(OUTview NW) RE-view: Live on Stage's "Falsettos" is a Fitting Tribute to Life imitating Art!

Whizzer's Last Falsetto?         Photo:LOS

by MK Scott

I admit I had never heard of Finn and Lapine's 1992 BROADWAY Musical, Falsettos, until 1999 when the Seattle Men's Chorus performed 2 numbers as part of their Broadway themed concert, "Gentleman Prefer Broadway". One number was March of the Falsettos and the other was What more can I say? (In 2000, as a member of the chorus, we performed this at a wedding of 2 other chorus members.)

Just to hear those 2 songs alone was good enough for me to travel down to Portland to see our friends at Live on Stage (Last year was Rocky Horror and then Spring Awakening in 2012). The Icing was this year was a tribute to the late, great Rob Buckmaster. Buckmaster was a staple in the Portland Theater scene in the early 90's and lost his battle to AIDS in 1995. Live on Stage's Director, John Oules is the marketing Director of Our House of Portland and is the chair of the Rob Buckmaster Fund at the Equity Foundation.

(OUTscene NW) Re-view: Lakewood's MAME, Brings IT and More!

by MK Scott

I like everything about Mame, from the original Book by Patrick Dennis to the Glorious Film Classic of 'Auntie Mame" starring Rosalind Russell to the 1966 Broadway musical Mame is a musical with the book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. Starring Angela Lansbury (I have the CD) and even the 1974 Film, based from the musical and Starring most of the original cast (Bea Arthur and Jane Connell) and Not with Angela Lansbury, but with Lucille Ball. The Best moments were when she wasn't singing (Save 'Bosom Buddies).I had never seen performed on stage before and when I heard that it was playing at my old stomping grounds of Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego, OR and directed by my old Pal, John Oules (Founder of Live On Stage). In fact I first met Oules, right here at Lakewood (known at the time as the Lake Oswego Community Theatre) back in 1990. I was already part of the family from doing Lighting at a previous show a year earlier.

So here I am back and ready to see Mame and am delighted to see Jennifer Goldsmith (seen in LOS's Spring Awakening in 2013) as Mame. Her performance in Act One was awkward as Mame goes from an IT Girl to broke and almost Human and then by Act 2 we see the Glamour and the Bitchiness of Mame that suits Goldsmith better as it did with Russell and Ball.

(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) 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.

(MNW) NOM's Losing Streak Continues!

Anti-gay attorneys took a beating before the Seventh Circuit last week, trying and failing to defend marriage bans before a panel of hostile judges. Now all eyes are on the Supreme Court to see which cases they'll take up in their fall session. There's another major marriage argument coming up in a few days. And the National Organization for Marriage still isn't giving up in Oregon, despite having lost months ago.

(MNW) Marriage Confusion in Wisconsin!

Wisconsin's marriage ban is unconstitutional. There've been more big defeats for the National Organization for Marriage. Utah officials resist a ruling that they must recognize the marriage licenses that the state issued to gay and lesbian couples last winter. And Pennsylvania voters show their support for the freedom to marry.

(MNW) US Supreme Court Considers Marriage Case This Week!

Marriage finally comes to Illinois, months after the state passed a marriage equality bill. Numerous state schedule marriage case milestones for this summer. The Attorney General of Florida insists that a marriage ban is necessary but can't explain why. And the US Supreme Court will take a look at marriage in Oregon this week.

(MNW) 16 Million Americans Gain Freedom to Marry!

More than sixteen and a half million Americans gained marriage equality last week, with decisive victories in Oregon and Pennsylvania. We have brand new lawsuits in the last few states that needed one. And the National Organization for Marriage has suffered even more losses this week.

(MNW) Triple-Loss for NOM in Oregon!

The National Organization for Marriage screws up again in Oregon. Judges in Idaho and Arkansas rule that marriage bans violate the US Constitution. Following another round of hearings, rulings are due any day now in Virginia and Pennsylvania. And a new lawsuit in Alaska leaves just three states with an unchallenged marriage ban.

(MNW) Showdown this Week in Virginia!

AFER heads back to court this week to protect its latest marriage equality win. Kentucky's Attorney General is running to become the state's first pro-equality Governor. Oregon surveys look encouraging, but voters could still pass a turn-away-the-gays discrimination bill. And a new public education campaign in puts LGBT family members front and center in Oklahoma.

(MNW) NOM's Latest Failure!

The National Organization for Marriage is scrambling to defend Oregon's marriage ban at the last minute, but things aren't exactly going how they'd hoped. The case to overturn Virginia's marriage ban gets a boost from one of the authors of the state's constitution. And the Governor of Pennsylvania wants to skip a trial on marriage and go straight to a ruling.

(MNW) Prop 8 Lawyer Plans Lesbian Daughter's Wedding!

The lawyer who led the defense of Proposition 8 now says his attitudes are evolving as he plans his daughter's lesbian wedding. Michigan officials are trying to invalidate hundreds of couples' marriage licenses, but now those couples are fighting back. And a Judge in Ohio has issued one of the most strongly-worded rejections of a marriage ban to date.

(MNW) Politician Says Marriage Equality is Murder!

Anti-gay groups are getting desperate, with one candidate for governor comparing marriage equality to murder. An Alabama scheme to slip a marriage ban into the US Constitution is moving forward but is pretty much guaranteed to fail. A judge in Ohio rules that marriage equality isn't only for dead people anymore. Plus, a major marriage victory in Utah gets put to the test on appeal this Thursday. We'll have all the details.

(Portland Hotties) Andrew Shayde!

With MK back in his hometown or Portland, OR this week, he will be talking to some of the Movers and shakers and Hotties that Portland has to offer. Please comment if you have some questions you want MK to follow up with!

Name Andrew Shayde

Hails from Lexington, Kentucky born n' raised but now live in beautiful, but weird, Portland, Oregon.

Age 32 and loving every second of it. I'm always proud of my age… even in the gay world.

Occupation? I'm the Special Events Coordinator for Cascade AIDS Project. I plan fundraising events such as an annual art auction and AIDS Walk Portland. My team and I raise about 1.5 million bucks a year for our agency.

What you like best about Oregon? Oregon has every piece of nature you'd want. The coast, mountains like Mt. Hood, desert dunes, plains, you name it we got it. So folks are are super outdoorsy. Also, Portland is mega-gay friendly and our summer's in Oregon are the best! Hobbies? I love going to the movies. The smell of the popcorn, the excitement in the trailers, and the escapism movies provide. But my absolute favorite is going to Sauvies Island with friends. It's a strip of beach on a river here and it's like a beach party every weekend in the summer. A whole gay section. Nude beach too. But I keep my trunks on.

Boxer or Briefs? Briefs. Nothing sexier… I mean, as long as they're not like Hanes.

Dream Date? I've always wanted to have sex atop a hill with a lighting storm in the distance. Is that a date?

Make it Legal? (Will you Get married?) I sure will. And adoption beyond that. I want to always be fun (not boring) but I want to be a fun family-man.

 Oregon will be voting on Marriage Equality this coming November. Please check out Oregon United for Marriage and offer your support!

(MNW) Six New Lawsuits Complicate Marriage Equality Fight!

AFER's marriage lawsuit in Virginia is picking up speed, with a faster schedule and new parties. We have new lawsuits this week in four different states. And one state's Young Republicans break ranks with the state party to support the freedom to marry.

(Portland Hotties) Nick Mattos!

via FB

With MK back in his hometown or Portland, OR this week, he will be talking to some of the Movers and shakers and Hotties that Portland has to offer. Please comment if you have some questions you want MK to follow up with!

Name: Nick Mattos

Hails from: Sebastopol, CA

Age: 30

Occupation? Writer

What you like best about Oregon? Living at the far edge of the frontier.

Hobbies? Reading, writing, transcendental meditation, whiskey-drinking, camping, yoga, roughhousing, wandering around.

Boxer or Briefs? boxer briefs.

Dream Date?: It involves a clear night, some good beer, and a quiet place located high above the city from which we can see the buildings all lit up below.

Make it Legal? (Will you Get married?): I was actually engaged once about a decade ago, and while I didn't end up getting married, I did recently write a column contemplating the experience. This excerpt sums up my thoughts well: "Was I ever actually ready to get married? I think back to that fiancé and can safely say no, that in the light and heat of being 21 I certainly wasn’t. Maybe marriage isn’t about readiness, though; perhaps it’s about deciding to become ready, to call the community around you and state, 'Listen up, family, friends, government, God, everyone. We’re going to try to make this work forever, but we can’t do it on our own.' Perhaps the marriage certificate, and the wedding dress, and the Jordan almonds that the guests receive are all just a coded plea, a means of crying out to everyone who can hear: 'Please, please, please help us make this relationship work.' I could not make that cry then, and perhaps I never will — but I am willing to be surprised."

 Oregon will be voting on Marriage Equality this coming November. Please check out Oregon United for Marriage and offer your support! 

(MARRIAGE NEWS WATCH) Virginia Marriage Decision Could Come This Week!

We have big news in Virginia this week, as AFER nears decision in the federal case there. A new ruling in Nevada could be the key to victory. Lawsuits also advance in Florida, Michigan and Oregon, and signature-gathering starts in Arkansas.

(MK Remembers) A Tale of 2 different Gay Mayors at their Inaugurals!

Murray/Shirosaki in 2014         /Portin

by MK Scott

It is great to live in the Pacific NW where equality and diversity is thriving, first with Gay Marriage in Washington State and soon coming to Oregon.

One great difference is we have some of the influential Gay Political Leaders in the country and I have gotten to know most of them in the last decade. Of course you know by now, that Politics is not my beat, but when I have it has created an impact.

Last night I attended the inauguration gala of Seattle's Newly sworn in Mayor Ed Murray as I did 5 years ago this week with the Inaugural of Portland Mayor Sam Adams. 


What were the similarities? Differences? Let me tell about last night's event honoring Murray first.

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: Oregon Premiere of 'Kiss of the Spider woman' showcases Portland Theatre Legend, Margie Boulé at her Best!

Ryan, Boule' and Rodriguez             /Tri Pro

by MK Scott

Kiss of the Spider Woman is a musical with music by John Kander and Fred Ebb, with the book by Terrence McNally. It is based on the Manuel Puig novel El Beso de la Mujer Araña. The musical had runs in the West End (1992) and Broadway (1993) and won the 1993 Tony Award for Best Musical. This marks the Oregon Premiere, only to be directed and produced by Portland Legend, Don Horn of Triangle Productions!

Luis Alberto Molina (Bobby Ryan), a homosexual window dresser, is in a prison in a Latin American country, serving his third year of an eight-year-sentence for corrupting a minor. He lives in a fantasy world to flee the prison life, the torture, fear and humiliation. His fantasies turn mostly around movies, particularly around a vampy diva, Aurora. Molina's Mother, but one scares him: This role is the spider woman, who kills with her kiss. All played by the flawless, Margie Boule'!

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: LTC's Greater Tuna is all about Character!

Horenstein and Schulz /Triumph

by MK Scott

Since I was in the Portland Area, I had to see my old pal, Jay Randell Horenstein, reprise most memorable and Iconic characters from the Cult Classic, 'Greater Tuna' playing on the Main stage at the Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego, OR. I attended the Friday, August 2nd performance to a full house, but mixed crowd.

According to Wiki, 'Greater Tuna' is the first in a series of 4 comedic plays (followed by A Tuna Christmas, Red, White and Tuna and Tuna Does Vegas), each set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, the "third-smallest" town in the state. The series was written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. The plays are at once an affectionate comment on small-town, Southern life and attitudes but also a withering satire of same. Of the four plays, Greater Tuna is the darkest in tone.

The plays are notable in that two men play the entire cast of over twenty eccentric characters of both genders and various ages. Greater Tuna debuted in Austin, Texas, in the fall of 1981, and had its off-Broadway premiere in 1982. St. Vincent Summer Theatre produced the play in 2000,and No Name Players produced it in 2002.

Charles H. Duggan produced national tours of "Greater Tuna", "A Tuna Christmas" and "Red, White & Tuna" for twenty-six years.

Back in 1989, the Famous Portland Civic Theatre, did a production of 'Tuna', and the Willamette Week, published photos of Horenstein as some of his iconic characters, like Didi Snavely (Owner of Didi's Used Weapons), Petey Fisk (Employee of the Greater Tuna Humane Society), and the Bible thumping Vera Carp (Town snob and vice president of the Smut-Snatchers of the New Order). Horenstein plays a total 12 Characters and looks great.

Joining Horenstein is Portland Character Actor, Gary Brickner-Schulz, who plays 11

Characters with Bertha Bumiller (neglected wife and and member of the Smut Snatchers of the New Order), Sheriff Givens- (The deep voiced sheriff who believes in old-fashioned jails), Pearl Burras - (Aunt to Bertha, who is addicted to killing dogs), and the over the top, Reverend Spikes, (president of the Smut Snatchers of the New Order) being the Best.

This being the first time seeing a 'Tuna' production I was put off at some of the Texas and dark humor, the audience didn't laugh at some of the material. I was also confused at the lack of Props (Unsure if is supposed to be that). Back during the PCT production, it was staged in the smaller Blue Room, and the show would be great in a smaller theatre with audience interaction in Act 2.

Alas, it was great to see those characters of Horenstein come to life again, in person. Both actors shine going from character to Character. Tuna Humor is not for everybody or the serious theatre goer.

Greater Tuna is running through Aug 18th at Lakewood Theatre in Lake Oswego, OR.