www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003 • Q1

CYMK Q_COVERstory Down With Love’s Golden Boys Producers Dan Jinks and Discuss Movies, Gay Sensibilities and Where They Keep Their Oscars By Mary Damiano incredibly sexy world that it was set in.” Arts& Entertainment Editor Jinks considers Down With Love a When Miami native Dan Jinks walked musical without the music, and cites the fun onto the stage to accept the Academy Award music video during the credits as one of his for co-producing American Beauty, he favorite parts of the movie. The sequence, paused a moment, looked down at his shoes which pairs Zellweger and McGregor in a and thought, “I’ve got to remember this sophisticated duet, was tacked on the film moment for the rest of my life.” just weeks before its release. Jinks’ producing partner Bruce Cohen While shooting the film last summer, had a similar experience that night. “We had McGregor had the idea to do a song, because been told by a lot of people who’d won that he had sung in Moulin Rouge, and Zellweger the evening was a total blur and they didn’t was about to make her big splash in Chicago. remember anything,” Cohen says. “I was Everyone liked the idea, and they got Marc determined not to let that happen. Every Shaiman and his partner to write a song, single second of that evening is seared into Shaiman’s first song after his score for my brain. If I ever truly lived any experience Hairspray. But McGregor was in Alabama of my life, it was that night.” shooting , another Jinks/Cohen With American Beauty, which won many production, and couldn’t get away. Zellweger awards, including being named Best Picture suggested that they go to him, and everyone of 2000, Jinks and Cohen achieved the convened in Atlanta during the last weekend pinnacle of success in the movie industry, in March for the 16-hour shoot. The song the gleaming golden boy named Oscar. was in the can just weeks before the film’s What’s amazing is that the film was the first scheduled release and another magical movie they made after teaming up and starting their moment was born. own company, Jinks/Cohen Company. Their Another nice coup for Down With Love first time up at bat, they hit one right out of was getting Tony Randall, who co-starred with the park. Rock and Doris, to do a small role in the film. The partners are poised to do the same “One of the great days on the set was the day with their second film, Down With Love, a that Tony Randall worked on the film,” Cohen frothy, witty, sexy homage to the romantic says. “He’s such a living legend. In the comedies of Doris Day and Rock Hudson. afternoon, he gave up to us what we knew he Down With Love stars Renee Zellweger and wanted, and gathered us all around and told Ewan McGregor in a battle of the sexes-style us stories about what he remembered about romp through 1962 Manhattan. The film is being on the set with Rock and Doris—spicy Down with Love’s producers delightfully retro, and seems a perfect re- stories about little dirty things that happened.” Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks creation of a Doris and Rock picture, though Both Jinks and Cohen agree that one Cohen believes Down With Love is truer to reason they work so well together is that they one’s memory than the actual movies it each have experience in different facets of salutes. “One of the things we noticed [about movie-making. Jinks comes from a the old movies] is that they’re not quite as development background, producing The bright and colorful as we remember them to Bone Collector and being involved with the be,” Cohen says. “One of the things we productions of Carlito’s Way, The Shadow wanted to do with Down With Love is to make and Matilda. Cohen was an assistant a film like your memory of those old films, director, and in-house producer for Amblin, and not necessarily the way they were.” ’s company. Cohen has Cohen discovered another layer to films produced The Flintstones and its sequel, The like Pillow Talk that one could only get in Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. He began hindsight. “What’s so funny to watch is that his film career as a Director’s Guild trainee on Rock Hudson plays one of the straightest The Color Purple, and also worked on Hook characters ever in film and turned out to be and Arachnophobia. gay, and Tony Randall played one of the “We complement each other really well,” gayest characters ever in film and turned out Jinks says. “I’d worked for a couple to be straight,” he says. producers, and a lot of my job was finding Down With Love is as gay as a film can screenplays, working very closely with be without actually being about anything gay, writers, and I had very strong agent a description that Jinks and Cohen, who are relationships. Bruce had grown up on the both out, take as a compliment. “Without set—he’d been an assistant director, and a sounding stereotypical, I think that gay really good one. We thought with that humor is often very smart and very combination, we’d be stronger together than sophisticated,” Jinks says. “Down With Love either one of us would be separately.” is a very fun and very playful movie. Their next film, Big Fish, stars Albert Somebody said to me recently that this is the Finney, Jessica Lange, Ewan McGregor, gayest movie made by a studio in years.” Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito and “We were going for a film that was a Steve Buscemi and is the story of how a son little over the top, that would be outrageously learns to appreciate his father. entertaining, so colorful, that would be so But for now, there’s Down With Love. sophisticated, and to me, that’s all gay And whether or not lightning strikes twice, sensibility,” Cohen says. “The gay movie- Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen will always be going audiences do like their gay movies. known as Oscar winners. They support the gay film festivals, and they “One of the wonderful things about an support the gay independent movies, but Academy Award is that it really is for the rest primarily, the gay audience in America loves of your life,” Cohen says. While Jinks keeps to see the big Hollywood movies.” his Oscar on a shelf in the corner of his office, Jinks and Cohen were already thinking Cohen’s sits on a bureau in his bedroom. about making a romantic comedy when the “He was in the living room for the first year, screenplay for Down With Love landed in but then he asked to be moved to a less their laps. “Most romantic comedies are so public place,” Cohen says. “There will be formulaic, you know every single thing that’s days when I’m going about my life, and I going to happen before it happens,” Jinks don’t really see him, and then one day I’ll be says. “We read the screenplay for Down With on my way to the bathroom and I’ll catch his Love, and it was so full of surprises and eye, and I’ll think, ‘Holy shit, there’s an Oscar hilariously funny, and we loved the colorful, in my bedroom!’”

Q2 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003

CYMK www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003 • Q3

CYMK Need_Wood? By Woody Miller Porn Star’s ‘Promotion’ Disappoints Fan

Hey, Woody! living alone. I have a full life with a great job. I I’m a big fan of Jeremy Tucker, the porn do consider myself successful. Anyway, I tend star. Lately, he’s been topping in all the films to feel guilty when guys keep calling back, or I’ve seen him in, but the thing is, I think he’s a when I run into them in public. They almost much better bottom. Can you ask your porn always try to set up another date or something. experts which titles he bottoms in? I only like Although I don’t necessarily want to go out seeing him take it. Thanks. Also, a quick on a second date, it doesn’t mean that someone comment: Tell Desperately Seeking out there wouldn’t. I’m just not a second-date Smoothness, the guy who wanted to know kinda guy. I know how fragile a gay man’s ego how to get rid of ass hair that some guys like can be. How do I let these guys down easy, so hairy asses. I’m one of them. Smoothness is a they retain their self-respect? really big turn off. Mmm, butt hair… —Heartbreaker —Waiting for it Dear Heartbreaker: Dear Waiting: If your dating life were a boxing match, I will defer, as I always do in matters video, the marquee would read, “Emotional to Onan the Vulgarian, who runs a flawless Constipation vs. Romantic Diarrhea.” Either database on www.xfactor.com. Here’s what the way, I say you’re full of it. Pornmaster General said: “Tucker began as a You’re deliberately using romantic bottom and rose, as it were, to the top. So gestures to get guys you’re not interested in you’ll have to go back a few years to catch him to fall for you. You pretend you’re the marrying when he was still, er, catching. Stalled: The kind and then act all surprised when somebody Gays and Knights of Michael George pops the question. Please. As Queen Gertrude (Hollywood Sales, 1999) lampoons pop singer said to Prince Hamlet, “The lady doth protest and public toilet-lover George Michaels. In too much, methinks.” My Own Private Glory Hole (Hollywood Sales, So listen to me, Lady. Why would you 1999), Eric Jivani wraps his prehensile tongue bring flowers to somebody you have no around Tucker’s dick like a ribbon around a intention of dating twice? Why would you Maypole and gives a blowjob worth paying open doors when you just want to open flies. for. In Steele Rangers, Chi Chi LaRue’s 2000 Allow me to practice my Leona Helmsley death video, Tucker’s in the middle of a fuck glare: Because you’re an ego-starved, power- sandwich with Chris Steele and Shane Bailey. hungry bullshit-slinging, Daddy-macking Eric Hanson also tops Tucker, with lots of player. pounding but little chemistry, in The Size of It Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for using (Studio 2000). And finally, in Brad’$ Buddie$, guys to get sex, but I draw the line at using (Pacific Sun Entertainment), Tucker’s in a sling, them to feed your ego. at the mercy of Rod Barry. You know damn well that romantic Thank God Onan doesn’t have a life. gestures are going to be interpreted as a Where else could we get this kind of detail? signal that you’re interested in dating, not just fucking, so cut the crap. If all you want Hey, Woody! is sex, then stop asking guys out on dates. Why does every guy I meet want to drag Stick to late-night booty calls, picking up at me down the aisle? Okay, so I’m an old- bars and typing your fingers raw in the chat fashioned kinda guy who brings a simple rooms. Like the rest of us. bouquet of daisies on the first date and believes in opening doors when appropriate. Woody is the author of Men Are Pigs That’s just my style. I’ve always been fine But We Love Bacon. E-mail him at [email protected].

Q4 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003

CYMK www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003 • Q5

CYMK Carol White and Carole Fawcett, co-chairs of Havana Nights Laura and Lisset at T-Dance

Robin, Dina, Lynda, Marla, Laura and Mai at T-Dance

Debbie, Emily, Kelly, Billy, Amber, Claudine and Cookie at the pool party

Julie Garity with her Hula Girl at the Twin Souls at pool party pool party

Aqua Girl pool party dancers Janita and Sophia at T-Dance Lil and Candy at T-Dance Barbara and Marsha at Havana Nights

Gail, Laura, Laura, Dori, Lisa, Sahily and Christina at the pool party Chantel and baby Sebastian at the pool party Caroline, roulette dealer at Havana Nights

Q6 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003

CYMK Balcony View of Aqua Girl pool party

Photo by Mary Damiano Sky, Karen, Ally, Pamela and Tina at T-Dance Karen Williams performing a night of comedy

Pamela, Cesar, Rieza, Ally, Janelle and Melody, Andrea and Nena at T-Dance Jennifer at T-Dance

T.J., Curami, Ana and Oniy at T-Dance Ginny, Conie and Allison at T-Dance

Melissa and Melissa at the pool party Reiza at T-Dance

Leigh, Lisset, Melissa, Cynthia, Pamela, Sumi, Janita, Sophia, Mona, Ashlyn, Isa and Dori at T-Dance Kim and baby Raymond at the pool party Carole and Jennifer at T-Dance

Linda and Michelle at the pool party

Pamela Perez, all the way from L.A., Blackjack dealer Alicia, at Havana Nights Sumi at Aqua Girl Havana Nights dressed as a fountain at Havana nights Photos by Carole Fawcett

www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003 • Q7

CYMK Q_UPCOMINGevent Q_THEATERreviews ABBAsolutely Fabulous SoBe Gay Men’s Chorus Takes a chance Flower Power on the Swedish Super Group Little Shop Gets Its Big Shot

Photo by Joan Marcus

Dioni Michele Collins, Moeisha McGill and Haneefah Wood in Little Shop of Horrors

By Mary Damiano Ronnette Chiffon and Crystal—keeps the Arts & Entertainment Editor energy high and adds to the kitschy ’60s Little Shop of Horrors, the cult movie feel. they decided to add some personal touches. By Mary Damiano and off-Broadway musical. is finally getting The fun set depicts cartoonish gloom Arts & Entertainment Editor They approached Vincent J. Cardinal, a shot at the big time. and doom. The cast does a good job with Doug Williford recalls going to high chairman of the theater arts department at The latest production, now playing at the their roles, though Alice Ripley is a bit too school with a Swedish exchange student the University of Miami for a way to add a Actor’s Playhouse in Coral Gables, is bound Betty Boop for Audrey, the poster child for during the height of ABBA’s fame. The girl storyline to tie the ABBA songs together. for Broadway. Even though it’s bigger, it retains low self-esteem. Reg Rogers is a real quick- hated ABBA. Cardinal suggested Noel Coward’s classic its original heart, and especially its soul. change artist, pulling off an octet of roles, “I had long conversations with her, and play Private Lives. Little Shop of Horrors is a loving including Audrey’s battering boyfriend, the I’d say, ‘How can you hate ABBA?’” says In the new gayified version, a male homage to early ’60s music and corny ’50s infamous sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello Williford, a die-hard ABBA fan. couple in New York end their long-term sci-fi and horror flicks. Seymour works at a D.D.S. Williford’s talent and love of the iconic relationship and end up in the same hotel in flower shop on Skid Row that’s going down But the real star of Little Shop of Horrors Swedish super-group make him a natural to South Beach with their new insignificant the tubes. In an effort to save the shop, and is Audrey II, designed by The Jim Henson direct the South Beach Gay Men’s Chorus’ others in tow. “It takes the Noel Coward impress down-and-out glamour puss Audrey, Company. Audrey II is spectacularly voiced upcoming concert, extrABBAganza, a piece, which was done in the ’30s or ’40s, he develops an exotic plant that appeared by Billy Porter and, in its largest form, musical love letter to all things ABBA. and links these 1970s ABBA songs together during a total eclipse. The plant, which manipulated by three people. It’s fun to watch “Every song in the show is ABBA,” in a current day setting with all sorts of gay Seymour christens Audrey II, saves the store the cute little potted plant grow into a vicious says Williford, a popular local performer most sensibility, and it all works together and turns Seymour into a celebrity. But things vine that dominates the stage. recently seen in the Shores Performing Arts brilliantly,” Williford says. turn grim when Seymour discovers that his For all its technical proficiency with Theatre’s production of Blood Brothers. This is the first time Williford has little plant has a taste for blood. Audrey II, there is one special effect at the “We can’t cover every ABBA song, but we worked specifically with the chorus. “I’ve The songs, by Howard Ashman and end featuring the likenesses of several cast at least cover the greatest hits.” The concert always liked what they’ve done, and I like Alan Menken, who also teamed up for The members that is so cheesy and cheap that will include “Does Your Mother Know,” “Lay the way they’ve grown from this grassroots Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, it’s as if the production ran out of money. All Your Love On Me” and, of course, organization,” says Williford. “It’s grown in are memorable, and you’ll probably find Otherwise, this production of Little “Dancing Queen.” voice and in the number of voices and the yourself singing one as you leave the theater. Shop of Horrors is fun, and well worth seeing. After a recent sold-out Miami-Dade and sound they’re making now is so nice.” The inclusion of a street girl Greek chorus— Broward run of Mamma Mia, the musical In addition to the ABBA songs, Williford which utilizes ABBA music, South Florida promises some ABBA drag. “My first creative Little Shop of Horrors runs through June 15 at the Actor’s Playhouse at the seems primed for another ABBA invasion. meeting I told them that they had to work in Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Showtimes are Wednesday “The one thing this show has in common a way to have ABBA drag,” Williford says. through Saturday, 8pm and Sunday 7pm, with matinees Saturday and Sunday with Mamma Mia is that I believe people will Williford believes that one of the best at 2pm. Tickets are $35-$40. For more information and to purchase tickets, be dancing in the aisles by the end,” Williford things about extrABBAganza is its call 305.444.9293. says. accessibility to the audience. “What was ExtrABBAganza is the fifth production important to me was that the storyline Williford has directed. The show was written shouldn’t take over the show,” he says. “It’s Anatomy of a Marriage by David Maddux and commissioned by the about the chorus, it’s about ABBA and it’s San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus. But when about this music that people really love. It’s ‘The Last Five Years’ Is Fine Musical Drama the South Beach Gay Mens Chorus decided a light piece. You’ll walk out feeling happy.” By Mary Damiano In between, the story of their courtship to make extrABBAganza their spring show, Arts & Entertainment Editor and marriage begins to emerge: Jamie is a The South Beach Gay Mens Chorus will perform extrABBAganza Friday and It’s an old story: Boy meets girl, boy writer who experiences extraordinary success Saturday, May 30 and 31, at the Lincoln Theatre, 541 Lincoln Road, Miami and girl’s love cannot overcome their with his first novel, while Cathy is an aspiring Beach. Showtimes are at 8pm. Tickets are $25 general admission; $40 for divergent careers, boy leaves girl. actress doing summer stock and stuck in preferred seating, which includes one drink. For tickets and further information, That’s the premise of The Last Five audition hell. call 305.607.8787 or visit SoBeGayChorus.org. Years, currently playing at the Florida Stage The only time Jamie and Cathy are on Theatre in Manalapan. The twist of this the same page it seems, or have any musical drama, however, is that the story interaction together, is for their marriage goes back in forth through time, allowing the proposal and wedding—and when you think audience to piece together what went right— about it, that’s true about a lot of marriages. and what went wrong. The two leads, Jennifer Zimmerman and This two-character musical examines a David Josefsberg, are up to the vocal relationship from first date to breakup. The challenges of the musical drama. Zimmerman couple, Jamie and Cathy, are from two different radiates possibility as Cathy, and nearly worlds—he’s Jewish and born and raised in stops the show with a song detailing her New York, while she’s from a small town in auditions. Josefsberg is best at the more the Midwest. For him, she’s the shiksa every upbeat pop songs, such as when he’s singing Jewish boy dreams of, and for her, he’s a the praises of the shiksa goddess. taste of the big city. The Last Five Years is a delightful The he-said-she-said story is told in though bittersweet play. Because it begins song from each of their perspectives— with the breakup of the relationship, there’s Cathy’s story starts at the end when she a poignancy hanging over every moment of reads Jamie’s letter that he’s left her, and the show. Still, creator Jason Robert Brown Jamie’s starts at the beginning, when he’s has managed to create an insightful and high on the magic of their first date. enjoyable evening of theatre.

The Last Five Years runs through June 15 at the Florida Stage Theatre, 262 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan in West Palm Beach. Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm. Matinees are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $35-40. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 561.585.3433 or 888.514.3837.

Q8 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003

CYMK Heard It Through the Gayvine Queers, Quotes and Quips of Interest The Masochistic Matrix ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Take Me Out’ Honored Larry Wachowski may be a master of the big screen, but if current reports are It was good to be gay at the true, his personal life is strictly Jerry Springer. Wachowski, who directs the blockbuster Drama Desk Awards. Hairspray, the Matrix series with his brother Andy, is making headlines with his affair with his stage version of John Waters’ film dominatrix, Karin Winslow. Winslow’s husband, transsexual Jake Miller, is speaking racked up 10 awards, including Best out about the affair, saying that Wachowski is a cross-dressing wife-stealer. Miller Musical. Harvey Fierstein, who plays and Winslow run The Dungeon, his role in drag, shared the an SM parlor in L.A. According Outstanding Actor in a Musical with to Miller, Wachowski dumped his Antonio Banderes, currently starring wife of 15 years for Winslow. The in Nine. Take Me Out, the drama about jilted hubby also claims that the a baseball player who reveals he’s director is obsessed with Marilyn gay, won two awards, Outstanding Monroe, likes to wear a blonde Play and one for its star, Denis wig, pink dresses and stiletto O’Hare. Cross-dressing comedian heels and enjoys acting as Eddie Izzard was also honored as Winslow’s slave and being Outstanding Actor in a Play for A Day punished by her. Winslow in the Death of Joe Egg. The Drama recently accompanied Desk Awards are chosen by the media covering New York theatre, and are considered Wachowski to the premiere of a predictor of the Tony Awards, which will take place June 8. The Matrix Reloaded. Life, Liberty…and the Pursuit of Half-Priced Sex Ewan Bares All A politician in Spain is promising that if he is elected, he will hand out vouchers Fans of Ewan McGregor to young people so they can go to hotels for half-price and have sex. Green party should have a field day when the mayoral candidate for Granada, Francisco Garrido, said that if he wins the May 25 buff Scot appears buck naked in election, his town hall would give people up to 25 years old “sex vouchers,” letting Young Adam. Word is that them stay at local hotels for half price. Garrido’s reasoning is that young people in McGregor will appear completely Spain tend to live at home longer than their northern European peers, so his plan nude and will have several steamy would allow them to ditch the park and go to a hotel. “Happiness, well-being and sex scenes—involving custard and autonomy ... are very important,” Garrido told Reuters. “It’s about emotional his costar Emily Mortimer. “I’m not democracy.” Garrido’s campaign promise has garnered him a slew of angry e-mails an exhibitionist in terms of whipping from the conservative Catholic community. out my penis at parties and waving it around,” joked McGregor at the Cannes Film Festival. “I was in the past. Perhaps that was something Send Your Unique News Story to to do with my drinking at the time.” [email protected] We at Gayvine have two words for Ewan: start drinking.

www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003 • Q9

CYMK Q_CULTURALevents Through Tuesday, May 27: Rootsans Through Sunday, June 15: How to Succeed Music Through Friday, June 20: Form, Fashion Culture Festival—Caribbean Music Festival, 11am in Business Without Really Trying—The Stage Door and Photography—ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Saturday & Sunday, May 31 & June 1: - 11pm. North Miami Avenue between 54th Street Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs. Fort Lauderdale. Exhibit opening night with runway Salute to Women Composers—FAU Chamber and 62nd Street in South Miami. Free. http:// 954.344.7765. fashion show is Thursday, May 29. For more Soloists classical performance. Saturday: 2pm at rootsandcultureinc.org or 305.576.0355. Through Sunday, June 15: Little Shop of information call 954.462.9191. Free. the FAU Recital Hall, 2912 College Ave., Davie. Thursday, May 29: Form, Fashion and Horrors—The classic musical based on the 1960 Sunday - Monday, June 1 - 30: United and Sunday: 2pm at FAU Boca Raton, Friedberg Lifelong Photography—Runway fashion show and gallery Roger Corman film. Actors’ Playhouse at the Proud! —An exhibition in celebration of Gay and Learning Auditorium, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton. opening . 6 - 10pm. Open to members of ArtServe. Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Lesbian Pride Month is in gallery six at the Broward Tickets on sale at 1pm. 954.236.1357. 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 305.444.9293. County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Sunday, June 1: Jazz Brunch—Enjoy 954.462.9191 for further information. Free. May 30-June 8: 18th International Lauderdale. Meet the featured artists and enjoy gourmet brunch and entertainment showcasing Sunday, May 31: WIN Gay and Lesbian Hispanic Theatre Festival—For information entertainment and refreshments at the exhibit South Florida’s finest jazz musicians on five stages SunCruz Casino—Includes, cruise, buffet, please call Teatro Avante at 305.445.8877. opening reception, Wednesday, June 4, 6:30 – 9pm. at the Riverwalk in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. entertainment and free drinks while gambling. June 6 -29: An Evening of Winners, Second For information and reservations call 954.357.7464. 11am - 2 pm, Free. For more information call the 7:30pm - 1 am. Cruise leaves from dock next to Edition—South Florida’s One-Act Play Festival Jazz Brunch Hotline 954.828.5985. Martha’s Restaurant in Dania Beach. $12.95 for features the winners of the Public Theatre’s short Radio Monday, June 2: Red Hot Chili Peppers— WIN members and $14.95 for non-members. play competition. Friday and Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, The Norm Kent Show—Interviews and 7pm at Sound Advice Amphitheatre, 601-7 954.961.7176. 2pm at Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre, 640 commentary with Norm Kent, weekday mornings Sansbury’s Way, West Palm Beach. Ticketmaster. Saturday, May 31: Green Market—Fresh Andrews Ave. 954.427.0784. at 8am on WFTL 1400 AM. The Call-In Line is Friday, June 6: James Taylor—8pm at fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. 9am – 3pm at Saturday, May 31: Joker’s Wild Comedy 1.866.432.1400. www.NormKentShow.com Sound Advice Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansbury’s Way, Anniversary Park, 20th Avenue and Hollywood Tour—Rickey Smiley, John Witherspoon, Arnez J., Issues Over the Rainbow—MarkyG hosts West Palm Beach. Ticketmaster. Boulevard 954.921.3388. Don “D.C.” Curry, T.P. Hearns. 8pm at the James this gay and lesbian early morning talk show. Sunday Saturday, May 31: Youth Prom—8pm - L. Knight Center, 400 SE Second Ave., Miami. Art Exhibitions mornings at 7:25am on PARTY 93.1 FM. midnight at GLCCSF. $15/Single, $25/Couple. For 305.372.4634 or www.jlknightcenter.com. $36 - www.Party931.com. Through Sunday, June 15: My Reality: information and tickets visit www.glccftl.org. $51. Bridging the Gap—Call-in talk radio show Contemporary Art & the Culture of Japanese Saturday, May 31: Arthritis Walk—Food, Fridays: Separate Checks—Spice up your dedicated to creating a better understanding between Animation—This exhibit investigates the influence prizes, health fair and entertainment. 7am night with South Florida’s favorite Comedy the straight and gay communities, with hostess of Japanese animation on modern art. Norton registration and 8am walk. 954.726.6707. Improv Troupe, where you the audience create Rene Bray. Sundays from 6 – 8pm on WTAN 1340 Museum of Art in West Palm beach. 561.832.5196. Saturday, June 28: Unity Church Charity the show! (Bring odd objects to be used in the AM. Live, worldwide broadcast at Through Sunday, July 13: The Tumultuous Dinner—Tickets are on sale now for a charity show.) Every Friday at 9:30pm at the Blue Box, www.TampaBayGay.com/BTG. 1.800.263.8559. Fifties: Photography from the New York Times— spaghetti dinner. Auctions and door prices. 5 - 8pm upstairs at the Hollywood Playhouse, 2640 This exhibition examines the 1950s with 200 vintage at Unity By The Ocean, 3703 Galt Ocean Dr., Fort Washington St. Admission is $7/adults, $5/ photos culled from the photo archives of the New Television Lauderdale. Tickets are $10. 954.568.1002. students. For more information call York Times. Museum of Art, 100 East Las Olas SoFla Q TV—Television for the alternative 954.327.9159. Blvd. 954.525.5500. lifestyle. For information call 305.534.3975 or visit Fridays and Saturdays: Just the Funny— Live Theatre and Dance Through Friday, July 20: Postcard Exhibit— www.soflaqtv.com. Whose Line is it Anyway? meets Saturday Night Through Sunday, June 1: Agatha Modernism for the Masses: Artist-designed Postcards Wednesday and Thursday, May 28 and 29: Live. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights Christie’s The Mousetrap—The world’s longest- from the Collection of Anthony Guneratne is on display Gay Dating Special—One-hour MTV special on at 11pm at Dreamers Theatre, 65 Almeria Ave. in running murder mystery celebrates its 50th in the Bienes Center for the Literary Arts on the sixth gay dating in the third millennium. Wednesday at Coral Gables. Tickets are $10. For information call Anniversary. Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th floor of the Broward County Main Library, 100 S. 11:30pm and Thursday at 6 and 10pm. (Please 305.69.FUNNY or visit www.justthefunny.com. St., Delray Beach. 561-272-1281, Ext 4. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Free. 954.357.8692. check local listings to confirm times.) A Fairy Tale—Family Style ‘Friends & Family’ Takes Funny Look at Gay Hit Men By Mary Damiano also www.ExpressGayNews.comuse their muscle to strong-arm the star Arts & Entertainment Editor into paying off his gambling debts. Who says there’s no gay mafia? Everything is great until Stephen’s Friends & Family, now playing at the parents come to visit. They fully accept the Gateway Theatre in Fort Lauderdale, is a sweet gay thing; it’s that little mobster thing that comedy about two mobsters who also happen Stephen and Danny need to hide from them, to be in love. The really nice twist is that their especially because Dad is a G-man who would fellow mobsters accept them and respect them. be forced to turn in his son and son-in-law if The don (Tony LoBianco) even wishes they he knew the truth. The parents actually believe were Sicilian so they could take over the family. that Stephen and Danny are caterers, and to Stephen and Danny (Greg Lauren and keep up that charade, the couple enlist their Christopher Garten) are a stereotypical gay fellow mob buddies and even the don himself couple. They live in a fabulously stylish to help them throw a huge bash to prove what townhouse in New York with their dog and a successful caterers they are. And you can feel the don’s exasperation at his in a certain direction, and the non-affection linen closet packed with personal grooming Friends & Family is a sweet though own straight sons, who would rather sew, cook between Stephen and Danny is a cop-out. items (arranged in alphabetical order, natch.) slight movie. There are some very funny and decorate than take over the family The best thing about Friends & Family is When we first meet them, they’re donning their scenes when the mobsters get a gay man to business. that it shows complete acceptance of a gay couple tuxedos for a night out at the opera. give them a crash course in gayness, so they Still, a subplot involving a paramilitary in the mucho macho world of the mob. That may But they’re not there just to watch. They can pass themselves off to Stephen’s parents. group seems tossed in only to move the plot be a fairy tale, but it’s a pleasant fairy tale.

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Q10 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003

CYMK Maximum_Volume Pumping It Up with New Releases White Stripes: ‘Elephant’ (Third Man Records) Categorizing the style of White Stripes is quite simple: rock. Redefining retro, these guys have carved a unique niche with their under-produced sound, reminiscent of the garage-born rockers of the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Their latest album, Elephant, causes minor flashbacks to early Pink Floyd, before they discovered the top 40 and were unafraid to experiment. Jack and Meg White, the duo behind the White Stripes, have a unique approach to music and are teaching the recording industry a very valuable lesson: Rock and roll still lives. These guys have returned to the R&B roots of rock, bringing the soul back to the genre. Elephant, just like their previous efforts, is a refreshing departure from the synthetic egomaniacs we have become used to. (See accompanying review.) This band has done something to me that no album has been able to do in nearly a decade—it’s reminded me of what it’s like to desire to listen to the entire CD again and again. White Stripes is heroin for the hardcore rock junkie. From the catchy rhythm of “Seven Army Nation,” to the melodic harpings of “In the Cold, Cold Night,” these guys have refused to evolve and have remained faithful to their own style. Neither sibling in this group has a particularly great talent for singing or playing, but they do what they do—and they do it well. Perhaps the true beauty of the music is its utter lack of the pretentious egos that have plagued “musicians” as of late. (See accompanying review.) This CD should come with a warning label: Caution, If you love rock and roll, you will want to listen to White Stripes for the rest of you life. —Michael James

Marilyn Manson: ‘The Golden Age of Grotesque’ (Nothing/Interscope Records) There was once a time when the name Marilyn Manson would stir audible visions of a cutting-edge artist. But, as his latest attempt at entertainment can attest, he seems to have become the redundant industry puppet he used to make fun of. Through the 1990s, he reformed the genre of glam-rock and molded it to his own twisted desires for a political mission charged with passion and drive. The Golden Age is void of either passion or drive—if it’s trying to go anywhere, the driver is definitely drunk. The music on Golden Age is watered down compared to his previous efforts, and the lyrics have the poetic rhythm of a mediocre high school gym coach. On his previous discs, he warns of the machine that will eat you up and spit you out, both the industry and your own ego. He’s either fallen victim to both or has completely lost his love of the music. The first pressing of the CD comes with a DVD of “A Marilyn Manson Film” titled Doppelherz. It really should be renamed “Pile of Clips that Weren’t Good Enough to Make it into Any of My Videos so I’m Throwing Them Together with a Poem that Wasn’t Good Enough to Become a Song.” Don’t go out of your way to get it—there will be plenty of them on the shelves for quite some time. The movie, though obviously inspired by silent German flicks, shows how far off base this former star is with today’s market. He’s finally fallen into that vapor musicians seem to crash into when they run out of original ideas and passion but still have three left on their contract. The saddest part of Golden Age is that there is no original hook that distinguishes one song from another. There’s no magic transcending the music that was present in his previous works. It is nothing more than a vain attempt to recapture the unattainable. Ironically, the final track is called “Obsequy (the Death of Art).” I agree, original art has been dying for years, and Manson just drove the final stake through its heart. I actually liked Manson’s work up until now. But there’s nothing new here. I pass. —Michael James Read online

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www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003 • Q11

CYMK Q12 • www.ExpressGayNews.com • May 26, 2003

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