BOY CULTURE REVIEW: ** out of ****
The other evening, I caught Murder Ballad, a new musical living at the Union Square Theatre that stars Will Swenson (Hair), Caissie Levy (Ghost: The Musical), John Ellison Conlee and Rebecca Naomi Jones. This represents a second life for the work, which knocked (some of) 'em dead at the Manhattan Theatre Club's The Studio at Stage II.
The bottom line is that while the cast is killin' it, I'm afraid the show itself is offed by its own music.
Above, the guys are, in order: Julius C. Carter, Matthew Goodrich, Orion Griffiths, Paul HeeSang Miller and Yurel Echezarreta.
The 7th Annual Broadway Beauty Pageant takes place Monday, May 20, at 8PM. They're holding it the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).
In the gallery above, check out the raw talent competing for the crown.
The show's always a blast and benefits the Ali Forney Center. Not sure I can afford $150 for a floor seat this year, though.
Talk about a graphic novel!
Blisteringly erotic gay comic released.
Walk Off the Earth cover Madonna's "Material Girl."
Most at the Met Ball ignored the "punk" theme. Who looked best?*
Jesus Luz goes shirtless for Junior.
Hot 97 DJ Mister Cee: "I am not gay."
Chris Pine would play gay.
In Minnesota, marriage equality advances.
Getting picked up by Ryan Gosling.
Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office head assaults woman.
NYC couple attacked in broad daylight near MSG.
Gay vs. lesbian with AARP as the weapon.
Use these self-publishing moms for inspiration to make bank.
Pat Robertson: Gays like murderers, rapists, thieves.
ABBA museum. Suggested donation? "Money, Money, Money."
You know I'll be attending this:
Str8 ally Chris Kluwe dropped by the Minnesota Vikings.
Jimmy Wright's drawings of NYC's gay meat market.
Helen Mirren vs. drummers.
Fuck, yeah, Ryan Phillippe.
Pet Shop Boys compare new album to Madonna.
Christina Crawford on her mom's rumored affair with Marilyn.
A Portrait of James Dean: Joshua Tree, 1951 avail for digital download today.
Come back to the five and dime, Jimmy Peen, Jimmy Peen (#bulge).
*Dakota Fanning, Anne Hathaway, Madonna, Rooney Mara, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Aubrey Plaza, Amanda Seyfried & Kerry Washington can all get it.
CHECK OUT THE "WORK UNFRIENDLY" SHOTS AT MY TUMBLR.
My pal Jason had to remind me about Broadway Bares: Solo Strips at XL tonight, which I attended following a friend's book-signing. It was pretty crowded, probably because there was only one show this time.
I bought an inseam's worth of raffle tickets from the one on the left. I lost, but still won.
The audience contained plenty of Broadway Bares-backers, including many who'd shucked their clothes in the past for the same cause: To raise cash for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Andrew Glaszek and Matthew Steffens were among those scouting the competition. (Okay, okay: Supporting friends. Okay, fine: Ogling friends.)
Above, a gallery filled with sexy bodies and skin, skin, skin
The program was as lean as its stars, featuring short but sweet (more like fast and dirty) performances of the variety that used to get ladies with bad reputations hauled off to the hoosegow just a few decades ago. But as always, the men of Broadway Bares managed to be racy without getting distastefully raunchy. Maybe it's because, as Broadway professionals, they never forget to SMILE.
I was dying to see this show for reasons well known to you
BOY CULTURE REVIEW: ** out of **** for the documentary, **** out of **** for the Q&A
I was invited at the last minute to see Surviving Mommie Dearest, which is billed as a multimedia one-woman show starring Christina Crawford and executive produced by Jerry Rosenberg. Christina is, of course, Joan Crawford's 73-year-old adopted daughter and the author of the book that blew the lid off of her late mother's carefully constructed image. How could I miss this sure-fire campfest, right?
When I arrived at the theater, I recognized 50% of the audience assembled for the special press performance. Several volunteered to me their contempt for Christina, who they view as having made up her story of abuse or who they think should be "over" it by now even if it were true. I regularly get into Facebook scuffles about Christina vs. Joan, with my take being: She's very likely telling the truth, we know she suffered some kind of abuse, why can't we admire Crawford as an icon and actress and still acknowledge she was nuts? (Maria Riva makes that case for her muti dearest, Marlene Dietrich.)
With the radiant Rutanya Alda
The show itself is not distinguished. It consists of Crawford doing some interstitial narration and a long documentary played on DVD. That Crawford is standing and talking in the DVD, too, makes for a static presentation. The filmed documentary is not as professional as it could be, with amateurish edits and a strong need for better direction and at least a few better takes.
Cher stole a car. Above, check out her mug shot!
Jason Collins gets Twitter death threats from losers.
Hottest men of the NHL.
What makes Ryan Lochte smile?
Pros planning for more out gay athletes.
National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame launched.
Same-sex nuptials at midnight in Colorado.
Miley Cyrus quasi-denies break-up, quasi-bares booty.
A League of Their Own...the musical!
COMMUNITY RESOURCE: NYC Up & Out.
B-T-S Terry Richardson POPwater shoot images here, here, here.
Cute French twink's Lo-NRG "Holiday."
Marina and the Diamonds + Charli XCX: "Just Desserts."
Work out Teen Wolf-style with the twins:
Twinning!
Born in a trunk, in search of a hunk
BOY CULTURE REVIEW: *** out of ****
Just over a week ago, I was able to catch The Nance, a unique show that blends musical performances with affecting drama in a way Smash can only dream of. The Nance isn't perfect, but it has a lot to recommend it, starting with an unsurprisingly pitch-perfect performance by Nathan Lane in the title role.
Lane & Stadlen: Brokeback B.C.
In the '20s and '30s, a "pansy craze" gripped entertainment; male comics flounced and flirted in sketched, brazenly imitating gay stereotypes in a way that flouted common decency...doesn't it sound great??? It was, and the best of these nances were the ones who weren't acting, but who were instead acting up, flaunting their then-illegal sexualities and getting paid for it.
A gallery of Bette/Sue
As you know, I loved I'll Eat You Last, starring Bette Midler. She's since gotten rave reviews like the one in the Times, and I've been told that the only tickets left are premium. (Worth it.)
Below, check out a snippet from the show in which Midler, as the late superagent Sue Mengers, discusses Gene Hackman. (Gotta love a show that relies on Gene Hackman, Julie Harris and Ali McGraw!)
Keep reading for the clip...
