We still have a long way to go

Chad Allen

I am a fan of Chad Allen's have been for like forever. When I was contacted by his represented lets say I was very happy. I am hoping to have him on this blog soon doing an interview for us all. If you think you might have some questions for Chad leave a comment of an email and let's see if we can get them answered! If your wondering what he's been up to or going to be doing here is some of the things Chad's got going on!

1. “Save Me” will hit theatres in NYC and LA on Sept. 5th – Chad Allen, Robert Gant and Judith Light star in this amazing film which opened Outfest 2007 with great fanfare

2. “Ice Blue” and “On the Other Hand, Death” – here! Networks and Regent Releasing – available On-Demand Summer of 2008

3. “On the Other Hand, Death” – Will play at Outfest July 13th

4. “Looped” – Chad Allen and Valerie Harper to star in Matthew Lombardo’s play at the Pasadena Playhouse June 27th – August 3rd (Official Press Day – Tuesday, July 8th)

PERFORMANCES BEGIN JUNE 27 THROUGH AUGUST 3

WITH THE OFFICIAL PRESS OPENING ON JULY 8

PASADENA, CA (June 3, 2008) – Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Brian Colburn, Managing Director, Tom Ware, Producing Director) announced casting today for the upcoming production of LOOPED by Matthew Lombardo (Tea at Five). Four-time Emmy Award-winner Valerie Harper (The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda) stars in the world premiere as Tallulah Bankhead with Chad Allen (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and The Little Dog Laughed). Directed by Rob Ruggiero (Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn), the new play gives a glimpse into the eccentric life of true Hollywood legend Tallulah Bankhead. Preview performances begin June 27 with the official press opening set for Tuesday, July 8 at Pasadena Playhouse (39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena).

"The hugely enthusiastic response of Playhouse audiences to Tea at Five a couple of seasons ago gives me tremendous excitement about presenting the world premiere of Matthew’s new play focused on the life of the wonderfully theatrical and outrageous Tallulah Bankhead,” said Sheldon Epps. “He has taken a true incident in this tremendous character's life and theatricalizes that moment in time to examine her life story with all of the expected humor, bawdiness, and good spirits. At the same time his depiction of the great lady is also touching, emotional, and very loving."

LOOPED is loosely based on the true story of Tallulah Bankhead (Valerie Harper), the original celebrity bad girl, who was called into a sound studio to re-record (“or loop”) one line from her final film Die, Die, My Darling. The session was to have only taken 5 minutes, but instead lasted well over eight hours. Southern, but by no means a belle, Ms. Bankhead was known for her wild partying that outshined even today’s superstars, including innumerable affairs with male and female celebrities and outlandish exploits that were even investigated by the British secret service. Relish in the promiscuity, scandal and outrageous wit of this sultry-voiced stage and film star.

Joining the creative team with Ruggiero are Adrian W. Jones (scenic design), Alex Jaeger (costume design), Michael Gilliam (lighting design), Michael Hooker (sound design), Charles LaPointe (hair and wig design), Michael Donavan (casting), Lea Chazin (production stage manager), and Hethyr Verhoef (assistant stage manager).

Pasadena Playhouse presents LOOPED in association with Tony Cacciotti and David Steiner.

LOOPED plays at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. Performances begin June 27 and play through August 3, with the official press opening on Tuesday, July 8. Performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Schedule notes: There are no performances on Saturday, June 28 at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 4 at 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m., and Wednesday, July 23 at 8:00 p.m. There will be one Wednesday matinee performance on July 23 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets range from $32.00 - $65.00. Tickets are available by calling the Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-PLAY, by visiting the Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, open from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily excluding holidays and online at http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/. Group Sales (15 or more) are available by calling 800-378-7021.

Thanks Gabe!

UPDATE:
From Luis of Here TV!
On the Other Hand, Death is premiering on 7/25
and Ice Blues on 9/5.

Band Fags! An exhilarating novel about lust and love

Band Fags!

by Frank Anthony Polito

"Ever since I first heard that Lionel Richie and Diana Ross song, `Endless Love,' all I've wanted is to find The One. Someone to love. Who will love me back."
September, 1982. John Cougar's "Jack and Diane" is on endless radio rotation, and Dallas and Dynasty rule the ratings. Jack Paterno is a straight-A student living in the Detroit suburb of Hazel Park, with his own Atari 5200, a Beta VCR, and everything a seventh-grader could ask for. The only thing he has in common with foul-mouthed Brad Dayton, who lives on the gritty south side near 8 Mile, is that both are in Varsity Band. Or maybe that's not the only thing. Because Jack is discovering that while hanging around with girls in elementary school was perfectly acceptable, having lots of girl friends (as opposed to girlfriends) now is getting him and Brad labeled as Band Fags. And Jack is no fag. Is he?

As Jack and Brad make their way through junior high and then through Hazel Park High School, their friendship grows deeper and more complicated. From stealing furtive glances at Playgirl to discussing which celebrities might be like that, from navigating school cliques to dealing with crushes on girls and guys alike, Jack is trying to figure out who and what he is. He wants to find real, endless love, but he also wants to be popular and "normal." But, as Brad points out, this is real life--not a John Hughes movie. And sooner or later, Jack will have to choose.
Filled with biting wit and pitch-perfect observations, Band Fags is an exhilarating novel about lust and love, about the friendships that define and sometimes confine us, and about coming of age and coming to terms with the end of innocence and the beginning of something terrifying, thrilling, and completely unpredictable.

posted by Tom Jackson at LGBT Book & Video Blog

Band Fags!

Frank Anthony Poli...

Best Price $7.50
or Buy New $10.20

Privacy Information

We have no rights in Police Custody

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=8515744

I read this story this morning and it really bothered me. There is no excuse for this type of behavior from police officers that are suppose to protect us.

When some people put on a uniform, they get on a power kick. There is no excuse for the police to use handcuffs as a weapon.

Word.

I couldn't say it better myself. Rational responses to Reasons to Outlaw Gay Marriage, by Guy Dads (an adorable couple who describe themselves as "Two gay fathers meet and fall in love. Married in a Jewish wedding ceremony on June 19, 2005". Good fathers. Good people. Good read.

What If…

Someone planned for a different outcome on the Hillary/Barak battle—but I don’t think all this effort should go to waste. Excellent work on the cut & paste work.

The Queen & Boys Kissing Nice!

Better counting raises HIV rate in U.S. by 25 percent

Make this hard to get - always use a condom. Sex is not worth becoming HIV+. The new drugs helps, not getting infected is better.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN1034857620080610?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Gay Unions Shed Light on Gender in Marriage

I guess the straight people can learn a thing or two about how to make a relationship work.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/health/10well.html?ei=5070&en=4d685fcd50fd13d4&ex=1213848000&adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1213193613-wslwnUQPVy0dWWrl7uwS4w

World's Worst News Department

Before I begin, please allow me to introduce the appropriate musical setting (yes I am borrowing heavily from Keith Olbermann), you can read while enjoying this selection from the J. S. Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 on pipe organ:

Receiving the gold award for Worst News Department in the World today is City tv in Toronto for airing the entire videotaped interview of a delusional and manipulative serial rapist and killer during their dinner news hour.

A superior court judge today released the interview of serial rapist and schoolgirl killer Paul Bernardo by Toronto police detectives last year in the Kingston Penitentiary.  The convicted murderer requested the interview, which was videotaped by the police.  After the acquittal this year of Robert Baltovich, one of the items introduced by the defense barristers was this taped interview between Bernardo and police detectives.

The media had gone to court to secure the rights to view the interview and written transcript, and to be permitted to air any portion of it that was deemed appropriate to the news story as it had developed to that point.  After granting permission, Ontario Superior Court Justice David McCombs also assigned appropriate restrictions on the usage and dissemination of the DVD's contents.  (Click on the link to read the story inThe Globe and Mail or on CBC News.)  Of course the morbidly voyeuristic types have posted this interview all over YouTube already.

Therefore, on the dinner hour news broadcasts on all stations in Toronto, this was the lead story, as people would be allowed to judge for themselves whether or not, in their own opinion, this convicted criminal was telling any fraction of the truth to his inquisitors.

What was typical in the various broadcasts was that mention was made of the story, and a warning was issued that a portion of the interview would be aired later in the broadcast or immediately following the warning.  For example, CTV Toronto announced that the story would air at a specific time in their broadcast (6:22 p.m.), so that viewers could change the channel or take other appropriate action.

As many reporters and news department heads said, after having the chance to view the entire interview and reading the entire transcript, it was the most dull and boring 30+ minutes that they had spent.  The only portion that was newsworthy was the question and rambling answer that was pertinent to the story being reported on, and they aired only that portion of the interview.

But, someone at City tv's news department decided in the all-for-nothing chase for ratings and their turn to tabloid journalism, to abbreviate the dinner hour news broadcast to air the ENTIRE interview, all 30+ minutes of it.  And it aired again during the repeat of the broadcast at 7:00 p.m. on cable channel CP24.  Why not just air the appropriate portion relating to the story, and let the voyeuristic types view the video in its entirety on your website?

Of course, one would never admit to turning what was once a good news division into tabloid journalism with sensationalism around every corner.  No.  And internally, they must have justified this decision under some version of the "public's right to know," therefore allowing the morbidly curious, the same people who collect serial killer trading cards, to drool all over themselves in ecstasy while watching this convicted killer get his 15 minutes of infamy all over again.

So, the gold award for the Worst News Department in the World goes to City tv, for bringing the low standards and yellow journalism of Fox Noise to our own shores.

Say it with me now, "City tv, you are the worst news department in the worrrrrrrrrrrrrld!"

Shave your head, lose your job

If you have not already read discussions on other blogs out there about this story, then please allow me to give you the condensed version first.

Stacey Fearnall, 36, waitress for an Owen Sound, Ontario restaurant, recently participated in raising funds for a local charity for cancer, Cops for Cancer.   This is a well-known fundraising event across Canada, where local police and citizens raise funds for Cancer support and research, and the funds are pledged for the promise that they will shave their heads publicly to receive the funds pledged.  Ms. Fearnall has raised over $3,000 as of the latest stories I had seen on the internet.  The charity has a special place in the heart of many, especially Ms. Fearnall, as she had recently lost her father to cancer.  The event is well-known in Owen Sound as well as in many cities across the country, and regularly receives a good deal of media coverage by local television and radio stations, as well as from the print and electronic media, and it should be pointed out that this event generates over $2.1 million annually.

When Ms. Fearnall reported for work at the restaurant, the restaurant manager, and the owner-chef, told her that she was laid off for the summer until her hair grew back, as they felt it was inappropriate for their business environment.  Note to these two gentlemen... Owen Sound was one of the founding cities of the Cops for Cancer campaign, and it is widely supported and promoted amongst the citizens in Owen Sound as it is in many other communities from coast to coast to coast.  Cops for Cancer has been around for as long as I can remember, and I've been around for a long time.

Now, instead of using the opportunity to promote the business' and their staff members' support for the charity, they felt that people would not feel comfortable with a waitress whose hair had been shorn off in a brush cut.  Note, they do not take the hair off at the scalp, it's like a military brush-cut.

Now, the restaurant owner and his manager feel they are being picked on by the media.

Well, boo-friggin'-hoo!

This one was readily compared by the media to some recent corporate acts of idiocy at Tim Hortons.  A fair comparison really, I thought, as it was some person with issues of inadequacy who decided to do something completely moronic YET AGAIN.

So, imagine my surprise, when this story made it into Keith Olbermann's Countdown on MSNBC this evening, in his "Worst Person in the World" segment.  And, this has received international coverage in the media, especially after Reuters and United Press International picked up the story and put it out on their news wires.  I've seen this story hit newspapers GLOBALLY.  And, then this evening, to see it on the podcast of Countdown (to which MILLIONS of people subscribe through iTunes).

Rather than ranting on at this point, let me give you Keith Olbermann and his take on this story:

Yes, the bronze award (WORSE) to Mr. Hilliard... and Mr. Olbermann was right, Mr. Hilliard is a jackass.  Say it with me now... "the worst person in the worrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrld!"

He's right up there with those restaurant owners (and you know you've read stories like this in the media before) who offer to pay if their waitresses are willing to get breast implants, as big boobs will draw more male customers through the doors.  Now, I ask you, in a case like that, who is really the bigger boob?

Before I get into some of the coverage from around the world, I was recalling while reading some of these stories the miniseries from 1979, Backstairs at the White House (hopefully many of you are old enough to remember it, if not, check out IMDB).  I cannot recall the moment in the series exactly, but the staff were lined up for inspection by an incoming first lady, and she says to her assistant, "fire the bald one, and the one with the beard, and the one with the moustache... they are known for being unlucky, and I will not have bald men or men with facial hair working in my house."

Apparently the standard now applies when you are raising money for Cops for Cancer.

If there has been one good thing to come out of this story, it is the flood of job offers coming in for this lady (and I use lady in the classiest form of the word), and donations are coming in from across the country and beyond the borders for the Cops for Cancer fundraising efforts in Owen Sound, Ontario.

And, should Mr. Hilliard (the chef-owner) and Mr. Ferris (the manager) feel they are being picked on, well, if the shoe fits... catch my drift?

Oh, and keep one more thing in mind... a restaurant's good reputation is a damned hard thing to earn.  Maybe you should consider this before you decide to make another bone-headed move like this in future.  The empty tables in your establishment should be the first clue.  Less than stellar service rates right up there with unclean conditions or horrid food.  And in this case, idiots in management will do as much or more damage to the reputation of the business than all of the aforementioned items.

One wonders if they would be so put out if some of their customers were bald?  I'll bet that the ladies and gentlemen of the community who have receding hairlines, or a medical condition that causes hair loss, are wondering if they would be welcomed should they decide to dine in this establishment.  And in this day and age, how frigging sexist is it to expect your waitresses to have a "certain look"??  In case you haven't noticed, you are not running a Hooters franchise.  What the hell would they do if they had a waitress who was working while undergoing chemotherapy?  My sister's friend recently went through a double mastectomy and chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and her employer COVERED ALL HER EXPENSES, and held her job for her while she recovered, and welcomed her back with open arms when she felt up to going back to work on a limited schedule (she was getting a severe case of cabin fever and was anxious to get out of the house and do something).

These two boobs remind me of the jackass that I worked for in the concrete jungle who raised hell with me for hours when I left early one afternoon to pick up my Mom from the hospital after undergoing multiple lumpectomies during her run-in with breast cancer.  Luckily, they caught things early enough that she did not have to go through radiation and chemotherapy.  But, when Mom told her doctor about all the shit I took at work for leaving to go and pick her up when the surgeon called me to tell me she was ready to go home, her doctor wanted to drive downtown and kick said jackass squarely in the balls.  I frankly wish some days that I had let her do it.  But, what goes around comes around, and the fates dealt him a few nasty cards that I must say were severe but well-deserved.

It's high time for these two knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing, neanderthals to crawl back to their cave.

I know one thing... the next time I am driving through Owen Sound, I'll go to some fast food joint or some other restaurant, or get on the highway and keep going, rather than patronize an establishment like this one.  Personally, my only concern with the wait staff in a restaurant of any kind is that their hands are clean and that they are pleasant.  Beyond that, their personal life beyond the workplace is none of my business.

And yes, the Worse (bronze) award on Countdown this evening... very much well deserved.

Here is some of the media coverage so far:

CBC - Waitress loses job after shaving head for cancer charity

The Toronto Star - Waitress laid off after charity buzz cut

CTV - Woman fired after shaving head for cancer charity

The Globe and Mail - Shaved head for charity, bald waitress laid off

The Toronto Sun - Head shave for cancer costs waitress job

The Telegraph - UK - Waitress sacked for cancer charity head shave

UPI - Waitress laid off for bald charity haircut

The Sun Times - Owen Sound - Public rallies around waitress

The Sun Times - Owen Sound - EDITORIAL - Dismissal couldn't happen here, or could it?

The Sun Times - Owen Sound - Fearnall urges people to donate

I think in this case, the law that I say should be passed applies... these two are guilty of the crime of "TOO STUPID TO BE IN PUBLIC."

UPDATE:

This story (Silver lining to losing job, waitress says) appears in The Toronto Star on Tuesday with an update to the story.  Since this hit the media, and then the internet, another $2,000+ has been raised for Cops for Cancer, and another 10 restaurants have offered her jobs.  There are some good and decent folks out there.  And there was this story (Nathaniel's owner offers apology) posted on The Owen Sound Sun Times website as well.

I moved

Pardon the absence folks, but I've been in the midst of moving my blog to a new home on WordPress, and I've been pre-occupied with getting everything up and running again.

I'm going to give you a few of my most read posts from the new home to chew on.  We've been having hydro issues around the old homestead recently, so I've been intermittent on getting new posts up regularly (hopefully they fix this soon!!).

See ya in the funny papers!

(and yes, I did finally remember to update my profile with my blog's new address)

I have to pee

Anyone else?

What should she do?

Ok now it's over or so they say it is what should Hillary do? Should Barack Obama ask her to run with him? I would like your thoughts on this I know you got some so share!

Look what I found!

I like the messege at the end

'GOD DOESN'T REJECT PEOPLE.'

Why, God, Why?

Why must Hollywood ruin all our memories? This looks just awful. Awful.



What did they do, take everything that was great in the original and throw it out? Go watch the original—note, I did not write “rent the original”, you should own this film. It’s a masterpiece of writing, directing, and acting.

A friend once noted that you can not get your “gay card” without seeing this film first. Truer words were never spoken…

Shelter

http://www.heretv.com/sheltermovie/

See this movie. I watched the movie Shelter this weekend and it was great. Many gay films that I have seen have sad endings or an endings you expected. I have seen many gay films and I like a lot of them, but to me, this film is great. After seeing this movie, all I could really say was it is about time.

Get to a film festival and see this. It is worth it.