Budd and Buddy: My Exclusive Q&A with the Delightful Ms. Julie Budd, part 1

Julie Budd is a real New Yorker, there was no denying that when I heard her speak with me during this Q&A. An astoundingly gifted performer, she has done recordings, live shows, tv and film. After 40 years in show business (starting out at the ripe old age of 12), she is still a much sought-after, popular and in-demand entertainer.  She will be at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Finger Lakes, New York this Saturday, May 2. She has a new album, They Wrote the Songs. And she has a residency coming up at The Metropolitan Room, NYC starting May 14th. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper Celebrates at 845-365-0720 or at RichardSkipper.com. Personally, I found Julie Budd to be down-to-Earth, considerate and just a complete delight. Enjoy!
juliebudd.com

Buddy Beaverhausen: You have been performing since you were 12! Although you're not quite as old as I am, you started at the time of girl group music. Most young women singers at the time, even Marilyn Michaels & Betty Buckley, have done the "girl" thing) in the style of, say, Lesley Gore or Dusty Springfield. Did you ever venture into that territory back then?

Julie Budd: No, no, not really. I mean, back then, I was hoping to have a hit record so I chased the market a little, But I was never seriously in that particular market.

BB:  I understand you were brought to national attention by Merv Griffin on his talk show, then also appeared on Johnny Carson. What was it like meeting these classic talk-show hosts? And how has the talk-show circuit changed since then?

JB: The talk-show circuit has changed a lot. They're very different now. I think, when I did them, everybody did that. Now, it's very, very hard to get tv, unless you have a hit record or movie or tv show to promote. When I started in show business, there were the variety shows on television, and they had all types of talent on. Variety entertainment then was really in the mainstream. Everybody did it! Today, television is very different.

BB: I remember, growing up, watching the talk and variety shows -- even on afternoon tv, like The Mike Douglas Show -- and it was different because the celebs didn't have people advising them on what and what no to say. So, it was more candid.

JB: Yes, I think that's absolutely right.

BB: What music did you listen to growing up, and what singers influenced you the most?

JB: The first person who really struck me and influenced me was Julie Andrews. She was the ultimate to me. She could sing, dance, she was fabulous on Broadway! She could do everything! Also, when I was a girl, I had an extremely high voice and I could sing in her range. I loved her! And my mother and dad used to go out on Saturday nights and once they brought me back to original cast recording for My Fair Lady. They bought it at Colony Records. Remember Colony?

BB: Yes. I the Brill Building. I loved that place!

JB: Right, the biggest record store in NYC at one time. A little above the theater district. Anyway, one night they brought me home My Fair Lady and I thought it was the greatest record I ever heard in my life! I learned all the songs and sang them for my dad. I did little shows for him when he came home from work. And my mom would tell me, "Leave daddy alone and let him have his dinner." [Laughs] My dad would say, "No, no, that's ok. Let her sing."

BB: That's so funny. I'll tell you, very briefly, that when I was about six or seven, my mom took me to our downtown record store where she always bought me 45s. Well, this time I wanted an album. She thought I'd buy a Disney soundtrack or rock'n'roll, but I wanted My Fair Lady!

JB: [Laughing.] Isn't that something? Well, you know, my mom could really sing. But she was too shy for show business. You know, this business is very tough. And there I came, you know, all ready to go into show business. I think it drove them crazy. It got to a point where they couldn't deny it any more so they let me try it. So I started out at 12 years old and there I was meeting Merv Griffin. Meeting Herb Bernstein changed everything. He got me on Merv's show. And I'd never done anything before like that. It was a whirlwind but I didn't know anything else, so I thought, "Well, I guess that's the way it works."

Part 2 to come.

Jerry Costanzo at Iridium

Jerry Costanzo brought a very heartfelt set of songs as a tribute to Frank Sinatra. This is not a slavish imitation of an American icon but, as Jerry said on-stage, he strives to be an "interpreter of the American songbook," and he was quite adept doing that, placing himself in a class by himself, distanced from your typical lounge act.

The tall, good-looking singer certainly had plenty of charm, and the audience obviously had a good time, judging by their applause and call-outs to the stage

With a seven-piece band, the crooner is a cabaret mainstay by now, having performed many times at Iridium, the Triad and Feinstein's among other popular NYC venues.

Opening with Sinatra's "Don't Be Worried About Me," the show opened a bit unevenly as Costanzo, while smooth, hit a few flat notes. However, he quickly hit his stride and finished with a boffo set of songs that included Dean Martin's "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" from Oceans 11, and "Come Fly with Me," a wonderful "Can I Steal a Little Love?," and beautiful renditions of "Sway" and "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die."

The set also included Sinatra faves such as "Fly Me to the Moon," Cole Porter's "I Got You Under My Skin" and  the classic "The Lady Is a Tramp." Jerry wrapped the night up with "Some Day, Some Way" and his encore, "We'll Be Together Again." The evening was refreshingly short on medleys and songs were delivered with clarity and gusto.

Mr Costanzo wished his promoter/ publicist, Richard Skipper, a big thanks for his great job (deservedly so). He congratulated Richard's significant other, Daniel (who was also present) a very happy birthday. Throughout, Jerry expressed support for the LGBT members of his audience.

I was seated at a table on an upper tier of the room with my friend, Kathy Towson. The seating was my choice as I could discreetly take notes without being in easy view of the performer. It was there that I met the soloist after his show and took the above picture on my cell.

Before the night's performance, Jerry's lovely and gracious wife stopped to talk. It's not that she'd previously met me but she saw my press kit from Richard and thoughtfully stopped to meet and greet.

Jerry Costanzo has released his third album, available on cd and for download. It's entitled Invitation and I invite you to give it a listen. Bravo, Jerry!

ps: I don't know what was wrong with Iridium's wait staff last night but it took forever to get myself a
a single glass of pinot grigio and my friend a juice for the night. What's so hard about an order where all you do is open bottles and pour? I had to remind the waiter several times about our simple order. Now, I've been to this club on many prior occasions and never had a problem. Also, my friend asked for a menu, ordered, and never received her food. Apparently realizing their egregiously abysmal service (we oredered at at least 15 minutes before showtime but received that order early half-way through) to our table, they gave us our two drinks on the house. I mention this only because service is so important to the nightlife experience. Putting customers in a bad mood is not conducive to an enjoyable evening out and a disservice to the performers.

Returning to Grey Gardens with The Original Marble Faun

What a perfect evening! It doesn't get better than this, folks! As you know (if you read my Excusive Q&A with Peaches Christ, which I assume you have), Return to Grey Gardens made its way to New York City after premiering in San Francisco at the Castro theater.

At the end of the NYC show, Jinkx Monsoon thanked the packed house. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "A standing ovation in New York City! I mean, it's cool and all to get one in San Francisco! But in New York?! I'm blown away!"

Jinkx, NYC was blown away by the end of your incredible show! It was a totally packed house and it says something about audience demographics when there's a very long line for the men's room but none for ladies.

Return to Grey Gardens' gay audience ate up every minute of this spoof. That included Jerry Torre and his significant other, Ted O'Ryan Sheppard. I never heard Jerry so gleeful, laughing at most of the humor in the show We went backstage after and, as you can see above, Jerry and Ted got to meet Peaches, Jinkx and you also see a piece of New York's Bob the Drag Queen who made a certain, fierce ex-First Lady. Also, in the foreground are the wonderful dancers who portrayed the cats and raccoons.

Jerry got to meet the show's Jerry character, Tom, played with much swagger by Tom Dekker whom Jerry laughed loudest at.

I got to meet Mink Stole, in the show as herself. And she got to sing! You haven't lived until you've heard Ms Stole sing "Bang Bang" in French! It was a thrill to get to meet this great John Waters icon in the flesh, especially as we did a Q&A in December (scroll for it on my blog). Also look at my Buddy Beaverhausen Facebook page as people will be sharing more images!

Peaches' portrayal as Big Queenie is a masterwork of comic timing. Jinkx' Little Queenie is a spot-on perfect portrayal of you-know-whom. The lip-synching (starting, startlingly, with Aerosmith's "Dream On" that thrilled us) and precision choreography were a delight.  It is no wonder Monsoon was a star on RuPaul's Drag Race! Rory, one of the dancers who portrayed the Maysles brothers, was responsible for the dance moves, Peaches told me. Jinkx even did a split!

Shows like Return to Grey Gardens bring out the crowds and bring the joy back to NYC nightlife. Hopefully, its overwhelming success could bring a return to Return to. I can dream on, can't I?

Notes on Bruce Jenner's Interview with Diane Sawyer

Bruce Jenner's Q&A with Diane Sawyer last night was a blockbuster! And certainly one of the most buzzed about tv events of recent weeks.

Buddy Beaverhausen was thrilled to find Ms Sawyer at the top of her game as a journalist and interviewer, and was very moved as Jenner described his thoughts and feelings about transitioning genders at age 65.

Frankly, back in the '70s, I thought the 6'2" Olympics champion was a hottie! I loved seeing him in Can't Stop the Music with the Village People and Valerie Perrine. (The film is one of my guilty pleasures. Little did I know Bruce's guilty pleasure was squeezing into women's clothing!)

As for Ms Sawyer, she's the epitome of flawlessness in my eyes. I met her once, with her late husband, Mike Nichols. They were a row directly behind my friend and me at La Mama theater in the East Village. They came to watch UK's fabulously funny drag ensemble, Bloolips, perform. At intermission, I was able to say a brief hello and tell them how I admired them both. I thought they were very warm and gracious.

Jenner's answers were extremely moving, I found. And exceptionally candid. They certainly cleared up cynical misconceptions I've heard expressed for the most part.

Like mine, Ms Sawyer's mouth dropped when Jenner said he was a right-wing religious Republican. He said his mission was to change hearts and minds within that party. Buddy Beaverhausen wishes him the best of luck on that score.

Also surprising is that he still hopes to have intimate relationships with women as well as to hear him talk about his ex-wife who secretly supported him and his cross-dressing. I was then amused to hear how Kim Kardashian (his stepdaughter!) explained how important "looking good" is to a woman. Translating from Kardashian, that means slathering on make-up, big hair, high heels (for men's size-13 feet) and slutty outfits. Can't wait! Chaz Bono has also been a supportive confidante.

Seriously, however, Buddy Beaverhausen supports Bruce Jenner and all LGBT people in being honest about their identities and their quests for complete self-actualization. Odd how high-profile transgendered men-to-women often step out from macho roles; not only Jenner but also ground-breakers like Christine Jorgensen and Renee Richards. The documentary, Paris Is Burning, showed us all how every one of us in this life is "in drag" in a sense.

Jenner got a lot of celeb support over Twitter -- from Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Cheyenne Jackson, Rob Lowe, Liza, Ellen and so many others! Wishing Bruce Jenner the best! Stay brave, stay strong! You've taken that road less traveled by with miles to go before you sleep.

Buddy B and Baby J

I recently purchased the deluxe edition of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane on video. Movie on one disc, extras on the other. The extras include "Bette & Joan: Blind Ambition", "All About Bette" and "Film Profie: Joan Crawford." Best, however, are videos of Bette singing the rarely heard "twisting" song to promo the film on the Andy Williams Show and the Behind the Scenes making of the movie (though not too revealing).

I've seen this film a million times. it seems, by now and know every line by heart. "I was cleanin' out the bird cage and he just... flew out the winda!" And "But ya are, Blanche! Ya are in that chair!"

When I was a kid, I made a super-8 short with my brother, Bobby, and cousin, Patrick, that I entitled
"Whatever Happened to Bobby Jane."  I was nuts about this film since I first saw it at the US movie theater on Main Street in Paterson, NJ. My grandmother, a big Bette and Joan fan, took me. After the film, I remember her sighing, "Oh, they used to be so glamorous!" But she did enjoy the storyline. She covered my eyes (too late) during the rat on a tray scene.

Baby Jane is the ultimate sibling rivalry film that everyone (except, maybe sibling-free "only" children) can relate to. Did you know it was loosely based on the true-life story of Gypsy Rose Lee and Baby June? If you watch Gypsy, you'll see the similarity in a vague way.

Jane, a child star, fades as her sister, Blanche, becomes a movie star. There is an accident in which Blanche is crippled for life and an increasingly crazy and alcoholic Jane becomes her abusive "care-giver"

Much drama ensues from this premise and there's lots of suspense. Most of it over-the-top! I saw Baby Jane once at the free outdoor summer screenings in Bryant Park. It was so much fun to see it with a packed park, on the lawn with a picnic basket and wine. There were obviously a number of newbies in the crowd who gasped and groaned at every twist and turn. Big applause for Elvira when she decides not to get on the bus and heads back to the house. Big gasp when she comes to a bad end.

This film cannot be remade because it's perfect already, as demonstrated by the mediocre tv-movie with the Redgrave sisters. A recent rumor on Facebook stated that Jerry Seinfeld would produce a musical spoof of Baby Jane on Broadway to star Bette Midler as Baby Jane and Barbra Streisand as Blanche. Unfortunately, it was all a lie. What a shame.

Female Sidekicks

My Return to Grey Gardens post made me think about women sidekicks. I mean, Little Edie surely is the star of Grey Gardens and Big Edie her sidekick.

Famously, when I think on this subject (which, believe me, I'm oft to do), I remember -- first and foremost -- Lucy and Ethel. And after that, I really cannot think of a lot until Absolutely Fabulous came along in the '90s!

I suppose, Marilyn Monroe might have been Jane Russell's sidekick in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Or was that the other way around?

And a case can definitely be made for Laurie Metcalf being a sidekick to Roseanne Barr on Roseanne (1988-97).  I'm sure there are a ton of sitcom women with their female sidekicks that I'm just not thinking about. Frankly, I don't watch a lot of tv.

Joan Crawford was Bette Davis' sidekick in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. And kick her in the side she did. Anne Baxter was Bette's sidekick in All About Eve (1950). Or was the sidekick in that film Thelma Ritter or maybe Celeste Holm?

Crawford had a number of sidekicks. Eve Arden in Mildred Pierce, for one. Judy Geeson in Berserk.
Diane Baker in Strait-Jacket. Debbie Reynolds' sidekick was Shelly Winters in What's the Matter \with Helen. Olivia DeHavilland was Bette Davis' sidekick in Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte

Can you think of others? Love to see your responses. Remember, this blog is interactive-friendly.

Return to Grey Gardens

I interviewed Peaches Christ, who will star as the Big Edie-like character from the Grey Gardens movie, in advance of Return to Grey Gardens, at the theater at Baruch, 17 Lexington Ave. (off 23rd St.) in Manhattan. Shows at 7 and 9 pm. Here's our ensuing conversation:

Buddy Beaverhausen~ You are coming to NYC in Return to Gray Gardens, a show that had its original production in San Francisco at the Castro Theater. How was that received and have any alterations been made to the show since then?

Peaches Christ~ We first did the show in my hometown of SF where my production company is based and it was extremely well received.  This show was somewhat different than our traditional cult movie send-ups are because it isn't strictly comedy or horror.  The source material here is so near and dear to our hearts and it was important we capture some of the real drama and anxiety that the Edies express so that there's a truly emotional element in our production.  I was nervous about it because ultimately it's still a very silly, funny drag show.  But the audience embraced it and the experience was very rewarding.  We then took the show to Seattle (Jinkx's hometown) and then Los Angeles and now New York City.  Because the show itself is set in whatever city we're performing in I have to re-write the script a bit for each location.  We also have had special local guests in every city so in Seattle we had BenDelaCreme and Sylvia O'Stayformore in the show and in Los Angeles we had Squeaky Blonde.  In New York we have Bob The Drag Queen playing Jackie Mo'Lasses and I'm a big fan of Bob's so I'm really excited she agreed to do it.  

When did you get John Waters star Mink Stole on board and can I assume she will be assaying the Jackie O part?

Mink is a very dear friend who first came to SF and did my "Midnight Mass" show almost fifteen years ago.  I grew up in Maryland and worshipped her and the Dreamlanders growing up so when I invited her to come and do my cult movie event and she said yes, it was a dream come true.  Over the years we've become very close and she co-starred in the feature film I wrote and directed All About Evil.  We went on tour together when the movie came out and have done shows all over so it's always a thrill to have her come to SF and be in a production.  She actually plays herself in the show and because Jinkx and I are playing versions of ourselves so is Mink.  She shows up at Big Peachy's birthday and tries to talk Jinkxy and I into moving on with our lives.

As you know, I'll be coming with Jerry, the real-life Marble Faun from the documentary. Will there be a Jerry character in the show?

Ohmygod, I can't even begin to tell you how exciting this is for us!  As soon as I knew it was confirmed I texted Thomas Dekker who's playing "Jerry" in the show and let him know.  I wrote "no pressure"!  Thomas and I are thrilled.  Thomas also starred in my film All About Evil opposite Natasha Lyonne.  He's a fantastic actor and is currently on Fox TV's "Backstrom".  He's been in a ton of television shows and movies and has this big Hollywood career but is super generous with his time and has been able to come and be in a number of our shows including Hocus Pocus, Witches of Eastwick, and Grey Gardens.
 
The show stars Jinkx Monsoon as Little Jinkxy and you as Big Peachy. How far back does your working relationship go?

We met briefly when I was in Seattle in 2010 for a movie premiere and then we were familiar with one another and had talked about working together.  When her season of Drag Race was airing she came to SF for a viewing party and we went to lunch.  I had seen commercials advertising her as Edie on the "Snatch Game" episode and I suggested we do a Grey Gardens show.  She loved the idea and then her Edie episode aired that same night.  I knew then we were going to have a great show and I really wrote the show for Little Edie and for Jinkx because there's something so wonderful and magical about this performance.  It's true homage.  Jinkx is wildly talented as you know and since this collaboration she's also performed in my Hocus Pocus show "Coven" and the upcoming Drop Dead Gorgeous show we're doing "Death-Drop Gorgeous".  Oh, and later this year she'll be in our Addams Family Values show as Betty.

When did Peaches Christ first come into being and how has she changed over tie?

Peaches was born in my college senior thesis film, Jizmopper: A Love Story back in 1996.  I was studying film production at Penn State and the actor we’d hired to play the drag queen in the movie I was directing didn’t pull through for us so Peaches was born and stepped in to play the part.  My advice to first-time drag performers is always- “Try not to put your first-time in drag on 16mm film or in a movie so that people can discover it forever”.  Peaches Christ was always a character that celebrated cult movies and my love of cinema and so in that way she's stayed the same over the years, but as the audiences have gotten larger and I've written and directed more stage-shows I'd say that the productions have gotten better over the years- larger, more elaborate, better performances, writing, etc.

Who were your entertainment inspirations? Who are your favorite dance divas?

Divine. I grew up in Maryland so the discovery of Divine and the Dreamlanders are what drew me to drag at a really young age.  I first saw her in Hairspray and then Female Trouble, Pink Flamingos, and Polyester.  The fact the John Waters, Divine, Mink and the gang were making these movies just down the road from where I was growing up blew my mind.  I was transformed by the discovery.  Most of my big inspirations come from movies so besides Divine I was also greatly inspired by movie divas like Dr. Frankenfurter, Elvira, Joan Crawford by way of Fay Dunaway, Norma Desmond, Baby Jane, Freddy Krueger, etc. 

I read your Facebook post about the idea of remaking Rocky Horror Show as a tv movie. I agree, ugh! Horrible idea. But what if you were cast in it? Which character would you want to play and why?

Hmmm, Rocky Horror is one of those shows where I'd be willing to play ANY character just because it's so good and I love it so much!  But I'd have to say my favorites to play are Frank, Magenta, or Riff-Raff.  I've always been drawn to gothic fabulousness and these three are so dark and twisted and spooky and perverted that I'd be excited to play any of them.  

No doubt you've seen the original Grey Gardens documentary and the HBO movie. What are your opinions on each?

The documentary is tied as my favorite documentary ever with Paris Is Burning.  And I absolutely LOVE documentaries.  It's just brilliant and I was prepared to dislike the HBO narrative film.  I really thought it would bum me out and I have to say that my expectations were wrong.  I think it's the best thing Drew Barrymore has ever done and the whole structure of it was brilliant with the flash-backs and filling in the stuff that the documentary couldn't.  I'm a big fan of it.

Anything special you plan on doing in NYC when you're here this visit?

The best part of visiting NYC is seeing so many dear friends who live there so I plan on seeing as many as possible.  I'm also a big fan of food and so I hope to indulge in at least a piece of pizza, a bagel, and a cupcake- three things I think are done best in NYC.  Pizza blows in San Francisco.  
 
The NYC show sold out its originally scheduled 7 pm show and added a 9:00. Clearly, New Yorkers are clamoring for it. What might you think chances are it could be extended or return here?

I don't think an extension is possible unfortunately due to all of our schedules and other commitments but if it does well and people enjoy it I'd love to come back and do it again.  Much like cult movies, we know a show of ours is good when people want to see it again and again.  Later this summer we're doing a run of it in Provincetown so if East Coast folks see it in NYC and want to see a smaller, more intimate version of it they'll be able to catch us in P-town. 

Peaches, what the hell s going on in this country and what do you think Big Edie would think?

Oh my, that's just the kind of question I'd have to wrap my head around for a few hours.  I'd love to think that she'd be thrilled with some of the progress that's been made since her time, but she'd also be very aware of the hypocrisy of some of it and the injustices that still pervade our government and legal system.  Wow, I can't even get started.  It's too much to answer!   

Night of a Thousand Gowns 2015

Buddy Beaverhausen attended Night of a Thousand Gowns for the first time last night. The annual event, now in its 29th year, is a very formal affair that's black tie and fabulous frocks. Why, it puts the ball in Disney's Cinderella to shame! I was comped in as press to the pricey event, the only way I could afford to go. I arrived in a tie, sweater and black slacks and was seated in a nosebleed section for us press and bloggers. Paying for a ticket on top of whipping up an outfit could be like putting the money together for a downpayment on a condo.

All for a good cause though as the event is a benefit for New York City's LGBT Center and the Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

I arose from the plebian subway and entered the glamor and grandiosity of the Marriott Hotel in Times Square! It was here that the cross-dressing Imperial Court of New York strutted its stuff. But, oh, what a soulful strut!

Jody Watley has lost none of her star power. She was one of the evening's entertainers and she elecrified. Another standout was '90s diva Rockell.

The evening added more star power with the year's co-chairs Dionne Warwick and transgender superstar Candis Cayne. Deborah Harry was on hand as was reality-tv darling, Big Ang among other luminaries.

Johnny Dynell did a fabulous job dj-ing the evening as well.

It was pointless to try to get any pictures from my vantage point last evening. But if it's names, names, names or regal outfits you crave, you can't do better than Night of a Thousand Gowns. Because elegance has a place in our lives and it's good to be reminded of that. Such is Buddy B's philosophy.

I slunk out near the end, into the late night, feeling like I arrived like Cinderella  at the ball in her glad rags after the clock struck 12.  I got into my coach (the subway) back to Brooklyn and sat at my computer, on the Internet, too jazzed up for sleep. When I finally went to bed, my mind raced with thoughts of how even more fabulous the Imperial Court's 30th Anniversary could be. And about renting a tux. And paying my own way. And enjoying it all to the fullest. Because, of all things, Night of a Thousand Gowns is an affirmation of life in the material world.

Manilow Married

Was Mandy a man's name?

It was announced this week that Barry Manilow married. A whole year ago in a closet ceremony.

Mr Manilow's husband is his longtime manager and longtime partner, Barry Kief. Publicly, Barry Manilow is the new Liberace, tickling the keys and putting out hit music, though -- of course -- Lib never wrote pop tunes that got the kind of airplay and Billboard attention Manilow got.

It was made public a couple of days ago that Manilow married last year in a very private ceremony with relatively few guests and absolutely no fanfare.

How did this escape the press? Or were they not too hepped-up about the affair? This was Manilow's coming out party in a big way, after all!

Barry Manilow's career took off when he was accompanist/ arranger for Bette Midler at the Continental Baths. The two are friends today, though it was not always so after their bathhouse days. Mr M went on to have his own hits, on the radio and the charts internationally. Those hits include "Can't Smile," "Copacabana" and many more.

Manilow was born in the Williamsbugh section of Brooklyn but currently resides in Los Angeles He was previously married (and divorced) from a woman. He is a major influence over pop music and we are thankful to him today for his contributions to the canon of the great American songbook!

Wedding congratulations, the Divine Mr M from Buddy B!

Video Beaverhausen: Before I Go to Sleep with Nicole Kidman & Colin Firth

This film, released in the USA on Halloween day 2014, was another box office flop for Nicole Kidman. Can she afford yet another? Her starring role in the biopic of Princess Grace Kelly received such hostile reception at Cannes, it was immediately sold to Lifetime tv in this country without theatrical release whatsoever.

In Before I Go to Sleep, Nicole wakes up in bed next to a man she doesn't know. (Sound familiar, anybody?) That the man is Colin Firth would not be a problem if I were in her sheets. Though slow-going, the movie (based on a best-seller outside the US) gratefully runs a trim 90 minutes.

I couldn't help but wonder if Kidman could relate to the opening premise by asociating it with her marriage to Tom Cruise.

If paranoid feminist fantasies are, however, your cup of tea, welcome to this, though not nearly as entertaining and fun as I Married a Monster from Outer Space. All men are monsters seemed to be  the message here.As Kidman starred in The Stepford Wives spoof already, this effort may seem redundant -- only much grimmer. However, a knight in shining armor does show up for the denouement, blowing the whole feminist point of view.

Though everyone herein has British accents, exteriors suggest the movie was shot in NYC. Directed with a screenplay by Rowan Jaffe (from a novel by AJ Watson), this is a story based on intrigue that fails to intrigue.despite late twists and turns, mostly near the end.

By finale, you might ask yourself what the point of this whole, dark exercise was about. Or not give a rat's ass.

While I appreciate Kidman's going after edgier material, girl, you better sign on to a prospective commercial blockbuster at this point in your career.

Warning: you may lose interest as you watch and even develop a "who cares?" attitude along the way

On the Town with Buddy B in Diva Town, Part 2: Inaya Day

Inaya Day and her smoking hot band rocked the house at the Village Underground on Wednesday night and I was among the lucky crowd that got to experience this concert that started at 9:30 and went on until the wee hours.

Nick Lion and I headed to the West Village from W. 23rd St. where we'd just seen Gretchen Reinhagen perform (see part 1 of this article). Nick had parked right outside the Metropolitan Room, so it was to the Nickmobile to our next adventure!

Again, there were divas on-stage (Inaya, Toni Menage, keyboardist/singer Amina Buddafly) and off-stage (DeVonde Williams). The set proceeded with a series of rousing arrangements of pop cover classics, kicking off with "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." The '80s were revived via tunes like "Manic Monday" and "Message in a Bottle."

Ms Day and the band were a fine ensemble and vocal duties were generously shared by all. Guest vocalists took to the stage for songs like Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" and the show was an epic extravaganza that broke for intermission close to three hours. It was unfortunate that, because of the long night and pervious show, and due to our obligations the next day, Nick and I had to leave during the break. Inaya doesn't put on mere shows, she puts on events! My review of her previous show with the group TRIo (with Ms Menage and Ria Alexander) described it as "a happening"

Toni Menage rocked her guest appearance on lead vocals with very soulful interpretations of Adele's "Rumor Has It," top-10 classics like "Killing Me Softly" and "It Takes Two." Ms Day, for her part, roused the audience with reggae renderings of "Sometimes I Get the Feeling" (rapid-fire dance-hall style) and "You Sexy Thing." Prior to that latter number, Ms Buddafy's straight-forward cover of Blondie's "Heart of Glass." had the audience on their feet on the cabaret floor, dancing to the end of the first set.

Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find" and two Alicia Keys hits -- "No One" and "New York, New York" --were among popular favorites of the night. Over fifty years of pop, rock, reggae and rap were on display. We left, happy, into the night though wishing we could stay for more. A wonderful band that seemed to be able to do everything; courteous and attentive service at our table (from our waitress, Tatianna) and, most especially, the always dazzling vocals of Inaya Day among others finished off this night on the town in an exquisite, grand manner..

On the Town with Buddy B in Diva Town, Part 1: Gretchen Reinhagen

The divas were everywhere last night in downtown Manhattan, both onstage and in the audience. And by divas, I do mean this in the most flattering way as the evening's ladies are as pleasant as they are talented. Great voices, great songs carried us along in high style.

The night served as a promising launch for the month of April. Nick Lion and I got back together at last, first to see Gretchen Reinhagen at the Metropolitan Room at 7pm. I recently interviewed Ms Reinhagen ahead of her three shows (one per month) all at this classy, intimate cabaret and last night's offering, "Almost Blue," was largely a tribute to the blues and torch songs.

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There was original material with words and music by the star as well as the evening's musical director, Tracy Stark. Mostly, however, we were treated to powerful interpretations of standards. The show opened with the Leiber/Stoller number, "I'm a Woman." through a 14-song set  plus encore. Gretchen and her polished 3-piece, all-female band and two back-up girls received thunderous applause from a full house. She also scattered clever, funny patter throughout the show as a bonus.

Blues classics like "Stormy Monday" and "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" were included. A medley of ribald blues numbers loaded with sexual innuendo tickled the crowd. Joni Mitchell's "Blue" was on the night's menu as were Streisand-associated songs "Lazy Afternoon," "My Heart Belongs to Me" and "Enough Is Enough" (a duet with Ms Stark).

Yes, disco is aboard these days and trending in the clubs and cabarets. Once shunned, now embraced, these '70s classics are legitimately part and parcel of the Great American Songbook. (More about that in Part 2.)

In all, "Almost Blue" was a very satisfying, cohesive show. I look forward to May's show in the Reinhagen Redux series, a tribute to Kaye Ballard, "Special Kaye." (Metropolitan Room, May 4, 7 pm. Reservations again highly recommended. Box office: 212-206-0440. Press inquiries, please contact Richard Skipper at RichardSkipper.com .)

It was a pleasure to sit with Richard last night, who made several very amusing comments before and after the show. Nick and I later congratulated Gretchen, and it was a pleasure to meet her significant other, Deb Meyers. We also got to meet and talk with Tracy Stark, whom I wil be interviewing ahead of her Lesley Gore show at 54 Below in May.. I also introduced Nick to jazz vocalist Laurie Kranz who was in the audience and who thoroughly enjoyed the show. I doubt there was anyone who didn't.