October 15, 2019December 29, 2019 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

HEKLINA

What does a tambourine, rats, Iceland, and a Halloween party in San Francisco have in common? Answer: Heklina!

Where did you grow up? Iceland, Minnesota, New York, and Boston. What do you miss about any of those places? I miss Iceland, because it’s the one place I can relax. What’s something special about San Francisco that’s not common knowledge? This is a hard question, as the city is a mess right now. A lot of the special things have been drained away, but it’s still the city I look forward to getting back to whenever I travel. If you had to live somewhere other than San Francisco, where would you live? Well, I bought a house in Palm Springs, so there for sure (laughs). Also, Iceland, and perhaps Puerta Vallarta. What’s the most outrageous thing that you’ve ever seen at Trannshack? Oh my god, there were so many things, it’s impossible to narrow one down. But perhaps the first most shocking thing was when the club first opened in 1996. A queen named RunRig popped popcorn off a hot-plate on her head, and immediately after her performance had to be rushed to the hospital for life-threatening burns to her scalp!

Who’s the most underrated drag queen? Anyone not on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Has drag become too mainstream and lost its send of the irreverent? Yes. Of all the films spoofs that you’ve been in, which one was your favorite? The favorite thing I do is our Golden Girls LIVE production! Who’s your favorite film performer? Wow. I guess Elizabeth Taylor… Or Divine. What’s your favorite film? The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a film I can watch over and over. It’s clichéd, but true. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? Data processor in the navy. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? For the things that I’ve created—Trannyshack and Oasis—and the fact that I never fucked anyone over or was dishonest in getting where I am.

What do you want to live long enough to see? The death of Donald Trump of course! Will you ever retire? Yes. What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? Nothing seems weird to me. What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Bjork. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Porn. What’s the best place that you’ve visited? Rio De Janeiro. What politician don’t you like? I don’t like any of them! What’s your favorite drink? Coffee. What’s your most treasured possession? My cat, Dexter. Do you believe in ghosts? Absolutely. Either living or dead, who would you love to have lunch with? Judy Garland. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? Don’t sweat the small stuff, and—for god’s sake—don’t try and solve arguments online.

What did you learn from your parents? What not to do. Who’s your favorite performer? David Bowie. What’s your best characteristic? I’m loyal, if you don’t fuck me over. How do you enjoy spending your time? Going to shows—concerts, theater and films—and traveling. What celebrity do you have crush on? Chris Evans! Who do you admire? David Bowie. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? David Bowie (laughs). I love Bowie. Where would you go in a time machine? Back to 1975. I was just a baby, but I’d like to be an adult during that era. Glam rock, disco, and punk! What would your last meal be? Barbecue! What do you worry about? Climate change. What are you afraid of? Rats and heights. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A tambourine. I don’t wanna be bothered too much.

Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf, for sure. Many boys who cross my path can vouch for that. Who depends on you, and for what? My cat Dexter does, for the obvious things. My employees do, for a livelihood. My audience…? Who are you closest with? Pippi Lovestocking, Peaches Christ, and Matthew Martin. What would your autobiography be called? That’s It? What’s on your bucket list? An African safari. What’s your greatest regret in life? Wasting all my time as a youth taking drugs and clubbing. But it’s also the thing I remember most fondly. What’s something secretive about you that people don’t know? I’m actually a really nice person. Never trust anyone who is not a cunt. Where can we see you? At Oasis! Also, at the Victoria Theatre this December for Golden Girls LIVE!

September 28, 2018November 27, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

BRUCE VILANCH

Despite a dramatic range that’s greater than Meryl Streep’s, which Hollywood star would Bruce Vilanch give it all up for to be their trophy “wife”?

By Mike Jeknavorian

Where do you live? I live in L.A., and I’ve lived there for so long that the statute of limitations in New Jersey have run out. What’s special about L.A.? People move here for the dream—money, fame, sex. I’m deeply shallow; I fit right in. What L.A. venue do you miss that’s gone? Back alleys. Now they’ve got an app for that. If you had to live somewhere else, where would you live? If I had to…? Like, why…? The earth swallowed up Southern California…? That’s gonna happen anyway, and I’ll probably get swallowed with it. I hate you; where’s my Xanax? Is this your first time performing in South Florida? No, but it’s the first time in Boca and Aventura, so, in a sense, it’s like doing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Will you have time to do something fun when you’re here? Yes, but I can’t mention it specifically, or I’ll get taken to court by Rose McGowan. You can’t be too careful these days. How would you describe yourself? A writer/actor/comedian/stripper. You name it, you book it, you got it.

Superstars Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Bette Midler are just some of the big names who laugh it up in this richly funny behind-the-scenes documentary and look at the art of creating comedy! When celebrities need a hilarious punchline, they Get Bruce!

Which celebrity project was the most special to you? I’d be a fool if I did’t lead with Bette—we have a long and colorful collaboration. But writing 23 Oscar shows, and being a Hollywood “square” for six years, and being a woman in Hairspray on Broadway and the road, were all pretty special. There have also been a lot of fundraisers that helped a lot of people. What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you on stage? In Hairspray, my first week on Broadway, my skirt slipped below my dainty waist and pooled on the floor around me. So I was up there wearing the full top, an off-white girdle, and the fat suit. The audience didn’t know if it was part of the show or not, until I said, “Now you know why I spent six years sitting in a square.” Other than yourself, who’s one of the best comedy writers? The people that I’ve collaborated with the most, Jon Macks and Dave Boone, who write just about every special event on television. But there are lots of fantastic writers out there that I haven’t worked with.

What comic do you admire? George Carlin was my all-time favorite. Eddie Izzard is pretty spectacular. And Lily Tomlin is a genius. Who’s your favorite RuPaul queen? Bianca! She rules when she’s onstage. She’s genuinely funny and fierce. What’s your dream gig? Mrs. Jake Gyllenhaal. Oh, professionally…? I have immense range, so I’d like to do the Meryl Streep story. Other than your Oscars gig, what’s your dream writing gig? It would be wonderful to lie on a fainting couch like Marcel Proust and just churn it out. What’s your favorite play or musical? How to Succeed is pretty perfect, and South Pacific has the most glorious score and a real emotional tug. All those people thrown together on an island trying not to lose it. Oh, wait. That’s Survivor. Which award is the most special to you? The Nobel Peace prize. Think I have a shot? Which Advocate article is the most special to you? Now you’re forcing me to remember opinions that I came up with 20 years ago. I don’t remember how I felt about the brisket at Rosh Hashanah.

Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? Everything taught me something. I just wish that I had retained what it was. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? As a beautiful, thin person. But you get what you pay for. Will you ever retire? But then you have to move to Boca, by law. No, writers never stop. Herman Wouk is still at a desk every day. What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? “May I see your feet?” What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? I’ve been at it since I was a kid, so I kept meeting celebrities in a professional capacity. However, Sidney Poitier did make me talk in tongues. He’s so gracious and elegant, and, well, he’s a historical figure, not an audio-animatronic. Who would play you in a movie? James Franco said he wanted to, but I told him that he’d smother under the fat suit. What do you want to live long enough to see? Something orange leaving the building. What are you superstitious about? The hell with that. I go full-bore OCD.

Hollywood’s hotshot humor writer emotes and self-promotes in this hilarious collection of essays, stories, and bits covering everything from the Muppets to Star Wars. Buy it for $5.49.

Do you believe in aliens? I think that if they were as great as they’re cracked up to be, they’d have conquered us by now. Unless they dropped by, took a whiff, and put the mothership in reverse. What’s the gayest concert that you ever went to? Judy Garland in Columbus, Ohio, in 1967. I was a college student and came home with a notebook full of numbers from kindly, older gentlemen. What’s the most times that you read a book? I have re-read Patrick Dennis so many times, even my dog says the books are dog-eared. His big hit was Auntie Mame, but he was a brilliant social satirist who wrote a dozen wonderful novels. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Has anyone ever answered that question honestly? What’s the best place that you’ve visited? Israel, when I was a teenager, before it was controversial even to Jews. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? It is what it is. What did you learn from your parents? To pay cash. What’s your best characteristic? That I insist on having a good time. How do you enjoy spending your time? Answering questions, evidently. What celebrity do you have a crush on? I don’t believe that’s legal anymore.

Who do you admire? Paul Newman. He turned his fame into a perpetual revenue-stream for good. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? Cleopatra, so people would finally stop claiming they used to be her. Where would you go in a time machine? To someplace where I could still take my meds. What would your last meal be? Pasta, pasta, pasta. What do you worry about? “Did anyone smell that?” What are you afraid of? Spiders dressed as clowns. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? Something that has to be blown. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? I’m like a sheep eating a wolf. Who depends on you, and for what? A black pug, for everything. Who are you closest with? See above. What would your autobiography be called? I’m struggling with the title now, which might wind up being the title. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Schving! What’s on your bucket list? To kick it. What’s your greatest regret in life? That I keep postponing things. Like this answer. What’s something that you never told anyone else? Life is a cabaret, old chum. Where can we see you? If you miss the Boca show, and you know your way around, i’ll be in Aventura at the Arts & Cultural Center the next night. C’mon down!

June 18, 2018June 22, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

AUDRA MCDONALD

Six-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald displayed her vocal abilities and charm in Fort Lauderdale last Wednesday

SHADE-O-METER RATING

5 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “10s ACROSS THE BOARD – LEGENDARY STATUS”

Who’s Audra McDonald? She’s an actress and a singer. At six Tony Awards, she’s won more of them than anyone other performer, and she’s the only performer to have won in all four acting categories. What’s the Au-Rene Theater? It’s the main theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. It holds about 2,600 people, and it has three levels. How was the venue? Elegant. How was the parking? They have valet, or you can park in the garage for $12. The garage is about a block away.

*Sing Happy* features many songs that are either new to McDonald’s repertoire, or have never before been recorded by her, such as “I Am What I Am” from *La Cage aux Folles*, “Vanilla Ice Cream” from *She Loves Me*, and “Children Will Listen” from *Into The Woods.* The CD also offers a sneak peek at the repertoire she’s performing on her North American concert tour.

Does the venue serve liquor? Yes, and there are multiple bars (guess they must want people drunk). We got one double chardonnay for $19. How were the drinks? There was nothing special about it. Does the venue serve food? They have some snacks. How was the food? We didn’t get any. Where were the seats? At the back of the orchestra. Was the show sold out? It was about two-thirds full. Was there an opening act? No.

How was the concert? A representative from the venue gave a short speech about upcoming shows, and then the concert began when a trio of musicians (a pianist, a drummer, and a bassist) came out, followed by McDonald a moment later. McDonald walked onto the stage without fan fair, and then immediately launching into her first number, “When Did I Fall in Love,” from Fiorello!. As this was a rescheduled concert from March, one of the first things that McDonald said when she spoke was to apologize for the delay, explaining how she loves her kids, but she doesn’t love their germs. “You wouldn’t have wanted to hear me then, because I would have sounded like Bea Arthur. But that’s not a criticism of Bea Arthur, because I love her.” For those who were not familiar with McDonald’s personality, and, in direct contract to the loftiness of her voice, she had a surprisingly homespun charm about her. She also joked and laughed about how her recent concert in Los Angeles was rainy, and how “the clouds have followed her” to Fort Lauderdale. But enough talk about her personality; let’s get into the music. It would be a mistake to interpret McDonald’s undramatic entrance as symbolic of a concert where the audience heard something that was anything less than extraordinary. The concert was primarily composed of musical theater standards such as “Summertime,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” McDonald also showcased new composers with Jason Robert Brown’s “Stars and the Moon,” amusingly prefaced with, “I think that we need to nurture new composers so that I still have a job.” As McDonald would appear to be the vocal heir-apparent to Barbara Cook, it was no surprise that Cook’s legacy figured prominently in the concert: “She was my mentor. I learned so much watching and performing with her.” McDonald sung several numbers that Cook was known for, including the difficult, “Vanilla Ice Cream” (and if there were one number that got the loudest applause, this was it). It was also obvious that McDonald inherited Cook’s humbleness and wit with the anecdote, “Kids, they keep you grounded. When I called my oldest daughter after The Sound of Music Live! to see what she thought of it, she responded, ‘Mommy, where are the dryer sheets?’ So that was my review.” But what also makes McDonald so great is her vocal versatility, and she showed off her talent in jazz with “Cornet Man” from Funny Girl. And in the vein of that tradition of jazz and big bands, the encore for the evening was not a soprano classic but “Over The Rainbow,” which she dedicated to “Miss Judy Garland.”

How was the crowd? Mostly middle-aged. What could have improved the concert? Given that most middle-aged people are not as enthusiastic as, lets say, a pack of teenage Shawn Mendes fans, the concert would have probably been more exciting if it was sold out and in a smaller venue. Regarding the venue, it has too many ushers—they’re mulling about all over the place. For, example, when I went to use the restroom halfway through the show (there was no intermission), I was faced with a line of about 20 seated ushers, and they all turned their heads towards me in unison, a la the The Stepford Wives, to see what I was up to. My only critique about McDonald herself is that I would have liked to of heard at least one number from Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. Given her notoriety in the show, It was a bit disappointed that she didn’t do any numbers from it. But a review can’t be based on what was omitted but what was presented. And in that regard, McDonald’s voice sparkled to such a degree that she really is second-to-none.

What was surprising about the show? It was hysterical and slightly shocking to hear McDonald cover the Kate Miller-Heidke song, “Are You Fucking Kidding Me? (The Facebook Song).” When McDonald operatically enunciate the lyrics, “And so you want to be my friend on Facebook? Oh you fucking, fucking fuck. Click, ignore,” one knew that he or she wasn’t in Kansas anymore.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 S.W. 5^thAve., in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

January 2, 2018April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

CHARLES BUSCH

Tony Award nominee, Drama Desk Lifetime Achievement honoree and two-time MAC Award winner, Charles Busch, discusses his legendary career—including a chance encounter with Greta Garbo—before returning to the stage in South Florida and Chicago

Where did you grow up? In New York City. If you had to live somewhere other than New York, where would it be? I recently went out to dinner with a great group of people after a show in Birmingham, Alabama. We had such a fun, campy time, and I realized that it doesn’t really matter where you live if you have a group of dear friends. I think I may be learning to be less of a New York snob. What’s your claim-to-fame? To be considered truly famous, everyone’s mother needs to have heard of you. But I feel that my forty years of work as an actor, playwright and performer has endeared me to several generations of wonderful people. How would you like to be remembered? That I added a little color to an increasingly grey world. Will you ever retire? As long as I have energy and a decent memory, I’ll be out there slingin’ the one-liners and tossin’ the hips. I also still get great pleasure out of writing. I hope that enthusiasm never wanes. Who’s your favorite female performer from the 1930s and 1940s? Judy Garland. I continually learn about honesty and style from studying her performances. Who’s your favorite male performer from the 1930s and 1940s? James Cagney. He was a dynamic actor and performer. He also reminds me a lot of my father.

Charles Busch Live at Feinstein’s / 54 Below – $11.99

Who’s your favorite female contemporary performer? Miley Cyrus. I’m glad that she’s grown out of her youthful rebellious phase, and I think that she has the talent and charisma to be truly great. Who’s your favorite male contemporary performer? I find Bruno Mars very interesting. What’s your favorite contemporary film? I’ve seen The Disaster Artist twice this week, and I love it. What playwright do you admire? Charles Ludlam and Tennessee Williams. I worship them both. Specifically, when I was 17-years-old, I saw Ludlam onstage in Eunuch of the Forbidden City, and I saw at that moment that anything was possible in the theater. What story needs to be told that hasn’t been told yet? How the lesbian community—particularly, in San Francisco—rallied and took care of gay men during the height of the AIDS crisis in the eighties. What’s your dream role? Peter Pan. Did you ever run into Greta Garbo in New York? Twice, as a teenager, I saw her striding up the street. One time I followed her into an empty store, and just being in her presence made me so light-headed that I finally had to run out. When she was in New York, It was like having a mythical unicorn in our midst… What politician don’t you like? They’re too many to list.

What’s your favorite drink? Jack Daniels with ginger ale. Or, a chocolate milkshake. What’s your most treasured possession? An original seven-foot nineteenth century poster of the great actress Sarah Bernhardt, by the artist Mucha. I had the small $4.95 print of it in my bedroom as a kid, and now I have the real deal. Still, if there was a fire, I wouldn’t risk my life trying to save it. Do you believe in ghosts? I would like to. There are so many people I would love to see again. Either living or dead, who would you like to have lunch with? The late film director, George Cukor. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? A video of a dog befriending a baby deer. I’m a real sucker for cute animal videos. What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? Locarno, Switzerland. I was showing a movie of mine at a film festival, and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the city. And I was also surrounded by a gorgeous group of gay men who found me fascinating. Heaven. What did you learn from your parents? My mother died when I was seven, so I don’t remember her well. My father introduced me to the magic of the theater. And for that, I’ll always be grateful. What’s your best characteristic? That I can throw myself into someone else’s fantasy of who they would like to be.

How do you enjoy spending your time? I’m so lucky that my work is also my great passion. I just love sitting at the computer working on a script; particularly, the editing and fine tuning. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Harry Styles and Mark Ruffalo. I have very eclectic tastes. Who do you admire? All of the people who are out in the cold demonstrating and resisting. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? My Aunt Lillian, who raised me and saved me when I was at a terrible crossroads. I’d want her to know that things worked out and that all of her hard work and devotion paid off. Where would you go in a time machine, and why? To see Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall in 1961. What would your last meal be? The ridiculously obscenely expensive caviar that I’ve only read about, and a huge steamed lobster. What do you worry about? Losing my mind. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A small and very stylish old spinet piano, like the one in the movie Casablanca. It’s a bit old-fashioned, but you can play any tune on it.

Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf. I hate to say it, but a career of any success does leave some blood on the floor. Who depends on you, and for what? My sister, who’s currently living with me. She had some recent health issues, and for the first time, I’m learning to anticipate someone else’s needs. Who are you closest with? My sister, my nephew and a very intense circle of four, maybe five, friends. I’m very fortunate. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Upbeat stuff, like The Andrews Sisters, The Supremes and Burt Bacharach. What’s on your bucket list? I want to make another movie! What’s your greatest regret in life? I deeply regret a few selfish and insensitive blunders that I’ve made. But I’d like to think that I’ve learned something from them. What’s something that you never told anyone else? That I live for the anecdote and to entertain. In doing so, I’ve probably told every outrageous and intimate episode of my life to either an individual or an audience. Where can we see you? I’ll be at Palm Beach Dramaworks on January 12 in West Palm Beach, and at Pride Films and Plays on January 21 and 22 in Chicago.

September 11, 2017April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

TERRY HAMMOND

Julliard-educated composer & performer Terry Hammond talks about what Judy Garland once told him, the legendary Marlin Beach Hotel, and how he’s poised for the next chapter of his life

Where did you grow up? I’m from New Hampshire, but we moved to New York City when I was very young. My parents saw that I had talent, so we moved there. I majored in piano at Julliard. How long have you lived in South Florida? Since 1979. Why did you move here? Before moving here, I was working in TV and Broadway in New York. I had a two-year stint in Europe, and a friend suggested that we swing by Fort Lauderdale. I was enchanted with here. I decided to move here because the notion of having my own home was appealing, and I had friends here. Also, I believed that my writing skills were of primary importance, and I felt that I could do that anywhere. Besides, the guys are hotter here than in New York. What part of South Florida do you live in? I live in Coral Ridge neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, which is by the intercostal highway. What do you like most about living here? There are three things that I like most about living here—the weather, the weather, and the weather. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? The Marlin Beach Hotel. It had everything, and that was the very first place that I performed at when I moved here. Does anyone still remember it? Where do you hang out in South Florida now? In my lovely home, which is filled with everything that inspires me and that I love. But when I need a break, I hop over to Le Boy.

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