David Mixner's Review of 2011: The Arts

-Favorite Fun YouTube Video of the Year: The talking German Shepard who could not believe the cat got the sandwich!

Most Powerful YouTube of the Year: Zach Wahl's speech on behalf of his two mothers for marriage equality in Iowa. A must watch by everyone.

-Favorite Broadway Play: "Other Desert Cities" not only was the best of the year but goes on the list among of really great plays.

-Favorite Broadway Actress: Following on the heels of her nomination for a Tony for "Lombardi", Judith Light once again dazzles in "Other Desert Cities"

-Favorite Broadway Actor: Rory O'Malley (above) not only got a Tony nomination for "Book of Mormon" but his passion for equality off the stage only adds to this nod.

-My Favorite Books: My five favorite books that I have read this year are:

1. War by Sebastian Junger
2. Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
3. 1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart
4. Double Life: A Love Story from Broadway to Hollywood by Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine
5. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

-Broadway Event of the Year: The one night star-studded reading of "8" about the Proposition 8 court case.

-Amazing Film Performance: In his eighth decade Christopher Plummer delivers a stunning performance in "The Beginner." Polish up the Oscar for this talented legend.

-Film Actor Having A Really Good Year: Brad Pitt for both "MoneyBall" and "Tree of Life". Actually any actor having the opportunity to work with director Terrence Malick is having a really good year.

-Welcome To Being A Star: Between "Bridesmaids" and her Emmy Award for "Mike and Molly" actress Melissa McCarthy has risen to the top.

-Museum Event of the Year: The late Alexander McQueen's showing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

-Continuing to Make Waves in the Museum World: The first of its kind "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture." Arriving in Brooklyn it reinstated David Wojnarowicz's "A Fire in My Belly" which was forced to be removed at the National Portrait Gallery.

-Ballet Dancer To Steal Your Heart: The Bolshoi Ballet gives us the holiday gift of the amazing Ivan Vasiliev (photograph)!

-Is There Anyone She Can't Play?: The brilliant Meryl Streep playing the tough British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

-Standing Ovation One More Time: As architect Frank Gehry won our hearts one more time with his New World Center in Miami and the stunning edifice gracing the New York City Skyline.

-Most Fun Music Battle of the Year: Lady Gaga fans vs. Madonna Fans.

-He's Back!: Tony Bennett is suddenly very hot again for both his lovely new album to his sketching Lady Gaga in the nude.

-No Contest In 2011: Adele is the most amazing new artist to hit the scene in years.

-So Sexy But No Cigar: Poor Steve Jones is one of the sexiest men on television but he just couldn't get a grip on his hosting job on the X-Factor.

-Best Television Show: You just can't beat the fun, sexiness and story telling every week you can find on "Castle".

-Best Television Performance: How can you not love the astounding performance given by Alan Cumming on "The Good Wife"?

-Best Talk Show: Hands down "The View." Must have looked at a dozen clips of interesting exchanges from the show over the year. Of course the "Whoopi Farts" episode makes me giggle endlessly.

Shame On Lowe's

 

 

The Learning Channel (TLC) has a program about American Muslims. The reality show follows around several families in the heavily populated Arab area of Dearborn, Michigan. If you have watched "All-American Muslims" you witnessed the usual reality television of Americans dealing with everyday issue. The only difference is that they choose to worship differently than some other Americans.

The show itself is mostly devoid of politics or the selling of any religion. In fact, despite being somewhat boring, it breaks down misunderstandings and stereotypes about the American Muslim community. TLC has given us a show that actually can improve America and increase tolerance among all people. Wonder if "Jersey Shore" can make the same claim? The Florida Family Association, who as far as anyone can tell has few members and even less followers, proclaims that this was Muslim propaganda and must be taken off the air. The intolerant religious fringe group announced a boycott of any advertisers. After all, isn't it dangerous for Americans to find out that their Muslim neighbors deal with many of the everyday issues as they do?

No one really expected this little-known group to have much affect. That is until Lowe's Home Supply Stores entered the picture and withdrew all of its ads from "All-American Muslim". Rarely have we seen such cowardice in response of so little pressure. By capitulating to this tiny fringe group, they gave great credence to their bigotry. Lowe's should feel the heat of those disgusted by their lack of backbone. Most of all they should be totally ashamed of their actions.

Impressions.....by David Mixner

-Well President Obama's team doesn't have to do any work in the next election. The re-elect campaign just has to run Ron Paul's anti-Gingrich ad over and over again. As they say back home, bless your heart, Mr. Paul.

-Speaking of campaign ads, Rick Perry's anti-LGBT ad continues to receive widespread disapproval. The latest count on YouTube is that almost 650,000 people disapprove of the ad and only close to 20,000 people approve of it. Who needs focus groups with those kind of record breaking numbers!

-Those of you who hadn't been able to see "Venus in Fur" starring Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy (photograph below)at the Manhattan Theater Club before it closes on this coming Sunday can breathe a sigh of relief! The award winning play is transferring to the Lyceum Theater on Broadway. Tickets will go on sale December 15th for the February opening at the Lyceum.

-The Williams Institute has released data showing that marriage equality in Iowa has pumped up to $13 million dollars into the Hawkeye State.

-While Mitt Romney says he was opposed to the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' he has proclaimed to The Des Moines Register editorial board that he would NOT seek to reinstate the horrible policy.

-JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is just baffled by all the uproar around the issues of economic justice. At a speaking event when he was asked about the unrest among the masses he said, "Acting like everyone who's been successful is bad and that everyone who is rich is bad. I just don't get it." Yes, clearly he doesn't...

-All that in Spain is not 'mainly on plain.' The Spanish Royal family is being rocked by scandal. King Juan Carlo's son-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin, has been cashing in on the Spanish monarchy's good name and is likely to be charged with committing fraud.

-History is being made again in Hollywood as Trangender Actress Harmony Santana (below)has received a "Best Supporting Actress " nomination in the prestigious "Independent Spirit Awards". She was nominated for her role in "Gun Hill Road".

-Handsome Cleveland Browns Linebacker Scott Fujita has come out for marriage equality in the latest of HRC's YouTube program.

-Towlroad.com reported the businessman and space pioneer Richard Branson has spoken out publicly against the horrible anti-LGBT legislation being pushed in Nigeria. On his blog, Branson said:

Like everyone else in society, gay people have an enormous amount to offer and Nigeria should embrace them not prosecute them.

All of us with influence in Nigeria must do what we can to stop this cruel law. I would urge educated Nigerians all over the world to do what they can to help fight this discrimination.

-This year has been one of the mostly costly ever for the United States in weather disasters. So far there have been a dozen that have caused more than a billion dollars in damage. This is an all time record for the United States in one year

-"Mother Jones Magazine" has published an extraordinary article about life inside of Uganda for the LGBT community. As that nation debates the death penalty for the nation's LGBT citizens, "The Love That Dares" captures of the heroism of the community(photograph below) as it struggles to survive under such oppression.

-Author, political genius and commentator Robert Shrum has a great new column in The Week. In "The GOP Establishment Better Get Used To Newt" , he points out that Newt is likely here to stay.

-Is actor Tim Allen's new Fall show on ABC, "Last Man Standing" a winner or loser? The Daily Beast just published its list of television's winners and losers for the Fall Season. Check them out.

-Now this is taking 'home schooling' to a new level. Actor J.D. Lewis is taking his two sons, Jackson and Buck, to twelve countries in twelve months to teach them about the world. You can follow their wonderful adventures by clicking here.

-Sarah Palin is learning finally what it is like to be out of the limelight. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former Alaska Governor has been pitching a new reality show about her husband Todd and his snowmobile racing. How quickly things change....there are no takers so far from any cable outlet.

-Public Policy Polling is reporting that for the first time marriage equality has pulled into the lead in Colorado. The states voters approve 47% to 43% in favor of same sex marriage. Making progress one step at a time.........

-Totally was absorbed by this YouTube.com video of "Hubble Ultra Deep Field in 3D". Sit back and be amazed by our ever expanding universe.

VIDEO: Jon Stewart On Pat Robertson Saying Republicans Have Become Too Extreme

 

 

No matter how you cut it, no one captures the absurdity of the world better than The Daily Show's Jon Stewart. This week extreme religious right winger Pat Robertson says that the Republican Party is becoming too extreme. This comes from a man who says the Haitian earthquake was the result of a pact with the devil they made at their independence and that 9/11 was caused by acceptance of gays and lesbians. This video is just priceless...more than priceless....savior every moment of it!

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Five Questions For........Judith Light

 

 

When Judith Light walks into a room you know she is a star. Not just your average star in today's instant celebrity but a real genuine star that thrills an audience. Her entrance is greeted by huge smiles, people whispering to companions so they don't miss her and I-phones coming out to capture the moment.

Light loves being an actress and all that comes with it.

That includes decades of making her celebrity available in the battle for LGBT freedom and against HIV/AIDS. She has never for a moment in all those years ducked an issue or refused to be front and center in those battles. She rivals the late Elizabeth Taylor in her devotion to the LGBT community and those people around the globe who have HIV/AIDS.

The actress currently is taking the New York stage by storm.  First with her off-Broadway rave-reviewed performance in "Wit."  She earned a Tony nomination last year for her featured role in Broadway's "Lombardi."  Next week she opens in "Other Desert Cities" at the Booth Theater and already people are leaving the previews of the show raving about her performance.

Most of America still knows her as the two-time Emmy Award winner for the soap "One Life To Live" or from the long-running ABC-TV hit comedy "Who's The Boss?"  She earned another Emmy nomination for her performance in ABC-TV's "Ugly Betty."  One of my favorites was her tough judge on NBC's "Law and Order: SVU."  Plus she has done a large number of guest appearances on television series and movies. She combined her principled stands on HIV/AIDS with her incredible talent by playing Jeanne White in the 1989 TV movie "The Ryan White Story".

She earned raves for the amazing major motion picture "Save Me" about a recovery home for ex-gays. 

Here are "Five Questions" For Judith Light!

1. You return to Broadway this fall in "Other Desert Cities." What attracted you to this project as your first one since your Tony nomination?

As a huge fan of both Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Mantello, I was extremely delighted to have received this offer. Everything I had heard about the play confirmed what I knew about Robby and Joe. I made a movie with Stacey Keach years ago and have always loved both Stockard’s and Rachel’s work and Thomas Sadowski is such an extraordinary actor, that it was all pretty much of a slam dunk.

2. For decades you have been battling for LGBT rights and against HIV/AIDS. What is the high point and low point for you personally in that struggle?

This is somewhat difficult for me to think in terms of high points and low ones in relation to HIV/AIDS. The whole process has been enormously painful and daunting for me. Since it has been so deeply personal for me from the beginning it is hard to focus on much more than so much loss and suffering. In terms of the fighting the fight against social insensitivity and discrimination, it has been a real challenge for me to resist the impulse to be very judgmental of much of our country. On the other hand, few things in my life have been more inspiring than watching the LGBT community respond to the epidemic the way they did from the very beginning. This community has always set the standard for me in terms of responding to challenges and operating at the highest levels of personal courage and integrity even in the face of discrimination and oppression.

3. If there is any role you would give your right arm to play and what would it be?

The truth is I don’t think in terms of specific roles I would like to play. I have loved the theatre literally all my life and could identify countless roles I would love to sink my teeth into. Every role I do is an opportunity for me to explore human complexity in new and surprising ways. At the beginning of my career I said that I would never do a soap opera, that I would never do a sit com, and I would never marry an actor. After discovering that those were the things that actually gave me this wonderful life I now have, I realized that I probably shouldn’t be trying to “choreograph” my choices but just leave it all up to the Universe. If I were making specific requests for roles, I don’t know that I would have the wisdom to want Vivian Bearing, or Marie Lombardi, or Silda Grauman.

4. What is the funniest/ most embarrassing episode to happen to you in acting?

When I did "Hedda Gabler"at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. it was a beautiful production with a very distinctive look. I wore a very elaborate, Victorian gown with rows and rows of draped tiers. Michael Kahn, the director and I spent many hours in rehearsal making sure I was comfortable moving in the dress as if it were what I wore on a daily basis. The first preview went very well, until I was taking my bow. In a way that I will never, ever quite be able to explain I came out in front of the audience and managed to catch my shoe in the hem of the dress and proceeded to fall, literally, flat on my face. I am still mortified!

5. Who is your mentor and please share about him/her?

My manager, Herb Hamsher, and I have worked together for over thirty years. At the very beginning he told me that he could not tell me how to make life easy but that he could tell me how to make it very much “alive.” He has not failed in keeping that promise so far. It is his wisdom that has enriched and guided my life and career.

The following video clip is from when she was in "Lombardi" and was chosen by Sardi's to be on their celebrated "Wall of Fame."

VIDEO: One Of The Best Commercials Ever

Five Questions For............Laura Benanti

 

 

 

Without question one of Broadway's most talented young stars is Laura Benanti. While also successful in television (she will be in the new NBC series this Fall - The Playboy Club), it is the stage that has stolen her heart. As a result she has captured the hearts not only of the audiences witnessing her incredible talent on the Great White Way but also even the hearts of toughened critics.

Benanti has been nominated four times for a Tony Award and carried one home for her role of Louise in the recent revival of "Gypsy". Other nominations came for "Into the Woods", "Swing" and "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown". In addition to performing the works of Broadway greats, she writes her own songs and plays a mean guitar. It's clear this gracious and lovely performer qualifies as a Renaissance Woman with a variety of talents, strong principles and values.

Her remarkable voice has been heard at many LGBT benefits raising money for our epic struggle for freedom. You would be hard put to find someone on Broadway that more consistently and powerfully supported full equality for LGBT full equality. She personifies the artist that believes art plays an important role in creating change.

She is married to actor Steven Pasquale who shares her passion for justice and equality.

Five Questions for...........Laura Benanti:

1. You have received your fourth Tony nomination for "Women on the Verge of Nervous Breakdown", how important are those nominations as incentives to continue in your art?

I sometimes think being an actress is like running a marathon. It is exhilarating and exhausting! Being nominated for an award during the course of that race is like suddenly seeing a huge cheering section in front of you. It fills you with a sense of love and encouragement just when you need it most. The trick is not to count on it or let its absence stop you from your goal.

2. You have are married to actor/ musician Steven Pasquale. What are the challenges of being married to another actor?

There are challenges in any marriage, whatever your chosen profession may be. Being apart is difficult, but mostly I find our shared experience to be very helpful. We can truly empathize with each other. I suppose its helpful that we don't go up for the same roles!

3. Over the years you have been a huge champion of LGBT rights. How did you initially get involved with this struggle for full equality?

My Uncle Bob who is no longer with us was openly gay during my entire childhood. I never thought of it as "weird" or "different". My Uncle and his partner loved each other the way my mom and dad loved each other. As often happens when you leave the bubble of your childhood I was faced with the ugly reality that some people look upon homosexuality as something to be ashamed of. That enraged me! It still does. I have found that when something makes you angry you can either implode and seethe or let it call you to action. I remember my Uncle Bob every day and fight for equality in his memory.

4. Recently you lost your good friend and mentor Arthur Laurents. What is a fond memory you have of him?

Early on in the rehearsal process for Gypsy Arthur and I were not seeing eye to eye. I felt picked on and he felt frustrated. About 2 weeks into the rehearsal he said "I owe you an apology. I thought you were the kind of actress I would have to break down. I realize now I need to build you up." From that moment on we were kindred spirits. My second favorite moment was watching him show me how he wanted me to bump and grind in the strip! That was a priceless moment! I miss him very very much.

5. What role would you give anything to play on Broadway?

I have always wanted to play Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady". I would also love to play Fosca in "Passion."

Mr. Tracy Morgan: Apology Not Accepted

 

 

 

 
When I was in high school in a small rural farming community, a local doctor's son committed suicide because he was gay. He was only sixteen years old. That night at my family's kitchen table my father proclaimed that the doctor's family was 'better off' with such a son dead. Clearly those words have had a profound impact on my life ever since that moment. My father is a good man who did not intend to scar me mentally but the impact of his words had grave consequences for years.

Tracy Morgan's words were far more damaging and mean spirited. He said if a son of his came home and told him he was bullied because he was gay he would kill him. The "joke" was greeted with hoots, hollers, laughter and applause. Can you imagine being a young LGBT person in that audience? Hearing those hateful words in the guise of a punchline and then listening to significant people rushing to his defense? Don't for a second think that Tracy Morgan's words and those of his defenders haven't left their scars.

I am here to testify to that fact.

Shame on him and shame on his defenders who didn't pause for a second to consider the brutal consequences. Yes, of course, Mr. Morgan has a right to freedom of speech. Each and everyone of us will defend his right to it even though his remarks stinks to high heaven. Just as important is the right of responsible citizens to speak up, express shock and call out those remarks as a disgusting hate filled tirade.

Now the PR machine has revved up to not erase the pain of his remarks but to limit the damage to his career. Do we for a moment believe that the apology is a remarkable transformation in just twenty-four hours? Oh, hell no. Now the LBGT community is supposed accept his instant apology and GLAAD most likely will negotiate some Public Service spot. Then we are expected to move on until the next public homophobe makes a bigoted remark and their PR machine can start the process all over again.

If we fail to fall all over ourselves in accepting his apology then somehow we are not a kind and gracious community. Being kind and gracious actually means for us to honor his right of free speech. We all must defend that right with a vengeance. What is not our responsibility is to save his career and become a participant in his public relations strategy.

Sorry, Mr. Morgan, I don't accept your apology. After all these years I am still dealing with my father's words to let your hate and violent rhetoric off the hook so quickly since we all know the damage has been already been inflicted on thousands of LGBT youth.

Exclusive Interview With Actor Keith Nobbs

 

 

 

If you haven't heard the buzz about Keith Nobbs playing a journalist for "Look" magazine in Lombardi on Broadway, then you have been pretty isolated. Nobbs is one of the hot upcoming young actors in the entertainment business. He has won the Lucille Lortel Award and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his performance in "Four" at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Many Americans will know Nobbs from his breath-taking performance in HBO's "The Pacific" about the horror of the Pacific Theatre in World War II.

Nobbs is now considered a contender for a Tony nomination for his amazing work in Lombardi. This is one of the most talented and charismatic young actors in the business and we are honored to be able to interview him.

You play a journalist for "Look" magazine in "Lombardi" how did you prepare for the role?

I was fortunate in Lombardi to have a Pulitzer-prize winning author (David Maraniss who wrote the book When Pride Still Mattered on which the play is based) around the rehearsal room. Speaking with him and observing him was enormously helpful. I spoke with him about the balance of objectivity and compassion a writer must have for his subject. He said to me, "You always want to wait to sit down with someone until you know more about him than he does."

Were you a sports fan before "Lombardi" and are you one now?

I am a massive Knicks fan- I am hoping for the best since the Melo trade but have to say I do miss the scrappy, self-built vibe of the pre-Carmelo Knicks. I have since become a football fan but to be honest wasn't before the show. After I was cast, I went out and bought a copy of Football for Dummies. Yes. That happened. Growing up in Texas, there was always a focus on sports (football especially) often at the cost of arts programs in schools so I always felt the two were at odds. That is one of the most interesting things about being in a football play on Broadway: it bridges these two disparate worlds. No one thinks these worlds can meet- in both a microcosmic way (high school: jocks vs. theater kids) and macro-cosmic way (NFL vs. Broadway). To be part of something that is bringing together two communities of people is a quietly revolutionary experience, I think. To walk out after the show and see both the theater kid and the football fan affected by the play is extraordinarily moving.

Your role in HBO's "The Pacific" was significant. Did they send you all to boot camp? How did you prepare for the horrible conditions of combat and jungle warfare?

We went to Australia (where we shot The Pacific) in July 2007 and were promptly thrown into a nine day boot camp in the Australian rainforest. I naively thought this would be an actors' boot camp - we would learn weaponry, run a bit and be done. This was not however the case. We lived in canvas tents, slept with our 1940's rifles and machine guns and were instructed by Marines who had served in wars and conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq. Because these men had served as Marines and we were playing Marines, they were adamant that we be put through our paces. You think as an actor, "I will throw myself into this but I will always understand this as an exercise, a tool, for the show." That lasted about 45 minutes. You are not allowed to speak about your life, your past- for the nine days we spent (a field day when compared to the 6 weeks of real Marine boot camp), our entire reality was what was happening right at that moment. There was a Japanese boot camp that was on the other side of the jungle (we had no idea) and on the third day of training, they attacked us. Yes, our rifles had blanks but other than that, it felt like we were in a war. I hope the mini-series projected that feeling because it was unlike anything I've ever experienced.

From your resume, it appears you never stop working as an actor. How do you relax and what interests you outside the theater?

I am a big reader. I am trying to write more. Dan Lauria (who plays Vince Lombardi) has me on a regiment watching all these great old movies. It has been like a college 101 course- I just watched The Best Years of Our Lives tonight (a beautiful film). When I'm doing a play, that is always the focus for me. Coming to the theater and seeing the great people there is always a joy- even after all the performances we've done together (we just hit 200 last night). To be honest, doing the play is the respite from my day. It is the place I can just let go and play.

Who are your role models and heroes?

Role models/heroes. Hmm. I'm not sure that I have too many overt heroes. Everyday in life, I see small moments of kindness and grace and these are what get me. If you are lucky, you get to meet people who remind you of the path you would like to be on. Right now, I feel fortunate to have a cast at Lombardi that reminds me of the joy and generosity that comes from being part of something larger than yourself. Oh and also- though- it may sound trite to say- I look up to my parents and what they have been through more than I know how to say.

The following video clip is of Keith Nobbs in "The Pacific".  Keith is the shirtless one with a cig in mouth.

Editorial Cartoon of the Week: Fried Big Bird!