But mostly because that took some balls, yo. Plus, it’s hot. And the guy is totes adorbs.
P.S. Though gay, I don’t normally make a habit of going on about Kylie Minogue videos. Nothing against her–she’s a right-on sister, a cancer survivor. I just don’t, that’s all.
The show’s going really well–in fact, the cast and crew have done an outstanding job. It’s funny and outrageous and pretty to look at, and hopefully it reminds everyone that our actors can really act. I couldn’t be happier. None of us could.
Except maybe where attendance is concerned.
Now, don’t get me wrong: audiences have been good–at least as good as A Place in the Sun, if not marginally better. I was a bit worried about that, thanks to the nation’s economic climate and the fact that New Orleanians still seem jangled from certain Meteorological Events. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case.
However, we’re having to beat the bushes a little to drum up business. Since there’s a movie of the play–a movie that has a small cult following–I was secretly hoping for sell-out run on par with our production of Sordid Lives. Hell, if anything, this show ought to do better: DIE! MOMMY! DIE! is a brilliant parody of an entire cinematic genre, while Sordid Lives…well, to call it clunky would be generous. Admittedly, the movie of Sordid Lives is an improvement on the play, while the film of DIE! MOMMY! DIE! is not. But still: I was hoping to see some hot, Tokyo subway crowdedness in Le Chat’s waiting area.
Which is why I cobbled together a trailer:
See, people? It’s funny. It has men in dresses and snappy, Bette Davis-esque dialogue. There are hilarious low-tech effects, a live-on-stage acid trip, and the World’s Largest Suppository in Captivity. And there’s no fake blood, so don’t be afraid to sit on the front row. Only two more weekends, so get moving!
HATE: The fact that I’ve never been to Lebanon. And that my biological father doesn’t seem inclined to take me to the home country for a visit with the relatives–at least not anytime soon.
LOVE: This series of curiously poofy cartoons that may or may not have anything to do with the gay life of Sherlock Holmes.
HATE: This British priest who’d be positively delighted if Olde Ladie Englande lost consciousness, fell in a ditch, and woke up with amnesia, so he could reinstate laws to prevent Sodomites from sodomizing willy nilly. Such as:
Let us make it obligatory for homosexuals to have their backsides tattooed with the slogan SODOMY CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH and their chins with FELLATIO KILLS.
LOVE: This video bit between Karl Lagerfeld and Tom Ford and the fact that it may be magnificent or possibly horrible. I can’t tell.
HATE: The fact that Mr. Ford has never sent me one of his impeccable suits. Ever. Hint.
LOVE: The fact that Americans seem grown-up enough to have grown-up discussions about polyamorous relationships.
HATE: The fact that economic crisis (usually) = a surge in fiscal and social conservativism = moot discussions about polyamorous relationships.
HATE: That I am too tired to hate much more today. But I love that there is tomorrow.
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ANOTHER REASON NOT TO HATE TO LOVE BRAD PITT
More good news for New Orleans: cosmetics powerhouse Kiehl’s has apparently formed a partnership with Brad Pitt called JPF Eco Systems (which is not the most memorable or descriptive of names, but Brad isn’t in the habit of calling me up at 3:00 in the morning and running these sorts of things by me). The way the partnership seems to work is that Kiehl’s identifies a product–say, a new one that needs promoting–and then dedicates 100% of that item’s profits to a charity of Pitt’s choice.
The first product in the batter’s box is Kiehl’s “Aloe Vera” Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser, and proceeds will benefit–you guessed it–Pitt’s Make It Right foundation, which, as we should all know by now, supports sustainable housing initiatives in New Orleans.
I’m still not sure why the partnership needs a name itself–unless “JPF” stands for “Jolie-Pitt Foundation”, and Angelina wanted her name in there somewhere, goddammit. Frankly, I think it confuses things. Also confusing: the use of scare quotes around “Aloe Vera”. Is there aloe in that bottle or not? Or did Kiehl’s just use quotation marks when they really meant to underline? Was there no English major in the room when they sent the labels to press? And on a related note: why haven’t I seen any mention if this in the local media–apart from the fact that I don’t read?
Of course, I’d be happy to drop all those contentions if only Brad and/or Angelina would come to my house to show me how to use the stuff.
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FILE UNDER “HOLY FREAKIN’ CRAP” CC TO “GO ON WITH YOUR BADASS SELF”
Not only has the esteemed and learned Clancy DuBos stepped down as editor of Gambit Weekly, but he’s been replaced by smartypants, savvypants, hotpants, and vaguelyclosepersonalfriend Kevin Allman. If you’re not from New Orleans, that may not mean much, but trust me: Kevin is a great choice for the job and should work really well with the rest of the Gambit staff.
The downside? Kevin will probably be so busy with smoking cigars and crushing the little people and laughing over New Yorker cartoons and whatever else people do in editorial meetings that he’ll have less time to blog. Which is sad because although they have some really good writers over there, Kevin’s voice is distinctive and very funny.
All of which begs a shameless hussy of a question: Hey, Kevin, y’all need a hand over yonder?
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Things That Have Happened Since Last We Spoke
Our show opened. The cast, crew, and I survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Hoofreakinray.
My sister released promo videos for her new CD, DVD, and boxed set. That boxed set is looking awfully literal.
A judge has granted NBC Universal a preliminary injunction that prevents the Weinstein Co. from moving Project Runway from NBCU-owned Bravo to Lifetime next year.
“NBC Universal is pleased that the court granted our motion for a preliminary injunction against the Weinstein Company,” the media powerhouse said in a statement.
“The overwhelming evidence demonstrated that the Weinstein Company violated NBC Universal’s right of first refusal to future cycles of Project Runway. After hearing all of the evidence, the court issued an order prohibiting the Weinstein Company from taking the show or any spinoff to Lifetime.”
“We are disappointed with the court’s decision to grant the preliminary injunction against the Weinstein Company.,” Lifetime said in response to the ruling.
“It’s unfortunate that the people hurt most by this ongoing dispute are the loyal fans of Project Runway….”
Fans hurt? Please, Mary. If anything, the show’s fans are happy that they finally have some drama to watch. Seriously: the mealy-mouthed dullards on PR this season are about as interesting as John McCain’s sex life–which is to say, the exact opposite of interesting. Also: laughable and occasionally revolting.
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If you’re in New Orleans, I have two suggestions for you this weekend:
2. Also see Thrill me, playing its final weekend at the Marigny Theatre.
Now, I know what you’re thinking about that second one: a musical drama? A new musical drama? About Leopold and Loeb? Believe me, I know. I had the same concerns when I went last Sunday night. But honestly, by the time they started plotting Bobby Franks’ death, I was totally, 100% hooked. Loeb’s seduction of Franks is especially good, as was the subsequent unraveling of the duo’s Nietzschean plot. The production was simple and spare and intimate and engaging and inventive–exactly my kind of show. Maybe not the kind I tend to work on, but the kind I love to see in my off hours.
Yeah, I know the weather’s pretty, and sure, you ought to get outside a bit while the getting is good. But would it kill you to sit in a darkened room with a cocktail and enjoy some hot, thespian action? Sheesh.
“State Rep. John LaBruzzo says the government should consider cash incentives for poor people to undergo reproductive sterilization, because society is careening toward a day when persons on public assistance outnumber taxpayers and the economy collapses. A look at Louisiana welfare numbers suggests his fear is unfounded….
“Figures from the state Department of Social Services show recipients of the main form of welfare, the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, have plunged from a monthly average of 280,177 people in fiscal 1990-91 to 13,504 people in 2006-07. The monthly grant to a qualifying mother with two children is now $240.
“Total annual spending over the 16-year period dropped from $187.2 million to $16.5 million, less than legislators earmarked for pet projects.
“The main reason for the decline, said Social Services spokeswoman Cheryl Michelet, is the 1996 federal welfare reform legislation signed by President Clinton. It put a five-year lifetime cap on benefits….” [emphasis totally 100% mine]
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