Category: Entertainment

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Billy Porter Debuts Music Video: “I Want My Art To Make A Difference”

During former Vice President Joe Biden’s streaming event on Saturday celebrating the one-year anniversary of his entry into the 2020 presidential race, Emmy/Tony/Grammy Award winner Billy Porter premiered the lyric video for his new single, “For What It’s Worth.” Biden’s “Soul of a Nation” event encouraged supporters to take action to help support their local communities as well as thanking front line essential workers and first responders. It was a theme of community that inspired Porter to record the ubiquitous classic: “I decided to record ‘For What It’s Worth’ because I wanted to have my art and my music matter, make a difference. I come from the generation where the music reflected what was going on in the world. I wanted to have a hand in bringing that back and speaking truth directly to power.” Tying into the theme of Biden’s event, Porter called for citizens to make sure they are registered to vote and then do so in November. “Our voices and our votes matter now more than ever,” said Porter. “I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, I just want you to vote. I, personally, will be casting my vote for Joe Biden.” You can register to vote by clicking here. For the song’s video, Porter turned to artist Kameron Neal to create a compelling and important piece of visual art. “This lyric video is EVERYTHING!,” said Porter. “Kameron Neal did an amazing job of capturing the right tone with the right imagery, usage of color, the interesting typography, and the reference to the classic Selma to Montgomery March photo. When I saw the final version, I cried.”

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Take Me To The World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration

A starry line-up of Broadway favorites are toasting Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday with a once-in-a-lifetime concert event live on Broadway.com titled, ‘Take Me To The World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration.’ As I was planning this post, I realized how much I admired Sondheim’s incredible talent, but how much his work impacted my own career in theater. The first musical I ever appeared in was one of the greatest musicals ever written – Gypsy (lyrics by Sondheim). I earned my actor’s union card in a gorgeous production of West Side Story (lyrics by Sondheim).

Performing ‘Into The Woods’ – I’m the one hugging the cow
Over the next couple of decades, I appeared in productions of Into The Woods (score by Sondheim), more West Side Story (playing about every Jet you can think of), and more. And the last Broadway production I appeared in was the 2001 revival of his masterpiece Follies starring Blythe Danner, Treat Williams, Judith Ivey and Gregory Harrison – a joyful experience from beginning to end.
With Sondheim backstage during the 2001 Broadway revival of ‘Follies’
So, yes, I’ll definitely be watching tonight’s event. Hosted by Raul Esparza the Broadway-palooza will feature musical performances by: Iain Armitage • Annaleigh Ashford • Christine Baranski • Laura Benanti • Michael Cerveris • Melissa Errico • Beanie Feldstein • Sutton Foster • Maria Friedman • Alexander Gemignani • Josh Groban • Jake Gyllenhaal • Ann Harada • Neil Patrick Harris • Austin Ku • Judy Kuhn • Linda Lavin • Katrina Lenk • Kelvin Moon Loh • Patti LuPone • Lin-Manuel Miranda • Audra McDonald • Brian Stokes Mitchell • Donna Murphy • Kelli O’Hara • Mandy Patinkin • Bernadette Peters • Ben Platt • Randy Rainbow • Lea Salonga • Stephen Schwartz • Thom Sesma • Elizabeth Stanley • Meryl Streep • Aaron Tveit • Brandon Uranowitz • Chip Zien Directed by Paul Wontorek with musical direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, the event will benefit Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP). You can watch the live stream below or at Broadway.com here  beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. https://www.youtube.com/live/A92wZIvEUAw?si=acVXCThYDK5IGxwH

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‘Will & Grace’ Creators Acknowledge Rumored Cast Feuds

L-R Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, Megan Mullally (via Instagram)
As NBC was preparing for the (second) series finale of Will & Grace this week, Will & Grace creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan addressed the rumors of discord between series stars Debra Messing and Megan Mullally with Entertainment Weekly. You may recall Mullally quietly took a leave of absence during two episodes this season, and fans noticed she and Messing ‘unfollowed’ each other on social media. While Kohan and Mutchnick didn’t get into the details of the reported feud, they did acknowledge there were ‘tensions’ on set. Mutchnick said: “We always work under this kind of motto that everything’s about the work. It’s just about the work. And so if we stay true to that, then we just keep you guys out of whatever happened on the set this year because it would have done nothing but get in the way of the stories that we wanted to tell. It was not an easy year, but the permanent legacy of the show is much more important to us than any temporary squabble that would take place on the stage.” Mutchnick also shared that it was Messing’s “pain-in-the-ass” contract that forced producers to get to the series finale before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Hollywood. “Oh my God, thank God. It would have been the most unfinished feeling to not get to the end of this season,” said Mutchnick laughingly. “Thank God Debra had it in her contract that we had to be done by Christmas. I finally found the silver lining in that really pain-in-the-ass clause.” Check out the full interview on EW here. I personally thought it felt a bit ‘by the numbers.’ Like something that had to be done, but there wasn’t the snap that once was there. I’m glad the series came back – we needed it after the election of 2016. But I also think the creative team and cast were wise to bring the curtain down at an appropriate junction. Who watched the finale? What did you think? Yay? Nay? Blase?

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SNL: Brad Pitt’s ‘Dr. Fauci’ Fact-Checks Trump’s Coronavirus Lies

Brad Pitt as Dr. Anthony Fauci on SNL
Earlier this month, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci was asked who he’d like to see play him on Saturday Night Live and the good doctor said, “Brad Pitt, of course.” Well, it turns out dreams do come true as the Academy Award winner showed up via video last night as Fauci for the show’s second SNL-at-Home edition. Outfitted in a wig, glasses and Brooklyn accent, Pitt began, “First, I’d like to thank all the older women in America who have sent me supportive, inspiring, and sometimes graphic emails.” “Now, there’s been a lot of misinformation out there about the virus. And, yes, the president has taken some liberties with our guidelines. So tonight, I would like to explain what the president was trying to say. And, remember, let’s all keep an open mind.” From there, Pitt’s ‘Fauci’ attempted to fact-check of the erroneous things Donald Trump has said in recent weeks about the coronavirus. For example, Trump’s declaration that there would be a vaccine “relatively soon.” “Relatively soon is an interesting phrase. Relative to the entire history of Earth, sure, the vaccine’s going to come real fast. But if you were to tell a friend, ‘I’ll be over relatively soon’ and then showed up a year and a half later, well, your friend may be relatively pissed off.” Then there’s the Donald’s assertion that “like a miracle, [coronavirus] will disappear.” Pitt’s Fauci responds, “A miracle would be great. Who doesn’t love miracles? But miracles shouldn’t be plan A. Even Sully tried to land at the airport first.” Regarding Trump’s statement that “I’m not sure anybody knows what it [coronavirus] is.” (pause) “We know what it is,” says Pitt’s Fauci. Theorizing he may soon be fired from the White House Coronavirus Task Force for telling the truth and sharing the science behind the ongoing health threat, ‘Fauci’ added this: “Until then, I’m going to be there, putting out the facts for whoever’s listening. And when I hear things like ‘the virus can be cured if everyone takes the Tide pod challenge,’ I’ll be there to say, ‘Please don’t.’” Finally, Pitt removed his wig and glasses to address the public and frontline health workers as himself: “To the real Dr. Fauci, thank you for your calm and your clarity in this unnerving time. And thank you to the medical workers, first responders, and their families for being on the frontline.”

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Showtune Slowdown: Eden Espinosa “One Song Glory”

The luminous Eden Espinosa brings her own vocal “glory” to this fantastic arrangement of “One Song Glory” from the iconic Broadway musical, RENT.

From Eden’s CD Look Around.

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Randy Rainbow Parodies Mary Poppins ‘A Spoon Full Of Clorox’

Political satirist Randy Rainbow is on top of his game as he releases his response to Donald Trump’s (non-sarcastic) suggestion that injecting patients with disinfectants might be a possible treatment. Set to the tune of “A Spoonful Of Sugar,” from Disney’s 1964 classic, Mary Poppins, Rainbow’s clever lyrics are on point as usual. Wikipedia notes that the tune’s lyricist, Robert Sherman, wrote the song after arriving home to find his children had received their polio vaccine, which was delivered in a sugar cube.

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Out Music: Billy Porter Covers Classic Protest Song ‘For What It’s Worth’

Billy Porter (photo: Santiago Felipe)
Grammy/Emmy/Tony Award winner Billy Porter releases his latest single, a cover of Stephen Stills’ Buffalo Springfield classic, “For What It’s Worth.” “I decided to record ‘For What It’s Worth’ because I wanted to have my art and my music matter, make a difference,” Porter said in a statement. “I’ve always been a political person. I come from the generation where the music reflected what was going on in the world, in the day. The song was written and performed sort of during the Civil Rights Era, the Vietnam War, it was protest music and I wanted to have a hand in bringing that back and speaking truth directly to power.” Porter has re-imagined the folk-rock classic adding a soulful spin that rocks out as much as it “grooves out.” Porter’s innovative take finds him laying down multiple vocal parts that build to an uplifting crescendo that takes the iconic tune into new territory. “I am both proud and delighted that Billy Porter is covering my song: ‘For What It’s Worth,”’ said Stephen Stills. “For many years no one tried to ‘make it theirs’ as covers are supposed to do. That an artist of Billy’s caliber has chosen to add his flourish to my song from so many years ago is totally in keeping with what I intended.” “One of the heartening things that I’ve seen during the Coronavirus outbreak is how we’ve all banded together. Everyone doing their part, checking on each other, using technology to connect with one another,” said Porter. “I think the messages in ‘For What It’s Worth’ are so relevant now. It’s a song about unifying and coming together to make a change.”

And speaking of change, Porter is also keeping an eye on November when U.S. citizens will be voting for a new president. “While we’re all stuck at home, now is a great time to make sure you’re registered to vote,” he said. “The election is comin,’ y’all. Let’s get ready and stay ready.” Register to Vote!  https://linktr.ee/TheeBillyPorter “For What It’s Worth” is the follow-up to Porter’s recent single, “Love Yourself,” which hit #1 on the Billboard Club Play Songs Chart in summer of 2019 and was timed to World Pride/Stonewall50. The video for “Love Yourself” was a celebrity lip-sync extravaganza featuring cameos by Porter’s Pose co-stars along with Cyndi Lauper, Kelly Ripa, Debra Messing, Lin Manuel Miranda, and designer Christian Siriano, among many others.

Billy Porter covers iconic protest song, “For What It’s Worth”

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Las Vegas Entertainment Community Unites In Song ‘Needing Each Other’

The world-famous Las Vegas Strip
The world of Las Vegas entertainment comes together in this inspirational video, “Needing Each Other.” Written and produced by Keith Thompson (Musical Director for Jersey Boys, creator of The Cocktail Cabaret, founder of The Composers Showcase at The Smith Center) and co-produced by Alan and Kathi Glist, the song’s accompanying video features messages of hope and optimism from well-known entertainers and athletes who are standing in solidarity with each other. Since the Las Vegas Strip went dark in mid-March, hundreds of Las Vegas entertainers have been forced off the stage and sidelined. To help out-of-work performers, musicians, and those in the arts and entertainment community who are in need of financial assistance during this difficult time, the TCS Entertainment Community Relief Fund has been established.
Composer/music director Keith Thompson
To donate, please visit thecomposersshowcase.com and click on Donations – Relief Fund. Those wishing to apply for monetary relief from the fund can receive an application by emailing a request directly to composersshowcaselv@gmail.com, with “relief fund application request” in the subject of the email.  All requests are confidential and recipients will remain anonymous.

Big props to everyone involved for stepping up and contributing their talents: Video production and editing was provided by Jeff Lester and Jesseca Zwerg of Big Picture Studios, and audio production was provided by Jeff “Bonzai” Caruso of Green Lion Recording Studios Las Vegas. Featured singers include Vin A., Vinny Adinolfi, Jay Alger, Jassen Allen, Susan Anton, Tony Arias, Brent Barrett, Dennis Blair, Bernie Blanks, Karalyn Clark, Travis Cloer, Douglas Crawford, Jimmy Dennings, Nicole Pryor Dernersesian, Vita Corimbi Drew, Daniel Emmet, Bruce Ewing, Kaylie Foster, Elisa Furr, Gret Menzies Gonzalez, Cherity Harchis, Todd Hart, Bucky Heard, Dr. Richard Hodges, Clint Holmes, Kelly Clinton Holmes, Liz Hyde, Chadwick Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Colte Julian, Randal Keith, Amanda King, Liza Likins, Dana Martin, Krissy Johnson Millstein, Christine Hudman Pardy, Effie Passero, Kevan Patriquin, Ron Remke, David “Dai” Richards, Niki Scalera, Dan Schumann, Giada Valenti, Janien Valentine, Kelly Vohnn, Maren Wade, Jonathan Williams, Valerie Witherspoon, Jaquelyn Holland-Wright and Eric Jordan Young. The orchestra consists of Philip Fortenberry on piano; John Miceli on drums; Danny Miranda on bass; Lauren Cordell, Rebecca Sabine, Rob Taylor and Sage West on violin; De Ann Letourneau and Yunior Lopez on viola; Lindsey Springer, Moonlight Tran and David Warner on cello; Gary Cordell, Dan Falcone, Gil Kaupp and Wes Marshall on trumpet; Andrew Boostrom and Nathan Tanouye on trombone; Eric Tewalt on saxophone; and Beth Lano on French horn. Messages of hope on the video were provided by Susan Anton, Australian Bee Gees, Rick Barry, Dennis Bono, Lorraine Hunt Bono, Artie Butler, Carrot Top, Clint and Kelly Clinton Holmes, Frederick da Silva, Joyce DeWitt, Roy Firestone, Mick Fleetwood, Ronnie Foster, Mat Franco, Spencer Haywood, Thomas John, John Katsilometes, Frank Marino, Deana Martin, Myron Martin, Bill Medley, Stevie Nicks, Paige O’Hara, Tony Orlando, Chaz Palminteri, Marianne Phoenix, Irwin Raymer and Thunder From Down Under.

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Podcast: Leslie Jordan’s InstaStardom, Idaho Challenged On Anti-Trans Laws, All-Star Celebration Announced For Sondheim’s 90th

The Randy Report podcast

The Randy Report podcast delivers the week's top stories in a quick, convenient podcast - 'the 60 Minutes of gay news - only shorter' In this week’s podcast: • A Texas couple tragically dies within hours of each other due to COVID-19 • Idaho’s new anti-transgender laws are already being challenged in court • Actor Leslie Jordan has become an Instagram sensation surging from 80K to 3 million followers. Find him on Instagram here. • The new Netflix documentary Circus of Books chronicles the journey of a middle-class, straight Jewish couple from everyday entrepreneurs to accidental LGBTQ activists • A vintage photo of two men named ‘Tommy’ and ‘Buzz’ has captured the romantic imagination of gay internet • Huge stars will perform on the streaming event, Take Me To The World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration, on April 26 All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

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Sexy New Boy Butter Ad Will Air During ‘Real Housewives’ On Bravo

More delicious eye-candy from personal lubricant manufacturer Boy Butter. Starring woofy TV actor Facundo Rodriguez, this new ad spot is inspired by the timeless and iconic 90’s underwear ads of the 90s.

“We wanted to elevate the brand and portray a strong confident male figure that unabashedly owns his sexuality while still appealing to both men and women,” says Donna Feldman, co-founder of Straw Hat Productions, who produced the thirty-second spot.

“This is the perfect time for brands not to put their marketing in quarantine,”she adds.

The sexy new spot will begin airing during new episodes of Bravo’s Real Housewives of NYC Thursday nights starting April 23rd at 9 pm / 8 Central across Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

“Boy Butter’s ultimate demographic loves the Real Housewives on Bravo and by highlighting our water based Clear lubricant formula, a favorite across genders and sexualities we feel it’s a natural fit.” says Boy Butter founder Eyal Feldman.

“We don’t just want to deliver gay images but also make a fun sexy distraction for people in these times of lockdown.”

I am NOT mad at this.

I previously shared Boy Butter’s ad featuring Facundo churning butter in the dunes of Fire Island here. Who doesn’t love a good metaphor? You’ll want to click on that link 🙂