GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • August 28-September 10, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 71 trodding the boards reVIEW...books, movies, cds

by Blanche by Brian Sands Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM The Stage Door Canteen Well the big weekend is finally here. Jordin Sparks fans will want to see Congratulations to Southern Deca- it because this is her debut in a major at The National WWII Museum dence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat motion picture. She was the winner of hile many of our other local theater venues have been taking a little McArdle and TJ Conard, may your American Idol in 2007 when she was hiatus during the summer, The Stage Door Canteen at The reign be supreme. Also, may you be 17. W National WWII Museum has been offering a variety of shows with spared that other kind of rain. I hope You would want to see SPARKLE nary a stop. everyone has a festive time and the for the performance of , Last month, I had the honor of being a judge for a Stage Door Idol Quarter sparkles with costumes and who plays Sister. She steals most of preliminary contest, an experience made even more delightful as I shared the glistens with hot, sweaty, naked bod- the movie. She is a British actress who judges’ table with two of the most talented and fun ladies in New Orleans, Becky ies. has had a few film roles but has con- Allen and Leslie Castay. We each picked a different singer as the winner and so Speaking of SPARKLE, the 2012 centrated on the stage and television. the audience broke the tie, choosing my selection, Erica Fox, who went on to the remake of the 1976 movie is out. This SPARKLE is the story of three Finals. one is directed by Salim Akil and pro- sisters in search of stardom in late Coming up September 7-9, will be sober, or not, his Dino is. More a dancer duced by Stage 6 Films. Whitney Hous- 1960’s Detroit...the Motown era. Each The Rat Pack Now, a celebrity tribute than a singer, Fields captures Davis’ ton is listed as executive producer. sister has different reasons for their show featuring Robert Hoose, Jr., Art body language, which he displays to People will see this movie for many quest. Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) wants Poco, and Dezhon Fields as, respec- touching effect in Mr. Bojangles. reasons; the main one should be be- to be a successful songwriter and she tively, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and On September 14 and 15, Glenn cause it is good. has talent. Delores (Tika Sumpter) is Sammy Davis, Jr.; if you squint, they Miller: In The Mood returns with its 17- fans will see it the brainy and defiant one, she wants kinda look like their prototypes. Twenty piece Victory Big Band recreating 18 of because it is her final feature film role. money for medical school. Sister classic songs and lots of old style hu- the famed bandleader’s biggest hits She passed February 11, 2012, three (Carmen Ejogo) is the older sister, as mor provide their material. such as Moonlight Serenade, Chatta- months after filming ended. Whitney much sexy as she is self-destructive. Seen last year, Rat Pack Now nooga Choo Choo and, of course, In burst onto the music scene in the mid- She has had to return home and she captured the schoolboy bonhomie the Mood. eighties and was a major force and wants out. Emma (Whitney Houston) these fabled entertainers shared. If The Canteen’s center section gets huge talent for years. I was into rock is the mother. She had her taste of Hoose’s Sinatra comes off best, Poco’s cleared of its usual tables and chairs, and roll, punk, and new wave but there stardom in her youth and was burned Martin is not far behind playfully keep- was no ignoring Whitney. She was bad. She is now a Detroit business- ing an audience guessing as to how [continued on 74] fresh and so talented. This was also woman; a church woman who only when MTV played music videos and wants the straight and narrow for her on the prowl ...from 70 pick places we have not eaten at be- she had a great one for every hit. You daughters. She also comes off as a fore. We have had as few as five people also couldn’t go to a drag show without bitch for most of the movie. membership now stands at 24 and too as many as thirty-five attend. It “seeing” her. Her voice is deeper in the Stix (Derek Luke) is Sparkle’s boy- counting. We look forward to being a allows all to experience something new songs she sings in SPARKLE, but she friend. He is also the groups (Sister part of our wonderful diverse commu- as well as meet new friends. still shines. and Her Sisters) manager and propels nity. If anyone needs our assistance Fundraising and community involve- them into local stardom and a possible with anything, please do not hesitate to ment will also be a part of who we are. the commu- record contract. Satin (Mike Epps) is a ask. We want to give back the support Ron and I use 'Steak Night' as a nity and con- local stand-up comic with lots of flash. and welcoming spirit we have already fundraising tool. For twelve dollars, you tact Individu- He sweeps Sister off her feet and leads received in our brief existence." get a ribeye steak; all you can eat als, busi- her down a path that is anything but We talked about the form of the baked potato and salad. We have used nesses and straight and narrow. club and how it got started. "We are the dinner to raise money for different organizations “Sister and Her Sisters” musical registered, and trademarked with the organizations." who pick from numbers are hot, full of sexy outfits and state, so our foundation is the same as We talked about some of the other a list of resi- staging...vintage Motown, just over the any other group. Where we are a bit fundraising and charitable activities. dents at top. I don’t think Berry Gordy would different is that we will not have offic- "The Christmas Wish List is a ben- these facili- have let Diana Ross dress this way. ers. We are taking a page out of the efit for Lazarus House, Belle Reve and ties and buy Some of the songs are from the 1976 playbook of an organization located in Trinity House. We ask the residents to the resident original by Curtis Mayfield with new the Mobile / Pensacola area, the South- make up a list of things they really need presents which are wrapped and given compositions by R&B artist R. Kelly. ern Renegades and got a lot of support and also to make up a list of things or to the residents for Christmas. The Not all the singing is done in nightclubs. and assistance from our friend Darwin items they don’t necessarily need but response is always wonderful and There are gospel numbers featuring from Florida. would like to have. We then go out into heartwarming. church choirs and Whitney. You almost Myself, my partner, Ron Schofield, Above all else is the idea that no want to look for in a couple and our dear friend, J. Kelley Terry, a matter what we do, we do it as friends of scenes. member of Mwindo, are the founders and strive to keep the lines of commu- There aren’t many movies where of Renegade Bears. Kelley is a former nication open. That way, everyone you say goodbye to music legend, ball captain, three times president and enjoys the ride." Whitney Houston, and welcome a new- King IV of the Krewe of Mwindo. We We discussed how interested comer to the big screen, Jordin Sparks, can take care of the day to day respon- people can contact renegade bears. all in less than two hours. SPARKLE sibilities, keeping it simple. Movies, "Renegade Bears of Louisiana can will be known for that but it is also a fine dinners, social events near and far will be reached by email, on Facebook and film. We also meet Carmen Ejogo. The be the order of the day." soon at a new website. Those inter- bigger this movie is, the faster her We discussed current activities and ested in participating or who want to career will take off. future plans. know about upcoming events, can SPARKLE is dedicated to the "We currently are involved in some- emailmemory of Whitney Houston as well it thing we call Alphabet Soup. We pick Founders Duaine Daniels & [email protected], should be. She produced and starred different restaurants alphabetically J. Kelley Terry flank Lords of or contact and message Facebook at in it and the movie gives us one last throughout the city to enjoy. We try to Leather Lord King Ed Azemas RenegadeBearsofLouisiana. look at a legend. 72 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 28-September 10, 2012 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM 1021 W. Judge Perez Chalmette, LA 70043

• Free Prescription Delivery • Direct Billing to Medicaid/Medicare • Private Insurance & Third-Party Payers • Billing Assistance • Competitive Pricing • Confidential, Personal, Professional Service 504.279.6312 24 Hour Beeper: 504.259.8061 A proven community leader in value and customer service! • We Deliver or ship to your home/office • We Accept Medicaid/Medicare

Rodney Culotta, RPh OPEN 9am-5pm Mon.-Fri. 9am-12noon Sat..

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • August 28-September 10, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 73 trodding the boards Cunegonde in the revival of Candide. Dvorsky first appeared on the Great ...from 72 White Way in The Best Little Whore- and the audience is encouraged to get house in Texas in 1982 and, despite up and dance. And if these shows are graying temples, remains boyishly anything like the performance I at- handsome in a George Clooney kind of tended last August, there’ll be quite a way with a fine baritone voice. few couples who not only think they There were a number of high- can dance, but prove it with grace and lights—Dvorsky’s rendition of All I Care style. Jimmy Murphy makes for a ge- About (Is Love) made you want to see nial host, dispensing interesting factoids his shyster lawyer Billy Flynn in Chi- about Miller between the songs. cago; having acknowledged that she Recently, the Canteen brought in was now an AARP member and had Maureen Brennan and George Dvorsky even purchased long term healthcare for BROADWAY VETS: Two for the insurance (tho she doesn’t look like tears during his understudy debut? Or the Me and My Shadow dance duet, not Road. Brennan debuted on Broadway she’ll need it for a l-o-n-g time), Brennan offensive but just kinda cheesy? in 1974 with a Tony nominated turn as did a sharp parody of Candide’s most On the plus side, Alex Rybeck provided his, as always, superb piano famous song retitled Glitter and Be accompaniment. And while the Shrimp Bisque, filled with bits of diced potatoes, Gray; and there was a wonderful med- corn, & andouille, and the Short Cake with blueberries and strawberries, the ley of duets they wished that had done appetizer and dessert from the three-course accompanying meal, were both together with inventive segues from very, very good, the two entrees—a Pan Seared Trout with Cauliflower, Chant- one song to the next (Oklahoma’s Oh, erelle Mushrooms & a magnificent Tarragon Pesto and a tender Herb Crusted What a Beautiful Morning into Too Many Prime Rib that epitomized what Prime Rib should be accompanied by Roasted Mornings (Follies) into Tonight from Garlic Smashed Potatoes—were excellent. And the service would’ve made a West Side Story). five-star general proud. But, despite a genuine warmth be- The Stage Door Canteen continues to present The Victory Belles in A Salute tween Brennan and Dvorsky, too much to Our Heroes, a show of patriotic music, on Wednesday matinees through the of the hour-long show had a slickness end of October, and Lullaby of Broadway, featuring hits from you know where, one associates with acts on a cruise on Sunday matinees through September. ship; a few digs at the late Rue McClanahan aside, one wishes there had been a little more dishing about New in New York backstage drama or something more f you’re heading up to New York for Labor Day (What? Miss Deca- deeply personal from two very talented dence??), there are a number of things that might be almost as entertain- people who never became above-the- Iing as the festivities here. Of course, if you’re heading there after our title stars (though Dvorsky is currently celebration, you’ll have the best of all possible worlds. appearing in a just-extended off-Broad- 54 Below may not be the best of all possible worlds but it’s pretty heavenly way revival of Closer Than Ever). even if it’s below ground. This new cabaret venue opened in June in a space that, And did we really need Olivia New- in another life, had been part of the famed Studio 54; the Studio 54 Theater sits ton-John’s I Honestly Love You even if above it. Dvorsky idolized her when he was a 54 Below bills itself as “Broadway’s living room; a home away from home for kid? Or Brennan’s rendition of the Duke Broadway professionals and audiences combining grace and style in an intimate Ellington Bli-Blip which was cute but environment.” That’s no overstatement; with its capacity of about 150, the room nothing more? Or the well-done but so- is just the right size for a cabaret (think of our own Le Chat Noir slightly enlarged) so song from The Scarlet Pimpernel but as all the tables are no more than 24 feet from the stage, nobody has a bad even if Dvorsky shed blood, sweat and view. Designed by Tony Award winners John Lee Beatty (restaurant design) and Ken Billington (lighting), the overall look of 54 Below could be described as “a high style speakeasy” and it’s clear that a lot of attention has been paid to the details to give it an air of sophisticated chic. I recently saw Jackie Hoffman there, who’s less “sophisticated chic” than “gutter trash hilarity.” Starting with a great specialty number about appearing in the basement of Studio 54 (when they were renovating the place, they had to “chip the dried cum off the walls” was one of her more memorable images), this veteran Broadway actress (The Addams Family, Xanadu [continued on 75] 74 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 28-September 10, 2012 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM trodding the boards ...from 74 even if eventually her “only hope is to The show was sharply written by in the way. perform at gay nursing homes.” With a Scott (Hairspray) Wittman and directed In the coming weeks, Linda Lavin and Hairspray) described how she voice like sandpaper that’s part of her by Michael Schiralli with musical direc- (Sept. 17 & 23), Darlene Love (Sept. “clawed her way to underneath.” charm, Hoffman’s targets range from tion by Will Van Dyke, a cute 29-year- 24), and Patti LuPone (Sept. 18-22), Offering up an un-PC, take no pris- women of the Upper West Side to the old (so young, so talented). Featuring among many others, will be appearing oners approach, Hoffman, an innately musical Wicked, along with a wicked nonstop laughter, it was a model of at 54 Below. Sounds like it’ll be worth a funny lady lauded as the 33rd funniest impersonation of her 90-year-old what a cabaret show should be. Kudos trip down under. New Yorker (out of 50), doesn’t care mother condescendingly talking about also to the excellent wait staff who did about burning professional bridges her daughter’s career. what they had to do without ever getting [continued on 75]

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • August 28-September 10, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 75