Showing posts with label Ann Magnuson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ann Magnuson. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Friday, April 30, 2010
CANNED HAM
Last night, I attended a preview performance of Tom Judson's auto-biographical solo show “Canned Ham”. The show documents hunky Mr Judson’s strange trajectory from Off-Off Broadway composer and performance artist to Broadway actor to this surprising career turn as gay porn superstar Gus Mattox!
In between wonderful accordion arrangements of familiar showtunes, Tom recounts working with such folks as director Rob Marshall, stage goddess Ann Magnuson (who was in attendance), actress Teri Hatcher, and porn mogul Chi Chi LaRue. Show biz stories, male escort adventures and touching remembrances of his late partner Bruce make for an evening of both laughter and tears.
“Canned Ham” is opens tonight - Friday, April 30 at 9pm and will run Fridays and Saturdays at 9pm and Sundays at 7pm through May 16. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available online here. The Cavern Club Theater at Casita del Campo is located at 1920 Hyperion Avenue in Silver Lake.Visit Tom's blog here.
Friday, July 31, 2009
So Bad, They're Brilliant!
The American Cinematheque at The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood usually gives movielovers the chance to view, on the big screen, some of the most important and influential films of all time–but not during August 13th-19. On those enchanted evenings, my pop culture gurus Stephen Rebello (co-author of BAD MOVIES WE LOVE) and Alonso Duralde (author of 101 MUST-SEE MOVIES FOR GAY MEN) will be presenting 9 of the best worst movies ever made. In other words - MY kind of movies!
In addition there will be a "More Is More" fashion show/competition on August 13th and book signings each night! Here's the amazing line-up:Thursday, August 13 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
KITTEN WITH A WHIP, (1964, Universal, 83 min.) Starring sassy Ann-Margret and John Forsythe. Directed by veteran TV helmer Douglas Heyes (THE TWILIGHT ZONE) from his screenplay based on a novel by Wade Miller, KITTEN WITH A WHIP is jam-packed with fake Beat Generation dialogue, a jazzy score, and an over-the-top performane by Ann-Margret at her snarly, vampy best.
THE LONELY LADY (1983, Universal, 92 min.) Camp superstar Pia Zadora plays a would-be screenwriter who gets abused by every man she encounters. Look for Ray Liotta and Lloyd Bochner in this ludicrous adaptation of Harold Robbins' trashy bestseller. Directed by Peter Sasdy (TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA), this 80s classic was a multiple winner at the Razzie Awards, which in 2005 nominated it as one of the worst dramas ever made.Friday, August 14 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
XANADU (1980, Universal, 93 min.) Director Robert Greenwald misguides Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck and Gene Kelly through a romp that melds 1940s MGM musicals with the roller-disco fad of the late 70s. One of my favorite films of all time. You can read more about it and The Electric Light Orchestra here.
STAYING ALIVE (1983, Paramount, 96 min.) John Travolta returns to SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER territory in this ridiculous sequel. Tony Manero is now Broadway bound under the direction of Sylvester Stallone. Bob Mackie costumes, bad choregraphy and dumb dialogue make this one a laugh-out-loud winner. With soap star Finola Hughes and Cynthia Rhodes.Saturday, August 15 – "More is More" Fashion Show at 7:00 PM!
7:30 PM Double Feature:
MAHOGANY (1975, Paramount, 109 min.) After Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson bailed, Motown head honcho Berry Gordy stepped in to direct Miss Diana Ross in this soapy story of a spunky, ambitious glamour gal rising up from slums to become a famous international supermodel. Anthony Perkins and Billy Dee Williams come along for the wild ride.
A NEW KIND OF LOVE (1963, Paramount, 110 min.) Melville Shavelson directs Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in this love story with the Parisian fashion world as a background. Eva Gabor, Thelma Ritter and Maurice Chevalier lend support.
Sunday, August 16 – 7:30 PM
LOST HORIZON, (1973, Sony Repertory, 150 min.) Director Charles Jarrott's notorious musical version of James Hilton’s novel about a plane crash. Songs by the usually great Burt Bacharach and Hal David, performed by actors who can’t sing. Produced by Ross Hunter (AIRPORT), starring Peter Finch, Liv Ullman, Sally Kellerman, Michael York and George Kennedy. Choreographed by Hermes Pan and scripted by none other than playwright and activist Larry Kramer (THE NORMAL HEART)!!!
Wednesday, August 19 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
GLITTER (2001, 20th Century Fox, 104 min.) Director Vondie Curtis-Hall brings non-actress Mariah Carey to the big screen in this "what the fuck?" showbiz saga. Max Beesley, Terrence Howard and Dougsploitation favorite Ann Magnuson show up and save the day.
FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY (2003, 20th Century Fox, 81 min.) Need I say anything?
I will try to be there for as many of these screening as I can, since there are a few of these films that I have never seen. If you'd like to join in in the fun, you can order tickets here.
MAHOGANY (1975, Paramount, 109 min.) After Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson bailed, Motown head honcho Berry Gordy stepped in to direct Miss Diana Ross in this soapy story of a spunky, ambitious glamour gal rising up from slums to become a famous international supermodel. Anthony Perkins and Billy Dee Williams come along for the wild ride.
A NEW KIND OF LOVE (1963, Paramount, 110 min.) Melville Shavelson directs Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in this love story with the Parisian fashion world as a background. Eva Gabor, Thelma Ritter and Maurice Chevalier lend support.Sunday, August 16 – 7:30 PM
LOST HORIZON, (1973, Sony Repertory, 150 min.) Director Charles Jarrott's notorious musical version of James Hilton’s novel about a plane crash. Songs by the usually great Burt Bacharach and Hal David, performed by actors who can’t sing. Produced by Ross Hunter (AIRPORT), starring Peter Finch, Liv Ullman, Sally Kellerman, Michael York and George Kennedy. Choreographed by Hermes Pan and scripted by none other than playwright and activist Larry Kramer (THE NORMAL HEART)!!!Wednesday, August 19 – 7:30 PM Double Feature:
GLITTER (2001, 20th Century Fox, 104 min.) Director Vondie Curtis-Hall brings non-actress Mariah Carey to the big screen in this "what the fuck?" showbiz saga. Max Beesley, Terrence Howard and Dougsploitation favorite Ann Magnuson show up and save the day.
FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY (2003, 20th Century Fox, 81 min.) Need I say anything?I will try to be there for as many of these screening as I can, since there are a few of these films that I have never seen. If you'd like to join in in the fun, you can order tickets here.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Ann Magnuson: Back Home Again
This is where I'll be Saturday night...
A Surreal Romp through the Hills and Hollers of 'Almost Heaven' West Virginia
The Cavern Club Theater in Los Angeles is proud to host a workshop production of "Back Home Again (Dreaming of Charleston)", a new one-woman performance piece by writer, performer, Silver Lake resident and West Virginia native Ann Magnuson.
The show is a loving (if often twisted) reminiscence of growing up in WV with all of its hopes, dreams, good times, sad times and crazy times as well as notes from the long and winding road that took her from Charleston to London, New York, Los Angeles and nearly every continent in the world, always to return 'back home'.
"I have to return to West Virginia at least once every year," Ann has said. "Not only does it give me much needed perspective on this myopic business we call Show, it's a beautiful and often bizarre place that yields a treasure trove of material. And I'm not talking about the hillbilly stereotypes. There is much more to the place; something so unique, strange and, yes, even mystical about them thar hills and hollers that keeps me in its thrall. Like the mythical Brigadoon, Charleston is nestled in a difficult-to-reach valley and exists in its own special world with a colorful cast of characters who feel that they can never leave. Oxycontin abuse and mountaintop removal notwithstanding, "Almost Heaven" is often just that. It is one of the most beautiful states in the nation, yet it can also produce nightmares. Those two states of mind weave themselves into one doozey of a double helix and it's that particular wild 'n wonderful dream state that this mountain mama aims to explore on stage!"
In addition to those dreams, the show will include original songs (including a few Bongwater classics), poetic reveries, comedic monologues and music referencing everything from Disney to Debussy to The Moody Blues to Mae West. To enhance your down home psychedelic experience, Los Angeles- based musician Alexander Rannie will provide a suitable soundtrack with his heavenly harp.
A Surreal Romp through the Hills and Hollers of 'Almost Heaven' West VirginiaThe Cavern Club Theater in Los Angeles is proud to host a workshop production of "Back Home Again (Dreaming of Charleston)", a new one-woman performance piece by writer, performer, Silver Lake resident and West Virginia native Ann Magnuson.
The show is a loving (if often twisted) reminiscence of growing up in WV with all of its hopes, dreams, good times, sad times and crazy times as well as notes from the long and winding road that took her from Charleston to London, New York, Los Angeles and nearly every continent in the world, always to return 'back home'.
"I have to return to West Virginia at least once every year," Ann has said. "Not only does it give me much needed perspective on this myopic business we call Show, it's a beautiful and often bizarre place that yields a treasure trove of material. And I'm not talking about the hillbilly stereotypes. There is much more to the place; something so unique, strange and, yes, even mystical about them thar hills and hollers that keeps me in its thrall. Like the mythical Brigadoon, Charleston is nestled in a difficult-to-reach valley and exists in its own special world with a colorful cast of characters who feel that they can never leave. Oxycontin abuse and mountaintop removal notwithstanding, "Almost Heaven" is often just that. It is one of the most beautiful states in the nation, yet it can also produce nightmares. Those two states of mind weave themselves into one doozey of a double helix and it's that particular wild 'n wonderful dream state that this mountain mama aims to explore on stage!"
In addition to those dreams, the show will include original songs (including a few Bongwater classics), poetic reveries, comedic monologues and music referencing everything from Disney to Debussy to The Moody Blues to Mae West. To enhance your down home psychedelic experience, Los Angeles- based musician Alexander Rannie will provide a suitable soundtrack with his heavenly harp.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
There WILL Be Blood!
ANN MAGNUSON AND ADAM DUGAS: DUELING HARPS - October 17-18, 2008
at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles)
A darkly elegant evening of gorgeous melodies with a theatrical flourish. Ann Magnuson and Adam Dugas face off on vocals as Alexander Rannie and Mia Theodoratus strum their harps in this twisted match of musical one-upmanship. The quartet thrusts and parries with an arsenal of tunes ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime: psychedelic calls to prayer, Henry Purcell's Baroque art songs, Kraftwerk, Buffy St. Marie, Lee Hazlewood and Pink Floyd, as well as original songs by Magnuson and Dugas.
A darkly elegant evening of gorgeous melodies with a theatrical flourish. Ann Magnuson and Adam Dugas face off on vocals as Alexander Rannie and Mia Theodoratus strum their harps in this twisted match of musical one-upmanship. The quartet thrusts and parries with an arsenal of tunes ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime: psychedelic calls to prayer, Henry Purcell's Baroque art songs, Kraftwerk, Buffy St. Marie, Lee Hazlewood and Pink Floyd, as well as original songs by Magnuson and Dugas. New York art star-turned-L.A. Woman, Magnuson is a prolific writer and actress of stage and screen and the former lead singer of the band Bongwater. Dashing underground cabaret impresario Adam Dugas was a founding member of the performance troupe The Citizens Band and frequently produces and performs at Deitch Projects gallery. Watch as Magnuson and Los Angeles composer and artist Rannie defend the home turf against East Coast crooner Dugas and comely musician Theodoratus. There will be blood. For tickets go here.
Ann Magnuson -photo Rocky Schenck, Adam Dugas and Theodoratus -photo Lyndsy Welgos, Alexander Rannie -photo JayPG Photography.Monday, August 25, 2008
...About "Sonseed" - Day 2
It appears that "Sonseed" - the band behind the soon-to-be web phenom "Jesus is My Friend" (see post below) - had a whole album called "First Fruit" and a website called Vinyl Rehab is selling it! 
While I wait for my album to arrive, I've gotten some requests for larger images of the incredibly captivating "Sonseed" members.
Let's start with the Lead Singer - the host calls him "Sal" - I call him the Christian Donny Osmond. You just know he's a sinner. He's pretty dreamy, and as Ann Magnuson once declared about him, "his skin is flawless." ZAP!
I like to call this woman "Inez," because she reminds me of the lovely woman named Inez who works for my vet. One day I will get up the nerve to ask Inez if she was ever in a Christian ska band.
This is the "Groovy Guy". Kinda like Kenny Loggins meets Jim Henson, without Jimmy Messina or Kermit to drag him down.
This is "Sleepy." Shhh...be quiet or you'll wake him. More to come.
While I wait for my album to arrive, I've gotten some requests for larger images of the incredibly captivating "Sonseed" members.
Let's start with the Lead Singer - the host calls him "Sal" - I call him the Christian Donny Osmond. You just know he's a sinner. He's pretty dreamy, and as Ann Magnuson once declared about him, "his skin is flawless." ZAP!
I like to call this woman "Inez," because she reminds me of the lovely woman named Inez who works for my vet. One day I will get up the nerve to ask Inez if she was ever in a Christian ska band.
This is the "Groovy Guy". Kinda like Kenny Loggins meets Jim Henson, without Jimmy Messina or Kermit to drag him down.
This is "Sleepy." Shhh...be quiet or you'll wake him. More to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)