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.

Impressions....by David Mixner

 

 

-You know it is the holidays when you can start giving the gift of a basketball court around the 'john.' The question is who wants it the most. The man who loves basketball or the woman who is tired of the man missing the basket!

-If you want to be more supportive in the efforts to combat anti-Muslim hysteria in America you can go to this wonderful website, myfellowAmerican.us and join the battle against hate.

-There was a story that the Art and Culture Center in Denver wouldn't use the word "Gay" on its sign outside the facility for a performance by the Denver Gay Men's Chorus. Turns out the sign was a mistake and the center had been advertising and printing programs with the word 'gay' all over them. Gregory Ward, in response to an inquiry by my sister, Patsy, said, "It is an inexcusable error but an accidental one none the less."

-Ryan Gosling has been picked as the "Best Dressed Man In America". Who cares what he has on? The less the better.

-Mike Signorile got an amazing and informative interview with Rosie O'Donnell in his new position as the new editor of "The Gay Voice" section of The Huffington Post. The interview is chocked full with new information

-Richard Socarides has a post on The New Yorker site about " Obama, The Courts and Gay Marriage" which makes for a good read.

-Love, Honor and Cherish has decided to see if they obtain the one million signatures needed to qualify for the November, 2012 ballot and repeal Proposition 8. The signatures have to be into the Secretary of States office by May 14. This is an uphill effort but admire their determination.

-Is Barack Obama preparing to endorse marriage equality? Unlikely but the rumors are spreading especially after his Presidential International memorandum and Secretary Clinton's speech. Joseph Williams of Politico.com has written a detailed article about Obama's outreach to the LGBT community.

-There are so many college bowl games over the holidays it no longer means an automatic sell-out like in the old days. Both Virginia Tech and West Virginia are having a very hard time selling tickets for their respective appearances in the games. At last count both has only sold about half their tickets!

-Al Jazeera English has a really excellent video story on Politics, Religion and the Tea Party. It is among the best reporting on the issue I have seen this year.

-Weather.com has a story of the "Five Weirdest White Christmases Ever" Number one is South Corpus Christi along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas receiving 4.4 inches of snow on Christmas Day in 2004. Here are the rest.

-Democratic Congressman Martin Heinrich (above) is the Party's likely nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat in New Mexico. He holds a solid 7 point lead over likely Republican nominee Heather Wilson.

-The National Journal has a story about how easy it would be to end up with an Electoral College tie in 2012. The outline is very scary.

-Virginia is looking better for the Democrats this coming year. Not only is the President holding strong but former Democratic Governor Tim Kaine has taken a five point lead over former Republican US Senator George Allen in the last poll.

-Foreign Policy Magazine has picked the "Top 100 Global Thinkers." There are some really interesting names on the list.

-Have you ever wondered what President Benjamin Harrison sounded like? He is the first President in history to have his voice recorded.

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.

Impressions...by David Mixner

 

 

Los Angeles
City Councilman Bill Rosendahl and City Council President Gil Garcetti Endorses Torie Osborn

-The race in California's 50th Assembly District is dividing the LGBT community in Los Angeles. Pitting long time lesbian activist and visionary Torie Osborn against a more establishment straight ally, Betsy Butler. Blogger Karen Ocamb of LGBTPOV has written an interesting article about the race.

-With the addition of former Equality California's Development Director Eric Harrison, the California organization "Love Honor Cherish" is still hoping to place marriage equality on the California ballot next November. Harrison will serve as Executive Director. At this stage, they face an uphill battle.

-In New York, three term Mayor Matt Alexander of Wappingers Falls has announced he is seeking the 19th Congressional district seat as an openly gay Democrat. The district lies just north of New York City and is currently held by a Tea Party Republican! The town, by the way, named after a native American tribe, lies in Duchess County,

-Climate change is all about extremes and not necessary being warm all the time. In a massive report, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that extreme weather events are already occurring, inflicting great damage and loss of life. They urge all governmental entities to start preparing immediately for extreme weather events.

-The last week or two has been like an award show at the Glass House Tavern. Seen breaking bread at the West 47th Street eatery was Tony-nominated actor Bobby Cannavale (photograph), The Good Wife's Alan Cumming, Patti LaPone, Mandy Patinkin, Angela Bassett, Courtney Vance, Frances McDormand and husband Joel Coen , jazz legend Dave Koz and NBA's Commissioner David Stern!

-Herman Cain is the gift that keeps giving - at least to Newt Gingrich. As news of an alleged long term affair surfaced this weekend, Cain supporters are flocking to Newt. This strengthens the momentum that Gingrich is building. By the way, Iowa is just 33 days away....that's right...a little over a month!

-Speaking of Newt, the latest National poll has him at 32% and Romney at 23%. The spread keeps getting larger as Cain's gets smaller. Also a new CNN Poll has him with a seven point lead over Romney in Iowa. He lays it out for Iowa Conservatives by saying, "I don't claim to be the perfect candidate. I just claim to be a lot more conservative than Mitt Romney."

-Legendary blogger and radio personality Michelangelo Signorile has been anointed by the Huffington Post as the new "Editor-at-Large" on their "Gay Voices" page. This is a real coup for the Post.

-Former Massachusetts State Senator and President of GLAAD, Jarrett Barrios, has been selected to be the new head of the Massachusetts Red Cross.

-Universal Pictures cracked one billion dollars domestic gross so far in 2011 and another $1.3 billion in overseas revenues. Someone is getting a nice holiday bonus!

-Violent floods swept Italy this month and the following video will give you a taste of them.

-George W. Bush had to cancel a trip to Switzerland for fear of being arrested on torture charges. Just when you think it is all behind you, that pesky 'War Criminal' sobriquet rears its ugly head....

-Believe it or not, this is not good news. The Brazilian Wandering Spider can cause a four hour erection. Sound good? Not so fast buddy.....it also can cause intense pain and inflammation.

-If the Russian election for President were held today, Vadimir Putin's party would get only 53% according to the latest national poll.

-According to Sky News at least six people are dead in England after some evangelical churches had convinced them that they had been healed of HIV/AIDS by Jesus. They insisted the members of their churches stop taking their meds!

-At least 7% of American homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure. Take a look at these listings for some homes selling for as much as $100 million and they are being bought by the 1%!

-Over 1,300 Germans were arrested (photograph above) as they attempted to stop a shipment of nuclear waste by rail across their country.

-Really bad news has arrived from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. They have run out of money to fund any new grants around the world and won't be making any new ones until 2014!

- Meanwhile, according to CNN, southern American cities such as Atlanta, Memphis, New Orleans, Orlando and Charlotte are showing a dramatic increase in the number of new case of HIV/AIDS

-Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey looks good for re-election in Pennsylvania. The latest Public Policy Poll has him with the closet Republican candidate still trailing by 11 points.

-To fully understand the impact of the great Japan earthquake watch the following video. It might appear confusing at first because of the language barrier but when it reaches the end of March you will have a shock. You only have to watch the first two and a half minutes. Be patient and check it out.

Review: 'Other Desert Cities' Takes Its Place With Other Classics

 

 

Playwright Jon Robin Baitz has joined the roll call of legendary Broadway icons such as Eugene O'Neill and Tennessee Williams with "Other Desert Cities." Baitz's words are destined to be heard over and over again for future generations as this play is an instant classic.

The drama, with generous wit, transports us into the complex and increasingly dark lives of what appears to be a successful country club Palm Springs family. The political differences between generations gathered for Christmas seem no more sharp than the holiday table of most American families. The dialogue is sharply divided but respectful and held in bounds because of familial love. However, it doesn't take the Wyeth family long to tear down those barriers and make the line of civility disappear into the cold whiteness of the brilliantly designed set.

Joe Mantello directs this masterpiece with a firm hand and allows even silence to speak volumes. Once again he proves there is simply nothing that this extraordinary man can't do with excellence no matter if it is his directing or acting. The director holds tightly in place the Wyeth family so they don't spin out of control into the pitfalls of a million divided families we have seen before on stage and film. With this discipline, Mantello keeps it devastatingly real.

Not since Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst led the cast of Eugene O'Neill's "Moon for the Misbegotten" in 1973 has Broadway seen a better ensemble cast. The legendary Stockard Channing and Stacy Keach give the best performances of their careers. Channing as Polly Wyeth plays with the audience as she does her family. As she roams the stage we swing from compassion for Polly Wyeth to dismay with her behavior.

As the siblings of the Wyeth family Rachel Griffiths and Thomas Sadoski easily hold their own with the iconic actors on stage. Griffiths' reputation as an actor clearly has been taken to a new level with this work. Sadoski comes of age as an actor with his ability to be the calm center of the play. With his considerable acting skill in playing the 'safe place', the play remains a family drama and not inmates at the asylum.

The breathtaking performance of Judith Light as Polly Wyeth's sister Silda, almost steals the show from these stage veterans. Light's supporting role is limited but the stage comes alive when she is present. More than providing the comic relief, Silda stealthily has orchestrated the symphony of the families discontent. Far from being out of control as a 'recovering' alcoholic, Silda knows exactly the damage she is creating internally within the family. After her sterling and Tony nominated-turn in "Lombardi," Light has, with this role, sealed her reputation as one of Broadway's most exciting new actors. The actress has earned a long career on the stage with just two remarkable performances.

If you want to see a Broadway play that has earned its place among the greats then you better get your ticket as fast as you can. "Other Desert Cities" is playing to full houses and enthusiastic audiences.

Five Questions For............Matt Doyle

 

 

When Broadway denizens make their compilation of young talented Broadway stars on the top of anyone's list would be Matt Doyle of Lincoln Center's Tony Award-winning production of "War Horse." The charismatic young star received rave reviews for his performance as "Billy Narracott" in one of Broadway's biggest hits. While the drama has riveted theatergoers what they might not know is that Matt Doyle has a remarkable voice and has released a new album "Daylight" that promises to keep you entranced with his talent.

When he was just nineteen the actor secured a role in the original cast of the smash Broadway hit "Spring Awakening" and continued his good fortune by securing the featured role of "Hugo Peabody" in the revival of "Bye, Bye Birdie". Television viewers saw him as Eric van der Woodsen's boyfriend on "Gossip Girl." Doyle has attracted attention from all aspects of the entertainment industry and is considered one of the rising young stars within its ranks.

The 'out' actor will be giving a benefit performance for "Broadway Impacts" on November 28th at Joe's Pub. Be sure to go see him so you can tell your children that you remember when you saw him in his early years of stardom.

1. Growing up in Southern California, why did you head East for the stage instead of Los Angeles for television and movies?

I was born in Massachusetts and spent the first ten years of my life there. My family then moved to Connecticut for a couple of years before heading west to San Francisco. I went through all of my awkward middle school and high school years out there. I became quite the Bay Area hippie. It was the perfect place to "come of age" and grow up, but I always knew I wanted to move back east. I have a very strong east-coast mentality and relate to the life-style on the east coast more. To be blunt, we're pretty low bull-shit out here. We get things done and move on. I love how New York operate. I can't live without theatre. Broadway was my dream when I was a younger. I've wanted an apartment in Manhattan since I was 12. I think I'm more comfortable in a city that never sleeps. While I like several things about LA, and love working in film/television, I know it's not my home.

2. "War Horse" is a huge hit and obviously another excellent role for you on Broadway. Where do you want to see yourself in ten years?

 I'm always focused on moving forward. I try to accomplish and do as much as I can. Life is so damn short. I don't set many goals for myself, though. Something I've discovered in my short time in this business is that some of the most successful people I meet, are also the most unhappy. They seem to think happiness comes with success, which is an incredibly destructive way to live. Success is fleeting. That being said, in ten years, I'd like to be happy. The goals I actually do set for myself are a bit more personal. I really want to be a father in the next 10 years. I'd like to have a real home and a partner. In terms of my career, I hope that I am lucky enough to be working as steadily as I do now. I've had the fortune of being a part of some truly remarkable pieces in my short career. "War Horse" is a rare experience in this business. It's a true ensemble piece focused solely on telling a story in an inventive and thrilling way. Obviously I'm looking for that star-turning role like any actor my age, but as I continue to push for 'bigger opportunities', I hope I can continue to involve myself with projects that are as special as War Horse.

3. How has being in "War Horse" affected your attitudes toward war and violence?

War Horse has forced me to have a much deeper understanding of war. I've always been incredibly anti-war. I grew up in San Francisco! However, beyond the chanting and picketing in an already liberal city, I never really explored what a soldier has to endure. In order to get into the minds of our characters, we had to think about what every scenario would be like. We had to learn about the details of their environment. What was trench foot like? What was the smell of all that death really like? Learning about shell shock and how a soldier reached that mental state was incredibly important for my character. Several cast members started to have nightmares during the developmental process of the show. We would spend the day trying to get into the minds of men who had just seen their best friends slaughtered. It was an eye opening experience, to say the least. A main goal of our play is to also remind the audience that 10 million horses also died in WWI. In any war, the soldiers are not the only victims. I cannot think of anything more senseless, pathetic, or horrific than war.

4. What is the most embarrassing or most funny incident to happen to you on the stage?

 Most recently, I had a horribly scary moment in War Horse when I forgot a very important prop in a very important scene. My character carries his grandfather's knife with him as a keepsake to give him strength and comfort. My knife gets violently taken from me and becomes a very important item for the rest of the story. This happens during a scene where I'm being held captive as a prisoner of war. A couple weeks ago, I ran on stage for this scene, and realized that the knife wasn't in my pocket. I had absolutely no way of communicating this to anyone. My character is being held at gunpoint in that moment and reaching for the knife is what triggers...well...everything. Knowing I had about 20 seconds before that needed to happen, and without any other option, I simply fled the stage screaming like a crazy person. It actually fit my character quite well. I ran to my dressing room and grabbed the knife. Without actually understanding what he was doing, a fellow cast member dressed as a German, threw me back onstage at gunpoint. It looked like I had been caught. Believe it or not, I made it back in time and the scene went on as it was supposed to. It wasn't until later that I was able to explain to my cast why I had just fled the stage screaming.

5. Who are your heroes and mentors?

I'm going to go with Steve Jobs. His recent death really shook me. He was my father's hero when I was growing up. I've heard the man's name constantly since I was a baby. I am quite the tech nerd, and for the longest time I wanted to work for Apple. I really believe that he is the most influential man of our generation. He believed that he could change the world, and he did. He often spoke about how short life is and how important it is to seize every opportunity. That has had a huge influence on me. I'm always excited about discovering what is possible and what might be around the corner because of people who have lived their lives like Steve Jobs.

Bolshoi Theater Reopens In Moscow After Six Years

 

 

For years people, gay men especially, have been in love with the Bolshoi Ballet and its home the Bolshoi Theater. In the more repressive days of the Soviet era, this was where one could watch liberating dance movements that defied the daily oppression. Opera's would ring out through the hall taking people back into another time.

The Bolshoi Theater was originally built in 1825. Over the years it has suffered through fire, bombings and revolutions. Now a $700 million renovation has just been completed. Go to the MSNBC site to see more pictures and the photographer credit.

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."

Review: "Sing Your Song"

 

 

Not sure when it is permissible to nominate someone for next year's Nobel Peace Prize. High on the list of possible nominees should be entertainer, activist, writer and civil rights crusader Harry Belafonte. By the time you are finished viewing HBO's "Sing Your Song," the documentary on the life of the amazing Belafonte, you will be in awe of what this man has accomplished in one lifetime.

This documentary should be shown in every classroom in America to illustrate how a person can live a principled and successful life and change the world. Even if you are of the age where you grew up with the singer, you will find yourself stunned at all his work when it is placed back to back in this film. The man lived, shaped and loved this planet for his entire time on earth and stunningly he is not yet done.

"Sing Your Song" is so right on so many levels. Educationally it teaches the history of the civil rights and peace movements. You get to hear the horrific stories of the red-baiting era. The massive censorship of the networks of his television shows. His refusal to bend or blink in the face of injustice. The story of Sidney Poitier and him traveling to Mississippi in the summer of 1964 has you on the edge of your seat and wondering how in the hell they ever survived that trip.

The film shows his friendships with Bobby Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt and Nelson Mandela. He is a walking history book and thank God they made this splendid film brilliantly directed by Susanne Rostock. For the next weeks, I am sure HBO will be rerunning this documentary and you should find it, watch it and sit back in awe of this astounding individual.

Can't wait to see what he does next!

Impressions......by David Mixner

 

 

-You have to love the above picture of Mitt Romney and his team taken in the 1980's. They all are holding cash and looking into the camera celebrating another victory for their company Bain Capital. The company often would take over other companies and lay off thousands of workers. The picture is just perfect.

-The new Quinnipiac Univesity Poll shows that by a 87% to 10% support the Occupy Wall Street protesters and 67% agree with their issues!

-3,000 people waited in line all night in Los Angeles at a one time chance for free medical care at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Organized by CareNow they treated 5,000 people in an effort to help in these difficult times.

-The Rainbow Snake and Fairy Shrimp have officially gone extinct in the state of Florida. Seems like each day we see more and more of our life forms just disappear forever.

-Time Magazine Poll shows Romney and President Obama in a neck and neck race. What is very interesting in the poll is how women are strongly supporting Obama. The magazine says:

In each case, the President was buoyed by his performance among female voters. Women prefer Obama over Romney by 8 percentage points (49% to 41%), over Perry by 17 points (53% to 36%) and over Cain by 21 points (53% to 32%).

-Anything Goes star Colin Donnell (below) will star in City Center Encores of Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along." Donnell has been on a real hot streak.

-Aussie Star Hugh Jackson admitted on The Rachael Ray Show that one time on stage during "Beauty and the Beast" he had to go so bad on stage that he simply peed in his pants.

-For National Coming Day last week, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, Jordan Roth, wrote a powerful piece in The Huffington Post.. It is worth the read.

-Brava to out lesbian Janice Langbehn! According to Towleroad.com she won the nation's second highest civilian honor. President Obama awarded her the Presidential Citizens Medal.

-Another very loud BRAVA to open lesbian Alison Nathan who was confirmed as a Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

-Want to know what the protesters are so angry about? "Business Insider" has charts and yes, more charts about the economic injustice in this country. Read these charts and you will be moving downtown to help these folks out!

-The newly elected openly Gay Chairman of the British National Labour Party Michael Cashman (photograph below) was seen breaking bread with Actress Judith Light in The Glass House Tavern. Cashman, who is an MP in the Euporean Parliament, has been a huge champion of international LGBT rights. He is the first openly member of the LGBT community to head the Labour Party. Also seen breaking bread at the eatery was Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes.

-In the latest Public Policy Poll, pizza king Herman Cain is leading for the Republican nomination. He is ahead of Romney by 8%! Guess who is third place with 15%? Newt Gingrich!

-For the first time in years, according to a CNN Poll, only 48% of the American people support the death penalty given a choice between that and life imprisonment without a chance for parole. Historically those who support the death penalty have led by wide margins.

-Speaking of polls, The American Research Group Poll shows that Cain is leading in Florida! The pizza king has 34% of Republicans and Romney is second with 28%. Gingrich has risen to third with 11% and Rick Perry is only at 5%.

-Good news coming out of New Hampshire! The latest poll showed that 50% of the voters do not want to repeal marriage equality and only 27% support repeal!

-Continuing on the marriage equality front, you know we are making progress when in Nebraska even 52% of Republicans support more rights for the LGBT community. Yep, that is right - Nebraska Republicans!

-You better get your tickets real quick for Cheyenne Jackson's much talked about upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall on November 18. Tickets are going quickly and it promises to be a special evening. Just click here to get these prized seats.

-God evidently shouldn't be trusted. The deity is obviously quick with the endorsements. According to Bloomberg, the following have claim God's endorsement: Michele Bachman and Herman Cain both claim God spoke to them about running. The wives of Rick Perry and Rick Santorum have made the same claims.

-The news isn't so much that Zach Quinto has come out as is how lucky we are as the LGBT community to have such a talented and sterling performer among us.

-No sign yet that the State of Virginia won't once again keep us up again into the late hours of the morning awaiting results for their Senate race. The Richmond Times poll shows Tim Kaine and George Allen running neck and neck for the open United States Senate seat.

-Monday was a historic day in New Mexico with the opening of the first ever commercial spaceport in the world.

-In the all important South Carolina primary for Republicans, the latest poll showed Cain with a two to one lead over Romney. Cain was at 32%, Romney at 16% and Rick Perry came in third with 12%.

-North Carolina is the scene of an all out battle over a ballot measure to be voted on for next May. The voters would decide if an amendment to the State Constitution should be added to ban marriage equality. Couples have been attempting to get licences over the state in protest. The following video shows a couple of 30 years getting arrested as they attempted to get a marriage licence in Buncombe County. (It is toward the end of the emotional video). Here is the video from the North Carolina's "I Do" campaign .