Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Just announced: Armistead Maupin to be keynote speaker at Seattle PrideFest 2011
Seattle PrideFest just announced that best selling author Armistead Maupin will be the keynote speaker at Seattle PrideFest at Seattle Center on Sunday, June 26. The writer of the beloved “Tales of the City” series of novels focusing on the complicated lives of a group of queer and straight friends living in San Francisco is also a fierce advocate of LGBTQ rights. Mr Maupin was recently in the Seattle area back in November of last year, promoting the 8th book in the “Tales” series, Mary Ann in Autumn and he’s also gearing up for the world premiere of the theatrical musical version of the first two novels in the series which debuts May 18, 2011 at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco with music and lyrics by Jake Shears and John Garden of Scissor Sisters and a book by Avenue Q writer, Jeff Whitty.
Seattle PrideFest will announce more artists as they are booked, including performers for this year’s big Saturday, June 25th concert, and artists for the Red Party events also scheduled for that Saturday night.
http://www.seattlegayscene.com/2011/02/just-announced-armistead-maupin-to-be-keynote-speaker-at-seattle-pridefest-2011.html
Seattle PrideFest will announce more artists as they are booked, including performers for this year’s big Saturday, June 25th concert, and artists for the Red Party events also scheduled for that Saturday night.
http://www.seattlegayscene.com/2011/02/just-announced-armistead-maupin-to-be-keynote-speaker-at-seattle-pridefest-2011.html
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Darker Tales of the City
Written by Andrew Shaw | 07 February 2011
Author Armistead Maupin is coming to Australia to read from his latest book in the 'Tales of the City' series and meet his fans. He spoke with Andrew Shaw about his new, darker take on life in the city.
Armistead Maupin's career is the stuff of legend. Starting out as a newspaper serial in the Seventies, his Tales of the City books about the residents of a boarding house at 28 Barbary Lane, San Francisco became international bestsellers.
Maupin wrote through the eyes of several characters – eternally optimistic gay man Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver, strait-laced, 20-something Mary Ann Singleton, the eccentric landlady, Anna Madrigal, who welcomed new tenants by taping joints to their doors. Although not all his characters are gay, over the years Maupin kept up with changes in the queer community – the impact of HIV/AIDS, the rise of American conservatism – and his characters aged with him.
Maupin, now 66, still lives in the city that made him famous – and vice-versa – with his husband, Christopher Turner. Recently, when San Francisco became home to America's first gay museum, he was called on to donate an exhibit. He chose a dress that actress Laura Linney, playing Mary Ann, wore in the 1993 Tales TV series. Coincidentally, Maupin's latest book, Mary Ann in Autumn, begins with Mary Ann, now 57, returning to San Francisco to stay with 'Mouse' and catch up on old friends after a long absence. It's the eighth in the Tales series.
In 1989's Sure of You, Mary Ann left San Francisco to marry a wealthy, conservative New York CEO. The accusation from some was that she had 'gone Republican', and it's been suggested Maupin is trying to redeem her character with the new book.
Maupin laughs. "She didn't exactly 'go Republican', but she moved to New York, which is almost as bad in the eyes of San Franciscans. I don't think anyone can be 'redeemed'... In the end, we are who we are. But I wanted people to understand her a little bit more in this novel."
Maupin's style is often compared to Charles Dickens', who also had his early stories serialised. In Mary Ann in Autumn, one of the characters is warned about getting too close to a mentally disturbed street person, telling her that life isn't "quaint and Dickensian".
"I'm sort of making a joke on myself there, to tell you the truth," Maupin laughs. "Dickens never shied away from the grim details of life himself. In this book I've probably embraced that a little bit more than I have in the past with the homeless storyline."
In fact, this Tales book is much darker and more disturbing than any previous novel, edging closer to Maupin's non-Tales thriller, The Night Listener. There is one extremely disturbing turn of events in Mary Ann that will leave many readers of the series gasping.
"It's about as dark as you can get," Maupin admits. "I was thinking last night that the line I hear most often from people and that you can see time and time again on Amazon is: 'It was like visiting with old friends!' And I thought, 'Well, I've written a book that involves cancer, pederasty, child abuse and homelessness and people still think it's like visiting old friends.'"
Maupin shocked his readers in the early Tales story when it was revealed Anna Madrigal was a transwoman. Now in her 80s, Anna is one of the most loved characters in gay literature. But she cannot live forever, and Maupin is not relishing writing her death scene. In fact, it clearly upsets him.
"Yes, I am a writer and yes, I probably have a certain understanding... God... I'm stammering here... I really don't know how to answer you here. It kind of disturbs me, to tell you the truth. I have had people moan and groan at public gatherings when the possibility even arises. But I can't keep her around forever unless I move into the vampire genre."
In the latest book, Michael Tolliver and his 21 years younger partner, Ben, have a loving, open relationship, guided by trust and communication. "I hope it comes across that way," Maupin says of their bond. "It reflects some of the neurosis that occurs when an older man is with a younger man, but it also reflects the solidity of the relationship. But I don't adhere to any strict definition of what 'marriage' means. That's what freedom's about.
"I know gay people who are strictly monogamous and I know gay people with relationships so open you could fly a 747 through them. I think Chris and I have something somewhere in between. But all of it relies on staying open and loving with each other.
"Even in a loving relationship it's easy to get wrapped up in your own concerns and fears that you lose track of the other person: 'What was your day like?' is an extremely important question."
Maupin and hubby Turner are married in the eyes of the State of California – they got in before Prop 8 closed the window of opportunity. Maupin disagrees that Seventies activists would be horrified at the way some gay men are embracing marriage. "I am an old school activist from that time, and I see it as the final fulfilment of our civil rights – or one of them," he argues.
"Marriage is defined by whatever two people are married – we make our own rules. I want to be recognised in the eyes of my government in the same way that anyone else is. In part because it has financial benefits but mostly because I don't want to be told that my love is any less than other, straight couples. Supporting marriage is part of my continuing defiance."
Maupin is looking forward to his appearances in Melbourne and Sydney, where he will be reading from his book, and answering questions from the audience. He finds the public appearances enjoyable, despite the expectations people may have when meeting 'Armistead Maupin'.
"I'm generally able to live up to people's expectations of me," he laughs. "I don't mean that immodestly, I just mean that there's nothing particularly complicated about me. It's not like I'm some porn star they want to fantasise about. I'm just a storyteller and that's what they get when they meet me."
An Evening with Armistead Maupin, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Thursday, March 3, 2011. Bookings: (02) 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com
http://sxnews.gaynewsnetwork.com.au/feature/darker-tales-of-the-city-008365.html
Author Armistead Maupin is coming to Australia to read from his latest book in the 'Tales of the City' series and meet his fans. He spoke with Andrew Shaw about his new, darker take on life in the city.
Armistead Maupin's career is the stuff of legend. Starting out as a newspaper serial in the Seventies, his Tales of the City books about the residents of a boarding house at 28 Barbary Lane, San Francisco became international bestsellers.
Maupin wrote through the eyes of several characters – eternally optimistic gay man Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver, strait-laced, 20-something Mary Ann Singleton, the eccentric landlady, Anna Madrigal, who welcomed new tenants by taping joints to their doors. Although not all his characters are gay, over the years Maupin kept up with changes in the queer community – the impact of HIV/AIDS, the rise of American conservatism – and his characters aged with him.
Maupin, now 66, still lives in the city that made him famous – and vice-versa – with his husband, Christopher Turner. Recently, when San Francisco became home to America's first gay museum, he was called on to donate an exhibit. He chose a dress that actress Laura Linney, playing Mary Ann, wore in the 1993 Tales TV series. Coincidentally, Maupin's latest book, Mary Ann in Autumn, begins with Mary Ann, now 57, returning to San Francisco to stay with 'Mouse' and catch up on old friends after a long absence. It's the eighth in the Tales series.
In 1989's Sure of You, Mary Ann left San Francisco to marry a wealthy, conservative New York CEO. The accusation from some was that she had 'gone Republican', and it's been suggested Maupin is trying to redeem her character with the new book.
Maupin laughs. "She didn't exactly 'go Republican', but she moved to New York, which is almost as bad in the eyes of San Franciscans. I don't think anyone can be 'redeemed'... In the end, we are who we are. But I wanted people to understand her a little bit more in this novel."
Maupin's style is often compared to Charles Dickens', who also had his early stories serialised. In Mary Ann in Autumn, one of the characters is warned about getting too close to a mentally disturbed street person, telling her that life isn't "quaint and Dickensian".
"I'm sort of making a joke on myself there, to tell you the truth," Maupin laughs. "Dickens never shied away from the grim details of life himself. In this book I've probably embraced that a little bit more than I have in the past with the homeless storyline."
In fact, this Tales book is much darker and more disturbing than any previous novel, edging closer to Maupin's non-Tales thriller, The Night Listener. There is one extremely disturbing turn of events in Mary Ann that will leave many readers of the series gasping.
"It's about as dark as you can get," Maupin admits. "I was thinking last night that the line I hear most often from people and that you can see time and time again on Amazon is: 'It was like visiting with old friends!' And I thought, 'Well, I've written a book that involves cancer, pederasty, child abuse and homelessness and people still think it's like visiting old friends.'"
Maupin shocked his readers in the early Tales story when it was revealed Anna Madrigal was a transwoman. Now in her 80s, Anna is one of the most loved characters in gay literature. But she cannot live forever, and Maupin is not relishing writing her death scene. In fact, it clearly upsets him.
"Yes, I am a writer and yes, I probably have a certain understanding... God... I'm stammering here... I really don't know how to answer you here. It kind of disturbs me, to tell you the truth. I have had people moan and groan at public gatherings when the possibility even arises. But I can't keep her around forever unless I move into the vampire genre."
In the latest book, Michael Tolliver and his 21 years younger partner, Ben, have a loving, open relationship, guided by trust and communication. "I hope it comes across that way," Maupin says of their bond. "It reflects some of the neurosis that occurs when an older man is with a younger man, but it also reflects the solidity of the relationship. But I don't adhere to any strict definition of what 'marriage' means. That's what freedom's about.
"I know gay people who are strictly monogamous and I know gay people with relationships so open you could fly a 747 through them. I think Chris and I have something somewhere in between. But all of it relies on staying open and loving with each other.
"Even in a loving relationship it's easy to get wrapped up in your own concerns and fears that you lose track of the other person: 'What was your day like?' is an extremely important question."
Maupin and hubby Turner are married in the eyes of the State of California – they got in before Prop 8 closed the window of opportunity. Maupin disagrees that Seventies activists would be horrified at the way some gay men are embracing marriage. "I am an old school activist from that time, and I see it as the final fulfilment of our civil rights – or one of them," he argues.
"Marriage is defined by whatever two people are married – we make our own rules. I want to be recognised in the eyes of my government in the same way that anyone else is. In part because it has financial benefits but mostly because I don't want to be told that my love is any less than other, straight couples. Supporting marriage is part of my continuing defiance."
Maupin is looking forward to his appearances in Melbourne and Sydney, where he will be reading from his book, and answering questions from the audience. He finds the public appearances enjoyable, despite the expectations people may have when meeting 'Armistead Maupin'.
"I'm generally able to live up to people's expectations of me," he laughs. "I don't mean that immodestly, I just mean that there's nothing particularly complicated about me. It's not like I'm some porn star they want to fantasise about. I'm just a storyteller and that's what they get when they meet me."
An Evening with Armistead Maupin, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Thursday, March 3, 2011. Bookings: (02) 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com
http://sxnews.gaynewsnetwork.com.au/feature/darker-tales-of-the-city-008365.html
Friday, February 4, 2011
OUT in America In Their Own Words, a portrait of LGBT Americans From a News Release
Premieres June 2011 on PBS
New York, NY, January 24, 2011 — Emmy award-winning director Andrew Goldberg and PBS, in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting, today announced a new national PBS special, OUT in America. The one-hour film will make its national premiere on PBS in June, in conjunction with National Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.
OUT in America is an uplifting collection of unique, transformative stories and inspiring personal narratives told through the lens of the country's most prominent LGBT figures and pioneers, as well as many average, yet extraordinary, citizens from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities. The program weaves together diverse stories - from urban and rural America, from the heartland to New England, from San Francisco to Harlem. Deeply moving and often humorous, viewers will get a glimpse of awakenings, first crushes, unlikely soul mates, intimacy and liberation. While separated by circumstance and upbringing, the film's subjects are all united in their shared experiences of self-discovery, coming out, pride and love as well as a triumph over adversity and a true sense of belonging. Against the backdrop of historical events, each also traces their own hopes, struggles, influences and contributions towards advancements in equality and broad social change.
"The first of its kind, OUT in America is a more realistic portrait of LGBT life than almost anything seen on TV before," says Goldberg. "So often, media coverage of LGBT life in America is polarizing or exploitative of controversy and homophobia, or alternately LGBT individuals are presented as caricatures of a stereotype. OUT in America however focuses on empowerment, diversity and relationships."
The special features interviews with and anecdotes from cult TV personality Andy Cohen (Bravo TV Host), famed Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin, country music star Chely Wright, humorist Kate Clinton, as well as legendary LGBT activists James Hormel (philanthropist), Urvashi Vaid (former Executive Director of the pre-eminent civil rights organization National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, recently cited in Out Magazine's list of most influential men and women in America) and Dr. Patricia Hawkins (psychologist renowned for her early work with HIV patients). Other influential lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people in the film include: Reverend Peter Gomes, who came out on the steps of Memorial Church at Harvard; PJ Serrano, Puerto Rico's first openly gay and HIV positive political candidate; a transgender police lieutenant, who transitioned while on active duty; a Muslim lesbian from the country of Mauritius; a gay rancher; the organizer of Capital Queer Prom; a Latino rapper; a West Point graduate and former Captain in the US Army; a drag queen; a great-grandmother; and "The Harolds," a giddy bi-racial couple in their 80s, who reminisce, in unison, about their five decades together. "We've had a good life. We still love each other, which is rare in most cases…it just gets better."
OUT in America examines the ways in which LGBT Americans obtained a sense of freedom from social oppression by reconciling conflicts between their sexuality and other prominent factors in their public lives such as faith, family and service in the military. The film addresses the complexity of an individual's tendency to embrace multiple identities across lines of race, gender, class, religion, age and nationality. While much progress has been made to emerge gay life from underground to mainstream over the past 50 years, many caution the urgency for political and social activism is more important than ever, indicating that legality of marriage, the repeal of the nation's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and other legislative victories still don't ensure equality and acceptance around the country or at home in their own cultural, religious and ethnic groups.
With early media coverage and public attention on the community primarily focused on gay men, OUT in America also looks at the patriarchal shift and growing role of lesbians in the rights movements, in particular their visibility in marches on Washington, a division and subsequent alignment with the feminist and women's liberation movements and most significantly, the organizational change and growth in leadership as healthcare providers and activists during the early years of the AIDS crisis.
OUT in America was written, directed and executive produced by Andrew Goldberg of Two Cats Productions. The film was edited by Linda Lamm; Steve Rubinstein served as Associate Producer; and Douglas Chang as Coordinating Producer.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=30423
New York, NY, January 24, 2011 — Emmy award-winning director Andrew Goldberg and PBS, in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting, today announced a new national PBS special, OUT in America. The one-hour film will make its national premiere on PBS in June, in conjunction with National Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.
OUT in America is an uplifting collection of unique, transformative stories and inspiring personal narratives told through the lens of the country's most prominent LGBT figures and pioneers, as well as many average, yet extraordinary, citizens from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities. The program weaves together diverse stories - from urban and rural America, from the heartland to New England, from San Francisco to Harlem. Deeply moving and often humorous, viewers will get a glimpse of awakenings, first crushes, unlikely soul mates, intimacy and liberation. While separated by circumstance and upbringing, the film's subjects are all united in their shared experiences of self-discovery, coming out, pride and love as well as a triumph over adversity and a true sense of belonging. Against the backdrop of historical events, each also traces their own hopes, struggles, influences and contributions towards advancements in equality and broad social change.
"The first of its kind, OUT in America is a more realistic portrait of LGBT life than almost anything seen on TV before," says Goldberg. "So often, media coverage of LGBT life in America is polarizing or exploitative of controversy and homophobia, or alternately LGBT individuals are presented as caricatures of a stereotype. OUT in America however focuses on empowerment, diversity and relationships."
The special features interviews with and anecdotes from cult TV personality Andy Cohen (Bravo TV Host), famed Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin, country music star Chely Wright, humorist Kate Clinton, as well as legendary LGBT activists James Hormel (philanthropist), Urvashi Vaid (former Executive Director of the pre-eminent civil rights organization National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, recently cited in Out Magazine's list of most influential men and women in America) and Dr. Patricia Hawkins (psychologist renowned for her early work with HIV patients). Other influential lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people in the film include: Reverend Peter Gomes, who came out on the steps of Memorial Church at Harvard; PJ Serrano, Puerto Rico's first openly gay and HIV positive political candidate; a transgender police lieutenant, who transitioned while on active duty; a Muslim lesbian from the country of Mauritius; a gay rancher; the organizer of Capital Queer Prom; a Latino rapper; a West Point graduate and former Captain in the US Army; a drag queen; a great-grandmother; and "The Harolds," a giddy bi-racial couple in their 80s, who reminisce, in unison, about their five decades together. "We've had a good life. We still love each other, which is rare in most cases…it just gets better."
OUT in America examines the ways in which LGBT Americans obtained a sense of freedom from social oppression by reconciling conflicts between their sexuality and other prominent factors in their public lives such as faith, family and service in the military. The film addresses the complexity of an individual's tendency to embrace multiple identities across lines of race, gender, class, religion, age and nationality. While much progress has been made to emerge gay life from underground to mainstream over the past 50 years, many caution the urgency for political and social activism is more important than ever, indicating that legality of marriage, the repeal of the nation's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and other legislative victories still don't ensure equality and acceptance around the country or at home in their own cultural, religious and ethnic groups.
With early media coverage and public attention on the community primarily focused on gay men, OUT in America also looks at the patriarchal shift and growing role of lesbians in the rights movements, in particular their visibility in marches on Washington, a division and subsequent alignment with the feminist and women's liberation movements and most significantly, the organizational change and growth in leadership as healthcare providers and activists during the early years of the AIDS crisis.
OUT in America was written, directed and executive produced by Andrew Goldberg of Two Cats Productions. The film was edited by Linda Lamm; Steve Rubinstein served as Associate Producer; and Douglas Chang as Coordinating Producer.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=30423
New TALES dates on sale now -- including Pride weekend!
Due to popular demand, Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City has already been extended an extra two weeks—now playing May 19–July 3. As a Tale Chaser, you have the first chance to buy tickets for this brand-new set of performances—including fabulous seats during San Francisco's Pride weekend. Act now before they go on sale to the general public this Sunday!
Order online or call 415.749.2228 to be first in line for the best new seats.
Expecting company? Save up to 20% off regular prices with a group of 15 or more. Call 415.439.2473 for details.
Lock in your tickets today, or extend this special offer to friends and family to revel in the most highly anticipated theatrical event of the season.
And don't forget . . .
Be among the first to order your copy of the limited-edition Tales poster. Available for a limited time only, this collector's item is flying off the shelves. Get one before they're gone!
This just in! Fans in the U.S. can now watch the beloved television miniseries—based on the first Tales of the City novels—for free on Hulu! Starring Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis, this captivating adaptation will get you in the mood to see Tales come to life this spring.
Connect with thousands of fans on our Tales of the City Facebook page. While you're there, become a fan of Armistead Maupin, the legendary author who wrote the best-selling novels that inspired the musical. Pick up his latest Tales of the City novel, Mary Ann in Autumn, to follow the continuing adventures of these iconic characters, and check out his schedule of upcoming events and appearances to see him in person!
http://www.act-sf.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=12343.0&dlv_id=15543
Order online or call 415.749.2228 to be first in line for the best new seats.
Expecting company? Save up to 20% off regular prices with a group of 15 or more. Call 415.439.2473 for details.
Lock in your tickets today, or extend this special offer to friends and family to revel in the most highly anticipated theatrical event of the season.
And don't forget . . .
Be among the first to order your copy of the limited-edition Tales poster. Available for a limited time only, this collector's item is flying off the shelves. Get one before they're gone!
This just in! Fans in the U.S. can now watch the beloved television miniseries—based on the first Tales of the City novels—for free on Hulu! Starring Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis, this captivating adaptation will get you in the mood to see Tales come to life this spring.
Connect with thousands of fans on our Tales of the City Facebook page. While you're there, become a fan of Armistead Maupin, the legendary author who wrote the best-selling novels that inspired the musical. Pick up his latest Tales of the City novel, Mary Ann in Autumn, to follow the continuing adventures of these iconic characters, and check out his schedule of upcoming events and appearances to see him in person!
http://www.act-sf.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=12343.0&dlv_id=15543
Thursday, February 3, 2011
News from the ACT
Limited-edition posters now available!Tale Chaser exclusive! Be the first to grab this collector's item, featuring the vibrant artwork from the world premiere production. Available for a limited time only.
Get Friendly with Tales on Facebook
Connect with thousands of other fans on our Tales of the City page, where you can swap stories about your own Tales experiences—and discuss when you're coming to see the show!
Fan the man who started it all
While you're on Facebook, become a fan of Armistead Maupin, the legendary author who wrote the best-selling novels that inspired the musical. Pick up his latest Tales of the City novel, Mary Ann in Autumn, to follow the continuing adventures of these iconic characters, and check out his schedule of upcoming events and appearances to see him in person!
The musical masterminds behind Tales are on the road and taking the world by storm—in excellent company. Don't miss their March 22 performance featuring Lady Gaga at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. Catch them on tour at a venue near you, and join actor Chris Colfer's campaign to get them a guest spot on the award-winning TV show Glee.
Get your tickets! Save big with a group
Tickets are selling quickly. Order online or call 415.749.2228 today! Groups of 15 or more save up to 50% off regular prices. For details, call 415.439.2473.
Get wired on our website
Go online to go behind the scenes at A.C.T.! Check out savvy backstage perspectives on our blog, get the scoop on acting classes in our award-winning conservatory, and buy tickets to performances—on the mainstage and beyond.
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http://www.act-sf.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=12262.0&dlv_id=15462
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