(OUTscene NW) Concert RE-view: Well-Strung is a Well-Hung Revelation!

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by MK Scott

Take this, a String Quartet plus vocal group of Single and Young Gay men, called Well-Strung was at Seattle's Neptune this past weekend and most of the audience didn't know who this group was up until a week earlier.

Are they a Boy band? Are they a Chamber Group or a Singing String quartet? All the above, with a little Il Divo added!  What a Revelation!


If they hadn’t come up with a surefire concept, who knows where Edmund Bagnell (first violin), Christopher Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and  Seattle Native, Trevor Wadleigh (viola) would be? All have classical music training and, with the exception of Marchant, who was performing 'Naked Boys Singing' in  PTown.

All Gay and single has they introduce each other and go right into a number.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: ACT's 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'; Simply FABstastic!

Photo: John Cornicello

by MK Scott

I confess I had never seen Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya', but when I first heard of  'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' by Christopher Durang, the 2013 Tony winner of Best Play was based from it, I knew I wanted to see it some day.

Well, the good news it has made it to Seattle, thanks to ACT's new production I saw this past weekend. I am glad I did, and the production has many things that a Gay audience would love. A Gay Character, a Diva, Disney, and lots of Beefcake.

The story goes like this; Middle-aged siblings Vanya (Seattle Theater Legend, R. Hamilton Wright) and Sonia (Marianne Owen),  live in the family home in Pennsylvania. Vanya and Sonia have not had to grow up. After spending their adulthood looking after their now-dead parents, neither has a job, and money is provided by their movie star sister, Masha (Pamela Reed), who owns the house and pays the bills. Vanya (who is gay) and Sonia (who is forever reminding everyone that she is adopted) spend their days reflecting on their lost chances, Cassandra (Cynthia Jones), the cleaning lady, believes in Voodoo and is prone to making dire prophecies that no one believes.

This static environment is disrupted when Masha returns home, bringing with her a flurry of drama, an endless litany of insecurity, and a much younger, gorgeous, dimwitted and half-naked, lover named Spike the Sexy, William Poole). Spike meets a girl at the lake and introduces Nina (Sydney Andrews), an aspiring actress who provokes envy in Masha, lust in Spike and sympathy in Vanya (Nina even calls him 'Uncle Vanya'). Vanya also lusts after Spike.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: Live on Stage's Rocky Horror keeps the 'Tradition' ALIVE!

by MK Scott

I found myself back in Portland (this past weekend) seeing another Friend's show that he directed. This show was different in style with the previous show, Pixiedust's 'La Cage Aux Folles' directed by fellow BHS alum, Greg Tamblyn, and now coming down to see  Live on Stage's 'Rocky Horror Picture Show', directed by other BHS Alum, John Oules, who was also involved with La Cage is some complacity. Obviously the shows are different but Both had the same style.


This infamous musical is written by Richard O’Brien, with musical direction by Darcy White and choreography by Kemba Shannon.

I am so used to seeing the film and it was hard not to compare. The obvious was the lack of special effects, but I will ignore that detail since it is about the cast and music.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: Here come the Marines! Artswest stages the Seattle Premiere of 'Dogfight', The Musical!

Photo: Michael Brunk

by MK Scott

Attended the Opening Weekend of the movie turned Stage Musical, 'Dogfight' at Seattle's Artswest Playhouse. It was originally a joint-production of Balagan, but its recent closure, Artswest took over.

Based closely on Nancy Savoca’s intimate, thoughtful 1991 film, “Dogfight”, which I barely remember, has a fresh new look on the stage, but more of the Hot, Young American sort of way, with a little Full Monty added.

The movie, as I recall,  was an indie showcase for its remarkably gifted young stars, Lili Taylor and River Phoenix. The two sensitively enacted the tentative romance between Rose, a bright, plain-featured, folk-singing San Francisco waitress, and Eddie, a cocky new Marine about to ship off to Southeast Asia. (The time is 1963, before the Summer of Love and during the early U.S. ramp-up of military intervention in Vietnam.)

(SLGFF 2014) WRAP UP: The Best, Good, Fair and Worst Films, according to MK!

by MK Scott

Now that the 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is over I could now reveal my Picks for the Best, Good, Fair, and Bad films coming to a Film Fest, Theater or DVD in the coming year.

The Circle is a Oscar Pre--Nominee

BEST
Narrative: 
The CIRCLE (Switzerland)-Part Narrative and Part Documentary you get full story of 2 lovers that met in a secret society in 1950's Switzerland and are treated like Criminals during a Murder Investigation. BEAUTIFUL!

Pride (Special Event)-Not Part of the Fest, this was a Preview a week before the Opening and one of the Best films regarding 1980's Britain, since Kinky Boots and Billy Elliott. Watch this will be adapted into a Broadway Musical at some point. This film will make you jump for JOY!

DOC: 
Limited Partnership (USA)- Back in 1975, Colorado started issuing Marriage Licenses to same sex couples and  Tony Sullivan (native from Australia) marries (Filipino-American) Richard Adams, but as the First Bi-National Couple, they are called the F-Word by INS and are forced to leave the country together or apart. They choose to fight and were only parted by death, Bring the tissues, It is EMOTIONAL!

Regarding Susan Sontag (USA) -The Lesbian version of last year's hit, BIG JOY: The James Boughton Story.

Back on Board (USA)- Olympic Legend, Greg Louganis is about ready to lose his house and live in a trailer, when he is called upon to be a mentor  for the Olympics to meeting and marrying his true Love and as we see his story unfold during the good and rough times, Louganis shows he is a survivor and a true Hero. Yes, There was a standing ovation. 

SHORTS:
If we Took a Holiday (USA)- Brilliant!
The Disgustings (USA)-Bitchy FUN!
Squared (USA)-Burning down Gaysian Stereotypes!
Cruising Electric (USA)-Nostalgic Fun!
Dinner at 40 (USA)-All Star Fun!
Sex Date (USA)-Unexpected LOVE!
Good Morning (USA)- Too Young to Bang!
Barrio Boy (USA)-A Barber shop Fantasy!

(SLGFF 2014) Audience and Jury WINNERS List!

Jury Awards for Excellence in Filmmaking
Our Awards for Excellence in Filmmaking are chosen by an esteemed panel of jurors and include a cash prize.

Short Film Jury Awards

Best Short Film: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Directed by Melissa Finell / USAJury statement: "DISASTER PREPAREDNESS is a comedic human relations story with three dimensional characters. It is a metaphorical storm with great writing, acting and sound."

Most Innovative Short: UNICORN

Directed by Rodrigo Bellot / Bolivia

Jury statement: "UNICORN has unique cinematography, sound and lighting. It is a different kind of storyline. An exposé documentary told through an exquisite narrative of a difficult real life event."

Documentary Film Jury Awards

Best Documentary Feature: OUT IN THE NIGHT

Directed by Blair Dorosh-Walther, Produced by Giovanna Chesler, USA

Jury statement: "OUT IN THE NIGHT emphasizes the dire need for justice and elicits an urgent call for equality in our systemically biased judicial system. And even more, it implores us all to reflect on how we challenge the criminalization of black bodies, especially queer black bodies, in America."

OUT IN THE NIGHT

(SLGFF 2014) What's at the Fest this FINAL Weekend?

The 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Fest Concludes @ AMC Pacific Place, Here are our suggestions!

Fri, 10/17:

7:00p: Match (with Special Guest, Matthew Lillard)

9:45p: Eat with Me 



SAT, 10/18:

12:15p: The Muppet Movie 

1:00p: In with the OUT


3:00p: SHORTS: Real Queer Youth

4:30p: The Circle

7:00p: Xenia

9:45p: The Dark Place

SUN, 10/19:

12:30p: Honest Liar

2:45p: SHORTS: Family Ties

6:30p: CLOSING: Life Partners

(SLGFF 2014) INTER-view: MK chats with Director, Patrk-Ian Polk about 'Blackbird', Isaiah Washington, and any more Noah's Arc(?)!

Polk poses w/ Julian Walker, Star of 'Blackbird"  

by MK Scott

This Past Sunday was the Seattle Screening of Patrik-Ian Polk's latest, Blackbird, a story about a teen that wrestles with coming out and his love for God. His Parents are played by Oscar Winner, Mo'nique and Isaiah Washington (Yes, Grey's Anatomy) and set in Polk's Hometown of Hattiesburg,  Mississippi. I was able to chat with Patrik on various topics related to the Film as well what's ahead with his LOGO's Noah's Arc.

(SLGFF 2014) What's at the Fest this week?

The 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Fest Continues, Here are our suggestions!

MON, 10/13:


7:00p: Rosie @ EGY

9:30p: Power Play SHORTS @ EGY

TUES, 10/14:

7:00p: I Feel Like Disco @ EGY
          Trans Shorts @ NWFF 

9:15p: Never @ EGY
          The Way He Looks @ NWFF


WED, 10/15:

7:00p: Appropriate Behavior @ EGY
          Tough Love Shorts @ NWFF       

9:15p: Something Must Break @ EGY
          Queens and Cowboys @ NWFF 

Yes, Alec is coming and so are we!

 THURS, 10/16:

5:00p: Alec Mapa: Baby Daddy @ NWFF

7:00p: 52 Tuesdays @ EGY
           Chance Encounters Shorts @ NWFF

9:30p: A Reunion @ EGY

(SLGFF 2014) What's at the Fest this weekend?

The 2014 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Fest has begun, Here are our suggestions!

SAT, 10/11:

12:30p: Limited Partnership @ EGY

2:30p: Silent Youth @ NWFF

7:00p: Tiger Orange @ EGY

9:15p: Club King @ EGY

11:30p; Lyle @ EGY

SUN, 10/12:

2:30p: Boy Shorts @ EGY
          Regarding Susan Sontag @ NWFF

7:00p: Blackbird @ EGY

9:30p: 10 Year Plan  @ EGY

(SLGFF 2014) EXCLUSIVE INTER-view: MK's 8 Questions plus 1 BURNING for Greg Louganis, the subject of Back on Board!

lgbtqnation.com

by MK Scott

The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival opened this past Thursday, with Greg Louganis' Documentary, Back on Board: Greg Louganis. In attendence was Greg Louganis and I had Brief moment with the Olympic Diving Gold Medalist and Gay/AIDS Activist. 

MK: In the Film, it focuses on your rise to Fame, but also some of your darkest moments, what is like to Re-live That?

GREG: Very cathartic.


MK: Do you still think about (your abusive late BF) Jim?

GREG: Not really.


MK: In the film, you show you are a True survivor of Bullying, do have any advice to young people going through that?

GREG: A Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self

MK: It came full circle at the London Games, when became a mentor, Do you feel that you are finally going in the right path, and Will you be part of Rio Games in 2016?

GREG: I hope so.


MK: With Tom Daly and Matthew Mitchum coming OUT, what do you think of the progress from the last 25 to 30 years?

GREG: Yes.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: Monsoon and Scales come Full-Circle and Bring 'The Vaudevillians' Back to Seattle!

Photo: Nate Watters

by MK Scott

Before Jinkx Monsoon, was Drag Superstar, Jinkx Monsoon and just Cornish College student, Jerick Hoffer and before Major Scales was just fellow Cornish student, Richard Andriessen, they got together to stage their Kiki and Herb inspired 2010 Cabaret show, "The Vaudevillians" at the now defunct, Balagan Theater in a basement of a Capitol Hill Thai Restaurant.

So after winning Rupaul's Drag Race in 2013, Monsoon was able to bring "Vaudevillians" to a Sold Out Off-Broadway run at New York's Laurie Beechman Theater that was extended 3 Times! Now after a 3 month tour in Australia, Monsoon and Scales, come full circle with a wealth of experience to Seattle Rep for a month long engagement in the Leo K Theater.

 Monsoon portrays Kitty Witless and Scales as Dr. Dan Von Dandy, a vaudeville couple who were frozen in an avalanche in the 1920s but have now thawed out thanks to global warming.


The two were quite the songwriters in their day, though not so good at copyrighting their creations, and here in the present they find that many of their tunes have been appropriated by more recent stars. That gimmick enables “The Vaudevillians” to lay claim to any song since that fictional avalanche, and the show mixes staples like Cynidi Lauper's 'Girls just wanna have Fun' in a 1920's style and “I Will Survive” with DJ Kool and Lady Gaga.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: the Robbie Turner Revue is 'Simply Flawless'!

La Vie Photography/www.LaViePhoto.com

by MK Scott

Now, there have been times when Robbie Turner has been mistaken around Town (Seattle) for the our very own, Jinkx Monsoon, but Robbie has come into his own, thanks to the web series Hit, 'Capitol Hill' and stepping away from Le Faux, which he played, everything from Liza and Gaga and many more for several years. Now Robbie has come into his own with his new monthly Revue at Seattle's Hard Rock Cafe (Yes, at the Hard Rock).


Directed by Famed, Seattle Director, Troy Wageman, this show has Timing and supporting cast of 5 (2 women and 3 men) singing and dancing behind Turner and perfoming separately during Turner's several Costume changes. Turner does his own singing as he transforms flawless as a Glamorous songtress.

The gorgeous costumes were designed and constructed by Rising Fashion Star, Michael Cepress. 

Yes, it was not 'Completely Flawless', the 2 sketches (The Church choir and Shari's) fell flat, mostly due to sound issues, from being on the far end of the bar, and the fact Turner was not on stage, then Turner arrived at the end to save the sketch from impending death to uplifting performance.

Overall, Watch Turner, follow in the footsteps of Monsoon and Delacreme to being the next rising star!

The Next Robbie Turner Revue will be on November 16th. Get your Tix Now!  

MORE PHOTOS: 

(OUTscene NW) Inter-view: MK catches up to a Super Busy, Jinkx Monsoon, about bringing 'The Vaudvillians' Back to Seattle!

Jinkx w/ Scales

by MK Scott

It has been another Great Year for Seattle's Treasure, Jinkx Monsoon (aka, Jerrik Hoffer), I last saw her back in April at LA premiere of  'Return to Grey Gardens' and after taking her Hit show, The Vaudvillans, from Seattle to PTown to Off Broadway, Jinkx is Back and bringing other character, Kitty Witless, along with Major Scales as Doctor Dandy for a sold out show at the Seattle Rep for one month only. Jinkx was kind of enough to respond to my questions.

(MOVIE FREAK) Re-views of Gone Girl; Annabelle; Boxtrolls!

by Sara Michelle Fetters

Gone Girl

Rating: R
Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Bleakly Satirical Girl Speaks Unsettling Marital Truth!

(OUTscene NW) REview: Pixiedust's La Cage Aux Folles is Portland Theater at its BEST!

Theissen, Cook and Norby All Return!

by MK Scott

As soon as I heard Greg Tamblyn/Pixiedust productions' La Cage Aux Folles, was returning to the Portland Theater Scene for limited run, I jump at the chance to head south to see this production that is making its third run (Most recently at Lakewood Theater in May 2013)

I should also mention that Tamblyn is known as one of top Directors in the Portland Musical Theater scene and is a fellow Beaverton High Alum that also credits James Erickson as a mentor. I followed Tamblyn's Career since the 80's. Another honorable mention was the use of Cherie Price's original 2001 Choreography, who I have also followed for decades.

Great see other familiar greats as Leif Norby (George), Pam Mahon (Mrs. Dindon) and of course the always Sassy Kevin Cook/Poison Waters (Jacob/Claudia)!

The critically acclaimed La Cage Aux Folles by (Outview Pal) Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman opened at the Newmark Theatre on this past weekend.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: In Artswest's The Mountaintop, MLK, Jr has one more DREAM!

by MK Scott

On the heals of seeing another 60's icon, Marilyn Monroe's brush on the afterlife, a few weeks back in Sleep Marilyn and Dream, it is refreshing to see another play going on the journey and focusing on a very timely subject of Class and Poverty as depicted in Katori Hall's 2009 Play ,The Mountaintop, now playing at Seattle's Artswest Playhouse.

The play is a fictional depiction of the Reverend Martin Luther King's last night on earth set entirely in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel on the eve of his assassination on April 4, 1968.

King (the Brilliant, Reginald A. Jackson) is worn down and targeted by Militants as not focusing on the Black Equality as much as the poor and poverty. When a feisty Black maid named Carmae (The sassy, Brianne Hill) shows up at his door in the rain, King as a Man, can not resist her youthful beauty.

As they debate progress and the meaning of life, King becomes Paranoid, when Carmae calls him by his given name of Michael and realizes this is a sign from the great beyond to help him leave this life for the afterlife.

(Jet City Boy Culture) The Rage That Stands Between Us!

A writer's journey of dating and living gay in Seattle exposed.

 by Tristan Wilde

It’s often said that there is a fine line between love and hate. In the world of dating, the idea of finding that special someone with whom we hope to eventually fall in love can easily eclipse any of the negative attributes found in our potential suitors. First dates and first kisses fill us with giddiness, instead of fear. Conversations are often thick with enthusiasm, not veiled threats. However, the more we get to know a person, the more we see their true nature. And sometimes, in that poignant realization, we discover that the person we thought we could love is nothing more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: Seattle's original Piano Man, Victor Janusz, shines his Spotlight at Seattle's ACT!

Janusz Shines!                     Photo:  Smith

by MK Scott

Victor Janusz is a Seattle Treasure, and it was about time after collaborating with such stars as Arnaldo!, Phoenicia, Sylvia, and more, Janusz, who has played every corner of our community as well as NYC, has written a show all about himself with Hands Solo, now playing at Seattle's ACT. I personally attended this show this past weekend and even knowing the artist for over 14 years, I learned more about him and was impressed even more on his body of work as a performer (Mr. Pianoman), Actor (He was in the West Coast Premiere of the Normal Heart 1986), and as a human being (Activist).

Janusz poses with a photo of his parents.       Photo: Smith

I have seen Janusz work his magic at countless appearances from a smokey bar in Downtown Seattle to a Top floor classy Lounge overlooking the Seattle skyline.

As I said, I learned a lot about Janusz’s career (method acting, many cabaret stints, 9 years of playing piano for shoppers at Nordstrom), his family (Mexican and Polish decent) and his private commitment to his late partner over 20 years ago. It was also great see old photos from his youth.

Hands Solo, actually premiered in New York at the famed Duplex in 2010, and was developed as part the 2008 Cabaret workshop at Yale University.

The show continues this weekend 7/17 to 20)  at ACT. Through July 20 at ACT Seattle; (206-292-7676 or acttheatre.org).

(OUTscene NW) SMC returns from Germany Tour with lots of Stories to Tell!

SMC Performing at St. Pauli Ruine in Dresden, Germany

The Seattle Men's Chorus would like to extend  warmest thanks to all those who helped make the Falling in Love Again Germany Tour possible. There are extremely grateful for the opportunity to have shared this compelling and important work with new audiences in Germany, and as SMC member Bryn Nelson details on the SMC blog, it was a moving and memorable experience.

Check out SMC's Facebook page for tour photos and videos.