21/rufus-wainwright-prima-donna-feature
The Resource Center:
Lambda Literary Foundation has laucnhed a new website for LGBT literature (fiction and non/fiction) lovers:Towleroad reports: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/03/lambda-literary-foundation-launches-site-for-lgbt-book-lovers.html
In Print:
Party Animals by Robert Hofler. DaCapo Press. A biography of flamboyant “Grease” producer Allan Carr. The Advocate reviews: http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Books/Born_to_Hand_Jive/
In Performance: Onstage:Theatre/Music/Dance
New York City (and Broadway)
***The Addams Family. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and Jackie Hoffman co-star in the musical based on the TV sitcom, cartoon series and films. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
***A Little Night Music. Sondheim's all-waltz musical stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (singing "Send in the Clowns") and Angela Lansbury.
***The Boys in the Band. A revival of Mart Crowley's landmark pre-Stonewall comedy/drama, one of the first plays to deal with contemporary life among gay men. to 3/14/10. www.transportgroup.org.
***Next Fall. Geoffrey Nauffts' provocative play about a gay couple; one partner is a devout Christian and the other is an atheist. www.nextfallbroadway.com
***The Pride. Hugh Dancy and Ben Whislaw are lovers in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s new drama about sexual identity. to 3/28/10. www.mcctheater.org
***The Tempermentals. Jon Maran's acclaimed drama about Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan), designer Rudi Gernreich (Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty") and friends as they form The Mattachine Society before Stonewall. www.thetemperamentals.com
***When Joey Married Bobby. A new comedy by William Wyatt, starring Lady Bunny, Tina McKissick and introducing former Detroit Tiger Pitcher Matthew Pender as Joey. www.whenjoeymarriedbobby.com.
***Yank! An old fashioned musical gay love story chronicles the relationship between two WW2 servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. Bobby Steggert stars. to 3/21/10. www.yorktheatre.org
Elsewhere...
***The Beebo Brinker Chronicles, the stage adaptation of Ann Bannon's groundbreaking, award-winning lesbian pulp fiction novel. to 3/13/10. San Francisco, CA. www.brava.org
***Golden Age. Terrence McNally's drama about Donizetti set backstage at the premiere of his last opera "I Puritani". Marc Kudisch and Jeffrey Carlson star. Part of Kennedy Center's "Terrence McNally's Nights at the Opera Series". to 4/04/10. Washington, DC. www.kennedy-center.org.
***The Phantom of the Oprah. The Gold Dust Orphans and Varla Jean Merman team up for outrageous gay comedy. to 3/28/10, Boston, MA. www.golddustorphans.com
On Screen (and Video & DVD)
Out on Screen...
***A Single Man. Tom Ford's debut film, an adaptation of a Christopher Isherwood novel, about a day in the life of a gay man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
***Eyes Wide Open, two ultra-orthodox Chasidic Jews who fall in love in Israel. Aaron is a married, respected butcher; Ezri is a yeshiva student, who becomes Aaron’s apprentice who becomes something more.
***I Love You Phillip Morris. Based on Steve McVicker's book about real-life events. Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, who falls for his cellmate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), after being put in prison and makes regular attempts to escape when the object of his affections is released.
***Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. A stunning drama from out director Lee Daniels about an overweight, illiterate Harlem teen, pregnant with her second child, who is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.
***Prodigal Sons, a film by TG film maker Kimberly Reed about her journey back to her home town and her reunion with an adopted brother. http://prodigalsonsfilm.com/
Out On Video & DVD
***An Englishman in New York. John Hurt as Quentin Crisp ("The Naked Civil Servant") as he becomes a celebrity. Also stars Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Jonathan Tucker.
***Breakfast With Scot. The lives of a closeted ex-hockey player and his partner are thrown into turmoil when they take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year old who is not the sports-loving boy they were expecting.
***Outrage. Kirby Dick's ("This Film is Not Yet Rated") documentary, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to.
***Show Business: The Road to Broadway. An incredible documentary about Broadway's 2003-04 season and four musicals: "Wicked", "Avenue Q"(gay puppets), "Caroline or Change" (Tony Kushner) and "Taboo" (Rosie O'Donnell).
***Word is Out. The 30th anniversary commemorative DVD of the famous documentary about LGBT identity. There’s a great trailer at the website. http://www.wordisoutmovie.com/
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/tvgayed
***Ongoing: The Wanda Sykes Show. The out comic's late night talk show. 11PM Saturdays. FOX.
***March: In the Life. LGBT news magazine. PBS. Check local listings. http://www.itl.tv/inthelife/episodes/
Conferences, Seminars, Benefits, and Special Events
3/15/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: playwright Bill C. Davis and activist Tom Viola. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/15/10: New York, NY: Valley of The Dolls. A stage version of the movie as a benefit for The Actors Fund. Charles Busch as Helen Lawson, Heidi Blickenstaff as Neely O'Hara, Tovah Feldshuh as Miriam Polar, Cheyenne Jackson as Tony Polar, Martha Plimpton as Anne Welles and Christopher Sieber as Ted Casablanca. Additional casting to be announced. www.actorsfund.org.
3/15/10-3/16/10: New York, NY: Sondheim: The Birthday Concert. The out composer turns 80 with The New York Philharmonic and an all-star cast. www.nyphil.org.
3/15/10-3/21/10: Chicago, IL: Fresh Squeezed Theatre Series features out solo artists Tim Miller (“Lay of The Land”) and Holly Hughes (“The Dog and Pony Show”. Victory Gardens. www.victorygardens.org
3/17/10: New York, NY: Talk Back at “Yank”, the gay-themed World War II musical. Topic: Gay and Lesbian Characters in Musicals. www.yorktheatre.org.
3/19/10: Washington, DC: Lobby Day 2010. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network descends upon Capitol Hill to urge repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/lobby-day-2010/
3/20/10: Washington, DC: SLDN 18th Annual National Dinner. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network benefit with Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA). http://www.sldn.org/events/archives/18th-annual-national-dinner/
3/20/10: Northampton, MA: Screening: City of Borders. A documentary about five gay and lesbian Palestinians and Israelis as they navigate their sexuality through the political and cultural mine fields of Jerusalem. http://www.outforreel.org/films/city-of-borders
3/20/10-3/21/10:New York, NY: The 17th Annual GLBT Expo. http://www.originalglbtexpo.com/index.php?ref=home
3/21/10: New York, NY: ABC & SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares, ABC-TV's annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. www.broadwaycares.org.
3/21/10: New York, NY: The Other Side of Broadway. The Joe Iconis Band, Meredith Patterson, and Shonn Wiley perform a Broadway Speaks OUT benefit. www.broadwayspeaksOUT.com
3/22/10: New York, NY: Talk Out Mondays. “The Tempermentals”, Off-Broadway’s play about the founders of The Mattachine Society, hosts experts in theatre and LGBT history. This week: authors Charles Kaiser and John Loughery. www.thetempermentals.com.
3/22/10: New York, NY: Sondheim 80, the Roundabout Theatre salues composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday with an all-star gala. www.roundabouttheatre.org.
3/22/10: Washington, DC: Terrence McNally: In Conversation. A panel about and featuring the out playwright and Zoe Caldwell, Audra McDonald, and Richard Thomas. www.kennedy-center.org.
Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: March Milestones
1. Question: Name this film, an adaptation of a hit Off-Broadway play, which opened on March 17, 1970. It profiled a group of gay men at a birthday party, and was the first mainstream Hollywood film about gay life. Answer: The Boys in the Band, adapted from Mart Crowley’s play, which is currently being revived in New York.
2. Question: Name this middle-eastern nation, which decriminalized same-sex acts between consenting adults on March 23, 1988. Answer: Israel.
3. Question: Name this activist group formed on March 14, 1987, as a response to the government’s indifference to the AIDS epidemic in the United States. One of its founders was an outspoken author, playwright, and HIV+ person. Answer: ACT-UP, The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. Larry Kramer was the primary mover and shaker associated with ACT-UP’s formation.
4. Question: Name this Oscar-winning film, which picked up the statue for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards on March 25, 1985. It was the first documentary on a gay subject to do so. Recently, a film on the same subject matter won Oscars. Answer: The Times of Harvey Milk. In his acceptance speech, director Robert Epstein thanksed his “partner in life, John Wright”.
5. Question: Name this legendary out composer, born March 22, 1930. His works have included lyrics for a pushy stage mother and a dancing gang. His music accompanied throat slashers, presidential killers, shoguns, and showgirls. Answer: Stephen Sondheim, lyricist of “Gypsy” and “West Side Story” and composer/lyricist of “Sweeney Todd”, “Assassins”, “Pacific Overtures” and “Follies”.
This Week’s Trivia Quiz: Hooray for Hollywood
1. Question. Name this Oscar-winning film musical in which a woman playing a man playing a woman sings an Oscar-winning original musical score. Hint. Its star found the sound of music as a nanny.
2. Question. Name this film musical with Nazis that picked up 8 Oscars. Inspired by a gay author’s diaries, scored by a gay song-writing duo, and starring a gay icon daughter of a gai icon, its plot included a bisexual meange a trois.
3. Question. Name this X-rated Oscar winner (the only X-rated movie to win “Best Picture”) about a hustler. Its director was gay. One of its stars was a recent graduate, the other is known today as father of a humanitarian.
4. Question. Name these actors who won their Oscars portraying true life stories of LGBT people: A) a TG girl who transformed herself into a boy only to be raped and beaten to death when his secret was discovered; B) a gay southern writer transfixed by a midwestern murder and its murderers; C) a Florida lesbian serial killer
5. Question: Name this Oscar winning actor, who played a gay windowdresser with Hollywood dreams in a film based on a Latin writer’s prison drama. The film became a Broadway musical which made Chita Rivera and Vanessa Williams sing and dance.
The first person to submit the correct answers gets their name in print right here. Email your answers to: COSNewsweekly@gmail.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/
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