Jordan, Ruth & Tartaglia Join Got Talent?- An Autism Benefit 5/24

Got Talent?, a competition benefiting QSAC, a NY agency serving people with autism, has announced three new celebrities who are joining the Grand Finale Judging panel on May 24 at the Times Square Arts Center. Don't think Paula, Simon and Randy. QSAC's GOT TALENT - GOT: Leslie, Ruth and John - that's funny man Leslie Jordan, (aka Beverly Leslie and Brother Boy) the sexy Dr. Ruth and Broadway & TV Star/Puppet Master John Tartaglia.

Leslie Jordan's show My Trip Down the Pink Carpet debuts at the Midtown Theater on April 14. Leslie is the 2006 Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his delicious portrayal of "Beverley Leslie" on "Will and Grace." Television audiences will also know him for his recurring roles on "Ugly Betty," "Boston Legal," and "Reba." Film audiences will recognize Leslie from his performance as "Brother Boy" in "Sordid Lives'" with Olivia Newton-John, Delta Burke and Beau Bridges and the TV series of the same name. www.mytripdownthepinkcarpet.com

John Tartaglia's brand new Off-Broadway show Imaginocean will premiere at New World Stages on March 17. Tartaglia earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the Broadway hit Avenue Q, where he originated the roles of Princeton and Rod. Tartaglia was most recently seen on Broadway as Pinocchio in Shrek and Lumière in Beauty and the Beast. He also recently created and starred in The Playhouse Disney series Johnny and the Sprites. www.imaginoceanthemusical.com
Dr. Ruth Westheimer's bubbly personality, thick accent and frank advice about sex have made her a cultural icon according to Wikipedia. Advocating sex education, Dr. Ruth started Sexually Speaking on the radio in 1980. While continuing her private practice, Dr. Ruth has dispensed advice on TV, radio, in newspaper columns and in books. You can download her iPhone app at www.drruth.com
They join: James Blueweiss, Owner of CBGB; Larry Burnett, President of Newfest and founder of AOL Music; Bruce RoBert Harris, Producer; Rachel Hoffman, Bernard Telsey Casting; Britney Houston, YouTube Sensation; Terri Klausner, Broadway Performer/Teacher; Brian J. Nash, Musical Director; Walton Nunez, Actor/Model; Jason B. Schmidt, Actor/Singer/Comedian and James Washington, Music Manager.

Got Talent? is currently accepting submissions from singers, musicians, comedians, poets, and magicians. Semifinals will take place in April at the new eastside lounge Vig 27, (www.vig27.com) while the Grand Finale will be at the Times Square Arts Center (www.timessquareartscenter.com) in May. For more information, visit www.qsac.com/talent or email talent@qsac.com.

Photo credit: Linda Lenzi