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Gay EasterParade.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • June 5-18, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 21 have fueled her since she was a child maker whose still currents run deep; actress. Sure there was a physical addic- Brooke, luminescent but forever devas- feature tion, but Quilter’s subtly captivating script, tated by the loss of her brother; and Lyman which only occasionally succumbs to cli- & Polly’s son Trip (Thomas Sadoski), a ches in plotting or dialog, lays out Garland’s reality show producer whose casual de- Local Artist Returns to insecurities and harrowing psychological meanor does not preclude strong emo- need for chemical support despite her tions. The 700 Club towering talent. Best of all are Polly and her sister eing no stranger to the visual Such a sturdy vehicle would hardly Silda Grauman (Judith Light), Jews from and performing arts, it would run, however, if the actress playing Gar- Texas who came to Hollywood and be- Bseem that New Orleans local, land could not pull off the tough task of came successful screenwriters of a series Jay Hendrix, has been painting as long as portraying a legend. of teenage-themed movies. If Silda, a re- he’s been performing. Not so! At the age And here, End of the Rainbow tri- covering alcoholic is funny and warm of 44, he picked up his first paint brush umphs with a career-making performance and everything you’d want your aunt to be, just four years ago. With no formal train- by Tracie Bennett who, whether singing, Polly is the opposite. Strident and self- ing and being completely self taught, he smoking, lusting after her man, or just plain assured to a fault, she hates being fair. drew inspiration from the artists he most posturing, is utterly natural, yet seemingly While not entirely covering up her identified with: Dali, Picasso, Matisse, larger than life. Bennett’s Garland offers Jewishness, it’s certainly nothing she Kahlo, and the rest as they say....is the self-deprecating humor and can turn the flaunts. Loyal to her friends, she will not future! diva shtik on like that, but in her off mo- countenance disloyalty, even in those clos- ments she still seems always to be per- est to her. forming even if only for an audience of one. With Brooke determined to publish, That Bennett is Tony-nominated for Baitz lets these characters go at each Best Actress in a Play is a little surprising other and if these are the 1%, I’m happy to as, recreating the Talk of the Town engage- be part of the other 99. After an extremely successful first ever ment, she sings about ten songs in the The cast is nearly perfect. Keach art opening at 700 Club two years ago and course of Rainbow utterly capturing brings patrician authority to Lyman yet the introduction of his wildly popular Kitty Garland’s unique persona and sounding gives him a softer side as well, more collection, Jay has been asked to do sev- uncannily like her. This is an extraordinary Rockefeller Republican than Tea Party. eral commissions both privately and com- performance that keeps on giving includ- Sadoski fulfills the role of the third child, mercially. His work has been displayed in ing a little lagniappe after the bows. friend to all, no agenda to push, hoping restaurants and retail spaces from New This is no one woman show, however. everyone gets along but refusing to partici- Michael Cumpsty shades his performance Orleans to Houston. Now he returns to [continued on 25] 700 Club this month with a new collection as Garland’s gay, loyal pianist with nobility, he calls A Tribute to the Masters and resignation and, late in the game, a bit of Kitty’s Komeback. pie-in-the-sky optimism, clearly getting a under the gaydar ...from 12 Come join Mr. Hendrix and 700 Club certain satisfaction for being in the orbit of Thursday, June 21st from 6-8pm as they an icon. As Deans, Tom Pelphrey fights I throw many fundraisers; you give present these colorfully re-worked clas- hard to save Garland; whether he really people canapés, cocktails and background sics, and meet the “colorful” artist behind sees her as anything more than a meal music with a lovely silent auction; now that Artist Jay Hendrix Kitty’s creation. ticket is left pleasingly ambiguous yet ladies and gentlemen is how you raise Pelphrey makes it clear, that among hard funds. choices, he’s trying to do the right thing. The other day, no lie at the corner of All of Rainbow’s production values Elysian Fields and Claiborne, there were trodding the boards are topnotch and Terry Johnson’s wonder- four different groups working the intersec- fully modulated direction, along with the tion. A group of grunge kids had one performances, gives depth to the tabloidity corner and several of them were texting on of Judy’s descent into her own personal their phones while begging. Seriously, hell, a process almost painful to watch as by Brian Sands somehow utter poverty is not coming to her layers of desperation are revealed. Email: [email protected] mind when you have a cell phone. Then One can’t help but wonder if Quilter is there was the homeless, which by the way, already preparing a play about Whitney... I recognized as a man who lived in a house That’s about the least of her worries. New in New York If Garland was fatally burned by the in my neighborhood, and by no means is Short of funds, Judy pulls every trick glare of the ever-present spotlight, a few he homeless or hungry. ...and NOLA in the book to get the imperious hotel blocks away from the Belasco, a family is The next corner was a cheerleading manager to let her and Deans stay without f you’re a theater lover and head- doing all it can to remain on the sidelines of squad, in which one pushy little girl in paying in full right away. Worse, Judy seems ing up to New York in the next few our national stage. In Jon Robin Baitz’ pigtails came up to my car and demanded to be in thrall to the pills and alcohol that Iweeks, it’s a great opportunity to Other Desert Cities (Booth Theatre thru money so she could go to Florida for a check out the current crop of Broadway June 17), Brooke Wyeth (Elizabeth Mar- competition, I told her to do a flip if she shows before the Tony Awards (or lack vel) is visiting her parents Polly (Stockard wanted something. I mean, how do I know thereof) signal the end of some runs. Channing) and Lyman (Stacy Keach) for these kids are any good, I do not want to While there may not be an immediate Christmas. Brooke, a writer, had had a back a losing team. need to see Once (featuring former NOLA nervous breakdown a few years ago and What lessons are we teaching our Project member Will Connolly), as it looks was hospitalized but is now apparently youth, beg for money for the things in life likely to win the Best Musical award and be well. you want? You do not have to work for it or around for a while, here are three shows She has brought along a memoir of even actually earn it. At least when a drag that I recently saw that, win or lose, are the family that will soon be published. And queen wants to go to a pageant, she puts quite worth seeing. as with any memoir worth publishing, it on a benefit show, there is some “enter- Top on the list for any gay man should contains material that Lyman and espe- tainment value” (I use this term loosely) be End of the Rainbow (Belasco The- cially Polly do not want the public to see. involved. But still you are given something ater), a London import about Judy Gar- For they are Republicans, friends of Nancy in return for your money. land, ’cause even if you think you’ve been and Ron, Lyman a former actor of some Also, I do not know exactly how safe it through this territory before, Peter Quilter’s note himself and once the chairman of the is to have these children running in and out biodrama provides an immediacy and a California G.O.P. And the fact that they had of cars at a busy intersection for dollar bills. theatricality that rivet one’s attention. a son who had joined a Weatherman-like So stop giving money to these people, or It’s December 1968. No longer Dor- organization in the 1970s, participated in a pretty soon I will walk around asking for othy or even Vicki Lester, a throatier though fatal bombing, and then killed himself, is money to send me to Europe. Hell, I know still charismatic Judy and her husband-to- something they want to keep in the past. people who would pay good money to see be Mickey Deans arrive in London for the Against John Lee Beatty’s well-heeled me out of town for two weeks. Hey, it could start of what is to be a five week run at the Palm Springs home that is anchored by a work. Talk of the Town nightclub. Promising to stone wall, an apt metaphor, Joe Mantello behave herself, Judy is convinced that fluidly directs Baitz’ sharp, glittering dialog If you have an event, story or idea, you their (huge) suite at The Ritz Hotel is Tracie Bennett in End of the that reveals his exquisitely defined char- want covered, contact me at smaller than the one she had last time. Rainbow (Photo by Carol Rosegg) acters—Lyman, the overprotective peace- [email protected].

22 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • June 5-18, 2012 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM Gay EasterParade.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • June 5-18, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 23 ambush paparazzi

Bourbon Pub Parade office manager Chuck Kee & friends

Jeff & Tip @ JohnPaul’s for Mr. & Stephanie Lee & bartender David Miss Pride pageant join Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Catch Shawn @ Napoleon’s Itch Crawfish Boil @ Club LAX

Tal displays how to do a proper body shot on Derek @ Oz

Mr. & Miss Pride pageant Chuck cozies up with one of his @ JohnPaul’s staff @ Napoleon’s Itch Enjoining Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Crawfish Boil @ Club LAX

Blanche looking for cute boys for Oz’s Bad A$$ Booty Boy Contest

Dave @ Rab Dab during Royal More Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Street Stroll for New Orleans Food Crawfish Boil & Wine Experience Country Club managers Drew & Bert @ Bourbon Pub’s Friday Night Strip Off

Hot boys @ Oz Around the City ~ New Orleans & Metairie, Louisiana ~ Photos Tony Leggio Around the City ~ New Orleans & Metairie, Louisiana Photos Tony

4 Seasons/Double Play/Billy’s Chuck joins Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Crawfish Boil La Mina Sterling’s Poncho joins The cast of Xanadu does an Royal Street Stroll impromptu number @ Bourbon Pub’s Friday Night Strip Off

Kevin, Brent & Justin attend Mr. & Bartender Dee welcomes you to Contestants @ Bourbon Pub’s Down to the wire in Bad A$$ Miss Pride pageant @ JohnPaul’s Michael's On The Park Friday Night Strip Off Booty Boy Contest @ Oz

24 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • June 5-18, 2012 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM trodding the boards ...from 22 pate in the others’ childishnesses. Light captures Silda’s decency and waggish charm, but looks like the alcohol has taken a grave toll on her (could this be the same actress who starred in Who’s the Boss??). And Channing is incredible. Gone is the gentle won- derment from Six Degrees of Separation, replaced by a high-strung, tight-cheeked steeliness that is masked by bonhomie only when she’s getting her way. Overly con- cerned with what her friends might think, not till the end does she expose the full depth of her maternal instincts.

Stockard Channing & Stacy Keach in Other Desert Cities (Photo by Joan Marcus) Only Marvel is, well, less than marvelous. A fine but powerful actress, Marvel’s Brooke seems less like some- current expressions (“Can you hear me?” a la a cell phone ad) slyly I’d pay full price for a ticket but if it’s on the one who would have a nervous breakdown than the type creep in along with historical digressions, alliterations, puns, flatu- half price TKTS Booth in Duffy Square, who’d have a drink, get a good night’s sleep and then lence jokes and, especially in Act Two, daffily dexterous wordplay as then by all means go and enjoy! conquer any challenge that might come along. Where the in “He singlehandedly rendered me single-handed.” For those of you who won’t be going to role demands a certain delicacy, we get a steamroller Roger Rees and Alex Timbers’ adroit direction blossoms in the the Tony Awards in New York, the Actor’s instead. second act once it’s finally unencumbered by the preceding gloom. Equity Association Liaison Committee and Baitz has a great story to tell and, like Ibsen whose the National WWII Museum Stage Door families must eventually face their demons, he only gradu- Each member of the cast has their moment(s) in the spotlight. Canteen will be presenting a Tony Party ally reveals all its secrets. A little too gradually perhaps— Celia Keenan-Bolger emits a winning stoicism and British stiff upper on June 10. It’ll be at the WWII Museum though dealing with hard existential truths amid political lip-edness as the noble daughter who takes charge of the ludicrous (945 Magazine Street) and is open to all discussions of a very high order, at times a certain repeti- circumstances that engulf her; slowly revealing her heart, she is, by members of New Orleans’ theater commu- tiousness crept in. Although only a little nipping and the end, deliciously melting. As Boy, I found Adam Chanler-Berat a bit nity and the community at large. tucking might be needed, at times I wanted to say “Alright, wan to begin with, as befits the character; ironically, as he becomes I get it.” It’s a measure of the production as a whole, less human and transforms into Peter Pan he becomes more pleas- There’s no admission charge, doors however, that I was always engaged and eager to see what ingly full-blooded. open at 6pm with dinner seating down- happens next. stairs featuring a special menu by John I can’t say I was eager to see what would happen next And looking like a young Tim Curry, Christian (Smash) Borle Besh; upstairs cocktail seating will also be when the curtain came down at the end of Act One at Peter makes Black Stache the most preposterous of scoundrels, layering available. Required reservations can be and the Starcatcher (Brooks Atkinson Theatre). For his malignity with ridiculousness; watching his face redden is like made by calling 504.528.1944, ext. 287. despite a fine finale, I had found the preceding hour or so seeing some cartoon character come to life! rather tedious as a dozen hard-working actors ladled out Sounds to me like everyone there will gobs of exposition to set the story in motion. But after So should you see Peter and the Starcatcher? Well, I’m not sure be a winner! intermission, it was as though I had returned to a different, magical show! Adapted by Rick Elice from Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s novel, Peter and the Starcatcher conjures up the backstory for Peter Pan, a prequel if you will. There’s a Lord, his daughter, her nanny, some nasty sea captains and their henchmen, a preening villain by the name of Black Stache, and an orphan boy with no name, called just “Boy.” Whereas the first act is dark and set amidst dreary workhouses and the dank holds of ships, (I suspect intentionally, but I still found it rather dull to look at), the second act is full of light, above and below water, as a shipwreck tosses this patchwork krewe onto an island filled with ravenous alligators and other memorable crea- tures, a triumph for designers Donyale Werle (sets), Paloma Young (costumes), and Jeff Croiter (lighting). Whereas during the first act I felt like I was being spoon-fed the story, as though told to eat my vegetables cause “they’re good for you”, Act Two is a truffle and bon- bon filled delight as the various parts of the story organi- cally click into place to produce a lump-in-your-throat ending. And how can you not love something that opens with a chorus of ukelele-strumming mermaids?! And whereas the acting in Act One reminded me of troupe of thespians trying to keep the attention of a junior high school crowd with a merely presentational style of story-telling, in the second act, the entire cast found inspiration in the emotionally richer material which allowed them to connect to the audience in a visceral, deeply- satisfying way. Elice’s script employs mostly Victorian locutions but

Gay EasterParade.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • June 5-18, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 25