Author: Randy Slovacek

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Saturday Sun song: Norm Lewis – Go The Distance

Candi and I just interviewed my friend the fab, handsome, charming Norm Lewis who has been deservedly nominated for every award possible this season on Broadway for his performance as “Porgy” in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.  (By the way, today is his birthday!)

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love Norm.  I’m thinking good thoughts for him as the Drama Desk Awards are tomorrow and the Tony Awards are next Sunday.  As those of us who know him are aware, he’s really one of the great gifts on Broadway today.

Wanted to hear him sing a bit, so I chose this.  This song is from his solo CD This Is The Life.
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George Zimmerman’s bond revoked; ordered to return to jail

The Washington Post is reporting that Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester revoked the bond of the neighborhood watch volunteer charged with killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and ordered him returned to jail within 48 hours.

Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester said Friday that George Zimmerman misled the court about how much money he had available when his bond was set for $150,000 in April. Prosecutors claim Zimmerman had $135,000 available that had been raised by a website he set up.

Prosecutors also say he failed to surrender a second passport.

The defense says the finances are an innocent misunderstanding.

Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder of Trayvon Martin and is claiming self-defense.

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The Los Angeles Beat: Rona Newton-John

Donna Lethal, who writes for The Los Angeles Beat, recently wrote about one of my favorite people – Rona Newton-John.  

I adore Rona, and I love that the first thing she mentions is her sense of honesty, which is really right at the top of what makes Rona so fab.

Make sure you check out Rona’s new Blog – Out There with Rona – on Tumblr

I wanted to share just a bit of the article.  Go to The Los Angeles Beat to read the whole piece. 

10 Things (more or less)  that make Rona…Rona

Truth is the most important thing to me… simply telling the truth. Being honest, hopefully without hurting feelings. My sister jokingly says I need an edit button, (and occasionally she’s right,) but she also knows I’ll always tell her and everyone I really care about how (I feel) it is. I expect the same in return.

I started ballet class at five years old, so exercise has always been a very important part of my life. Almost everyday for the last ten years I have hiked the trails from Fryman Canyon in Studio City up into the hills. I prefer to go alone, because it’s my solitary time to think, to feel grateful for my life, and feel one with nature.

I was a successful model very young, and I worked a lot as an actress. I was very lucky. Work came to me…I really didn’t have the drive or ambition to go after it. However, twenty-five years ago I found what I really love to do… I love to write. I’ve recently finished my memoir …and I’m about to start my own blog.  It’s going to called ‘Out there with Rona’.

Last but far from least. Motorcycles. I was introduced to the incredible beauty of Northern California, Oregon and Washington State from the back of my ex-boyfriends motorcycle. To me there is nothing more exciting or exhilarating than riding through the changing temperatures of the country-side breathing in nature; wild sage by the roadside, pine trees on high mountain roads, or salty air from the waves crashing on beaches far below. Then nights spent in quaint motels in small towns in the middle of nowhere, playing pool in smoky bars, having dinner in a diner or talking to the colorful locals.

I miss it.

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Michelle Obama: Marriage equality is a “matter of fairness”

In a video posted online by the White House Thursday night, the first lady answered questions submitted via Twitter.

One question said, “Please tell us about your family discussions about marriage equality and thank President Obama for his support.”

Michelle Obama responded, “For Barack and me, it really comes down to the values of fairness and equality that we want to pass down to our girls. I mean, these are basic values that kids learn at a very young age and that we encourage them to apply in all areas of their lives. And in a country where we teach our children that everyone is equal under the law, discriminating against same-sex couples just isn’t right. So it’s as simple as that. We’re proud to have your support.”

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Chippendales celebrates 4,000th performance in Las Vegas

Photo: Arlene Richie

The men of Chippendales celebrated their 4,000th performance in Las Vegas at the Rio Hotel and Casino last night. 

This makes Chippendales one of the longest running shows in Las Vegas.  And the women keep coming…

Next week the men of Chippendales welcome their newest celeb guest host Joey Lawrence for a three week run.

Rock on.

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DC Comics’ Green Lantern comes out

Click pic for larger view

From Towleroad: DC Comics outs Alan Scott aka the original Green Lantern, who is currently appearing as a character in its Earth 2 series.

Entertainment Weekly speaks with writer James Robinson about the coming out:

The original version of Alan Scott was an older man, and he had a superpowered son, Obsidian, who was gay. The fact that Scott was young now [thanks to a universe-wide reboot] meant Obsidian no longer existed. I thought it was a shame that DC was losing such a positive gay character. I said, “Why not make Alan Scott gay?” To Dan DiDio’s credit, when I suggested it to him, there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation.
[The Alan Scott character is] a giant of the media industry. By getting involved in communication, the news, and the Internet, he’s become a billionaire. He’s kind of a cross between Mark Zuckerberg and David Geffen. The original Alan Scott owned a radio station in the ’40s and ’50s, so he was a media giant then. He was this bold, heroic, brave man who took control, who would risk his life for you and be this emerald knight that was always there to protect the world. The Alan Scott I’m doing now is that same dynamic, brave, honorable man. A man that you’d want guarding your welfare, your children, your life, your home. He’s willing to give his life for the world. He’s everything you want in a hero. And he happens to be gay. So really, apart from his sexuality, there isn’t that much of a difference.

Check out the preview of the new Earth 2 at this link.