www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q1 Q_COVERstory Gina Gershon Rocks Sexy Actress Hits the Big Screen Playing a Bisexual Singer By Gregg Shapiro including the issue of age in the rock music playing the music. But I remember going to a with your LGBT fans. What does that mean Special to The Express industry. Do you think that if Jacki were a play at school and there were people that I to you? As Jacki, the lead singer of the all-female man she would be dealing with those same knew, my friends, doing the play. I remember I think it’s cool. I think they’re a tough rock band Clam Dandy in the movie Prey For issues? watching and thinking, “I know those people. community. They either really like you or they Rock & Roll, Gina Gershon is a formidable It seems to me that my guy friends who Why are they up there?” It was the first time really don’t like you. I’m much happier to be presence. She’s all sneer and rock ’n’ roll are in the business, if they haven’t broken in that I thought, “Wait a minute, that means really liked than not. swagger. She sings like a cross between yet, I think that age is an issue, as well. that I can do that.” Chrissie Hynde and Patti Smith. She also deals Everyone seems to have to lie about their I attended your concert with the with issues ranging from her bisexuality, her age in the music world. Unless you’re 19 or They were your contemporaries, as members of Girls Against Boys at the House age, the politics of being in a band, sleazy 20 these days, it’s hard to get a break, which opposed to someone in a movie. of Blues. What does it mean to you to have management people and revenge. is really unfortunate. To me, it’s all about the Right. They were my contemporaries, the opportunity to perform songs from the Gershon is taking her role in this music if you listen to it. MTV has ruined so and it made me think, “Oh, I could do that. In movie in front of a live audience? independent feature very seriously. To many things. To me it should be timeless, fact, I think I could do it even better than It’s awesome. In the movie, I sang promote the film, which will be previewed ageless. You like it or you don’t. those people up there.” [Laughs] everything live, but I didn’t get to play live Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Shores Performing because we had to have the music recorded. Arts Theatre in Miami Shores as a fundraiser Jacki says that seeing an Ike and Tina So, then, did you start doing it? So, playing with these guys in Girls Against for the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Turner concert was a life-changing Yes, right away. Boys—they’re a really cool band. When they Gershon has been performing live concerts experience for her when she was a child and asked me to promote the film by doing this, I with the members of the band Girls Against inspired her to pursue music. Did you have Prey For Rock & Roll also touches on was like, “Yeah! It’s fun!” I figured, “Wow, Boys. Having caught her act, both on screen a similar experience as a child, with either a the presence of queer musicians in the it’s a show,” so I could do what I like, and I and on stage, I can attest to the fact that musician or an actor, who inspired you? music business. Two of the women in the actually do five of my own songs and I do a Gina Gershon rocks. I remember, in junior high school, being band, Faith [played by Lori Petty] and Sally couple of covers. in awe of actors. Musicians, I was a little [played by Shelly Cole], are a couple. Your Gregg Shapiro: You are currently on more used to because I have a lot of character, Jacki, also has a girlfriend named The Ozzy Osbourne cover. the cover of an interesting array of musicians in my family. I was used to going Jessica [Shakara Ledard]. Since music is Yeah, “Paranoid.” It’s a cool version. magazines, including The Advocate, to concerts and seeing the people I know such a universal language, does it surprise People seem to like it. Girlfriends and Maxim, to name a you that the sexuality of a musician few. How does it feel to be such a should still be an issue to their fans? Between your appearances in music popular cover girl? I think with musicians, it’s videos [The Cars in 1984 and Lenny Kravitz Gina Gershon: [Laughs] I ridiculous. I always joke with my in 2001] and Prey For Rock & Roll, rock didn’t really look at it that way. I friends when they ask, “Do you like music seems to be in your DNA. Do you foresee guess it’s nice. Just trying to sell being a musician or being an actor?” releasing an album under your own name? the movie. I’m just doing my job. I say, “I’ll tell you. If you go out and Yeah, definitely. I’ve been working on a you do something kind of shady as lot of music. If it’s approached in the right way, Shortly before seeing Prey an actor, forget it, your career is over. why not? For Rock & Roll, I heard you sing People freak out. If you’re a musician, on the Denis Leary Roast on everyone is like, ‘Yeah, right on. You have worked with an amazing Comedy Central. How did you That’s cool.’” I don’t think the assortment of directors, including Robert become involved with that? sexuality should have anything to do Altman, John Sayles, John Woo, the Denis is a really good friend of with anything, whether you’re a Wachowski Brothers and Audrey Wells, who mine, or else I wouldn’t have done musician or an actor or a politician. It most recently did Under the Tuscan Sun, to that. It was so chaotic. Every day just shouldn’t matter. mention a few. Do you have the desire to direct? they were like, “We’re changing it Yeah, I’m sure at some point I’ll direct. [the song] to punk. We’re changing You have established cinematic to lounge.” Three days before, I’m diva status within the queer And what about writing a screenplay? like, “Guys, I need to know what I’m community. In my head, I keep writing stuff. Actually going to be doing. I’m singing this That’s good…[Laughs] writing on paper, because I have the [concert] live, in front of people.” I love Denis. tour, has been just music lately. It takes a lot I would do anything for him. You’ve played a lesbian in of discipline [to write a screenplay], and I Gina Gershon as Jacki, a bisexual lead Bound, and your performance as don’t quite have that yet. I have the discipline Prey For Rock & Roll deals singer of the all-female rock band Clam Jacki in Prey For Rock & Roll only for songs. I’m working up to a whole with some fascinating topics, Dandy in the movie Prey For Rock & Roll serves to cement your iconic bond screenplay.
Q2 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q3 Q4 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q_CULTURAL COCKTAIL By Mary Damiano Gay and Lesbian Play Series Begins West Palm Beach Theatre Reaches Out to the Gay Community PridePlay Series Begins for the Performing Arts. The off- in an effort to raise money for the Red Head up to the Florida Stage Theatre Broadway sensation has become a cult Cross HIV/AIDS education programs in Manalapan this Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6 classic, a theatrical combination of rock, and South Florida Dance for Life p.m. for the kick-off of their PridePlay drag and kitsch. Hedwig, as I believe Dancers Fund. Series, which features staged readings everyone in three galaxies knows, is the In addition to the local dance of plays with gay and lesbian themes victim of a botched sex change companies, there will also be a by gay and lesbian playwrights. The operation who leads a rock band and performance by guest soloist Davis series is part of the theatre’s New Voices must contend with a former protogee Robertson, formerly of the Joffrey Ballet Series, which showcases up-and-coming who became a star after stealing of Chicago, and a finale choreographed playwrights. The series is the brainchild Hedwig’s songs. Hedwig will only be by Paulo Manso de Sousa. of artistic director Louis Tyrell and often here until Sunday, Nov. 2, so be sure to Dance for Life is a spectacular event the fifth slot of the Florida Stage’s catch her while you can. Call that does a lot of good in a beautiful season is filled by one of these new 954.462.0222 for tickets. way. Don’t miss it. Tickets are available plays. online at www.tixops.com or by calling Following the reception at 6 p.m. Dance for Life This 1.877.877.7677. will be the reading of Mary Gallagher’s Sunday play I Know You’re the One, about a Some of South Florida’s most Book Fair single gay man trying to become a father popular and prestigious dance The Miami International Book Fair through adoption. Tickets are only $7 companies will unite for Dance for Life, kicks off its 20th anniversary this per play, and $30 for a subscription that the annual fundraiser which takes place weekend with Toni Morrison up close also includes three readings in the Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., at the Gusman and personal Sunday, Nov. 2. The author theatre’s New Voices Series. For more Theatre in Miami. of many books, including Beloved, The information about the PridePlay Series Song of Solomon and The Bluest Eye, Hedwig and the Angry Inch Maximum Dance Company, Miami and to purchase tickets, call Contemporary Dance, Ballet Florida Morrison will read from her work 8 p.m. 561.585.3433 or 800.514.3837. makeup and take the wig down off the Principal Dancers, Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban at the Central Baptist Church, 500 NE shelf—Hedwig and the Angry Inch is Dance and Music Ensemble, Live in First Ave. in Miami. Garrison Keillor will Go Ahead, Take an Inch back in a new production opening this Color and Mid Eastern Dance Exchange, appear Monday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m.; Mitch It’s time again to put on some Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Broward Center will entertain the crowd at the Gusman Ablom will appear Tuesday, Nov. 4; Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Weisel will appear Wednesday, Nov. 5; and Carl Hiaasen will be speaking with Dave Barry Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Miami Dade Community College Chapman Building in downtown Miami. Dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp will conclude the series on Friday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. with her appearance in the MDCC auditorium.
FLIFF Goes Gay The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival’s official opening night isn’t until Nov. 7, but the longest film festival in the world is already underway. The festival began Oct. 17 and has been showing films nightly at Cinema Paradiso, the festival’s own art house cinema. The festival features nearly 100 features and documentaries, and about 40 shorts from around the world, including a mini-fest with nine films with gay and lesbian themes. “They’re the spiciest films we’ve had,” says Gregory von Hausch, president of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. In my opinion, one of the best gay films featured at the festival is I Can’t Marry You, a documentary by Catherine Gray and narrated by Ellen’s mom, Betty DeGeneres. Many couples from across the country, including several from South Florida, are interviewed about the problems they’ve encountered by not being able to get legal recognition of their unions. It’s a funny and moving film which truly gets to the heart of a hot topic. Director Catherine Gray will appear at the screening. For a complete schedule of films, visit fliff.com.
Menopause Was Never So Much Fun Menopause The Musical, which ran for more than 100 performances at the 26th Street Theatre in Wilton Manors, is moving to Miami. The crowd-pleasing show, which celebrates and pokes fun at a woman’s rite of passage, opens at the balcony theatre at the MiracleTheatre, which houses the Actor’s Playhouse. The same cast from Wilton Manors continue with the production in Miami. Opening night is Friday, Oct. 31. Call 305.444.9293 to purchase tickets. Group rates are available.
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q5 Q6 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q7 Q_CONCERTpreview Cinemusic: Flamingo Freedom Band Gets Reel with Concert Upcoming Show Spotlights Music from the Movies By Mary Damiano get into the act with the Williams came up a big favorite and the multi- Arts & Entertainment Editor chance to exhibit their own Oscar winner is represented in the Star Wars Wilton Manors will be movie acumen. Trivia salute as well as with the salute to movie alive with the sound of music contests are built into the cowboys. Disney, especially The Lion King, from the movies, when the show, and prizes include and Harry Potter will be also be well- Flamingo Freedom Band movie tickets provided by represented at Reel Music. presents its fall concert, Reel one of the concert’s sponsors, “It will be a very entertaining night, with Music, at Religious Science Sunrise Cinemas, as well as a lot of nostalgic music from movies that have Fort Lauderdale Sunday, some goofy prizes inspired by withstood the test of time,” says Flamingo Nov. 2. the songs. In some cases, the Freedom Band artistic director Ron Hughes, The concert turns the questions will tie in directly a big Star Wars fan. spotlight on music written with the film montages To make Reel Music the best it can be, especially for the movies, features throughout the the Flamingo Freedom Band has landed a showcasing some of the evening. new sponsor, Sunrise Cinemas. Not only will best-loved films of all time “There will always be the theatre chain be supplying movie tickets in a way that only the something visual happening for the trivia contests, they will also be Flamingo Freedom Band throughout the evening,” promoting Reel Music on the screen at the can do. says Turlington, who counts Gateway Theatre, a first for the Flamingo The Flamingos are Flamingo Freedom Band The Sound of Music and The Freedom Band. “The Sunrise Cinemas is South Florida’s kings of the Color Purple among his supportive of our community,” Turlington multimedia concert, and Reel Music especially scene is from what movie,” Turlington says. favorite movies. “It’s Halloween weekend so says. “We know that they work with our lends itself to that concept. “We realize that The montages were put together by Larry we want people to have fun. So many gay community, so we wanted to work with we sit there on stage and, after awhile, looking Wald of Cathode Ray. Naturally, the way the people make Hollywood a part of them.” at our fingers is not all that entertaining,” scenes are edited together boast a certain Halloween.” Turlington says response so far to Reel says band member Bob Turlington. gay twist. The idea for a concert saluting music Music has been very good, and if all goes “Madonna performs with videos behind her Another visual treat will be Electra, from the movies came from alto sax player well, they might even do a sequel. “We’ve too. We want the audience to be entertained owner of Madame’s Cabaret, Restaurant and Bob Firman, a longtime member of the had more people call and ask about this show visually too.” Lounge, and the Flamingo Freedom Band’s Flamingo Freedom Band who died earlier this than we’ve ever had before, so we know that While the Flamingo Freedom Band first-ever female impersonator mistress of year. The band will perform “Colors of the the theme excites people.” performs a musical salute to James Bond, the ceremonies. Electra is an apt choice for the Wind” from Pocahantas in memory of Firman, The Flamingo Freedom Band will movie screen will show a montage of the show, because she is known for her a song chosen because of its moving alto present Reel Music, Sunday, Nov. 2 at actors who have played James Bond, the Hollywood incarnations. sax solo. The musicians will also honor Dr. 7:30 p.m. at Religious Science Fort luscious Bond Girls, the series’ villains and Members of the Lambda Chorale will be John Graves, who was a big supporter of the Lauderdale, 1550 NE 26 St., Wilton movie posters from the nearly two dozen the band’s special guests, and will bring to life Flamingo Freedom Band. Manors. Tickets are $10 in advance or films. During a musical tribute to big screen the lyrics of The Lion King. Lambda will also With all the spectacular movie music $15 at the door. Tickets are available online cowboys, the audience will be treated to a host the intermission bake sale, as well as a 50- available, the Flamingo Freedom Band at www.FlamingoFreedomBand.com montage of famous Westerns. 50 raffle. surveyed their members to see what pieces or by calling 954.792.1320. “The fun part is trying to guess what Audience members will also be able to and composers they’d like to play. John
Q8 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Heard It Through the Gayvine Queers, Quotes and Quips of Interest Sir Ian Coming to South Florida The Gay & Lesbian Foundation of South Florida will present its International Media Award to Sir Ian McKellen at the organization’s Seventh Annual Recognition Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Tony Award winning and Academy Award nominated actor’s work spans five decades. McKellen is most recently known for his roles as the wizard “Gandalf the Gray” in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and as “Magneto” in the X-Men films. He will join other award recipients, including playwright Terence McNally. Legendary singer Diana Ross will be in attendance as well to introduce the evening’s entertainment, the Supremes.
Liza on the Attack! Sir Ian McKellen David Gest claims estranged wife Liza Minnelli has abused him, and he wants $10 million to make him feel better. Gest, 50, alleges in court papers that Minnelli, 57, flew into drunken rages on several occasions on both sides of the Atlantic, insulting and striking him. Gest’s lawyer, Raoul Felder, said his client suffered neurological damage and headaches from the alleged attacks, as well as a range of other ailments, including “scalp tenderness.” He is currently staying at a rehabilitation clinic in Honolulu and taking 11 different medications to cope with his pain. Supposedly one drunken brawl took place at The Hotel Plaza Athenee in New York after the couple returned from their European honeymoon, and Gest caught his new wife downing a bottle of vodka, causing her to fly into a rage. In the suit, Gest describes himself as a “world-renowned event and concert promoter” and Minnelli as a star whose career “had eclipsed—alcoholic, overweight and unable to be effectively merchandised.” Minnelli issued a statement to deny Gest’s claims. “I hoped very much that the end of my marriage would be handled with mutual respect and dignity,” she said. “The allegations in this lawsuit are hurtful and without merit.”
Chip and Reichen Race Toward Splitsville According to 365gay.com, Chip Arndt and Reichen Lehmkuhl’s relationship is history. The handsome couple became gay poster boys after becoming champions of the reality show The Amazing Race. Now they are divvying up the money they won from the show ($620,000 after taxes) and moving on. Arndt is living in Miami, and Lehmkuhl is staying in Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Lehmkuhl has already notched an appearance on Frasier and will appear on three episodes of the daytime soap The Young and The Restless.
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q9 Q_CULTURALevents Through Friday, Oct. 31: Hispanic Live Theatre and Dance Heritage Festival—Among the top 10 Hispanic Through Sunday, Nov. 9: Aint Misbehavin— festivals in the nation, events showcase outdoor Go back to the Harlem of the 20s and 30s with 30 music, food festivals, sporting events, National show-stopping songs. The White-Willis Theatre, competitions and more. Various locations. For 7143 Pine Island Rd., Tamarac. 954.726.7898 or information visit www.hispanicfestival.com, email 954.942.9578. [email protected] or call 305.541.5023. Wednesday, Oct. 29 - Sunday, Nov. 2: Tuesdays and Saturdays, Through Dec. 6 Hedwig and the Angry Inch—Born a boy, Hansel : Outlawz Hair Raising Event—The Outlawz will falls in love with a good-looking American GI who have a collection site for the Sunshine Athletic promises a better life if he undergoes a sex change Association’s Holiday Basket Project available operation to become a female who he can then during the Outlawz country dance sessions at Sea marry. The operation is seriously botched leaving Monster. Doors open at 5 p.m., Line Dance lesson Hedwig with an “Angry Inch”. Broward Center, 201 at 6 p.m.. www.theoutlawz.biz. Southwest Fifth Ave. 954.462.0222. Thursday, Oct. 30: Uniquely Florida: Beauty Thursday, Oct. 30 - Nov. 23: Proof—David and Spirit Through Art—Part of a lecture series Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning play is a powerful focusing on art and artists in Florida. 7:30 - 9 p.m. proclamation of the dynamics of the mind and the in the Bienes Center at the Broward County Main often times fickle yet overpowering nature of human Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. emotions. Sol Theatre Project, 1140 N. Flagler Dr., Broward County’s Public Art will be highlighted by Fort Lauderdale. Reservations: 954.525.6555; Kerry Kennedy, program manager for Broward www.soltheatre.com. County’s public arts projects. Free. For more information, call 954.357.7443. Friday, Oct. 31: WIN Halloween Party— Music Prizes, full bar and music by Eclipse. Costumes or Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 27 and 28: not. $12/members, $15/non-members (includes free Mindless Self Indulgence—6:30 p.m. at Culture drink and light fare). 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. at the Italian Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, American Civic League, 2310 N.E. 7th Ave., Wilton 954.564.1074. Manors. Call Flo at 954.961.7176 for more Wednesday, Oct. 29: Vienna Symphony information. Orchestra—Vladimir Fedoseyev, Principal Sunday, Nov. 2: South Florida Dance for Conductor and Nikolaj Znaider, violin. Broward Life—It’s the American Red Cross of Greater Miami Center, 201 Southwest Fifth Ave. 954.462.0222. & The Keys South Florida’s Dance for Life. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31: Linda Eder—Enjoy an at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 evening of music with a rare vocal talent with an E. Flagler St., Downtown Miami. Featured performers impressive three-octave range who has been include: Maximum Dance Company, Miami compared to the illustrious Barbara Streisand. Hear Contemporary Dance, Ballet Florida Principal Eder’s amazing renditions of standards like “I Am Dancers, and Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance and Music What I Am,” “What Kind of Fool Am I?,” “Anthem” Ensemble. For tickets and information call and “The Impossible Dream.” Broward Center, 201 877.877.7677 or visit www.tixops.com. Southwest Fifth Ave. 954.462.0222. Sunday, Nov. 2: Annual Congregational Sunday, Nov. 2:Reel Music—The Flamingo Gathering—The Vice-Moderator of the Freedom band presents an evening of music from Metropolitan Community Churches, Rev. Elder the movies along with special guest, the Lambda Donald Eastman, will be honored as a special guest Choral. Local entertainer Electra will emcee. at the Annual Congregational Gathering of the Religious Science Fort Lauderdale, 1550 N.E. 26 membership of the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 S.W. St., Wilton Manors. Tickets: $10/advance, $15/ 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Wine and Cheese reception door. Buy tickets online at at 5 p.m. in the Great Hall followed by a short www.flamingofreedomband.com. For time and more meeting at 6 p.m. in the Walt Lawrence, Stephen information call 954.792.1320. Lewis Worship Center. Sunshine Cathedral members and friends are cordially invited. For information Exhibitions or directions, call 954.462.2004 or visit Saturday, Nov. 1 – Wednesday, Dec. 31: www.SunshineCathedral.org. Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Tuesday, Nov. 4: Books by the River—This Narratives—The exhibit chronicles the lives of 8-part series will be held at the New River Inn at the slaves using multi-media displays and interactive Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum, 231 S.W. audio/video learning centers. A digital registry will 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale at 7 p.m. on the first allow visitors to record information about relatives Tuesday of each month. The series presents authors or others who were former slaves active on the who have written books either about or set in Underground Railroad. African-American Research Florida. For information or to pre-register call Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., 954.357.7401. Fort Lauderdale. 954.625.2800. Friday – Sunday, Nov. 7 – 9: Newlife Expo 2003—Three days of Natural Health and Fitness; 120 exhibits and 130 speakers. Hyatt Hotel in Radio Miami. 800.928.6208 or www.newlifeexpo.com. The Norm Kent Show—Live from the Floridian Saturday, Nov. 8: Congregation Etz Chaim Restaurant on E. Las Olas Blvd., interviews and Sisterhood Dance for Gals and Guys—An commentary with Norm Kent. Weekday mornings, evening of continual dancing. $18. BYOB. 7 - 11 8 – 9 a.m. on WFTL 1400 AM. The Call-In Line is p.m. at the Italian American Club, 2310 N.E. Seventh 1.866.432.1400. www.NormKentShow.com Ave., Wilton Manors. For reservations and tickets Bridging the Gap—Call-in talk radio show call Scotti or Arlene: 954.427.8589. dedicated to creating a better understanding between Saturday, Nov. 22: Expanding Horizons— the straight and gay communities, with host Rene Save the date for the 7th Annual Recognition Dinner Bray. Sundays from 6 – 8 p.m. on WTAN 1340 AM. benefiting the Gay and Lesbian Foundation of South Live, worldwide broadcast at Florida. Honoring Dr. John Graves, Marleine Bastien, www.TampaBayGay.com/BTG. 1.800.263.8559. Damian Pardo and Bacardi. National Impact Award Michael Martini Hour—”Let’s stir the pot … to playwright Terrence McNally. Ms. Diana Ross and get to the bottom of the issues!” Gay talk radio, to introduce The Supremes. 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Thursdays, 6 – 7 p.m. on WPBR 1340 AM or on Diplomat Resort & Spa, 3555 S. Ocean Dr., the internet at www.talk1340.com. Hollywood. $185 per person includes cocktail Outright Radio—David Gilmore hosts this radio reception and dinner. For tickets and information, show about gay life in America. Saturdays at 3 p.m. please call 305.572.1841 or visit www.glfsf.org. on WLRN 91.3 FM.
Q10 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Maximum_Volume Pumping It Up with New Album Releases
Barbra Streisand: ‘The Movie Album’ (Columbia) A new album from Barbra Striesand is always an event, and The Movie Album is no different. But any release by an artist of La Streisand’s caliber also comes with a lot of hype and expectations. The trick is living up to those expectations. Of course her voice is flawless, and the orchestrations and arrangements are lush and gorgeous. With Barbra, it really comes down to a fan’s individual taste. If your thing is listening to Barbra croon, then The Movie Album is the CD you’ve been waiting for. The disc opens with “Smile,” a composition by Charlie Chaplin. It’s a timeless song, and Barbra makes it even lovelier. Her “Moon River,” the Henry Mancini classic from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is also beautiful, and she lays claim to Frank Sinatra’s song “The Second time Around” from High Time. Some lesser-known movie songs are included as well, such as “Emily” from The Americanization of Emily and the title song from Wild Is the Wind. What’s here is great, but my gripe isn’t with what’s here, it’s with what’s not. The last song on the CD, “You’re Gonna Hear From Me” from Inside Daisy Clover hints at why The Movie Album should have been a two-disc set. It’s got the makings of an upbeat showstopper, and that’s exactly the energy that this CD needs. As it is, The Movie Album is too soft, too lilting, and another disc would have provided the space for Babs to really cut loose. Let’s hope for The Movie Album spawns a sequel. — Review by Mary Damiano
Linda Eder: ‘Storybook’ (Angel) Voices like Linda Eder’s don’t come along every day. The gorgeous singer and actress, who made a splash on Broadway in Jekyll & Hyde, has a brand-new CD, Storybook, which gives her a chance to showcase her remarkable three-octave voice. Although Storybook is new, the material on the CD is some of Eder’s earlier work from a few years ago. The songs range from Simon and Garfunkle’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to the torchy “The Man That Got Away.” Eder excels at each style. She is the rare singer who can cozy up to a ballad or deliver a showstopper with an equal mix of grace and guts. Storybook is a classy, delightful mix of big band-style numbers, jazz-infused numbers and odes to love. Eder’s husband, Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, wrote many of the most impressive tracks, including the infectious, retro-flavored opener “One Bad Habit.” Eder couldn’t ask for better material, and Wildhorn couldn’t ask for a better singer to interpret his songs—they literally make beautiful music together. Every song is a keeper. “Is This Any Way to Fall in Love?” another Wildhorn composition, is sophisticated and sassy, like one of those 1950s romantic comedies. The title track, from Wildhorn’s musical The Scarlet Pimpernel, is whimsical and gorgeous. And Eder really gets to strut her stuff on the bonus track, “Vole Mon Ange,” an honest-to-goodness aria from Svengali. Storybook is a remarkable CD, stunning in its range, depth and beauty. Editor’s Note: Catch Linda Eder in concert this Friday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m., at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. — Review by Mary Damiano
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q11 Q12 www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003