Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts: Birthday Wishes to Steven Seagal

Our '80s action heroes are getting old. Sly, Arnie and Steven Seagal, 64 today.

Seagal has never turned in a credible performance in his life. That's unlike his contemporaries All three are Republicans. I guess that goes along with machismo in this country.

But the 6'4" (and now 64) Seagal fell from grace some time ago. His spotlight dimmed. Well, actually it went out completely.

Seagal's talents were kickboxing and posing with a pistol. That only goes so far, methinks. Some of his later work went direct to video, justifiably. An Aikido master, he should have tried for a tv series. Maybe he did but nobody was interested however.

SS later romanced and praised Russia's Vladimir Putin and his policies of repression  He is no friend to the gay community or to Democrats. Or, generally, anyone left of Mussolini!

But happy birthday, anyhow, you big lug!. We see you've gotten pudgy in your old age. Have some more cake today and enjoy it!

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Cine Beaverhausen: London Has Fallen

London Has Fallen is perfectly awful and more than a little unpleasant.

In her article, written decades ago, the late Susan Sontag presciently predicted the arrival of the disaster film in her article "The Imagination of Disaster." She wrote that science fiction is all about stirring up social anxieties and then putting them to rest. And that's what disaster flicks do. There has to be a morning after, don't you know!

Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Angela Bassett and Morgan Freeman hopped aboard this mess. I hope they received hefty paychecks because I don't think this does anything to advance their careers. As it's the USA, with Morgan as VP, that saves the day is a bit cheeky in my opinion.

The film is sloppy and absurd. Technical effects are mediocre at best. This is a whole, vile, negative piece of junk! England has gone through the blitz. Do they really want to see this film?

Not recommended except that I recommend you snub cynical and toxic garbage like this.

Exclusive Q&A with MargOH Channing!

Buddy Beaverhausen:: It was such s great pleasure to finally see your show. At Pangea, your guest star was Broadway's Nellie McKay. Your first show there  had Randy Jones of the original Village People with you. How do you manage to attract such wonderful artists to share your stage?
MargOH Channing: Well, I happen to know both of them from years ago. Nellie was a guest on the Manhattan cable tv show I had, and that's how we met.

BB: What, and who, inspires your material?
MC: I was a big fan of exploitation films, especially Russ Meyers. So I got the idea of doing MargOH from those films. Also, my own mother, who's a lot of fun and has always been a big jokester.

BB: How did you hook up with your co-star Man-ee Champagne? You make a great team.
MC: I've known Manny for over 20 years. It's an old love affair story; we met at a bar. It was in Providence, Rhode Island but we moved together to New York.

BB: Any plans to return to Pangea?
MC: Yes, I expect to be back there on May 19th
BB:Yay! Just after my birthday!
MC: Show's called "Hello, It's Me, Margoh!" We're lining up guests and, of course, Manee will be with me.

BB: What are your favorite movies of all-time?
MC: So many! My number one is Moonstruck with Cher. And anything with Judy Garland.

BB: It was so great seeing your mom with you at the show. She obviously supports what you do.
MC: She's a big supporter. And it was great for me to see her here in Manhattan, at Pangea, supporting me. All my family supports me.

BB: How do you play drunk so well?
MC: I had some practice. [laughs]. But it's acting. Part of my character. I watched Totie Fields, Foster Brooks. But you really can't drink and go on-stage. I learned that early on.

BB: Who are your favorite divas nowadays? And who are your most despised?
MC: That's a tough one. I love Adele. So talented and seems so down-to-Earth. Love Madonna; saw the Rebel Heart concert twice.  I don't really care for Iggy Azealia. Just kind of annoying. Not a big fan of Rihanna, either. A little too over the top for me.

BB: It was my friend, Nick Lion, who introduced me to your show. How do you know Nick?
MC: He's been such a big supporter for me and I love him. But we only hooked up on-line.

BB: Any last shout-outs to our readers?
MC: Thanks for your support. Lots of love. And come see my show in May!

BB: Thank you so much MargOH!
MC: Thank you, Buddy Beaverhausen!

Cine Beaverhausen: Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

Sisters are doing it it for themselves in the tacky but campy and sometimes scary film version of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.

Based on the book by Jane Austen with a grafted-on zombie story line by Seth Grahame Smith. It's meant to be a parody, not to be taken seriously by any means.

I was surprised by the emotionally touching moments. It's just totally fun and buy yourself some popcorn and a soft drink for this.

Sturdy direction with a wonderful -- mostly good-looking cast, many of them newcomers to the silver screen. I went to the local cinema to see this. Lots of fun. I recommend it.

Zombies, before George Romero's Night of the Living Dead, were not cannibalistic. More like undead sleep-walkers. But now flesh-eating zombies are the rage, even on tv. This release definitely exploits the trend.

Austen purists will, of course, hate this.

Charles Dance is in this, lending class. Lily James stars. Not for everyone, but parody and camp and horror mavens should eat this up. Trash with class!

Songs My Mother Taught Me

When I was a child, my mom loved to sing me lullabies, stroking my hair, until I fell asleep, beside her, in my bed.

Had she not left us too young in 2011, her birthday would be February 18. She was an Aquarian. Yes, she loved to swim!

She had a lovely, lilting voice that was very comforting as I snuggled to her bosom as she sang.

"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" and "Danny Boy" were favorites of hers, as was "How Much Is that Doggie in the Window?" She eventually bought the last title for me on a 45 rpm.

"Sunshine Cake," "Good Ship Lollipop," "Swing on a Star," "Animal Crackers in My Soup" were all part of repertoire. She grew up during the Great Depression, weened on Shirley Temple. She even had a Shirley Temple doll.

All her songs were had positive and inspired me to be part of who I am today.

Thank you, Mom! Love you forever!

And the Oscar Goes to....

The Academy Awards were announced yesterday. 2015 was a strong year at the movies so there are plenty of worthy nominees and surprises.

Of the nominated films, here are some of my picks based on what I have seen:

Best Film: Brooklyn.
Best Actor: Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl.
Best Actress: Cate Winslet, Carol.
Best Supporting Actor: Mark Ryylance, Bridge of Spies.
Best Supporting Actress: Rooney Mara, Carol.
Best Director: George Miller: Mad Max: Fury Road.
Best Costume Design: Cinderella.
Best Original Song: "Witing's on the Wall" from Spectre.

I expect to be out at an Oscar party next month to watch the ceremony and celebrate.

A  highly competitive and fierce competition this year, a wonderful one for films.

Please share your Oscar votes with me here!

Looking forward to the 88th Oscars presentation for 2016 on Sunday, February 28th,

It's Just Not New Year's Eve Without Guy Lombardo on My Countdown

Guy Lombardo. New Year's Eve. 'Nuff said!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Goodbye, 2015! Buddy Beaverhausen's BEST in Entertainment 2015

As the year is quickly coming to an end and I won't be reviewing anything until early in the new year, here is my annual "Best Of" list for 2015.

It was a year of great entertainment in NYC, and cabaret is indeed alive and well here and stronger and more vital than ever.

It was difficult making certain choices this year, while others were very clear-cut.

Enjoy! And Happy New Year from Buddy Beaverhausen!

Best Cabaret Venue: Bernie & Joanne Furshpan's  Metropolitan Room, hands down! Intimate and classy with a great art deco decor and excellent, top-notch service.

Best Cabaret Performance: Melba Moore's birthday show at The Metropolitan Room; Sally Kellerman at Feinstein's, San Francisco; everything with Denise Spann Morgan, with or without The "Marvelous" Marvelettes; Ronnie Spector at City Winery NYC.

Best Special Performance: John Waters' Christmas show at City Winery; Sarah Dash's Birthday Brunch and Tracy Stark's Lesley Gore tribute, both at 54 Below.

Best Concert Venue: The Beacon Theatre.

Best Album: David Corley, Available Light; Bette Midler, It's the Girls.

Best Film: Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella with Cate Blanchett.

Best Book: James Gavin's Peggy Lee: Is That All There Is?

Best Broadway Show: Kinky Boots.

Best TV: How to Get Away with Murder.

Restaurant: Salty Dog, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Best Get-together: Christmas with my cousins in northern NJ!

Lene Lovich on My 2015 Christmas Countdown

Lene Lovich's "New Toy" became associated with the holiday season, officially, when Target used the song  in its tv ads in the 1990s.

The song, ironically, is about material addiction and was written by Thomas Dolby ("She Blinded Me with Science"). Lene blinds us with neediness in this tune.

Upbeat New Age dance music, Lene performed this at clubs internationally, even at NYC's Studio 54!

For the crass materialism in all of us. By the way, I'm sick of the Hoover!

Joan Collins on My 2015 Christmas Countdown

This sequence is part of the 1972 horror anthology, Tales from the Crypt, based on the old E.C. comic books. The film starred Ralph Richardson, Peter Cushing and Joan Collins,  The comics were later the basis of a weekly HBO tv series.

"And All Through the House" is Ms Collins' episode in the film. She is wonderful. She plays a woman who's just murdered her husband. She has to work hard to make the whole thing look like an accident. In the meanwhile, there's a psycho dressed like Santa on the loose. Joan's got a lot to deal with. See for yourselves...! Lots of suspense and scares.

2015 Christmas Countdown: Gayla Peevey Wants a Hippopotamus

Does Gayla Peevey look like a Baby Jane Hudson in the making or what! Gayla became a child star  ~ and one-hit wonder ~ in 1953 at age 10. Watch as she struts her stuff in the attached video below. There's also a hint of Nellie Oleson to her.

Gayla certainly looks peevish as she preens and prances with lots of pizzazz, singing "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

She actually had another hit single in 1970 with "Robot Man," recording under the name Jamie Horton. The song was covered by Connie Francis. Her recording career was over by 1962.

But Gayla settled down, got married, became an English teacher and adjusted nicely to normal life it would seem.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, from Buddy Beaverhausen!

Ronnie Spector Kicks Off My 2015 Christmas Countdown

Five years ago, Ronnie Spector released a Christmas e.p. of five songs, entitled Best Christmas Ever, on her own Bad Girls label. Great songs sung by an iconic rock star.

"Light One Candle" is, in its way, a perfect kick-off for this year's Countdown because it's equally applicable for Hannukah as it is for Christmas. It's a beautiful song, even as a purely secular but spiritual one nonetheless. Click on link below.

Peace.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0yP2TBLzQc

Video Beaverhausen: Ann-Margret Is a Kitten with a Whip ~ a Camp Classic

Kitten with a Whip was released in 1964 and became an instant camp classic. Why, Ann-Margret actually parodies her sex kitten image in this flick  -- unintentionally, of course.

John Forsythe co-stars, long before he was known as family patriarch Blake Carrington on tv's Dynasty, and somehow manages to lend some dignity to this trash.

A-M plays a juvenile delinquent who escapes from a home for wayward girls after stabbing a matron and attempting to burn the place down.

Forsythe is a gullible politician who takes her in. Pretty dumb; I can only imagine he's a Republican. Before you can say "scandal," he finds himself on a nightmare ride with Annie and her j.d. friends, on their way to Mexico to escape the law at gunpoint.

"Every man who sees her digs her... but she digs kicks of a very special kind," reads one of the film's taglines. Forsythe is typically stalwart and the cast manages to keep straight faces throughout the outrageous proceedings. Kitten with a Whip bears plot resemblances to Lady in a Cage, all of which are apparent upon viewing.

Available on dvd via Amazon.com on Uiniversal's Vault Series.

Halloween Countdown 2015: Gothica with Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich was Goth before it was trendy! It was only natural she'd bring her unique voice to sing "Gothica" on her last (2005) album.

Lovich is of Serbian descent, born and raised in Detroit, but long based in England now. She and husband, Les Chappell, have long had a creative relationship together as well, starting with her first hit, "Lucky Number."

So, here it is, on this year's Halloween Countdown: "Gothica"!

Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts: A Confederacy of Dunces ~ the Republican Presidential Debate

Eisenhower must be rolling over in his grave as a bunch of nincompoops tried to have a serious debate tonight in their attempt to run for President of the United States. Seriously, I do love comedy!

At the Ronald Reagan Library, the Republican debate (of 11 candidates) quickly devolved into a shouting match, mostly thanks to Donald Trump, and lost its civil tone immediately. Jake Tapper, the moderator, valiantly attempted to keep control over the situation. At the first break, I had had my fill of this shrill scream-fest. I can imagine Nancy Reagan rolling her eyes as she watched this debacle.

The discord started immediately once Trump blatantly announced that "Rand Paul shouldn't even be on this stage"! It only got worse. Rand took the bait and attacked back. Who let the dogs out?

Many blatant lies were spoken, many misstatings of poll results, many contradictions of facts and flat-out lies. That didn't bother the candidates one whit. Kevin and I both thought that John Kasich was not as far right as the other candidates, and that Carly Fiorina seemed the most presidential of the sorry lot. When asked about Trump's critique about her looks, she gave a terse but effective and dignified reply.



The Kim Davis issue reared its ugly head, so to speak, and there was a lot of waffling on the issue, except for Mike Huckabee who went full-throttle far-right "Christian" on this. The only thing his argument lacked were any facts. Jeb Bush wavered, almost incoherently.

Planned Parenthood was brought up and received a lot of ugly, non-reality-based replies. The proposed Government shutdown was also sorrowfully justified as a responsible thing. Hillary Clinton and President Bush were routinely demonized.

After the break, I had had enough. Good luck to all who hung on to the bitter ~ and I mean bitter ~ end! The whole thing reminded me of the Feast of Fools festival from Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame. You had to get ugly to be in this, with Trump our new Quasimodo.

Audio Beaverhausen: Lesley Gore, Someplace Else Now

Hard to believe but by 1972, at the young age of 31, Lesley Gore -- one of the great pop music hitmakers of the 1960s -- was considered a has-been by the recording industry. She returned that year with this blue-eyed soul/folk album but, at the time, Someplace Else Now was not a hit by any means. It was released by Motown on vinyl.

The rare existing records now sell for hundreds of dollars on-line. In mid-August of this year, Real Gone Music released Someplace Else Now for the first time on cd and MP3.

Ms Gore wrote or co-wrote all the tracks on this album. Her co-writers were her brother Michael (with whom she'd later write an Oscar-nominated song for the movie Fame, "Out Here on My Own") and, mostly,  Ellen Weston).

When Ms Gore left us this past February, a great talent was lost. She was a trailblazer. "You Don't Own Me" was a revolutionary proto-feminist anthem that is still covered to this day. She was a major influence on the '60s girl-group sound and a major recording, radio and stage star. She later became an "out" icon, supporting LGBT rights.

In the wonderful Allison Anders film, Grace of My Heart (1996), Bridget Fonda plays a closeted '60s pop star based on Lesley who actually co-wrote this song:



I saw her twice, the last time at the Girl Power concert at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park. I met her once, almost ten years earlier after a show at Joe's Pub in NYC. She was extremely gracious and charming, and we chatted briefly about her career.

Someplace Else Now is a very good album and I recommend this to fans of the singer. It showcases a very different side to Ms Gore, as the title might suggest. This was the single that was released in '72:



After the brief introductory song "For Me," Lesley launches into the power ballad "The Road I Walk" and follows that with the Shirley Bassey-like "Out of Love."

"Don't Want to Be One" is a gentle throwback to her '60s work with a slight samba beat added. "What Did I Do Wrong?" is another great ballad but it might have benefitted by a more uptempo arrangement in her '60s style.

The title track, with an opening, simple guitar accompaniment that grows with orchestra and chorus is a beauty and perhaps my favorite. "Mine" is another gorgeous number with a burgeoning orchestral and choral development.

Overall. a compositional beauty and a good album. But, listening to this, I miss the Lesley from her more pop Sixties days. A little more pizzazz would have been the icing on the cake.

Travels with Beaverhausen: Chillin' in the City by the Bay

Daytime temperatures in San Francisco have ranged from the low 60s to the mid 70s during my stay. Overnight lows into the 50s make for good sleeping weather. Having left the swelter of New York City, I treasured the much milder weather.

I tried to sleep on Thursday's long flight but couldn't, envying those around me that could. Sleeping the first night in Frisco was sporadic. My cell phone reset itself for Pacific time but my body was stuck in EST! At about 10 am on Friday, I finally submitted to sleep, not waking up until 3 pm, putting me in sync, at last, with the time difference.

I suggested to my hosts, Steve and Ilene, that we postpone sightseeing on Friday night and just chill at their home. It was a cloudy day with some drizzle. For residents of the drought-beleaguered city, the rain came as good news. I hung out on my hosts' patio, walking around the housing complex, viewing the exotic West Coast flora and taking in the cool, fresh air. It was a nice mellow diversion, getting into the San Francisconess of the city.

After dinner, we watched the boob tube and chatted on the sectional sofa before calling it a night. But basic bonding is a beautiful thing. Unlike yesterday, following my arrival, there was no wine, no partying, no schmoozing with houseguests; just chillin'.

Today, Saturday, I am reset, refreshed and ready to see the city during the day, culminating in Sally Kellerman's performance at Feinstein's at The Nikko tonight.

But that, everyone, will have to be another story.

Exclusive Q&A with The Eckers on Their Documentary, The Outrageous Sophie Tucker

     

      It was such a pleasure to interview Lloyd and Sue Ecker. They are ready for a stand-up comedy gig. I think you'll be royally entertained reading this.

      Buddy Beaverhausen: Look forward to seeing your Sophie Tucker documentary at Cinema Village. What was it that drew you to her as a subject?

Lloyd: Bette Midler. She did her Sophie jokes in her act the first time we saw her perform in 1973 at Ithaca College. I was the one responsible for getting Bette to come to our school, so after the show we had dinner with her.

      Susan: It was a pretty unbelievable first date. After that,we got married, had three great kids and sold our family business.  Thanks Bette!

BB: Can you give our readers a brief synopsis of your professional career together?

 S: Both of our parents always worked together when we were growing up.  So it was a natural that we would too.  In 1983 we started selling Father-to-Bee hats, using a bumble bee logo instead of the word “BE”.
L: Everything had our “BEE” logo on it.
S: We sold maternity gifts for the rest of the pregnant family—fathers-to-bee, grandparents- to-bee, aunts and uncles-to-bee. We found our own little niche.
L: After the Internet arrived, we became the #1 collector of pregnant names from a website called Babytobee.com.L: We both were really bored after we sold our baby business in 2006. So we came up with this Sophie idea that we’ve been working on ever since.
S: We decided we were going to become the world’s foremost authority on Sophie Tucker and then develop a new entertainment franchise based on the life story of ‘The Last of the Red Hot Mamas’. 

BB: In the world of documentary filmmaking, who are your idols?

L: I guess we should say the Burns boys, but to tell you the truth, since this is our first documentary, we would have to go with our director, William Gazecki.

     BB: What was it that drew you to Sophie Tucker as a subject?

L: Bette Midler. She did her Sophie jokes in her act the first time we saw her perform in 1973 at Ithaca College. I was the one responsible for getting Bette to come to our school, so after the show we had dinner with her.
S: It was a pretty unbelievable first date. After that,we got married, had three great kids and sold our family business.  Thanks Bette!

BB: Can you give our readers a brief synopsis of your professional career together?

 S: Both of our parents always worked together when we were growing up.  So it was a natural that we would too.  In 1983 we started selling Father-to-Bee hats, using a bumble bee logo instead of the word “BE”.
L: Everything had our “BEE” logo on it.
S: We sold maternity gifts for the rest of the pregnant family—fathers-to-bee, grandparents- to-bee, aunts and uncles-to-bee. We found our own little niche.
L: After the Internet arrived, we became the #1 collector of pregnant names from a website called Babytobee.com.
L: We both were really bored after we sold our baby business in 2006. So we came up with this Sophie idea that we’ve been working on ever since.
S: We decided we were going to become the world’s foremost authority on Sophie Tucker and then develop a new entertainment franchise based on the life story of ‘The Last of the Red Hot Mamas’. 

BB: In the world of documentary filmmaking, who are your idols?

L: I guess we should say the Burns boys, but to tell you the truth, since this is our first documentary, we would have to go with our director, William Gazecki.
S: I don’t know the names either, but we loved Man on a Wire, the dolphin movie and Sugarman and whoever made those.
L: I’m sure those directors will be thrilled that we don’t know their names!

BB:  Can you tell us how working together as married people influences and/or affects a marriage and your careers?

L: As Sue said, working together as a married couple is in our DNA.  We don’t know any other way to be married and do a project of any type at the same time.  It’s either both of us or not at all.  For me the project switch is always ‘ON’, morning, noon and night.
S: I’m not as crazy as Lloyd.  I have to read a good book to escape for a few hours every day or I would go nuts from ‘Mr. ON’.  Otherwise we wouldn’t have made it to being together for 40 years.
L: When are you reading?  That’s gonna have to stop.
S: Did I mention were married for 40 years?  I think I deserve a medal!                                                         

BB: Who usually got the last word in decision-making on this film?

S&L: ME!
L: To be honest, I make the mess…
S: …and I clean it up.
L: Maybe we both better take the 5^th so we can make it to 41 years together.

      BB: Bette Midler -- who I saw recently in her latest show -- always devotes part of her act doing Sophie jokes. Any opinions?

      
       L: As we said, if Bette didn’t do those Sophie jokes back in 1973, we wouldn’t be talking to you today.  We are lifelong fans of Midler, have seen her perform over a dozen times and met her in person a half dozen times.
      S: Even though all of Bette’s Sophie jokes are written by our friend Bruce Vilanch, we will always be thankful that Bette was responsible for this project and our long marriage.
      L: So I can blame Bette about our marriage?
      S: Next question.

BB:Will your film portray Tucker "warts and all"? Tell us about some of the more controversial aspects of her life and career.

 L: This woman did it all: beer halls, burlesque, vaudeville, silent movies, one of the first talkies, major film musicals and Broadway shows, and finally she played at every swanky and not so swanky nightclub in the world.
S: Tucker knew all the presidents from Taft to Johnson.
L: She even had JFK’s personal White House number and called him any time she liked.
S: She performed for and palled around with two English Kings, the current Queen Elizabeth, two former Princes of Wales and the Mountbattens.
L: She also hung out with all the well-known gangsters in the 20’s including Al Capone and got herself arrested a couple of times for indecency for singing lewd songs.
S: She was also personal friends with J. Edgar Hoover.
L: That’s a good one. We have an unbelievable interview with one of Sophie’s friends who was sitting in between her and J. Edgar when Hoover leaned over and asked Tucker if he could have one of her fancy beaded gowns after she was done with it.

BB: Ha! That's a good one!

S: Which reminds me, there is a whole segment in the film which discusses her lifelong bisexuality.
L: One thing is for sure. We now have more than enough material to go forward with our plan to develop a new entertainment franchise based on the life story of The Last of the Red Hot Mamas. 

BB:  Sophie Tucker is credited with influencing a variety of women in comedy and song. Not just Bette Midler but everyone from Mae West to Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Joan Rivers, to Mama Cass Elliot. What are your thoughts on the influence she's had on women who sing and tell jokes in show business?

S: Everyone is talking on the Internet these days about ‘fat shaming’. Sophie was probably the first ever to be ‘fat shamed’ back in 1906. We have a whole segment in our film discussing her weight which fluctuated between 175-215 pounds her whole life.  Instead of being mortified, Tucker embraced her heft and made it part of her livelong act. 
L: Add Lena Dunham and Amy Schumer to your list. They should thank Sophie too. We loved Joan Rivers, but we got a kick out of some of the quotes in her obituaries a year ago, attributing her as a breakthrough woman performer.  Without Sophie Tucker first, there would have been no Joan Rivers or any of the others you mentioned.

BB:How do you two like to relax?

S: Visiting the Caribbean as often as possible.
L: And when were not there, we keep our pool at 94 degrees so we can ‘swim’ under the stars each night.
S: Of course, wherever we ‘swim’ ‘Mr. On’ is still talking about our Sophie project.

BB: Any last shout-outs to our readers?

S: Yes. We want everyone to come visit us starting on July 24 at the Cinema Village in Greenwich Village.  We will be there every day, 5 showings a day at 12, 2:15, 4:30, 6:45 and 9pm.  Lloyd and I will doing a live show after every screening. It will include a Q&A and a preview about our future SOPH Broadway musical.  

L: We also want everyone to know our first of three novels called I Am Sophie Tucker is on sale at Amazon, your local bookstore or our site at SophieTucker.com in both hardcover or as an eBook. We need everyone to buy it so it can become the next big #1 NY Times bestseller. This is the novel that that is the basis for our future new Broadway Best Musical and Academy Award winning Best Picture. Then after that we’ll write the other 2 books and produce a great six year run, Emmy Award winning Best Drama TV series.

S: Did I mention that I have been married to ‘Mr. ON’ for 40 years? It better be a GOLD medal.

For press reservations, interview requests, or more information, contact Richard Skipper Celebrates at Richard@RichardSkipper.com or 845-365-0720

Jake Gyllenhaal's Suddenly Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors

This morning, The New York Times' Ben Brantley gave the Lincoln Center production of Little Shop of Horrors a glowing review, writing that "show queens, of all persuasions and sexes, will be talking about [this] for as long as there are theater chatrooms on the Internet."

Jake Gyllenhaal was indeed a surprise as a bearded Seymour Krelborn in City Center's semi-staged production of the Ashman/Menken musical version of Little Shop of Horrors. And who knew this hunk can play a total nebbish so well!

The actor is mostly thought of for roles of much gravitas, and has been a gay idol since his starring role in the heartbreaking 2005 melodrama, Brokeback Mountain. Here, he gets to be funny, do a little slapstick and deliver jokes with masterful timing. Also, his singing's actually quite respectable. It was refreshing to see him in this new light.

Ellen Greene's back in the role she originally created at The Orpheum Theater, in the East Village, back in the '80s (that I saw), and then famously brought to the screen in '86. Greene's powerful, dramatic singing is always wonderful, especially live. The whimsical "Somewhere That's Green," in particular, poignantly tugged at the heart. Ms Greene still delivers her lines in Audrey's baby-doll voice but, even onstage, the 64-year-old resembles Mae West aside a love interest 25 years her junior. Which, actually, can be kind of encouraging for the matinee's older crowd.

However, the chemistry between Seymour and Audrey was not very good in this Little Shop. Greene, particularly, seemed to try to steal the limelight during several of their scenes together, largely through her sometimes outlandish hand gesturing. She even stepped on her co-star's line at one point of the performance. However, she virtually owns the Audrey role, damn it, a girl with self-esteem issues, imbuing her with such bittersweet qualities, it's hard to imagine anyone else in the part.

The Lincoln Center production was presented July 1-2 only. I attended today's matinee; a packed house. The show was absolutely ebullient and bouncy and the audience was obviously enraptured and very expressive of its appreciation.

There was a five-piece orchestra and the girl-group Greek chorus (Tracy Nicole Chapman, Marva Hicks, Ramona Keller as Ronette, Crystal and Chiffon). Saturday Night Live's Taran Killam played the sadist-dentist boyfriend and assayed a few other minor roles. Mr. Mushnik was played by Joe Grifasi with great gusto.

The role of Audrey 2, the monster plant, was engagingly portrayed by Eddie Cooper (and, briefly Anwar Kareem as little Audrey 2), channeling Bootsy Collins. In platform boots and a green, shaggy coat, it was a decidedly, deliciously low-tech representation of that Mean, Green Mother from Outer Space.

Exclusive Q&A with Adam B. Shapiro

Thanks to Ricard Skipper who, along with Carly Ozard is promoting the show "Love Don't Need a Reason" at 54 Below tonight, Wednesday, July1 at 9:30 pm, for arranging this interview. The show will sell out, so, for tickets (if any remain), go to http://richardskipper.blogspot.com

Adam B. Shapiro will perform and, the night before, will be part of the cast when the Metropolitan Room presents a tribute to Karen Carpenter. I've seen him at various events, perhaps last at Kevin Scott Hall's benefit for Bistro Award winner singer Amy Beth Williams. He at times seems ubiquitous and works tirelessly, always presenting a powerful, first-rate performance. It was indeed a pleasure to finally do a Q&A with this maestro of NYC theater, cabaret and film.

To learn more about Adam, check out: http://www.adamshapiro.xbuild.com

Buddy Beaverhausen: So, let's start by my asking you to tell us about your July 1 show, Love Don't Need a Reason.
Adam B. Shapiro: Well, I admire Carly Ozard so much as an artist. I had no idea, though, that she put on these benefit concerts in San Francisco. When she told me about what she was doing here, I wanted to be involved. It's a benefit for the Callen-Lorde Center and I personally know people who have been helped by them. And I've known Richard Skipper even longer. It's going to be a great night with a long list of great performers and I'm happy to be part of it.

BB: You seem relentlessly busy. How do you get so much work and what do you like to do to relax?
ABS: Thank God I'm busy! I've been at this for 11 years now. I've just tried to do a lot of shows, but then in 2013, I got lucky and got a part in HBO's The Normal Heart. So, after that, I became better known and much more in demand. Since then, I've gotten to do tv, movies and even more shows, including at clubs like 54 Below and the Metropolitan Room.
     When I do get to relax, I love to cook. I consider myself an amateur chef. I'm addicted to all the Food Network shows, take classes to learn things I don't already know, and I love to invite people over and serve my recipes. I do holidays really well. And I get a chance to do my Julia Child voice.

BB: As a gay man, what was your first thought or reaction to the Supreme Court's recent, historic marriage equality decision?
ABS: Oh, man! I heard the news while I was leaving to go on a retreat at Easton Mountain, near Saratoga Springs. It's a wonderful place to get out of the city and they do great workshops. Meditation workshops, body image, all kinds of things. Massage. So, I was on my way when a friend called with the news. So, it was great to have a place to go to where I could share this with other gay men. It was surreal! Most of the support when I got back was from my straight friends. And that's how this happened because our straight friends had the courage to stand up not just for us, but with us, on this.

BB: Let's talk about the HBO movie version of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart and how you became involved in that.
ABS: In 2012, I signed with new management and they sent me the script. I contacted them and said "How did you get me into this? Everybody wants to be in this!" And they just said "Read the breakdown," and I did. And my character, named Bella, was just ideally matched for me. I thought, I know him so well. Bella had a uniform fetish, so I showed up to audition in a quasi-Boy Scout uniform. And got the part! Bearded, dirty sense of humor, life of the party, larger than life. It was so wonderful to play opposite Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts... who are not just great actors, they're just really cool people.
BB: Well, you were great in that.
ABS: Thank you so much. It's wonderful to be part of it. I'm very proud.

BB: If you had to choose between acting and singing, which would you choose?
ABS: Gosh! That's a tough one. I think part of what I love is that I enjoy doing both. Being on t.v. or in movies, I draw on a set of skills I only recently knew I had. And getting on stage, that just feels like home!

BB: You were born and raised in Indiana. What was growing up there like? What kind of music influenced you and how did your family support your talent?
ABS: Indiana is a small city compared to NYC but it has a great arts scene that has only grown in the time since I've left. Music? What didn't I listen to? I call my father the Vinyl King because he collects records. He'd put on Van Halen and I'd dance around the room. My grandmother was big into Rat Pack: Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. My mom listened to everything: pop tunes, Broadway tunes. Musically, it was a very eclectic house. My mother died when I was still very young, but dad remarried and our second mother has been very supportive. I know my parents were hoping performing would be more of a hobby because it's such a tough business, but I'm a tough cookie.

BB: Any celebrity crushes? Favorite divas?
ABS: Well, after working with him, I have to confess I have a little crush on Mark Ruffalo. I do have a thing for Seth Rogan I must say. Favorite divas? Tonight, I'll be seeing my queen, Bette Midler, in Brooklyn!
BB: Oh, my God, I'm going to be there!
ABS: Oh, great! I'll look for you, then! I also love Barbra Streisand. I call her and Bette my Queen B's! Also my Jewish divas! And I wouldn't be a good gay man if I didn't say Cher. Carly Ozard is also one of my favorite divas. Love her!

BB: You're happiest moment as a performer?
ABS: Ah, that's a good question. In 2012, in Boston, in a production of "Ragtime." Perfect production, orchestra, co-stars; singing "Our Children" gave me chills up my spine each night. And last September, in my show at 54 Below, "nothing Normal."

BB: Any roles you coveted but didn't get?
ABS: Oh, so many! So many. When I get older, I basically want to do everything Zero Mostel did: Fiddler, Forum, The Producers. Right now, I am dying to get into Something's Rotten on Broadway. I like to think of roles I didn't get as roles I'll play someday.

BB: I recently saw the video of you singing Bonnie Tyler's "I Need a Hero" and you say you didn't always feel comfortable about singing something like that. Was it liberating, and why that particular song?
ABS: Good question. I think that when I first came out here to NYC, I thought if I sing songs like this, it wouldn't be good for my career or people would see me only in a certain light. But recently, I thought, unless I'm auditioning for a role and it wouldn't be right for the part, screw it, I'm going to be true to myself. Why that song? We all need a hero, don't we!

BB: Thank you Adam! Any last shout-outs, especially to our LGBT readers round the world?
ABS: I am just so grateful to everyone who has seen my work. Everyone internationally who has seen me in Normal Heart and, especially, anyone who's seen me onstage. Please check out my website. Also, I'm grateful to Carly and to Richard Skipper! And please join us at 54 Below July 1st. I look forward to performing with such great people for such a great organization.