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| Gina Gershon |
Gershon prowls the “‘Lipstick Jungle’
Are the days of the nude musical back? They will be if Gina Gershon gets her way.
The star with the huge queer following from her roles in “Bound” and “Showgirls” is itching to bring the latter to the stage.
The NC-17 “Showgirls” was a critical and financial flop when it was released in 1995, but has grown into a bona fide cult sensation in the past decade. Now Gershon is working on a musical stage version as writer and possibly director.
As a back-up plan, Gershon is also starring in a pilot for NBC called “Lipstick Jungle,” from “Sex and the City” author Candace Bushnell.
The show is about career-obsessed (rather than man-hungry) women in New York City. Perhaps the only thing better than a full-season pickup for “Lipstick” would be if Gershon revives her Cristal Conners persona on stage.
Doing it “‘For the Love of Dolly’
Do you love Dolly Parton? Lots of gay and lesbian folks do.
But are you the kind of super-fan who decorates your home as a shrine to the veteran country/bluegrass singer-songwriter?
If not, then you’re probably not one of the subjects profiled in “For the Love of Dolly,” a new documentary from filmmaker Tai Uhlmann.
From backyard scale models of Parton’s Tennessee childhood home to dolls created in her likeness, the fans on display here are fervent in their love for Dolly.
The film also details how Parton has even proven therapeutic for one mentally challenged man who makes regular trips to the singer’s theme park, Dollywood.
The hour-long tribute and rest assured, it’s loving, not mocking is currently screening at festivals with an eye toward cable TV in the near future.
Elton “‘On the Verge’ of a new musical
“The Lion King” and “Aida” big home runs. “Billy Elliot”? It’s the London stage’s reigning champ.
So maybe “Lestat” wasn’t so well-received upon its recent Broadway debut, but that doesn’t mean Elton John plans to slow down his sideline career in composing for musical theater.
The queer pop star is already planning his next stage move, and it’s even gayer than “Elliot” or “Lestat.”
“Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” the stylish 1988 movie from Spanish queer director Pedro Almodovar, is in John’s musical sights.
No word on any progress yet he’s still got his hands full with “Lestat” but as John moves forward with this project, we’ll report back with more details.
Queer nerds get their “‘Revenge’
Back in the early ’80s, queer characters in mainstream movies were hard to come by.
So in the film “Revenge of the Nerds,” when a flamboyant sissy named Lamar Latrell (played by Larry B. Scott) became an instant comedy hero to millions of people, it was something of a surprise.
To some, Latrell was an offensive stereotype. But to a generation of gay men who grew up watching the film, the character was weirdly inspirational.
And now a remake of “Nerds” is in the works from director Kyle Newman.
Will a swishing, queenly frat brother/jock still hold the same comic appeal in a cinematic era when being queer doesn’t seem to be such a big deal?
The answer will be revealed when the latest round of “Revenge” hits theaters sometime in 2007.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, May 12, 2006.