Local Theater Spotlight: Beauty and the Beast

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

“Beauty and the Beast” isn’t necessarily my favorite Broadway offering, but it has some sentimental value for me personally, which is why I had to take part in it’s week-long run, currently housed at the Palace Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.

Though I’ve seen every Broadway tour to come through Columbus in the past six years, “Beauty and the Beast” is the only show I’ve actually seen on Broadway in the Big Apple, coupled with the fact that it was my favorite Disney movie growing up. I and my sisters often pranced about the living singing at the top of our lungs to Alan Menken’s popular score (much to my mother’s chagrin).

The 1994 Tony-winning, Broadway blockbuster beautifully transforms from the screen much to the work of it’s top class costume (Ann Hould-Ward) and scenic designs (Stanley A. Meyer). The stage becomes a masterpiece all its own.

Tim Rice joined the Academy Award winning team behind the movie to add seven new songs, but I wasn’t very impressed with the additions. Gaston’s “Me,” Belle’s “Home” and the Beast’s “If I Can’t Love Her” fall quite short in comparison to classics “Belle,” “Be Our Guest” and the title tune.

The cast however pulls out fantastic performances, especially Hilary Maiberger as Belle. It wasn’t until her act two aria “A Change In Me” did I really feel like I was watching a Tony-worthy showcase.

The show also infuses a healthy dose of comedy, which I appreciated.  Jeff Brooks as Gaston and Jimmy Larkin as his bumbling sidekick Lefou add hilarity with their Three Stooge-likes physical comedy exchanges.

“Beauty and the Beast” is definitely more of a showcase for your kids, the bright costumes and colorful moving backdrops, paired with the physical comedy will keep any 6-year-old on the edge of their seat, but as for me I’ll stick to with my fond memories of the film.

“Beauty and the Beast” runs through Oct. 14 at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad Street, Columbus. Visit CAPA.com or Ticketmaster.com for more information. 

The Other Side: Homo-Hop – The Revolution Will Be Auto-Tuned

I’ve been commissioned by Outlook Columbus, Central Ohio’s premiere lgbt publication, to write a new monthly column titled “The Other Side” that will offer stories and detailed analysis about the plights faced by gay people of color. I’ll be posting an excerpt from the story here each month with a link to the full story on Outlook’s Web site. Please support those who support us! 

The Freaky Boiz

When famed lyricist and singer Frank Ocean declared to the world that his first love was a man over the July 4th holiday weekend, the world went berserk.

Facebook became overrun with closed readings of the lyrics in his songs (is he talking about men or women?!?) and sensationalized speculation (is he gay or bisexual?!?). Gays across the country, who had never even heard of Frank Ocean, let alone his music, before seeing his name, chiseled jaw line and the words “gay” pasted across a Huffington Post headline, clamored to preorder his new CD, Channel Orange, on Amazon.com and set their DVR’s eagerly anticipating his first appearance post “coming out” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

In just a matter of minutes Ocean became a gay icon, the first openly gay hip-hop artist in history…

Finish this article at OutlookColumbus.com

The Other Side: Paris Still Burns – Columbus’s Ballroom Tale

I’ve been commissioned by Outlook Columbus, Central Ohio’s premiere lgbt publication, to write a new monthly column titled “The Other Side” that will offer stories and detailed analysis about the plights faced by gay people of color. I’ll be posting an excerpt from the story here each month with a link to the full story on Outlook’s Web site. Please support those who support us! 

If you think that Madonna was the impetus for the flipping, dipping and face-defying poses that started the vogue style of dance that’s become the calling of the modern day ball scene, you’re sorely mistaken. Though Madge’s video was released the same year director Jennie Livingston finished the ball-culture defining 1991 film Paris is Burning, the ball scene had been voguing in New York City since the Harlem Renaissance.

“Long before Madonna, we were voguing in the back alleys,” said Ronald Murray, 37, a ballroom veteran, known in the scene as Father Drama Evisu.

Soon after Paris is Burning, the movement began making its way out of NYC, across the country and around the world. “The scene,” as it’s often called, made its way to Ohio in the mid 90s, but Columbus’ first official ball wasn’t organized until 2004 during the city’s first Black Pride celebration.

For those unfamiliar with the world of voguing and underground ballroom glamour, here’s a quick overview and history…

Finish this article at OutlookColumbus.com

Writing to Live: Four Authors You Need to Know

Excerpt from a piece I wrote for Outlook Columbus’ August 2012 issue. Visit www.outlookcolumbus.com for the full story. 

If I asked you to name 10 published authors who are LGBT and of color (without the help of Google) could you do it? How about if I broadened the scope to mainstream authors, directors and actors? Go ahead. I’ll wait.

After becoming completely depressed at failing the above exercise myself, I sought out to find published authors that are LGBT of color to add to my very short list. The search first led me to a friend, which then led to a Pandora’s box of possibilities. Our writers are out there. But unfortunately they often go unnoticed on a national level.

Here are the stories of four writers of which you should definitely take notice…

Finish this article at OutlookColumbus.com

The Other Side: LGBTQ Youth of Color – Are the stats telling the whole story?

I’ve been commissioned by Outlook Columbus, Central Ohio’s premiere lgbt publication, to write a new monthly column titled “The Other Side” that will offer stories and detailed analysis about the plights faced by gay people of color. I’ll be posting an excerpt from the story here each month with a link to the full story on Outlook’s Web site. Please support those who support us! 

Take a quick look at any set of statistics studying LGBTQ youth (ages 16-24) who are persons of color, and you’ll typically get a pretty bleak picture. Black and Latino LGBTQ youth consistently report having the highest HIV infection rates, the highest suicide rates and represent a majority of America’s homeless youth population.

According to the numbers, if you’re young, gay and of color, you don’t stand a chance. But as we know, statistics breed stereotypes and we must remember that this isn’t everyone’s story…

Finish this article at OutlookColumbus.com

Queer Minded #12: Multicultural PRIDE/Shane Bitney Crone

Queer Minded is a new online talk radio show that I host featuring local and national LGBT news and entertainment. Airing Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 p.m. and podcasted at TalktainmentRadio.com! Visit Queer Minded on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

This week we packed the show with special guests! The top of the show featured our Black Pride Panel with Troy Harris (United Way of Central Ohio) and Aaron Riley (New Leaf Columbus), both from the Columbus Urban Pride planning committee, and Earl Fowlkes, President of the International Federation of Black Prides. We discuss Multicultural Pride events in Columbus and around the country and offer insight into the Black Pride Movement.

Our Queer News Break features an exclusive interview with Shane Bitney Crone, the man behind the viral video “It Could Happen To You,” telling the story of his partner, Tom, who tragically passed away suddenly, leaving Shane with no rights to Tom’s body or his assets. Tom’s bigoted family wouldn’t even let Shane attend the funeral. Now Shane is leading a national movement for gay marriage rights and the issues faced when a same-sex partner passes with his new organization Equal Love Equal Rights.

Listen to the full show at the link below:

http://www.talktainmentradio.com/podcasts/061112%20Queer%20Minded.mp3

Queer Minded #11: PRIDE 2012

Queer Minded is a new online talk radio show that I host featuring local and national LGBT news and entertainment. Airing Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 p.m. and podcasted at TalktainmentRadio.com! Visit Queer Minded on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

This week we kicked off our Pride 2012 Pride celebrations! We chat with Karla Rothan, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus, about their plans for Columbus Pride 2012. The theme this year is Equality and Allies, honoring high profile allies in our community. Mayor Michael Coleman makes history as the first the time a sitting mayor has been the Pride Parade’s Grand Marshal.

Orie Givens, of Outlook Columbus, also joins us as this week’s guest host to discuss 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Pride and we kiki it up about our sordid Pride pasts.

Listen to the full show at the link below:

http://www.talktainmentradio.com/podcasts/060412%20Queer%20Minded.mp3

The Other Side: Black Gay Pride – National movement makes way to Columbus

I’ve been commissioned by Outlook Columbus, Central Ohio’s premiere lgbt publication, to write a new monthly column titled “The Other Side” that will offer stories and detailed analysis about the plights faced by gay people of color. I’ll be posting an excerpt from the story here each month with a link to the full story on Outlook’s Web site. Please support those who support us! 

It’s a well-known fact to the readers of this magazine that Columbus hosts one of the Midwest’s largest Pride Festival each year. Yet a lesser-known fact is that in the minds of many LGBT people of color, it’s never quite lived up to expectations. The beautifully gay pomp and circumstance that takes over Columbus for two days each June has typically been void of culturally competent events geared towards the black gay community.

In an age where Black Pride has become nearly as popular as the mainstream festival in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington DC, Columbus has never quite had anything outside of a few well-planned bar raves to celebrate the national movement that is Black Pride each year.

Until now…

Finish this article at OutlookColumbus.com

Local Theater Spotlight: ‘Memphis’

Original Broadway cast members Montego Glover and Chad Kimball in “Memphis.” Photo credit: Joan Marcus

I’ve never been a comic book junkie but when it comes to theater I’ve always had my own personal Fantastic Four. “Rent.” “Chicago.” “Dreamgirls.” “Wicked.”  I’ve seen a lot of theater over the past several years. A LOT of theater. Most of it pretty good. But it’s never gotten better than those four for me. That is until I saw “Memphis” at the Ohio Theatre last night.

In Columbus on it’s Braodway tour until June 3, Joe DiPietro and David Bryan’s “Memphis,”  the story of radio DJ Huey Calhoun’s rise and fall from fame as the first white DJ to play “race music” in the 1950s,  is hands down the best musical I’ve ever seen.

The show opens with Calhoun (Bryan Fenkart) happening into a blue’s club and falling head over heels with the music and the club’s lead singer, Felicia (Felicia Boswell). Huey and Felicia’s love story takes a bumpy ride through history, all the while Huey uses his DJ career to promote the “Music of [His] Soul,” placing him and local R&B artists on the front lines of fame and racism in 1950s Memphis, Tennessee.

I have to admit I had s0me doubts going in. This 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical has a synopsis that reads like an unintentionally racist headline. “White man saves black music.” But much ado is given to the true originators of rock ‘n’ roll, the black southern blues musicians of the time period. And there’s no denying the stellar talent, music and choreography that makes this show breathtaking.

It’s been circulating among critics that the “Memphis” tour is even better than the Broadway original. And after perusing a dozen or so YouTube videos, I’m inclined to agree.

The ensemble is replete with powerhouse vocalists, led by Bryan Fenkart and Felicia Boswell as star-crossed music lovers Huey and Felicia. Fenkart is charming in the bumbling idiocy of Huey, a poor kid who happens upon local fame. It’s his astounding vocal range and wide-eyed wonderment that keeps the show endearing. And Boswell is a ball of fierce tenacity that you can’t keep your eyes off of. Her first-act aria, “Colored Woman,” not only steals the show, but your heart as well.

Supporting players Quentin Earl Darrington (Delray, Felicia’s overprotective club-owner brother), Rhett George (Gator, “Delray’s” breakout bartender) and Will Mann (Bobby, radio station janitor turned Calhoun’s crowning co-host) also showed vocal prowess, especially George, who had much of the audience in tears after his leading moment in act-one closer “Say a Prayer.”

It’s the Tony-winning score, however, that makes “Memphis” a true delight. Blues, jazz, gospel and rock ‘n’ roll are all rolled into a host of feel good inspirational tunes. It definitely feels a lot like the message of “Hairspray” mixed with the soul of “Dreamgirls,” but keeps the energy at a high-octane level throughout.

Paul Tazewell’s Tony Award nominated costumes light up the stage with a distinct period finesse, while David Gallo (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design) and Ken Travis (sound design) create a powerful audio visual experience that is goosebumps-inducing all its own.

If “Memphis” comes through your town, or anywhere near your town, you must indulge. It was this season’s must-see tour and you need to believe the hype.

“Memphis” runs at Ohio Theatre through June 3. Tickets start at $28. For more information visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Queer Minded #10: GAY IN THE WORKPLACE

Queer Minded is a new online talk radio show that I host featuring local and national LGBT news and entertainment. Airing Fridays at 10 p.m. and podcasted at TalktainmentRadio.com! Visit Queer Minded on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

This week Queer Minded took on the topic of being openly gay in the workplace.

We spoke with Diane Millett, lawyer and member of the Diversity Management Program at Cleveland State University, and Thomas Hawn, founding board member and the current board president of the Plexus Education Foundation, an organization established to support LGBT individuals in the workplace. They offer their advice on how to tell if a company is friendly to their LGBT employees and what to do if you encounter anti-gay bullying in the workplace.

We also break down HRC’s Corporate Equality Index, which is enjoying it’s 10th anniversary, and list some of the businesses off their Best Places to Work 2012 list.

Listen to the full show at the link below:  

http://www.talktainmentradio.com/podcasts/052112%20Queer%20Minded.mp3

Local Theater Spotlight: ‘The 39 Steps’ by CATCO

Paul Riopelle, Jeff Horst and Ben Gorman in “The 39 Steps” by CATCO

For their season closer CATCO is in the midst of running fan favorite “The 39 Steps,” a stage spoof of the famous Alfred Hitchcock film by Patrick Barlow.

A 2008 Tony Award winner, the production is one of the longest running plays on Broadway and has been known to be a universal crowd-pleaser.

The story follows Richard Hanney (Ben Gorman) an ordinary fellow who only wishes for a night of “mindless pleasure” at the theater, but finds himself on the lam after being framed of murder. Hijinks and hilarity ensue.

Four actors (Gorman, Ginna Hoben, Paul Riopelle, Jeff Horst) play all 150 of the show’s characters, making the quick-change it’s own art form. Parts of the script oftne force the actors the change characters throughout the same scene.

CATCO’s production is pretty solid. Gorman skews slightly older than most “Hanneys” I’ve seen, but does well wearing the character’s absent-minded charm. Hoben (last seen in the AMAZING production of “Next Fall“) is a delight as ALL the female roles, especially as the thick-accented Annabella Schmidt. Riopelle and Horst are also a riot as Clown #1 and Clown #2 taking on the bulk of the show’s characters.

CATCO’s typically phenomenal set designs didn’t disappoint this time either. Designers Brad Steinmetz and Jacque Nelson add 1930s period Britain nuance and the stage hands often become part of the production changing sets intricately about the players as the show in play. Director Steven C. Anderson does well to keep the action moving at a swift pace, while still keeping impeccable comedic timing.

Definitely add “The 39 Steps” to your early summer lineup, you won’t be disapointed.

CATCO presents “The 39 Steps” through June 3 in Studio One of the Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street. Tickets are $11 to $40. For more information visit www.catco.org.

Queer Minded #9: COMING OUT

Queer Minded is a new online talk radio show that I host featuring local and national LGBT news and entertainment. Airing Fridays at 10 p.m. and podcasted atTalktainmentRadio.com! Visit Queer Minded on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

On this week’s episode of Queer Minded we talked with Ph.D. psychoogist Bruce Menapace,  from the Cleveland State University Counseling Center and Ph.D. candidate Stephen Gresham, who’s currently studying inthe Department of Counseling Psychology at University of Wisconsin – Madison about the psychology behind the coming out process. We also had several LGBT listeners call in to discuss their personal coming out stories. This was our most powerful show yet. A definite must listen.

Listen to the full show at the link below:

http://www.talktainmentradio.com/podcasts/051412%20Queer%20Minded.mp3

Equality Ohio statement on NAACP’s endorsement of marriage equality

Equality Ohio applauds the decision of the NAACP this past weekend to support marriage equality for same-sex couples. Previously, only individual members of the organization spoke in support of the issue. Most remarkable is the fact that Board members voted to support the resolution 62 to 2.

The text of the resolution reads:

“The NAACP Constitution affirmatively states our objective to ensure the “political, educational, social and economic equality” of all people. Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will continue to oppose any national, state, local policy or legislative initiative that seeks to codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens. We support marriage equality consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Further, we strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all people as protected by the First Amendment.”

“Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law. The NAACP’s support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection of all people,” says Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP.

President Obama’s recent statement in support of full marriage equality was cited as the primary reason for the vote.

“As people around the country see loving and committed same-sex couples participate fully in their communities, it becomes harder to deny that these couples are entitled to full marriage equality,” says Ed Mullen, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “It is great to have such a venerable civil rights organization as the NAACP stand with us as we seek full equality in Ohio and throughout the country.”

Equality Ohio also recognizes that this decision was made as a result of years of outreach to the NAACP and the work of many out LGBT members of the NAACP. We thank those leaders and activists who have been conducting outreach and education for many years on their success this weekend.

Equality Ohio advocates and educates to achieve fair treatment and equal opportunity for all Ohioans regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. For more information, visit http://www.equalityohio.org or call us at (614) 224-0400 .

Lil Kim headlines Columbus LGBT event Memorial Day Weekend

Kigo Entertainment (the company of local promoter extraordinaire Kim Godfreed) is bringing the Queen herself to Columbus!

 Lil Kim is set to headline Saturday’s Memorial Day Weekend festivities at Alrosa Villa, 5055 Sinclair Road.

The woman behind hit songs “Players Anthem,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Lighters Up” “Now Matter What You Say,” “The Magic Stick” and “How Many Licks” will hit the stage Saturday, May 26 for an exclusive LGBT event.

Lil Kim, real name Kimberly Denise Jones, has been off the grid for some time, making a huge splash on the Billboard Charts in the late ’90s early 2000s, she later suffered some legal troubles and a stint in jail, but now is in the midst of making a comeback. She launched the “Return of the Queen Tour” May 17 that will span much of the summer.

“This is the biggest artist I’ve done as a promoter and I made sure that the event was strictly for our LGBT community here in Columbus,” said Godfreed, who is also the General Manager of Traxx Columbus, 95 Liberty Street, Columbus.

Just two weeks ago when Godfreed met with Alrosa Villa owners to finalize the details for Kigo Entertainment’s annual Sex Sells event the Saturday of Pride, it was suggested that she take over the promotions for the Lil Kim event. Godfreed agreed with only one caveat, the event had to be LGBT-exclusive, and Lil Kim’s team agreed.

Even though she’s only been given a short time to push out promotion for the show, Godfreed is counting on her 2o-plus years experience in event marketing and club management to make this show a success.

“With this event, I really want to show people in this city two things, 1.) Kim is able to pull off a citywide promotion without radio spots and 2.) there is money in the LGBT community and you can bring in mainstream people and make money, we are a hot commodity,” Godfreed said. “And Lil Kim is iconic. You’re talking about the Tupac and Biggie era. It’s a real privilege for me.”

Tickets are $10 at the door and $20 for skip-the-line VIP access. You can also purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 10 p.m. For information call 614-226-2275.

Why LGBT people of color in Ohio need to care about Lobby Day 2012

Equality Ohio is hosting their 7th annual Lobby Day this Wednesday and this year they’re making history when it comes to LGBT people of color.

EO’s regular day of community lobbying will go as planned, where they pull the Ohio LGBT community and their allies together to meet with various legislators at the Ohio Statehouse to discuss the legislative issues that effect the LGBT community. This year Lobby Day’s main focus is the Equality Housing and Employment Act and the Safe Schools Act.

After the regular 9-4 day of lobbying, EO has arranged a meeting with various LGBT of color community leaders and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus at 4:45 p.m. This is the first time such a meeting has ever taken place.

Various speakers from the LGBT people of color community have been assembled (of which I am one) that will present our issues to the caucus in hopes that some common ground is reached in order to promote more visible allies among the OLBC.

LGBT people of color continue to be the most underrepresented and marginalized community in American society. Our HIV infection rates are the highest, we have the most LGBT homeless youth and our suicide rates are continuing to skyrocket because of the intense rejection we face from our churches and our families. It’s time to break this cycle.

A movement has started in this city with the creation of organizations like the Columbus Black Gay Men’s Coalition, the Greater Columbus Mpowerment Center, Traxx Columbus and Columbus Urban Pride. We have a mayor and a president who are publicly on our side. LGBT people of color are more visible in this city than ever before. It’s time to continue this mobilization into the Statehouse and demand our issues are heard and supported in this states legislature.

The only way this meeting is going to be a success is if we can show the caucus that we mean business and that our issues deserve their attention. We can do this by showing up. The more we have standing with us to represent us, the larger the impact we’ll have. Please consider joining us for this historic occasion.

We’re already making moves to end the stigma and invisibility. Now let’s start making it legal.

Lobby Day is this Wednesday, May 16. If you’re interested in attending the 4:45 p.m. meeting with the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus email Aaron Riley at rileyaaron@sbcglobal.net so that he can add you to the guest list. If you’d like to participate in all that Lobby Day has to offer visit www.EqualityOhio.org to register.