by Jonathan Warman

Playwright Matthew Lombardo’s Tea at Five, his one-woman show about Katherine Hepburn, had a charming light touch. If only Looped, his full-fledged play about Tallulah Bankhead, had that touch. I know, one doesn’t automatically think “charming light touch” and Tallulah Bankhead go together, but the woman was as intelligent and complex as Hepburn — which is barely hinted at in Looped.

Except, that is, in Valerie Harper’s full-throttle performance as Tallulah. From the moment she barks her entrance line “Fuck Los Angeles!” as she enters a 1965 Hollywood sound studio, Harper gives a performance that fills in many of the blanks in Lombardo’s tale. She turns out an entirely credible physical and vocal recreation of Tallulah, and has captured much of the mercurial rebel spirit that burned in her.

In Looped, Bankhead attempts to re-record (or “loop”) one line of dialogue for Die, Die My Darling, her last film. Tense film editor Danny Miller does his best to corral her, without much success. The first act of Looped is largely structured as “Tallulah, Stand-Up Comedian,” as Bankhead hurls all of her most outrageous quips and anecdotes at the unresponsive Miller. Yes, Bankhead had a raunchy wit, but piling all of these quips together, one after the other, reduces the effectiveness of all but the best of them.

The second act recovers somewhat as Tallulah sobers up a bit and compassionately helps her nemesis Danny deal with his problems — turns out the boy’s a bit of a closet case. A touching scene or two, sure, but what is this supposed to tells us about Tallulah, I have no idea. In general, Lombardo seems to be playing fast and loose with the truth about Bankhead’s talent, character and even the facts of her career. Looped is intermittently entertaining, and Harper’s performance worth seeing, but I would in no way call it essential.

For tickets, click here.

For more reviews and interviews by Jonathan Warman, see dramaqueennyc.com.  

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The story that put GaySocialites.com on the map is back in the headlines.  It looks like the estate of Anna Nicole Smith will not get any of the billions left by her deceased Texas oil-rich husband.

Smith, of course, died in 2008 and J. Howard Marshall's son died in 2006.  Before that, the two fought over hundreds of millions of dollars.  After both heirs died, their beneficiaries and lawyers kept up the battle. One court even ruled that Anna Nicole's estate should receive $474 million.

The three-judge appeals court panel ruled unanimously that a 2001 jury verdict in Houston in favor of the Marshall family should be honored over two victories by Smith in federal court.

The appeals court said the Houston jury heard testimony from all the parties, including Smith, something that could no longer be done and thus felt they made the best decision.

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If you missed the Drama Saturdays Spring Break Party last weekend at Rush, then you get another chance!

It's always 18 to party and 21 to drink plus this week you can win cash money in our wet underwear contest hosted by GaySocialites.com's Charles Winters.

Rush is located at 579 Sixth Avenue at 16th street.

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Rumor has it Rosie O'Donnell is making her return to TV in 2011 when Oprah splits, and her timing could be perfect.

As the folks at Queerty point out, Oprah has seemingly paved the path to crown another lesbian as the new queen of daytime talk.  However, Ellen Degeneres could face some stiff competition from Rosie.

Since her departure from "The View," the rumor mill has been buzzing that Rosie has something in the works.  It seems like now she has found her fit.  Everyone is expecting a very laid back format similar to her radio show on SiriusXM.

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Here is a look at the latest edition of Odyssey Magazine in New York.  It's the leather issue in honor of the 2010 Black Party.

The Black Party lands in New York this Saturday night.  You can get more details about this issue of Odyssey Magazine at thegayleather.com.  It is also available on stands now!

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Even though neither has confirmed the split, it looks it Sandra Bullock and Jesse James have hit a rough patch.

InTouch magazine is reporting that James has been having an affair with at tattooed stripper named Michelle McGee.

Bullock married James about five years ago and has repetitively said this is the first man she has really ever trusted.

James released a statement saying most of the allegations are “untrue and unfounded” it was “because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way. This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them”.

The magazine quoted him as saying, “I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me”.

Jesse is a frequent Twitter user, but on Wednesday he deleted his account.  He was spotted taking his kids to school on Thursday morning still wearing a wedding ring.  Sandra pulled out of the London promotions for her film, The Blind Side.

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Come by Greenhouse NYC tonight with music by Dj Charles Lima. if you mention you're on King Ralphy's guestlist, they'll let you in for free!

Tomorrow night after you come see me @ the ritz hosting the drinking for a change night, stop by the f word to see Erickatoure Aviance who is celebrating the release of her new E.P.

See you there! xo

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GAY MARRIAGE

Earlier this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee of the Pennsylvania Legislature shot down a bill that would ban gay marriage in that state.  The best news could be that three Republicans crossed the aisle to defeat the measure.

The committee, strongly run by Republicans, voted by 8-to-6 to table the gay marriage ban.  Chances are this will kill this piece of legislation.

This doesn't mean that Pennsylvania will allow gay marriages, but the idea will not be banned for future discussion making it easier for marriage equality to pass at a later date.

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After being a very outspoken critic of President Obama's universal health care proposal, Representative Dennis Kucinich says he has changed his mind and will vote in favor of the bill.

"After careful discussions with President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, my wife Elizabeth and close friends, I've decided to cast my vote in favor."

"I have taken this fight farther than many in Congress have been willing to take it," Kucinich said vowing to appease his constituents by supporting a single-payer health-care system that ends the power of insurance companies.  However, he admits, "In the past week, it's become clear that the vote on the final health bill will be very close."

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This hottie is Tim, and he's a student at the University of Hawaii.  The gay speedo-loving blond bomb shell has evidently been recording voyeuristic videos in various classrooms on the Manoa campus.  In some of them, he even masturbates. 

Evidently, Tim and his friend head back to the classrooms after hours with a video camera.  After Tim frolicks around wearing at most, a Speedo, the guys post the videos to XTube under the name "speedostudent1".

He explains his logic behind it by saying: "after I came out earlier this year [2009], I discovered I love showing off in front of a camera. Taking naked or nearly naked pictures is both arousing and artistic for me. I enjoy doing it and I enjoy the thought that other guys might be getting off on it too."

"I have a big fetish for speedos. I always tan and swim in them and wear them as underwear most of the time. Most of what I put up here will hopefully have to do with speedos, but I'll make sure there are plenty of nude pics too."

Now, administrators at University of Hawaii-Manoa are trying to figure out what to do with their new star.  While they're talking expulsion, I think they should make Tim and his Speedo their mascot!

Our friends over at Queerty have tons of pictures of Tim in his speedos and less.  If you want the full show, then you'll have to head to XTube.  [I'm warning you... this link is NSFW!]

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AFTERNOON DELIGHT

Today's Afternoon Delight is Canadian model Owen Steuart. He's gorgeous, eh?

Owen has done several editorial spreads, and clearly he's got a gift on the runway having walked for Fashion Week in both New York and Milan.

There are more pictures of Owen Steuart after the break!

Continue reading "Afternoon Delight: Owen Steuart" »

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It looks like it is only a matter of time until "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a thing of the past.  General David Petraeus, the four-star Army general who is managing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, says "the time has come" for the military to rethink its policy of banning gays and lesbians in uniform from serving openly.

However, Petraeus told a Senate panel Tuesday that he wants to see the results of an internal study ordered by Defense Secretary Robert Gates before any changes are made.

Petraeus went on to say that he wants to know if allowing gays to serve openly might hurt recruiting and retention, or the military's ability to fight.

It doesn't seem like Gen. Petraeus is actually rooting for the change.  This seems like somewhat of an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" strategy.

Posted by Charles Winters at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An early morning earthquake rattled California on Tuesday.  The 4.4 magnitude quake struck about 10 miles east of Los Angeles at around 4am local time.

The depth was recorded at about 11 miles making it a shallow earthquake, and no serious damage has been reported.

Los Angeles residents weren't the only ones shaken awake by the tremors.  The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was felt in various parts of California from San Diego to Santa Clarita.

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The LAPD is evidently cracking down on cruising for sex in public parks, and they're starting with three areas known as an easy place for gays to get it on.

Griffith Park, Elysian Park and Sycamore Grove are evidently the target of a police investigation after undercover cops discovered that the gay sex is so bad used condoms and wrappers are taking over the ground.

You have to watch the video to get a full grasp of how bad things really are!  Lesson to be learned, if you're screwing in the park; don't throw your used condom on the ground.

Cops say most of the men cruising the park are married and do not identify as gay.

Posted by Charles Winters at 09:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)