BWW Review: Trixie Mattel Balances MOVING PARTS Like a Pro at the Laurie Beechman
A unique queen in the pantheon of RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE queens, in just a few years' time, Trixie Mattel has risen from promising also-ran to cult fave to full-blown drag superstar (with a number one folk album, to boot). Fans coming in expecting to hear tracks off of that album, TWO BIRDS, during Mattel's new show, NOW WITH MOVING PARTS, won't get them, but the show maintained the spirit of those songs. Beyond that, her bold performance at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on September 22 marked the rare show where the musical numbers were few and far between, and, yet, there was nothing lacking.
BWW Breakdown: The HERstory of the World According to RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS
RuPaul's Drag Race has shown an increasing willingness to share its self-awareness, and more and more frequently does the show reminds us that any 'reality' competition featuring seasoned performers (which these drag queens are) will sashay the line between the vitality of unscripted television and the polish of a rehearsed variety show. 'The HERstory of the World' is no different, and the queens are cast appropriately: Alaska's middle-gender aesthetic is put to the task of playing 'the original naughty girl,' Eve; Phi Phi O'Hara, queen of cosplay, is cast as Helen of Troy; Ginger is Katherine the Great; cool-kid Detox plays the ultimate spoiled brat, Marie Antoinette; Alyssa Edwards prepares to rep her Texas pride as gunslinger Annie Oakley; Roxxxy Andrews will portray professional pageant queen Eva Peron; and Katya gets a chance to bat her lashes as Princess Diana.
SPARKLE & CIRCULATE Podcast to Feature Brendan Maclean
SPARKLE & CIRCULATE with JUSTIN SAYRE - the official monthly podcast of the International Order of Sodomites - has posted its eleventh episode, which features an interview with Brendan Maclean, the acclaimed Australian singer and songwriter. Maclean - hailed as "infectious and hypnotic" by BuzzFeed - discusses his new EP Thought I'd Cry For You Forever, his role in Baz Luhrmann's film The Great Gatsby, his upcoming album with RuPaul's producer Lucian Piane and collaborating with Neil Gaiman on a new song. Also, Justin gives the back story behind his debut novel Husky, released this month from Penguin Books. The show is available on iTunes here.
Violet Chachki Crowned Winner of RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE
After months of gagworthy challenges, jaw-dropping runway looks and feverish fan anticipation, Violet Chachki has been crowned the winner of this season of Logo's hit reality competition series, “RuPaul's Drag Race.”
Shaiman's 'PROP 8-THE MUSICAL' Wins GLAAD Award Honors
At its annual awards ceremony GLAAD recognized Prop 8: The Musical, a video created for FunnyorDie.com in response to the passage of Proposition 8, a California ballot initiative which eliminated the right to marry for same-sex couples. Directed by Adam Shankman and written by Marc Shaiman, the video received over one million hits on its first day online. During the show, Miss Coco Peru and the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles performed the song live onstage. Shankman accepted the award on behalf of the team of creators.
Behind the Scenes of Shaiman's 'PROP 8-THE MUSICAL'
Marc Shaiman's PROP 8-THE MUSICAL,a new music video satirizing the controversial ballot proposition that amended the California state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman has hit the internet! The video has been all the rage on the internet, now take a look behind the scenes with the 'making of...' on FunnyOrDie.com.
Photo Coverage Exclusive: In Your Dreams
Hairspray stars Diana DeGarmo and Shayna Steele headlined a showcase evening of songs from the new teen musical In Your Dreams at Ars Nova on October 9th and 10th and BroadwayWorld.com was there!
'In You Dreams' Penned By Shaiman Protege Gets Showcase
The runaway success of Disney Channel's 'High School Musical,' the sound track from which has hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard pop-music charts twice this year, has renewed interest in the teen musical genre -- and among the musical productions benefiting is 'In Your Dreams,' a musical written and produced by Miramax-linked screenwriter Zeke Farrow and scored by Marc Shaiman-protégé Lucian Piane.