Category: Entertainment

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InstaHunk Round-Up: Hump Day Edition

https://www.instagram.com/p/COLqA-9LZJh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Checking in on the hunks of Instagram this fine Hump Day. Billy Reilich (above) lightens the day with some comedy: Why do bananas need sunscreen? Because they peel… Mr. Brazil Gay 2020, Max Souza, is giving you serious Speedo action at the beach. https://www.instagram.com/p/COJR_imrRk5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link International pop star Ricky Martin went for black leather & blond beard for his cover of Schon Magazine: https://www.instagram.com/p/COOAcYRnSg_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Woofy Fran Dullon is pining for the days of gay cruises. Fact – I actually met the InstaHunk on my last Atlantis Cruise in August 2019, and he was uber-charming. https://www.instagram.com/p/CONkDP7D9V8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Actor Jim Newman is “anaconda hunting” in the Amazon??? #PleaseStayInTheBoat https://www.instagram.com/p/COLymivlKqh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Curtis Fitzgerald definitely did NOT skip leg day at the gym: https://www.instagram.com/p/COMbXfsAF2u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Out singer/songwriter Milahroy is giving you ‘mood’ as he preps for the release of his next single,”Daylight,” on Friday: https://www.instagram.com/p/COJBy5_hCHV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Brock Yurich throws down the gauntlet on what actually constitutes “shorts:” https://www.instagram.com/p/COOZcEtpGVV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Fitness trainer Nathan McCallum pretty much proves he’s super-human in this series of core workouts. I can’t do this but I like his music… https://www.instagram.com/p/COMR9t7A2xq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Podcast: Chatting With Mike Abrams On ‘The Wrong Cat Died’

Hit play to hear my interview with the fun podcast "The Wrong Cat Died"

Hit play to hear my interview with the fun podcast "The Wrong Cat Died" Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast series, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heavyside Layer than Grizabella. I’ve written in the past that in 1986 my life was changed when I was cast as the ‘Magical Mr. Mistoffelees’ in a brand new National Touring company of CATS. To give some perspective, CATS was, in terms of popularity, the Hamilton of its day. All over America, everywhere we went, we were sold out months before we arrived.

Me back in 1986 as ‘the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees’
Fast forward to Fall 2020, my cast reunited in a virtual event performing material from the show to raise money for The Actors Fund. At the time, as “the journalist” of the group, folks asked if I would try and help with the publicity aspect. At the time, I came across Mike’s very entertaining podcast where, initially, he opined on which cat actually should have/deserved to go to the Heaviside Layer at the end of the show. I booked three of my cast mates to go on the podcast and share, not only about our event, but their time ‘back in the day.’  Mike had interviewed cats from the Broadway revival, but no one from the original days in the 1980s. Listening to his character by character in the beginning episodes, I was charmed to find that my character was – in his opinion – the cat that really deserved that next “Jellicle” life. Some weeks ago, he invited me to come on the show and chat. I believe I’m the first ‘Mistoffelees’ to be interviewed on the show, which is quite the honor. This was much fun to revisit the Hit the play button below or listen wherever you get your podcasts – Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, and Stitcher.

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First Look: New Spielberg Revamp Of ‘West Side Story’

Still from the upcoming 2021 revamp of West Side Story
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in West Side Story (credit: Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios)
In addition to seeing the legend herself, Rita Moreno, present on last night’s Oscars, viewers were also treated to the first look at the upcoming film reboot of West Side Story. Directed by Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tony Kushner, West Side Story reinvents the classic Romeo and Juliet story seen through the lens of fierce gang rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. With the focus on young lovers Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), sharing the spotlight are territorial gangs Sharks and Jets pulsing with youhtful angst and a desire to find ‘somewhere’ they can belong. I know I have a lot of readers who love Broadway musicals. Having performed WSS several times (playing just about every Jet from Riff to Action to Snowboy to Baby John) as well as staging the show, this looks to be amazing. I got chills watching this quick sneak peek. From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company will release West Side Story in US theaters on December 10, 2021. Can’t wait! The luminous Moreno (who scored one of the original 1961 film’s 10 Oscars) not only plays the role of ‘Valentina’ in gender-flipped casting of the local drug store owner ‘Doc,’ but is an executive producer on the film.

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First Look At Emotional Final Season Of POSE

Season 3 of POSE premieres on FX on May 2

Season 3 of POSE premieres on FX on May 2
Season 3 of POSE premieres May 2 on FX
The creators behind the acclaimed FX series POSE have released the trailer for the upcoming 3rd and final season premiering on May 2. In the clip, we hear from the actors who have brought the compelling characters to life about where we find them in 1994. Official synopsis:

In the final season of Pose, it’s now 1994 and ballroom feels like a distant memory for Blanca who struggles to balance being a mother with being a present partner to her new love, and her latest role as a nurse’s aide.

Meanwhile, as AIDS becomes the leading cause of death for Americans ages 25 to 44, Pray Tell contends with unexpected health burdens. Elsewhere, the emergence of a vicious new upstart house forces the House of Evangelista members to contend with their legacy.

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Scott Rudin Addresses Reports Of ‘Troubling Interactions’ With Colleagues

Producer Scott Rudin

Producer Scott Rudin
Producer Scott Rudin (screen capture via 60 Minutes)
After reports of excessive bullying, Broadway producer Scott Rudin has issued a statement to the Washington Post apologizing for his “history of troubling interactions with colleagues.” He adds that he will step away from “active participation” in his current and upcoming Broadway productions.

“Much has been written about my history of troubling interactions with colleagues, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly,” he wrote in a three-paragraph statement emailed to The Post.

“After a period of reflection, I’ve made the decision to step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately. My roles will be filled by others from the Broadway community and in a number of cases, from the roster of participants already in place on those shows.”

“My passionate hope and expectation is that Broadway will reopen successfully very soon, and that the many talented artists associated with it will once again begin to thrive and share their artistry with the world. I do not want any controversy associated with me to interrupt Broadway’s well deserved return, or specifically, the return of the 1500 people working on these shows.”

In addition to blockbuster productions like the Bette Midler revival of Hello, Dolly!, Rudin had three productions running on Broadway (West Side Story, The Book of Mormon, To Kill a Mockingbird), as well as the upcoming The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman. Read the full article here.

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LGBTQ Critics Honor The Best In 2020 Cinema

Don't miss the Dorian Film Toast 2021 this Sunday, April 19 at 8pm ET/5pm PT

Don't miss the Dorian Film Toast 2021 this Sunday, April 19 at 8pm ET/5pm PT The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has its Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild has the SAG Awards, but now its time to find out what the queer entertainment critics thought represented the best in cinema this past year. GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics will present its first-ever Dorians Film Toast 2021 awards special Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the free LGBTQ+ streaming service Revry at revry.tv. Hosted by gay entertainment and broadcasting veteran Karel, the Dorians Toast offers a queer-centric twist on the standard awards show combining tributes, interview segments, music, and comedy. Plus, members of GALECA take part in lively round-table discussions on nominees in several categories. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNqe76cpLVx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Those categories include Best Film, Best LGBTQ film, Best Documentary, Best LGBTQ Documentary, Best Unsung Film, Campiest Flick, ‘We’re Just Wilde About You!’ Rising Star Award, Wilde Artist Award (To a Truly Groundbreaking Force in Entertainment), as well as honors for best actor and actress in leading and featured roles. Best Film nominees this year include First Cow, Minari, Nomadland, Promising Young Woman, and Sound of Metal. Among those nominated for Best Director are rising Hollywood firebrand Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman and actress Regina King for her feature film directorial debut in One Night in Miami. Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan (“Will & Grace”) will receive the Society’s Timeless Star career achievement honor, and transgender writer-director-actress Isabel Sandoval accepts the inaugural GALECA Trailblazer Award. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNqkbfapy2C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link For a full list of nominees, click here. Presenters for the virtual event include director Lee Daniels (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Cheyenne Jackson (Call Me Kat), Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious, Antebellum), Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight, Concrete Cowboy), Rafael Silva (Fluidity, 9-1-1 Lone Star), Harmony Valle-Ramirez (Room To Grow), comedian Margaret Cho, the legendary Charo, and more. Dorians Film Toast 2021 is coproduced by Brandon Riley Miller (Life in Segments, High) and John Griffiths for GALECA. In order to be eligible for the Dorians Film Toast 2021, films were required to have a theatrical or digital theatrical release from January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021. Don’t miss this year’s Dorians Film Toast 2021 on Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the free LGBTQ+ streaming service Revry at revry.tv. Founded in 2009, GALECA (formerly known as the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association) boasts a membership of nearly 290 professional LGBTQ journalists covering film and television. GALECA hosts two Dorian Awards events during the year – one honoring the best in film and another acknowledging the finest in TV – from mainstream to LGBTQ fare. Last September, the organization celebrated their Dorians TV Toast 2020 with appearances by Billy Porter, Dan Levy, Hugh Jackman, Shangela, Thomas Roberts, Bruce Vilanch and many more. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFIrYsUpbBl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Note: I’m a proud voting member of GALECA.

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Gus Kenworthy Will Be Colton Underwood’s ‘Gay Guide’ On Netflix Series

Gus Kenworthy will serve as a 'gay guide' to newly-out Colton Underwood on new Netflix reality series
Gus Kenworthy will serve as a 'gay guide' to newly-out Colton Underwood on new Netflix reality series
L-R Colton Underwood, Gus Kenworthy (via screen cap, Instagram)

Former Bachelor star Colton Underwood, who came out as gay during an interview on Good Morning America Wednesday morning, is getting his own Netflix reality show.

The unscripted series, according to Variety, will focus on Underwood learning to navigate living his life as an out gay man.

While Netflix shared no details about the multi-episode series, an insider says out Olympic medalist Gus Kenworthy will participate as a ‘gay guide’ of sorts as Underwood explores being a part of the LGBTQ community.

In that Underwood is a former NFL football player, and Kenworthy is a decorated free-style skier, it’s easy to imagine some discussion will be had on coming to grips with being gay while competing in such hyper-masculine sports.

No word on when the series will debut but the Netflix insider says the project is currently shooting.

Reality TV seems to be in Underwood’s blood as he’s been a big part of ‘Bachelor Nation’ for the past few years having taken part in The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and then eventually being cast as The Bachelor.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNpRZsYByHh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In his interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, you could hear the nerves in Underwood’s voice as he shared he’s “run from myself for a long time” and “hated myself for a long time” before coming to the words, “I’m gay.”

“I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing all of that,” he added. “The next step in all of this was sort of letting people know.”

The 29-year-old also offered advice to anyone struggling with coming out saying, “When the time’s right and you’re ready, do it on your own time.”

Many on social media offered their support to Underwood including out celebs Andy Cohen, Billy Eichner, and Dan Levy.

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New Music: Kat Cunning ‘Could Be Good’

Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning

Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning
Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning (promo photo)
Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning recently released her upbeat, downtempo single “Could Be Good” today reminding us to focus on the light around us, not the dark. “’Could Be Good’ is a portrait of the optimism that kept life rich for me this past crazy year,” Kat says of the new track. “I wrote it in a swing of hope as I was falling in love during the pandemic and the lyrics are an intimate retelling of some of those special little moments.”

The non-binary actor and singer shares they would “love for it to inspire hope and courage for others to take a risk.” “There was a lot of darkness in 2020, but this song is a snapshot of the light,” adds Cunning. “Could Be Good” comes a week and a half after Kat Cunning teamed up with The Ally Coalition for Give A Yes! (G.A.Y.), a voicemail bank where fans can leave messages of encouragement, affirmation and hope at (971) 202-0021. Later this Spring, these voice messages of love will be compiled and featured on GiveAYes.com. Hit play to check out “Could Be Good” above. You can follow Kat Cunning on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNffdKnjay7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Monday Music: Carly Simon ‘Let The River Run’

Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe winner Carly Simon

Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe winner Carly Simon
Pop music legend Carly Simon (photo: Heidi Wild Photography via Facebook)
Happy Monday, folks! First featured in the 1988 film Working Girl, “Let the River Run” was written and recorded by pop music legend Carly Simon. The song scored an Academy Award for Best Original Song as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. The song also earned Simon the Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television.

Let the river run, Let all the dreamers wake the nation Come, the New Jerusalem Silver cities rise, The morning lights the streets that lead them And sirens call them on with a song

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Out Music: Brandyn Killz “Losin’ It”

Out artist and producer Brandyn Killz
Brandyn Killz (promo photo)
Out artist and producer Brandyn Killz recently dropped an upbeat new single written for a friend struggling with addiction titled, “Losin’ It.” The track is an infectious dance anthem for anyone faced with a challenge. “Losin’ It” is a fighter’s anthem,” shared Brandyn in a recent interview with SonicSmoothie. “It’s one of those songs you can use to encourage a friend or give yourself a boost. It’s an instant invite to dance your troubles away with me. Describing his music as “electro-soulpop,” Brandyn views music as a form of release and escape; a place where he can be whoever he wants to be, and where he can invite his listeners to do the same, even if only for a moment.

A blend of pop and modern electro with echoes of 70s and 80s classics, the San Diego-based artist’s analog-meets-digital approach to music (fueled by 10 years of music production experience) results in catchy tunes that are “all electronic & dangerously pop.” Intent on inducing feelings of empowerment and independence, Brandyn’s songs are about finding a positive headspace while dealing with complex emotions. Check out “Losin’ It” below and follow him on social media here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNGd1N8BjrU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CMvoZpBhiMH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CMaRj7FBhwP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link