Audition For "A Letter From The Bishop"

If you are in Manhattan March 8-13 and would like to audition for a role in the NYC reading of my play "A Letter From The Bishop" (or if you know someone you think could read a gay priest or bishop,) leave your name and contact info as a comment on this post. I will not publish that comment (it will remain confidential), but I will receive your info and will contact you.

Stephen Petronio at the Joyce

Next week, Stephen Petronio, my favorite modern dance choreographer, again collaborates with my favorite classical contemporary composer/arranger/musician/opinionated blogger/adventurous eater, Nico Muhly. Just bought my tickets. And if you've never seen his dance company before, you'd better get yours soon, since it's sure to sell out.

The evening's program includes a world premier "The Architecture of Loss"- with original music by Valgeir Sigurðsson collaborating with Nico Muhly, along with 2002's "City of Twist" billed as "a love letter to New York City in the aftermath of 9/11", featuring music by Laurie Anderson (another of my favorites!). Also, a special treat: the first-ever revival of "Intravenous Lecture" (1970), conceived by contemporary dance legend Steve Paxton and performed by Stephen Petronio. (Steve Paxton is sited by Mr. Petronio as one of his earliest inspirations.)

The Vimeo teaser shows Petronio in the studio working with his dancers on "The Architecture of Loss", with the Sigurðsson music in the background. Watch it full screen.


Stephen Petronio Company and The Architecture of Loss from Blake Martin on Vimeo.

"Is This Love" By Stacey Jackson

Although she doesn’t have any NYC tour dates at the moment, something tells me that some will be added as soon as we get to know Stacey Jackson who has a huge gay following elsewhere. She’s performed at multiple pride parades in many different countries and her gay fans have propelled her up the charts in the UK. She’s been an outspoken LGBT ally and advocate. And younger female pop singers can only wish to look and sound as good as this momma. QNY, ahead of the curve with Stacey Jackson!

Tavern On The Groan

This is unspeakably and obviously wrong.

The 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

By West Village Bill

On Monday and Tuesday of last week, I caught the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. I've been recording and watching it on TV for years, but work has always prevented me from going in person. This year, the production schedule for the magazine I help edit fell in such a way that I was able to go. Woot!

The show is held over two days, always around Valentine's Day. The first day, the breeds in four groups are judged from the morning into early afternoon, and that night, the Best of Breed winners are judged to determine the group winners. As luck would have it, the two breeds I was most interested in seeing—the basset hound and the Pembroke Welsh corgi—were both being judged in the same ring starting at 8:30 on Monday. My partner and I have a basset named Rudy, and we used to have a corgi named Emme. (I ran a photo of Rudy and Emme on QNY a little over a year ago.) We had to have Emme put to sleep in September at the age of 16 after she lost control of her bladder and bowels.

There were only four bassets in the running for Best of Breed. The one all the way to the left in the photo below was the winner: GCH Fort Merrill Topsfield Yahoo, who's called Yahoo.

QNY's Baadlamb Turns 50!

He wears it well, n'est-ce pas?

Watch My New Play On Livestream

I have written a play about three gay priests and a bishop who is against marriage equality.
The first public reading will be Monday, Feb 13th, 7PM EST. You can watch it here, or you can use this address: http://www.livestream.com/aletterfromthebishop. I will schedule this post to go live at 6:30PM so you can settle in and endure the introductions, ads etc before we begin. Please login to Livestream to comment during the reading!

aletterfromthebishop on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Assistance

Posted by Mondschein

"Assistance" at Playwrights Horizons, February 9, 2012

Traveling familiar ground, the latest offering at the very consistent Playwrights Horizons is Leslye Headland's Assistance, about the struggling underclass of capitalist serfs, suffering at the hands of an unseen tyrant.  In this case the invisible antagonist is Daniel Weisinger, a highly volatile agent/representative (Barry Diller-like, perhaps?) in an unnamed industry, who wields fear, loathing and admiration from a series of put-upon administrative assistants.  At the top of the play, Vince, a slick and smarmy Lucas Near-Verbrugghe, celebrates the last day of his sentence before stepping up into a coveted "director" role (also undefined).  Following him up the corporate ladder is Nick, a likable Michael Esper, who takes on the part of chief torturer among the cadre of assistants.  Advancement comes at a high price.  Even Vince has to knuckle under to Daniel vagaries in his last moments as servant.

Last day to see Hide/Seek at The Brooklyn Museum of Art

"Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture" 





The baadlamb was there, and he partook:

baad lamb edit: I went two different days. My first visit, the show was nearly empty, which allowed me great contemplation and reflexion, the second day a week later was quite stuffed, creating a communal (un)square dance as art lovers of all persuasions do-si-doed their way across the crowded rooms.

Here's hoping everyone has already been to see this, but if not, you must read C-Monster's "Four reasons to go see Hide/Seek at the Brooklyn Museum", then put your coat on and grab your metro card. The museum is open till 6 PM tonight.

Discount Ticket Offer - "Assistance"

DISCOUNT TICKETS TO ASSISTANCE for BLOG READERS:

Regular run:  February 3-March 11
Tues 7, Wed-Fri at 8, Sat at 2:30 & 8, Sun at 2:30 & 7:30
Additional Monday evening perf February 27 at 7

Order by Feb. 21 and use the code HELPMEBLOG
$40 (reg. $70) for all performances Feb 3-19
$50 (reg. $70) for all other performances Feb 21-Mar 11

Online  http://goo.gl/ZY7ks
Call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 Noon to 8PM daily
In Person: Ticket Central Box Office, 416 W. 42nd Street between 9^th & 10^th Avenues

30&Under Party February 16 following the performance
All non-member tickets $25.  Use code PARTY.  Proof of age required at door.
Order at http://goo.gl/DpR5m

Psycho Therapy

"Psycho Therapy" at Cherry Lane Theatre, February 6, 2012

In its return to regular programming for the 2011-2012 season, Cherry Lane Theatre brings us Frank Strausser's new comedy.  It's a bit fluffy, and could easily have been adapted into an episode of Frasier.  Actually, that might have been a better idea.

In this intermissionless, 90 minute, four-hander, we meet early-middle-aged Lily (Angelica Page), torn between the good-on-paper Philip (Laurence Lau) and the much younger and significantly richer Dorian (Jeffrey Carlson), all during couples therapy with psychologist Nancy (Jan Leslie Harding). Neuroses abound, from Nancy's chocolate fetish, to Lily's inability to choose, to Philip's fear of commitment to Dorian's fear of being alone.

QNY Recommends Amanda Lepore

As always, she's doin' it her way! QNY will be bringing you news about Amanda in the near future.

Don't Miss The Next BLOWOFF

For more info.

QNY Recommends Cazwell & Peaches

Unzip Cazwell? Well, sure. QNY will be bringing you news about Cazwell in the near future.

Author Edmund White Has Had A Stroke

By Tony Adams

Two months after writer Edmund White suffered a stroke, he and his partner Michael carroll talk to me about how that stroke has altered their life. This is my report for 10thousandcouples.com. I like these two men immensely.

The writers Edmund White and Michael Carroll said, “We have not discussed it. We are not big on discussion. Everything is a tacit discussion.”

Such was their first response to the suggestion that White’s having suffered a stroke might have upset their 17-year partnership, enduring companionship, and deep affection for each other—a mutual devotion that rings clearly between the lines of their description of the medical emergency and its aftermath.

Read the rest of the report.

QNY Recommends Adam Tyler

QNY will be bringing you news about Adam Tyler in the near future. Here's his "Like A Drug" video.

New York Ladies With Advanced Style

See Tom Judson (Porn Star Gus Mattox) Tomorrow!

(I saw him perform in Key West. He'll be at the Metropolitan Room on Wednesday Feb 1st. Get your tickets here.)

When I checked in at Island House, Key West’s fabulous clothing optional gay guesthouse, on December 17^th, owner Jon Allen supplied a ticket to see QNY fave Tom Judson perform that evening on stage at the Tropic Cinema. Jon, who is on the Tropic’s board and is working to get more live gay entertainment in Key West, was also hosting singer/composer/author/Broadway performer  Judson—aka ex-porn star Gus Mattox—at Island House which made the prospect of lounging poolside even more attractive.  His cabaret-style performance that night was a delightful surprise that unleashed the talent and charming personality of a man known to many of us only by the sweat of his brow in the course of his successful two-year gay porn career. Next morning, at poolside breakfast, I had a chance to get acquainted with Judson who, at a boyish 51 years of age, is attractive, happy, energetic and enjoying a “fourth act” that is really a return to his prepornular musical career. (There was also a stint as a house renovator/flipper.)

When I asked him to describe “The Tom Judson Show” in terms of his experience and collaborative decisions about what elements of his past to include or emphasize, he said, “It feels like I've done just about everything in showbiz that one can do. 

Win Free Tickets to HOW TO SUCCEED...With Joe Jonas!

UPDATE:  Congratulations to winners Sarah P. and Anonymous commenter #6!  We will be contacting each of you on how to claim your pair of tickets to "How to Succeed..."

Dying to see a Broadway show but don't have the cash?  Let Queer New York give you a helping hand.

Just enter our Free Ticket Contest for the current Broadway smash revival of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and all your problems will be solved!  Well, maybe not all.  Some may still require you to visit your local Duane Reade, but that's your business.

Two lucky readers can win a pair of tickets.  To enter, write a comment on this post noting your favorite musical of all time, maybe include an anecdote about why you love it or a memorable performance that you've seen. The winners will be choosen at random and the announcement will be made here one week from today, on February 7th. Good luck!

See below for more information and additional opportunities for discount tickets!

Outside People

"Outside People" at Vineyard Theatre, January 7, 2012

Posted by Mondschein

Playwright Zayd Dohrn brings another tale of a stranger in a strange land to the NY stage with his Outside People.

It's an earnest and awkward effort, much like its main character, Malcolm (Matt Dellapina), a recent college graduate with no job or direction in his life.  His former roommate David, (Nelson Lee) has returned to his native China to start his own business.  He flies Malcolm over to work for his company as repayment for Malcolm's kindness to his when they were students.

Relatively Speaking

"Relatively Speaking" at Brooks Atkinson Theatre, December 20, 2011

Posted by Mondschein

As the graphic indicates, this is an evening of 3 unrelated one-act plays.

First up, Talking Cure by Ethan Coen.  Mr. Coen, you make very interesting movies.  Please return when you have an interesting play to show us.  Of all the work I have seen you produce for the stage (Offices, Almost an Evening), none have met that category yet.

A Year Ago Today

Via The West Side Rag, one year ago today, Central Park was the recipient of 20 inches of snow. Remember that?

(photo: Central Park Conservancy)

Fire and Ice: Prometheus and Zamboni-man

Immediately after my early morning Bergdorf's photo-fun in early December, I continued south on 5th Avenue to see The Tree, sans throngs of Christmas pilgrims. Like the Bethesda Fountain at midnight or Times Square during Hurricane Irene, the enveloping silence during these magical moments of missing frenetic movement allows New York's other, less celebrated personality some breathing-room. Equal and opposite to the crush of happy tourists and the rush of impatient natives, here at the the intersection of art and architecture, Christmas and commerce, man and machine, sometimes the hush of contemplation is the loudest voice.

Note: The NYT just ran a beautiful profile of the man who has done this job with dignity and discipline for 20 years.

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

"On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" at St. James Theatre, December 15, 2012 

Post by Mondschein

Why?

Why change the focus of the story from Daisy, now David (David Turner) to the psychologist Mark (Harry Connick, Jr.) 

Why hire Mr. Connick to perform on Broadway and not let him do what he does best? Did none of the producers and/or creative team see Pajama Game?  "Hernando's Hideaway" turned that show on its ear, combined with the infused chemistry playing opposite Kelli O'Hara.  We get neither here.

Why not have him accompany Melinda's (Jessie Mueller) numbers, particularly "Ev'ry Night at Seven," among several others of which could have been beefed up to accommodate him.

Two Great Albums by Singer-Songwriters With a Christmasy Song on Them

By West Village Bill

If it were possible, I'd have worn a digital groove in my iPhone listening to the great new albums by Matt Alber and David Mead over and over again.

I really enjoyed Alber's first album, Hide Nothing, and his second, Constant Crows, is a very successful follow-up. It starts off with the fantastic "Velvet Goldmine," whose second verse mentions Christmasy things like letting it snow, tinsel, and angels getting wings. And he sings Who-ish syllables toward the end of the song, after the listener has been swallowed up in gorgeous strings and horns.

Another favorite song from the album is "Brother Moon," a fun and sweet number Matt performs with his brother, Bryce. I had assumed that was who his singing partner was and confirmed it by asking Matt on Facebook. Look at me doing original reporting for this review. :-)

The river in question from the title of the second song on the album isn't named until the last three syllables. Read all about it here, if you're a geography buff. It's the longest river in North America but only the 13th largest in terms of discharge of water because it drains from rather dry parts of the U.S. and Canada.

Other highlights are the beautifully produced "Wallingford" and a fantastic cover of Madonna's "Take a Bow" that ends the album.

A couple of quibbles: I would have welcomed some more uptempo songs—after "Brother Moon," the rest of the album is decidedly slow—and some more songs period. There are only 10.

But I'm happy to have this new material from Matt, and I'll definitely try to catch him when he performs in New York in 2012.

Theater Review: Lysistrata Jones

By David

Lysisrata Jones, the new musical on Broadway that opened on Thursday, is quite possibly the most fun I've had in a theater in quite some time.  This is geniune, Grade A, frothy musical exhuberance.

Perry Brass: 12 Seductive Gifts for Christmas

                                                                                 Image courtesy of MySpace. 

“Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me.”

I know Christmas is a drag. There are all these rituals you have to do, like office parties and get-togethers with people you’d rather not get together with, and presents you have to accept from your Aunt Yetta that came either from the bargain basement section of Filene’s Basement (sad, ain’t it that F’s B is going out of business: what will Yetta do?), or the aisles of Walmart, when what you really want to do is . . . of course, get laid.

I mean, like who wouldn’t want to spend the holidays in bed with a gorgeous guy? Is there any red-blooded American who’d feel differently? Even gorgeous straight guys want to spend the holidays in bed with a gorgeous guy—namely themselves—if they could find the right person to accompany that idea.

So, with this in mind, I have solicited my own humpy Santa to come up with 12 scrumptious presents for the 12 days of Christmas. You can tailor this list a bit and cut it down to 8 for the 8 days of Hanukah, but the idea is basically the same: unwrapping something that foreplays further unwrapping. And all of this comes from the author of The Manly Art of Seduction , so of course I know what a seductive present should be like.

1) A book of poems. Start here. A good book would be something like Walt Whitman, Shakespeare, or Perry Brass (The Lover of My Soul , which has a genuinely seductive poem called “The Man Sucked Me Off in San Francisco”; who could ask for anything more?), or Gavin Dillard, the Naked Poet. You can find these books and more at most lgbt bookstores, or even Barnes and Noble. But I prefer you patronize your own seductive neighborhood booksmith. Now, after you unwrap the poems, read them in bed. And if he has a favorite poem, read it to him between recitals of licking him all over.

2) A black cashmere sweater. Nothing looks better on a man, aside from chest hair, than black cashmere. My favorite cashmere sweaters come from Brooks Brothers (it’s a fatal weakness; I admit it). But you can get other cashmere variations at J. Crew or some discount place (OK, back to Filenes, but they’re going under . . . ). The point is, as soon as it comes out the box, put it on him and nothing else. Few things look as good on any guys as just a black cashmere sweater. Now, if you can’t/won’t spring for cashmere, then get a black merino wool sweater, but I have to warn you: anything other than cashmere may make his nipples become erect fast. Golly. How awful. But isn’t that the reason hot Guido-type guys have been wearing tight sweaters with nothing under them since the time of Michelangelo?

QNY Film Review: "Crazy Wisdom"

In 2006 through an experience with psychedelic mushrooms I started down the path of becoming an adherent of Buddhism in this lifetime. Since then I have felt a close kinship to Buddhism that I know goes back to one of my past lives on this planet. In 2006 I was living in Colorado and was privileged to visit The Great Stupa of Dharmalaya in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado at the Shambhala Mountain Center. This Dharmadhatu meditation center was one of many founded by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, considered by some to be the best known Tibetan Buddhist Lama to live in the United States. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's brand of Buddhism falls under one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, called Kagyu. He was the founder of the first Buddhist University, (Naropa in Boulder, Colorado) in the West.

When I moved to New York two years ago I searched for that well of Buddhist spirituality here in New York and found it at the Shambhala Meditation Center at 118 West 22nd Street, 6th Floor. Since 2006 I have been constantly striving to experience and learn more about Vajrayana Buddhism and specifically Chogyam Trungpa's Shambhala Training. So when I heard that the Shambhala Meditation Center in partnership with the Rubin Museum of Art was going to show a documentary on the life of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, I knew I had to see it.

The documentary is called "Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche." Imagine if you will, if there had been a camera around in Jesus, Muhammad's or Buddha's day and pictures were taken and key people were interviewed that knew them. Well, Crazy Wisdom is just that. 

The Cherry Orchard

Post by Mondschein

"The Cherry Orchard" at Classic Stage Company, December 2, 2012

(photo: Carol Rosegg)

Classic Stage puts up The Cherry Orchard, the last production of its Chekhov Initiative, that included The Seagull, Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters in a new and very casual translation by John Christopher Jones.

Mr. Jones reportedly worked directly with the cast during rehearsals to make the vocabulary choices for their respective characters.  It had to have been great fun for the actors, but the result ends up straddling the border of anachronism and "huh?"  It was my first time seeing this play and I can't help but wonder there's something about Chekov that never makes it through translation.

In case my husband has not yet done his Xmas shopping.

THE LEGENDARY JEWELS, EVENING SALE 

13 December 2011 

Christie's New York, Rockefeller Plaza 

Lot 80: THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR DIAMOND

(The Krupp Diamond)

Estimate: $2,500,000 - $3,500,000

Part of the proceeds will support the work of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation

Lysistrata Jones

 "Lysistrata Jones" at Walter Kerr Theatre, November 18, 2011

Transferring from off-Broadway run downtown, Douglas Carter Beane takes on the Greeks again in this re-telling of the Aristophanes classic.  Tongue remains firmly in cheek, much as it did with Xanadu a few years ago.

Bergdorf Windows Without the Crowds

by baad lamb

If you and your camera want to enjoy Bergdorf's window displays without the massive pre-Christmas crowds getting in the way of your shots (Fifth Avenue sidewalks in December seems to rival Times Square for pedestrian density), here's the trick: Get up pre-dawn on a Sunday morning, pour your coffee in a to-go cup to save time, and arrive on site seven-ish. The tourists have not yet left their hotels, the tour buses are still en route, and the locals are still sleeping or still dancing. You will have the place to yourself (except for the 10 other people who had the same idea!)

Unless you're a professional photographer, shop windows are quite difficult to get full photos of, mostly due to the unavoidable reflection of nearly everything surrounding them. Lights, sky, taxi traffic, other pedestrians, the brightly lit windows across the street, and even yourself, all add complications that only occasionally can be  used to your benefit. So I leave the "whole window" shots to the pros, and instead focus on details, textures, colors, or eye-catching components. Luckily, the Bergdorf's window dressers seems to think that if "less is more", than way more must be excellent! Minimalism is not practiced here.

Even MORE more after the jump...

by baad lamb


Today's "back door" lesson. Just in case you're looking for it...

   This is not Roseland...                                           THIS is Roseland  

Who Would You Pick For The Job Of HRC President?

The search is underway. In this piece for 10thousandcouples.com, I review the job description, talk with some LGBT bloggers and highlight a few LGBT leaders who would be good choices. Agree? Disagree? Got a favorite?

World AIDS Day Premiere of "All the Way Through Evening"

QNY"s Perry Brass sends us this tip:  "I hope you will join me on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, World AIDS Day, for the world premiere of Australian filmmaker Rohan Spong's moving documentary tribute to several composers who died of AIDS, "All The Way Through Evening." The film's title comes from a series of 5 "Nocturnes" set to my poetry by the composer Chris DeBlasio who died of AIDS in 1993 at the age of 34. The premiere will be at 7:30 PM at the DMAC-DUO Multicultural Arts Center, 62 East 4th Street, in the East Village, and will also feature a program of live music and dance produced by Downtown Music Productions. Tickets are $20 through Smart Tix, and $25 at the box office."

The trailer, and  more information about how you can support the film,  are after the break

QNY Fave: NYC Photographer Andrew Weir

I love his work. Here is his portrait of twins, Travis and Troy Cannata. Check him out in YVY Magazine. And here.

NYC Designing Men: It Gets Better

ENJOY THANKSGIVING

Coming Home from a Hike Upstate

George Washington Bridge at Dusk

 

Riverside Drive around West 158th St. 

The Greatest Love/Hate Relationship in the World

In a bathroomless New York City, Starbucks offers us more than complicated caffeine. They also provide the life-saving bathrooms that make our daily routines possible. Here's a picture of my Starbucks on Columbus Avenue.

Sometimes a homeless person will tie up the bathroom literally for hours, and God save the person who is next in line.

Do we really want our barristas cleaning those bathrooms? There has got to be a better way to manage this human condition in the greatest city in the world.

Turkey Talk: Gag Or Gobble

These celebs, including some QNY faves, answer the eternal question: "His body's bangin' but his face is booty! Do you do him or don't him? 25 favorite gaylebrities, including MICHAEL MUSTO, ROBBYNE KAAMIL, and COLTON FORD get down and talk turkey!

Wine-Pairing Advice From Astor Wines & Spirits and a DVD Recommendation for After the Meal Is Over

By West Village Bill

Yesterday, my squeeze Tony P. and I took a walk to the East Village to check out Astor Wines & Spirits. I loved the Match Game–style window display that offered recommendations on which kind of wine to pair with various elements of your Thanksgiving meal.

I realize it's hard to see everything because of the weird angle and the window glare, so I'll note that the pairing suggestions are: cabernet franc with herb (stuffing), pinot noir with roast (turkey), zinfandel with spice (cranberry sauce), chardonnay with butter (butternut squash), sherry with pie (it probably should have said sweet instead), and riesling with char (Brussels sprouts).

I was impressed with the breadth of the bottles inside. There were many wines I'd never heard of.

As you'd expect with any large store, there were some items that seemed like bargains and others that seemed overpriced. Tony and I have been drinking a lot of Oregon pinot noir lately, and we saw one from Benton-Lane Winery that we'd drank before that cost a couple dollars more than at stores in our neighborhood. But we spotted an enjoyable pinot gris from Montinore Estate for the cheapest price we'd ever seen it: $12.99.

Private Lives

Posted by Mondschein

"Private Lives" at The Music Box, November 15, 2011

This London transfer brings Kim Cattrall back to the Rialto for the first time in 25 years, leading this production of the Noel Coward classic.  Her Amanda was hailed in London and she arrives in New York with a new Elyot in the very handsome Paul Gross.

The crossing seems to have had an impact on the production.  I will confess that there was much to live up to in my eyes, having basked in the glorious revival of 2002 with Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan. (Unfair?  Perhaps.)