Q_COVERstory

www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q1
Q_COVERstory
Gina Gershon Rocks
Sexy Actress Hits the Big Screen Playing a Bisexual Singer
By Gregg Shapiro
Special to The Express
As Jacki, the lead singer of the all-female
rock band Clam Dandy in the movie Prey For
Rock & Roll, Gina Gershon is a formidable
presence. She’s all sneer and rock ’n’ roll
swagger. She sings like a cross between
Chrissie Hynde and Patti Smith. She also deals
with issues ranging from her bisexuality, her
age, the politics of being in a band, sleazy
management people and revenge.
Gershon is taking her role in this
independent feature very seriously. To
promote the film, which will be previewed
Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Shores Performing
Arts Theatre in Miami Shores as a fundraiser
for the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival,
Gershon has been performing live concerts
with the members of the band Girls Against
Boys. Having caught her act, both on screen
and on stage, I can attest to the fact that
Gina Gershon rocks.
including the issue of age in the rock music
industry. Do you think that if Jacki were a
man she would be dealing with those same
issues?
It seems to me that my guy friends who
are in the business, if they haven’t broken in
yet, I think that age is an issue, as well.
Everyone seems to have to lie about their
age in the music world. Unless you’re 19 or
20 these days, it’s hard to get a break, which
is really unfortunate. To me, it’s all about the
music if you listen to it. MTV has ruined so
many things. To me it should be timeless,
ageless. You like it or you don’t.
Jacki says that seeing an Ike and Tina
Turner concert was a life-changing
experience for her when she was a child and
inspired her to pursue music. Did you have
a similar experience as a child, with either a
musician or an actor, who inspired you?
I remember, in junior high school, being
in awe of actors. Musicians, I was a little
Gregg Shapiro: You are currently on more used to because I have a lot of
the cover of an interesting array of musicians in my family. I was used to going
magazines, including The Advocate, to concerts and seeing the people I know
Girlfriends and Maxim, to name a
few. How does it feel to be such a
popular cover girl?
Gina Gershon: [Laughs] I
didn’t really look at it that way. I
guess it’s nice. Just trying to sell
the movie. I’m just doing my job.
Shortly before seeing Prey
For Rock & Roll, I heard you sing
on the Denis Leary Roast on
Comedy Central. How did you
become involved with that?
Denis is a really good friend of
mine, or else I wouldn’t have done
that. It was so chaotic. Every day
they were like, “We’re changing it
[the song] to punk. We’re changing
to lounge.” Three days before, I’m
like, “Guys, I need to know what I’m
going to be doing. I’m singing this
live, in front of people.” I love Denis.
I would do anything for him.
Prey For Rock & Roll deals
with some fascinating topics,
Q2
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003
playing the music. But I remember going to a
play at school and there were people that I
knew, my friends, doing the play. I remember
watching and thinking, “I know those people.
Why are they up there?” It was the first time
that I thought, “Wait a minute, that means
that I can do that.”
They were your contemporaries, as
opposed to someone in a movie.
Right. They were my contemporaries,
and it made me think, “Oh, I could do that. In
fact, I think I could do it even better than
those people up there.” [Laughs]
So, then, did you start doing it?
Yes, right away.
Prey For Rock & Roll also touches on
the presence of queer musicians in the
music business. Two of the women in the
band, Faith [played by Lori Petty] and Sally
[played by Shelly Cole], are a couple. Your
character, Jacki, also has a girlfriend named
Jessica [Shakara Ledard]. Since music is
such a universal language, does it surprise
you that the sexuality of a musician
should still be an issue to their fans?
I think with musicians, it’s
ridiculous. I always joke with my
friends when they ask, “Do you like
being a musician or being an actor?”
I say, “I’ll tell you. If you go out and
you do something kind of shady as
an actor, forget it, your career is over.
People freak out. If you’re a musician,
everyone is like, ‘Yeah, right on.
That’s cool.’” I don’t think the
sexuality should have anything to do
with anything, whether you’re a
musician or an actor or a politician. It
just shouldn’t matter.
Gina Gershon as Jacki, a bisexual lead
singer of the all-female rock band Clam
Dandy in the movie Prey For Rock & Roll
with your LGBT fans. What does that mean
to you?
I think it’s cool. I think they’re a tough
community. They either really like you or they
really don’t like you. I’m much happier to be
really liked than not.
I attended your concert with the
members of Girls Against Boys at the House
of Blues. What does it mean to you to have
the opportunity to perform songs from the
movie in front of a live audience?
It’s awesome. In the movie, I sang
everything live, but I didn’t get to play live
because we had to have the music recorded.
So, playing with these guys in Girls Against
Boys—they’re a really cool band. When they
asked me to promote the film by doing this, I
was like, “Yeah! It’s fun!” I figured, “Wow,
it’s a show,” so I could do what I like, and I
actually do five of my own songs and I do a
couple of covers.
The Ozzy Osbourne cover.
Yeah, “Paranoid.” It’s a cool version.
People seem to like it.
Between your appearances in music
videos [The Cars in 1984 and Lenny Kravitz
in 2001] and Prey For Rock & Roll, rock
music seems to be in your DNA. Do you foresee
releasing an album under your own name?
Yeah, definitely. I’ve been working on a
lot of music. If it’s approached in the right way,
why not?
You have worked with an amazing
assortment of directors, including Robert
Altman, John Sayles, John Woo, the
Wachowski Brothers and Audrey Wells, who
most recently did Under the Tuscan Sun, to
mention a few. Do you have the desire to direct?
Yeah, I’m sure at some point I’ll direct.
You have established cinematic
diva status within the queer
And what about writing a screenplay?
community.
In my head, I keep writing stuff. Actually
That’s good…[Laughs]
writing on paper, because I have the [concert]
tour, has been just music lately. It takes a lot
You’ve played a lesbian in of discipline [to write a screenplay], and I
Bound, and your performance as don’t quite have that yet. I have the discipline
Jacki in Prey For Rock & Roll only for songs. I’m working up to a whole
serves to cement your iconic bond screenplay.
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q3
Q4
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003
Q_CULTURAL COCKTAIL By Mary Damiano
Gay and Lesbian Play Series Begins
West Palm Beach Theatre Reaches Out to the Gay Community
PridePlay Series Begins
Head up to the Florida Stage Theatre
in Manalapan this Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6
p.m. for the kick-off of their PridePlay
Series, which features staged readings
of plays with gay and lesbian themes
by gay and lesbian playwrights. The
series is part of the theatre’s New Voices
Series, which showcases up-and-coming
playwrights. The series is the brainchild
of artistic director Louis Tyrell and often
the fifth slot of the Florida Stage’s
season is filled by one of these new
plays.
Following the reception at 6 p.m.
will be the reading of Mary Gallagher’s
play I Know You’re the One, about a
single gay man trying to become a father
through adoption. Tickets are only $7
per play, and $30 for a subscription that
also includes three readings in the
theatre’s New Voices Series. For more
information about the PridePlay Series Hedwig and the Angry Inch
and to purchase tickets, call
561.585.3433 or 800.514.3837.
makeup and take the wig down off the
shelf—Hedwig and the Angry Inch is
Go Ahead, Take an Inch back in a new production opening this
It’s time again to put on some Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Broward Center
f o r t h e P e r f o r m i n g A r t s . T h e o ff Broadway sensation has become a cult
classic, a theatrical combination of rock,
drag and kitsch. Hedwig, as I believe
everyone in three galaxies knows, is the
victim of a botched sex change
operation who leads a rock band and
must contend with a former protogee
who became a star after stealing
Hedwig’s songs. Hedwig will only be
here until Sunday, Nov. 2, so be sure to
catch her while you can. Call
954.462.0222 for tickets.
Dance for Life This
Sunday
S o m e o f S o u t h F l o r i d a ’s m o s t
popular and prestigious dance
companies will unite for Dance for Life,
the annual fundraiser which takes place
Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., at the Gusman
Theatre in Miami.
Maximum Dance Company, Miami
Contemporary Dance, Ballet Florida
Principal Dancers, Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban
Dance and Music Ensemble, Live in
Color and Mid Eastern Dance Exchange,
will entertain the crowd at the Gusman
in an effort to raise money for the Red
Cross HIV/AIDS education programs
and South Florida Dance for Life
Dancers Fund.
In addition to the local dance
companies, there will also be a
performance by guest soloist Davis
Robertson, formerly of the Joffrey Ballet
of Chicago, and a finale choreographed
by Paulo Manso de Sousa.
Dance for Life is a spectacular event
that does a lot of good in a beautiful
way. Don’t miss it. Tickets are available
online at www.tixops.com or by calling
1.877.877.7677.
Book Fair
The Miami International Book Fair
k i c k s o f f i t s 2 0 th a n n i v e r s a r y t h i s
weekend with Toni Morrison up close
and personal Sunday, Nov. 2. The author
of many books, including Beloved, The
Song of Solomon and The Bluest Eye,
Morrison will read from her work 8 p.m.
at the Central Baptist Church, 500 NE
First Ave. in Miami. Garrison Keillor will
appear Monday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m.; Mitch
Ablom will appear Tuesday, Nov. 4;
Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Weisel will
appear Wednesday, Nov. 5; and Carl
Hiaasen will be speaking with Dave
Barry Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Miami
Dade Community College Chapman
Building in downtown Miami. Dancer
and choreographer Twyla Tharp will
conclude the series on Friday, Nov. 7, at
8 p.m. with her appearance in the MDCC
auditorium.
FLIFF Goes Gay
The Fort Lauderdale International Film
Festival’s official opening night isn’t until
Nov. 7, but the longest film festival in the
world is already underway.
The festival began Oct. 17 and has been
showing films nightly at Cinema Paradiso,
the festival’s own art house cinema. The
festival features nearly 100 features and
documentaries, and about 40 shorts from
around the world, including a mini-fest with
nine films with gay and lesbian themes.
“They’re the spiciest films we’ve had,”
says Gregory von Hausch, president of the
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
In my opinion, one of the best gay films
featured at the festival is I Can’t Marry You,
a documentary by Catherine Gray and
narrated by Ellen’s mom, Betty DeGeneres.
Many couples from across the country,
including several from South Florida, are
interviewed about the problems they’ve
encountered by not being able to get legal
recognition of their unions. It’s a funny and
moving film which truly gets to the heart of a
hot topic. Director Catherine Gray will appear
at the screening.
For a complete schedule of films, visit
fliff.com.
Menopause Was Never
So Much Fun
Menopause The Musical, which ran
for more than 100 performances at the 26th
Street Theatre in Wilton Manors, is moving
to Miami. The crowd-pleasing show, which
celebrates and pokes fun at a woman’s rite
of passage, opens at the balcony theatre
at the MiracleTheatre, which houses the
Actor’s Playhouse. The same cast from
Wilton Manors continue with the
production in Miami. Opening night is
Friday, Oct. 31. Call 305.444.9293 to
purchase tickets. Group rates are available.
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q5
Q6
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q7
Q_CONCERTpreview
Cinemusic: Flamingo Freedom Band Gets Reel with Concert
Upcoming Show Spotlights Music from the Movies
By Mary Damiano
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Wilton Manors will be
alive with the sound of music
from the movies, when the
Flamingo Freedom Band
presents its fall concert, Reel
Music, at Religious Science
Fort Lauderdale Sunday,
Nov. 2.
The concert turns the
spotlight on music written
especially for the movies,
showcasing some of the
best-loved films of all time
in a way that only the
Flamingo Freedom Band
can do.
The Flamingos are Flamingo Freedom Band
South Florida’s kings of the
multimedia concert, and Reel Music especially scene is from what movie,” Turlington says.
lends itself to that concept. “We realize that The montages were put together by Larry
we sit there on stage and, after awhile, looking Wald of Cathode Ray. Naturally, the way the
at our fingers is not all that entertaining,” scenes are edited together boast a certain
says band member Bob Turlington. gay twist.
“Madonna performs with videos behind her
Another visual treat will be Electra,
too. We want the audience to be entertained owner of Madame’s Cabaret, Restaurant and
visually too.”
Lounge, and the Flamingo Freedom Band’s
While the Flamingo Freedom Band first-ever female impersonator mistress of
performs a musical salute to James Bond, the ceremonies. Electra is an apt choice for the
movie screen will show a montage of the show, because she is known for her
actors who have played James Bond, the Hollywood incarnations.
Members of the Lambda Chorale will be
luscious Bond Girls, the series’ villains and
movie posters from the nearly two dozen the band’s special guests, and will bring to life
films. During a musical tribute to big screen the lyrics of The Lion King. Lambda will also
cowboys, the audience will be treated to a host the intermission bake sale, as well as a 5050 raffle.
montage of famous Westerns.
Audience members will also be able to
“The fun part is trying to guess what
Q8
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003
get into the act with the
chance to exhibit their own
movie acumen. Trivia
contests are built into the
show, and prizes include
movie tickets provided by
one of the concert’s sponsors,
Sunrise Cinemas, as well as
some goofy prizes inspired by
the songs. In some cases, the
questions will tie in directly
with the film montages
features throughout the
evening.
“There will always be
something visual happening
throughout the evening,”
says Turlington, who counts
The Sound of Music and The
Color Purple among his
favorite movies. “It’s Halloween weekend so
we want people to have fun. So many gay
people make Hollywood a part of
Halloween.”
The idea for a concert saluting music
from the movies came from alto sax player
Bob Firman, a longtime member of the
Flamingo Freedom Band who died earlier this
year. The band will perform “Colors of the
Wind” from Pocahantas in memory of Firman,
a song chosen because of its moving alto
sax solo. The musicians will also honor Dr.
John Graves, who was a big supporter of the
Flamingo Freedom Band.
With all the spectacular movie music
available, the Flamingo Freedom Band
surveyed their members to see what pieces
and composers they’d like to play. John
Williams came up a big favorite and the multiOscar winner is represented in the Star Wars
salute as well as with the salute to movie
cowboys. Disney, especially The Lion King,
and Harry Potter will be also be wellrepresented at Reel Music.
“It will be a very entertaining night, with
a lot of nostalgic music from movies that have
withstood the test of time,” says Flamingo
Freedom Band artistic director Ron Hughes,
a big Star Wars fan.
To make Reel Music the best it can be,
the Flamingo Freedom Band has landed a
new sponsor, Sunrise Cinemas. Not only will
the theatre chain be supplying movie tickets
for the trivia contests, they will also be
promoting Reel Music on the screen at the
Gateway Theatre, a first for the Flamingo
Freedom Band. “The Sunrise Cinemas is
supportive of our community,” Turlington
says. “We know that they work with our
community, so we wanted to work with
them.”
Turlington says response so far to Reel
Music has been very good, and if all goes
well, they might even do a sequel. “We’ve
had more people call and ask about this show
than we’ve ever had before, so we know that
the theme excites people.”
The Flamingo Freedom Band will
present Reel Music, Sunday, Nov. 2 at
7:30 p.m. at Religious Science Fort
Lauderdale, 1550 NE 26 St., Wilton
Manors. Tickets are $10 in advance or
$15 at the door. Tickets are available online
at www.FlamingoFreedomBand.com
or by calling 954.792.1320.
Heard It Through
the Gayvine
Queers, Quotes and Quips of Interest
Sir Ian Coming to South Florida
The Gay & Lesbian Foundation of South Florida will
present its International Media Award to Sir Ian McKellen at
the organization’s Seventh Annual Recognition Dinner on
Saturday, Nov. 22. The Tony Award winning and Academy
Award nominated actor’s work spans five decades. McKellen
is most recently known for his roles as the wizard “Gandalf
the Gray” in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and as “Magneto” in
the X-Men films. He will join other award recipients, including
playwright Terence McNally. Legendary singer Diana Ross
will be in attendance as well to introduce the evening’s
entertainment, the Supremes.
Liza on the Attack!
Sir Ian McKellen
David Gest claims estranged wife Liza Minnelli has abused him, and he wants $10
million to make him feel better. Gest, 50, alleges in court papers that Minnelli, 57, flew into
drunken rages on several occasions on both sides of the Atlantic, insulting and striking him.
Gest’s lawyer, Raoul Felder, said his client suffered neurological damage and headaches
from the alleged attacks, as well as a range of other ailments, including “scalp tenderness.”
He is currently staying at a rehabilitation clinic in Honolulu and taking 11 different medications
to cope with his pain. Supposedly one drunken brawl took place at The Hotel Plaza
Athenee in New York after the couple returned from their European honeymoon, and Gest
caught his new wife downing a bottle of vodka, causing her to fly into a rage. In the suit,
Gest describes himself as a “world-renowned event and concert promoter” and Minnelli as
a star whose career “had eclipsed—alcoholic, overweight and unable to be effectively
merchandised.”
Minnelli issued a statement to deny Gest’s claims. “I hoped very much that the end of
my marriage would be handled with mutual respect and dignity,” she said. “The allegations
in this lawsuit are hurtful and without merit.”
Chip and Reichen Race Toward Splitsville
According to 365gay.com, Chip Arndt and Reichen Lehmkuhl’s relationship is history.
The handsome couple became gay poster boys after becoming champions of the reality
show The Amazing Race. Now they are divvying up the money they won from the show
($620,000 after taxes) and moving on. Arndt is living in Miami, and Lehmkuhl is staying in
Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Lehmkuhl has already notched an appearance on
Frasier and will appear on three episodes of the daytime soap The Young and The Restless.
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q9
Q_CULTURALevents
Through Friday, Oct. 31: Hispanic
Heritage Festival—Among the top 10 Hispanic
festivals in the nation, events showcase outdoor
music, food festivals, sporting events, National
competitions and more. Various locations. For
information visit www.hispanicfestival.com, email
[email protected] or call 305.541.5023.
Tuesdays and Saturdays, Through Dec. 6
: Outlawz Hair Raising Event—The Outlawz will
have a collection site for the Sunshine Athletic
Association’s Holiday Basket Project available
during the Outlawz country dance sessions at Sea
Monster. Doors open at 5 p.m., Line Dance lesson
at 6 p.m.. www.theoutlawz.biz.
Thursday, Oct. 30: Uniquely Florida: Beauty
and Spirit Through Art—Part of a lecture series
focusing on art and artists in Florida. 7:30 - 9 p.m.
in the Bienes Center at the Broward County Main
Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Broward County’s Public Art will be highlighted by
Kerry Kennedy, program manager for Broward
County’s public arts projects. Free. For more
information, call 954.357.7443.
Friday, Oct. 31: WIN Halloween Party—
Prizes, full bar and music by Eclipse. Costumes or
not. $12/members, $15/non-members (includes free
drink and light fare). 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. at the Italian
American Civic League, 2310 N.E. 7th Ave., Wilton
Manors. Call Flo at 954.961.7176 for more
information.
Sunday, Nov. 2: South Florida Dance for
Life—It’s the American Red Cross of Greater Miami
& The Keys South Florida’s Dance for Life. 7 p.m.
at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174
E. Flagler St., Downtown Miami. Featured performers
include: Maximum Dance Company, Miami
Contemporary Dance, Ballet Florida Principal
Dancers, and Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance and Music
Ensemble. For tickets and information call
877.877.7677 or visit www.tixops.com.
Sunday, Nov. 2: Annual Congregational
Gathering—The Vice-Moderator
of
the
Metropolitan Community Churches, Rev. Elder
Donald Eastman, will be honored as a special guest
at the Annual Congregational Gathering of the
membership of the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 S.W.
9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Wine and Cheese reception
at 5 p.m. in the Great Hall followed by a short
meeting at 6 p.m. in the Walt Lawrence, Stephen
Lewis Worship Center. Sunshine Cathedral members
and friends are cordially invited. For information
or directions, call 954.462.2004 or visit
www.SunshineCathedral.org.
Tuesday, Nov. 4: Books by the River—This
8-part series will be held at the New River Inn at the
Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum, 231 S.W.
2 nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale at 7 p.m. on the first
Tuesday of each month. The series presents authors
who have written books either about or set in
Florida. For information or to pre-register call
954.357.7401.
Friday – Sunday, Nov. 7 – 9: Newlife Expo
2003—Three days of Natural Health and Fitness;
120 exhibits and 130 speakers. Hyatt Hotel in
Miami. 800.928.6208 or www.newlifeexpo.com.
Saturday, Nov. 8: Congregation Etz Chaim
Sisterhood Dance for Gals and Guys—An
evening of continual dancing. $18. BYOB. 7 - 11
p.m. at the Italian American Club, 2310 N.E. Seventh
Ave., Wilton Manors. For reservations and tickets
call Scotti or Arlene: 954.427.8589.
Saturday, Nov. 22: Expanding Horizons—
Save the date for the 7th Annual Recognition Dinner
benefiting the Gay and Lesbian Foundation of South
Florida. Honoring Dr. John Graves, Marleine Bastien,
Damian Pardo and Bacardi. National Impact Award
to playwright Terrence McNally. Ms. Diana Ross
to introduce The Supremes. 6:30 p.m. at the Westin
Diplomat Resort & Spa, 3555 S. Ocean Dr.,
Hollywood. $185 per person includes cocktail
reception and dinner. For tickets and information,
please call 305.572.1841 or visit www.glfsf.org.
Q10
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003
Live Theatre and Dance
Through Sunday, Nov. 9: Aint Misbehavin—
Go back to the Harlem of the 20s and 30s with 30
show-stopping songs. The White-Willis Theatre,
7143 Pine Island Rd., Tamarac. 954.726.7898 or
954.942.9578.
Wednesday, Oct. 29 - Sunday, Nov. 2:
Hedwig and the Angry Inch—Born a boy, Hansel
falls in love with a good-looking American GI who
promises a better life if he undergoes a sex change
operation to become a female who he can then
marry. The operation is seriously botched leaving
Hedwig with an “Angry Inch”. Broward Center, 201
Southwest Fifth Ave. 954.462.0222.
Thursday, Oct. 30 - Nov. 23: Proof—David
Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning play is a powerful
proclamation of the dynamics of the mind and the
often times fickle yet overpowering nature of human
emotions. Sol Theatre Project, 1140 N. Flagler Dr.,
Fort Lauderdale. Reservations: 954.525.6555;
www.soltheatre.com.
Music
Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 27 and 28:
Mindless Self Indulgence—6:30 p.m. at Culture
Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale,
954.564.1074.
Wednesday, Oct. 29: Vienna Symphony
Orchestra—Vladimir Fedoseyev, Principal
Conductor and Nikolaj Znaider, violin. Broward
Center, 201 Southwest Fifth Ave. 954.462.0222.
Friday, Oct. 31: Linda Eder—Enjoy an
evening of music with a rare vocal talent with an
impressive three-octave range who has been
compared to the illustrious Barbara Streisand. Hear
Eder’s amazing renditions of standards like “I Am
What I Am,” “What Kind of Fool Am I?,” “Anthem”
and “The Impossible Dream.” Broward Center, 201
Southwest Fifth Ave. 954.462.0222.
Sunday, Nov. 2:Reel Music—The Flamingo
Freedom band presents an evening of music from
the movies along with special guest, the Lambda
Choral. Local entertainer Electra will emcee.
Religious Science Fort Lauderdale, 1550 N.E. 26
St., Wilton Manors. Tickets: $10/advance, $15/
door.
Buy
tickets
online
at
www.flamingofreedomband.com. For time and more
information call 954.792.1320.
Exhibitions
Saturday, Nov. 1 – Wednesday, Dec. 31:
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave
Narratives—The exhibit chronicles the lives of
slaves using multi-media displays and interactive
audio/video learning centers. A digital registry will
allow visitors to record information about relatives
or others who were former slaves active on the
Underground Railroad. African-American Research
Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd.,
Fort Lauderdale. 954.625.2800.
Radio
The Norm Kent Show—Live from the Floridian
Restaurant on E. Las Olas Blvd., interviews and
commentary with Norm Kent. Weekday mornings,
8 – 9 a.m. on WFTL 1400 AM. The Call-In Line is
1.866.432.1400. www.NormKentShow.com
Bridging the Gap—Call-in talk radio show
dedicated to creating a better understanding between
the straight and gay communities, with host Rene
Bray. Sundays from 6 – 8 p.m. on WTAN 1340 AM.
Live,
worldwide
broadcast
at
www.TampaBayGay.com/BTG. 1.800.263.8559.
Michael Martini Hour—”Let’s stir the pot …
and get to the bottom of the issues!” Gay talk radio,
Thursdays, 6 – 7 p.m. on WPBR 1340 AM or on
the internet at www.talk1340.com.
Outright Radio—David Gilmore hosts this radio
show about gay life in America. Saturdays at 3 p.m.
on WLRN 91.3 FM.
Maximum_Volume
Pumping It Up with New Album Releases
Barbra Streisand: ‘The Movie Album’
(Columbia)
A new album from Barbra Striesand is
always an event, and The Movie Album is
no different. But any release by an artist
of La Streisand’s caliber also comes with a
lot of hype and expectations. The trick is
living up to those expectations.
Of course her voice is flawless, and
the orchestrations and arrangements are
lush and gorgeous. With Barbra, it really
comes down to a fan’s individual taste. If
your thing is listening to Barbra croon, then
The Movie Album is the CD you’ve been
waiting for.
The disc opens with “Smile,” a composition by Charlie Chaplin. It’s a timeless
song, and Barbra makes it even lovelier. Her “Moon River,” the Henry Mancini
classic from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is also beautiful, and she lays claim to Frank
Sinatra’s song “The Second time Around” from High Time.
Some lesser-known movie songs are included as well, such as “Emily” from
The Americanization of Emily and the title song from Wild Is the Wind.
What’s here is great, but my gripe isn’t with what’s here, it’s with what’s not.
The last song on the CD, “You’re Gonna Hear From Me” from Inside Daisy Clover
hints at why The Movie Album should have been a two-disc set. It’s got the
makings of an upbeat showstopper, and that’s exactly the energy that this CD
needs. As it is, The Movie Album is too soft, too lilting, and another disc would
have provided the space for Babs to really cut loose. Let’s hope for The Movie
Album spawns a sequel.
— Review by Mary Damiano
Linda Eder: ‘Storybook’
(Angel)
Voices like Linda Eder’s don’t come
along every day. The gorgeous singer and
actress, who made a splash on Broadway
in Jekyll & Hyde, has a brand-new CD,
Storybook, which gives her a chance to
showcase her remarkable three-octave
voice.
Although Storybook is new, the
material on the CD is some of Eder’s earlier
work from a few years ago. The songs
range from Simon and Garfunkle’s “Bridge
Over Troubled Water” to the torchy “The
Man That Got Away.” Eder excels at each
style. She is the rare singer who can cozy up to a ballad or deliver a showstopper
with an equal mix of grace and guts.
Storybook is a classy, delightful mix of big band-style numbers, jazz-infused
numbers and odes to love. Eder’s husband, Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn,
wrote many of the most impressive tracks, including the infectious, retro-flavored
opener “One Bad Habit.” Eder couldn’t ask for better material, and Wildhorn
couldn’t ask for a better singer to interpret his songs—they literally make beautiful
music together.
Every song is a keeper. “Is This Any Way to Fall in Love?” another Wildhorn
composition, is sophisticated and sassy, like one of those 1950s romantic comedies.
The title track, from Wildhorn’s musical The Scarlet Pimpernel, is whimsical and
gorgeous. And Eder really gets to strut her stuff on the bonus track, “Vole Mon
Ange,” an honest-to-goodness aria from Svengali.
Storybook is a remarkable CD, stunning in its range, depth and beauty.
Editor’s Note: Catch Linda Eder in concert this Friday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m., at
Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
— Review by Mary Damiano
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003 Q11
Q12
www.ExpressGayNews.com • October 27, 2003