WHO RANG THAT BELL?

Just because this is too cute for words... enjoy.



more animals

Keith Olbermann Pleads for a Stop to Bigotry

Keith Olbermann is an amazing journalist. He recently ended his show with passionate plea for people to end hate mongering and let gay marriage exist - side by side with "traditional" marriage. I couldn't have said these things better myself. Please watch below.

If for some reason the video below doesn't work or shows a Bill O'Reilly thing (which it did when I tested it) please use this link and click LAUNCH VIDEO from the MSNBC site instead.

Tribute to Prop 8 ... Listen and Think

My friend Jason posted this on his Myspace blog and I had to share it. It's really beautiful and makes me want to cry a little when I listen to how passionate he is. No more writing, just listen.

Um... gross but necessary?

I'm pretty sure that as a baby I attacked my parents once or twice mid-diaper change. But apparently there's a legitimate market for these! If you want to know more, go to their website and make your purchase.

I have a feeling there are a lot of little elves out there this Christmas pissed off that their hats are being misused. (Pun completely intended.)

CMT's Eckern Offers Apology for Prop 8 Funding

According to Playbill.com, California Musical Theatre's Artistic Director, Scott Eckern has offered an apology for his financial support of Prop 8.

Quoted from the article (to read the full article please visit the link above or click here):

In response to the words of Shaiman, Egan, Whitty and numerous individuals who contacted the theatre company, Eckern released an apology and has donated $1,000 to the Human Rights Campaign, which works to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

"I understand that my choice of supporting Proposition 8 has been the cause of many hurt feelings maybe even betrayal. It was not my intent. I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction. I chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved. I support each individual to have rights and access and I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage," Eckern said in a statement.

He continued, "I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues and I now have a better idea of what the discrimination issues are, how deeply felt these issues are and I am deeply saddened that my acting upon my religious convictions has been devastating to those I love and admire… I am deeply sorry for any harm or injury I have caused."

Well, that's better. And I accept his apology. But I would prefer that people do this soul search and research before they make a leap towards discrimination.

In the "good news" section of today, Connecticut begins marrying same-sex couple today! Congrats to the smart, well adjusted citizens of Connecticut who knew better than to legalize discrimination (and shame on you California for not being mature enough to embrace equality.)

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

From Sacramento Bee: "Prop. 8 gift gets theater's leader in a ruckus"

I cannot believe that someone - whose livelihood is drawn from an industry essentially supported and employed by a gays - would support Prop 8 in California. I haven't written on this issue because I tend to slant toward the mildly humorous on the blog but this has got me really cheesed.

Scott Eckern, (pictured left from the Sacramento Bee) the Artistic Director of the California Musical Theatre, has admitted to giving $1000 to the Prop 8 Campaign. Read the full article here. Frankly... I say it's beyond time to voice our frustration with this. Write a letter to Richard Lewis (the organization's executive producer) and Carol Van Bruggen (Board of Directors Chair) asking for Ms. Eckern's resignation. It may be extreme but there is no way I would support or work for an organization that allows hate and bigotry to be in its employ. You can send a message to the theatre through their online form but I would recommend sending a letter directly to Mr. Lewis and Ms. Bruggen at the address below:

Mr. Richard Lewis and Ms. Carol Van Bruggen
California Musical Theatre
1510 J Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814

Civil liberties should NEVER be up for vote. It's insane that California allowed this to happen. This has to change and it has to change soon.

Marc Shaiman (Hairpsray) and Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) have already contacted Mr. Eckern and voiced their concerns. Mr. Shaiman has stated that no show he has been involved with will play at the California Musical Theatre again and Mr. Whitty (though Avenue Q is already scheduled for production there this spring) will not permit his shows to be produced there in the future. Mr. Whitty's blog has an interested and insightful conversation with Mr. Eckard - click here to read.

Susan Egan has also supposedly voiced her feelings on this matter. Check out her letter at Broadwayworld.com.

Whatever you believe, there is NO reason that a gay marriage should be classified ANY differently then a straight marriage. God has no place in this argument. We are a nation of many religions and to presume that ONE has the veto power of another or over the government is asinine!

Special thanks to Towleroad for the news on this one!

The good and the bad of the new world!

Today is amazing... we have a new president-elect who will (I believe) make amazing changes to the way this country takes care of its resident and neighbors. This is "the good." I unfortunately passed out from a severe migraine during the hubbub last night, but did manage to wake up in time for the official announcement and to watch McCain's concession speech.

However, there is some bad news. It seems that James Nederlander plans to produce a Broadway musical based on Michael Jackson's Thriller. Seriously? No... SERIOUSLY? (In case you missed it, that qualifies as "the bad."

Daughter of a man born into slavery votes!

This is an amazing story that is well worth the brief read. According to The Statesman, "Amanda Jones, 109, the daughter of a man born into slavery, has lived a life long enough to touch three centuries. And after voting consistently as a Democrat for 70 years, she has voted early for the country's first black presidential nominee." Check out the full article (linked above and below) and then remind yourself why we vote.

And if you haven't ever voted before, think about why Ms. Jones does.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/27/1027jones.html

Photo credit: Larry Kolvoord, AMERICAN-STATESMAN

HAPPY PRE-HALLOWEEN

Sigh... I just cannot get enough of this. I wish I could also find "Witch's Night Out," the 1978 cartoon special featuring Gilda Radner. It was a great cartoon with some freaky animation and some really fun/funky music. I loved it when I was little but haven't seen it in forever. Boo.

It's like an Agatha Christie novel over here!

Yep, as the news has posted, HAIRSPRAY will likely be the next victim of the de-gaying of Broadway. (Of course, I'm being silly about the de-gaying. The gay is here for good.) According to Broadwayworld.com, the hit musical will close on January 18, 2009 after more than six years.

A moment of silence please.
(shhh)

Ok, enough silence. Besides, rumor has it that La Fierstein will return as Edna for the final round. EEEK! I think I just got so excited that my jeans burst into flames.

The blokes are back! LITTLE BRITAIN USA hits HBO.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams are back and hitting the USA. Little Britain USA has started on HBO and looks like it could be a fresh continuation of the original. If you didn't catch the first episode, find a friend who kept it on their DVR, bring over a casserole.eat and enjoy.

My favorite characters are back, and the new ones look to be just as clever. Enjoy the show!

The De-Gaying of Broadway

Don't get me wrong... there is still plenty of gay out there on Broadway, but I'm about to fall to the floor and weep for the loss of yet another favorite show, Legally Blonde.

So... once again... the recurring theme of this blog as of late... is GO SEE THESE SHOWS BEFORE THEY CLOSE!

Here, I'll make it easy for you. Visit Playbill.com to buy your tickets to this show now.

And then be sure to buy Xanadu and [title of show] before they are gone as well.

[title of show] closing... sigh

So, in one week, two of my favorite shows on Broadway have posted their closing notices... and they are closing on the same day.

First, Xanadu. (Jump back a few days here.) And now [title of show].

I might just have to curl up in the corner and rock myself to sleep as I cry.

Ok, that's a smidge dramatic but still.

If you haven't seen either show please go see them now. They are lots of fun, very irreverent, and each take shots at musical theatre in a way that no other show can (or would be allowed) to do - except maybe Forbidden Broadway (who is ALSO taking an extended hiatus this winter... argh!)

And here I was all excited about International Talk Like a Pirate Day and then this. Lame.

ARGH MATEYS! It's "International Talk Like a Pirate Day!"

Ever dreamed of sailing the seven seas, wind whistling past your mast, waves sloshing the salty blue against your boards? Well... today you can... sort of.

It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day! So avast ye hearties, yo ho!

Batten the hatches and set sail. Not sure HOW to talk like a pirate (because you've never seen Hollywood's version of the piratey-life?) Check out the official "how to" at the International Talk Like a Pirate Day website.

You'll be swearin' like a sailor in no time flat!

Legally Brown: Episode 2

Episode 2 of "Legally Brown: The Search for the Next Piragua Guy" is on Youtube. It is so FRICKIN' funny I could just spit. But that's nasty. Instead, I did a little dance on the sofa. For $40 I'll do it at parties. Until you have $40, watch the clip below and enjoy with me.

Suddenly, the wheels are in motion... straight outta town!

(Photo by Paul Kolnik. Courtesy of Playbill.com)

It is officially the saddest day in the theatre industry. Xanadu has announced its closing.

I love this show. I mean, I could eat this show for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a midnight snack. Fourth meal? Screw you Taco Bell! Serve me up some Xanadu in a to-go bag and I'm set.

But alas, the fires of Hephaestus will soon be snuffed. Sigh. But it will at least skate across America in it's national tour, starting in LaJolla.

So, point being... if you haven't seen it, go NOW. If you have seen it and loved it, go NOW. If you saw it, didn't care for it, go BACK!

Hell, it would even make the Lehman Brothers forget there current woes. (Although this probably didn't make them laugh.)

YOU DON’T OWN ME… "The First Wives Club: The Musical" will have San Diego opening pre-Broadway

According to Playbill.com (and other theatre industry news sites), the fabulousness that was The First Wives Club will become a stage musical, bound for Broadway.

Follow here for more of the exciting news.

Welcome to the Lavender House, Madam Vice-President

If only McCain's new VP running mate was her doppleganger, I'd be in gay heaven.

Night at the Museum 2 filming?

After walking through Central Park tonight, we came out onto Central Park West at the American Museum of Natural History and there was a film crew all over the front entrance. It was pretty cool. We saw a monkey, some Huns, and the "son" riding his bike along the front sidewalk... apparently in a huge hurry. Some pics are below for your entertainment. Enjoy!

UNDERWEAR REVIEW #2... and it's FAB

Check out the review that UNDERWEAR: A SPACE MUSICAL got from nytheatre.com. It's fantabulous!

Here's a brief preview but you can read the whole thing here!

"Mind control. Robots. World domination. Attractive men and women in their skivvies. That was enough to send 12 of my friends into an emailing frenzy to be the one to join me for Underwear: A Space Musical at FringeNYC. However, if you're not hooked already, perhaps it's worth mentioning that this fluffy, campy, zany, hysterically funny pop tuner is also really, really, "blastin'"-ly good. . . Don't let Underwear: A Space Musical blast off without seeing it while it's here at the Fringe! It's far too much fun to be missed." - Ethan Angelica, NYTheatre.com