Gen X-ers are going to feel like Methuselah after they read this next line: The beloved Christmas favorite from your youth, Home Alone turns 25 this year. Doesn’t it seem like yesterday when you begged your parents to drive you to the Cineplex in the minivan to see John Hughes’ story about an 8 year old who singlehandedly defends his home turf over Christmas? [Read more…] about Watch A Live Orchestrated Screening of Home Alone with the NJSO
MOVIES
Brandon Deyette’s “Proxy”- The Manhattan Digest Review
The “everyone is connected” trope isn’t new cinematic territory, but a new indie effort approaches it from a distinctly LGBT perspective, while also spending more time developing a smaller group of characters than earlier films like Nashville (1975), Magnolia (1999), and Crash (2004). Proxy (2015) works best as a series of short one-act plays focusing (mostly) on two characters apiece, cutting back and forth between them until everyone collides in a twist ending that mostly works. The film suffers from melodramatic moments of pretension (chapter breaks, the opening voice-over), but they’re not frequent enough to distract from what is more often than not an engrossing character-driven debut from writer-director Brandon Deyette.
Josh (Deyette) reconnects with his estranged ex-fiancee Tess (Stephanie Jean Davis) to retrieve his engagement ring, but she has a condition for its return. Tristan (adult video star Charlie Harding in his non-explicit film debut) confronts Steve (Barry Brandon) when he reveals he knows a bit more about the trick their friend Price (Brandon Majors) is en route to meet. Kari (Anna Kohn) rushes to connect with her college buddy Becca (Sadako Pointer) after a piece of particularly devastating family news only to find Becca is experiencing a crisis of her own.
At face value, none of these individual tales sounds particularly provocative, but woven together in a narrative tapestry it’s very difficult not to become invested in at least a few of these characters’ trials and tribulations. The film relies on long single takes, shot with a handheld camera, which contributes a sense of intimate urgency to the often dramatically charged dialogue scenes, but during quieter moments can be a jarring distraction. Most importantly, the often uninterrupted takes allow the ensemble cast to come so much more alive in their characters. Not all of the stories are equally effective, however, and much of it depends on the performances and writing. We open with Josh and Tess’ reunion, awkward from the get-go and progressively tense and uncomfortable, aided immeasurably by Deyette and Davis’ very natural performances; they play off each other beautifully. Tess initially seems like a spider luring Josh back into her web of deceit, especially as Josh’s demands for the truth grow more fevered. The pair eventually reach an emotional stand-off that almost levels their playing field, revealing the sensitive nature of both characters and letting an audience develop sympathy for their unique positions. An ambiguous conclusion is mildly frustrating, but then messes like theirs don’t get cleaned up in an hour and change.
The story most likely to get attention from its target festival audience is that of Tristan and Steve, revealed to be exes who’ve remained friends, but tension remains between the two because of Steve’s self-destructive and borderline sociopathic behavior as a gay man living with HIV in New York. Very few films or television shows tackle this topic these days, perhaps out of fatigue over the multitude of media making up the vast majority of gay culture in the 1990s and well into the 2000s. The film never actually uses any of the hot button words to indicate that the conversation is about HIV, which is rather refreshing. It doesn’t need to. The challenging nature of Steve’s character is that he feels zero responsibility for having to share his status with anyone, including his sexual partners; if someone doesn’t ask, it’s that person’s fault if they become infected, a philosophy he imposed on himself after confronting the trick who infected him. This way, his shame can continue to hurt him and those around him. It comes as no surprise then why he’s bitter and unpleasant from his very introduction. Brandon should be given credit for making him such an ultimately tragic figure. Harding has come a long way from MEN.com and does a fine job with his character, and Majors is given an amusing exit speech that makes you wish he’d stuck around longer.
The strongest story for my money is that of Becca and Kari, anchored by two solid turns from Pointer and Kohn, who I hope to see much more of in future projects. It’s not even that the story here is as strong as the other two segments (in fact, it’s arguably the least developed). But both women almost effortlessly develop a chemistry that leads the audience to believe they have been friends for years. These are two women I’d like to spend time with, and more focus on them in the film would have been very welcome. Becca is introduced in a soft-lit afterglow scenario before we see her taking a pregnancy test on the toilet. There’s nothing titillating about it, but I mention both sequences because they indicate a larger sense of striking bravery in Pointer as an actress, embracing her character in two potentially unflattering moments and drawing us into connection with Becca as a flesh-and-blood person. Kari, stuttering out the shattering news that her father is a bigamist, is funny, charming, and sympathetic. She chugs back a swig of Grey Goose, straight, and almost immediately rushes to the bathroom to throw up. Her vomiting does not distract from her from noticing Becca’s pregnancy test on the bathroom sink. Again, here is an actress who’s dedicated to embodying the role, embracing human moments like confronting your best friend about her pregnancy test with fresh puke on your face. Of a uniformly strong cast, Kohn and Pointer emerge as the MVP’s, and their story offers the most vividly felt dramatic moments.
When all is said and done, Proxy isn’t a slam dunk. Certain sequences feel under-cooked and the more subtle moments of character interaction that work splendidly clash with some excessively dramatic sequences. But this is a very promising debut from a writer-director to watch, and certainly one to look for as it circulates around the film festival circuit.
One on One With Hip Hop Legend Redman- The MD Exclusive
You really can’t get any bigger when it comes to legends in the came then you can with the one and only Redman. Redman, who has been active in the hip-hop industry for 25 years now, is still going strong as ever and staying as relevant as ever. Born right outside NYC in Newark, New Jersey, Redman has had his hands successfully in multiple different business ventures outside of his illustrious career in the hip-hop game. From television, movies, video games and more, Redman’s unique personality and consistent drive in doing what he loves show in everything he does. He is a personal favorite of mine since I was a kid in the 90’s and continues to be many years later.
Now Redman has a brand new single he just released called “Dope Man” from his newest album called “Mudface”, due in stores on October 30th. We at Manhattan Digest were blessed to interview Redman about his single and album, his longevity in the industry, current favorites, and why women’s feet are part of his upcoming plans. For real. Check it out.
The song “Dope Man’s” chorus goes- “Hey Mr. Dope Man you’re a star, I love your gold chains and your fancy car”. Is Dope Man really you? What drove the inspiration for this song?
Yes I’m referring DOPEMAN as me! Meaning my lyrics and music is the DOPE people are fiending for… People are complaining about the same sounding music on the radio!! So it’s up to the DOPEMAN to supply the hood with the Goodness !!
You also have a new album coming out in October called “Mud Face”. What can your fans expect from that album?
MudFace album is an album I put together for my fans and to keep relevancy, till MUDDY WATERS 2 album come out..!! I’m independent now, so I have to keep music out there to create other revenues of business !!
Are you planning a tour to support the album?
Yes i always do a tour run on every album..Mudface Tour i will be in a city near you SOON !!!
It will be 23 years on September 22nd since your debut album “Whut? Thee Album” has been released. What is the best advice you would give to new artists in the industry that want to find longevity and relevancy that you have paved the way for?
For new artists to create longevity path as I did… to be able to still drop music 23 years later and still be Hot??? Here are some steps.
- Go against the Grain!
- Stay mastering your craft!
- Love your Momma and Kids !
- Never let em see you sweat !
- Don’t do reality shows !
- Have a good team that will keep you Brand Name Monumental..
- GO OVERSEAS AND PUT ON GREAT PERFORMANCES as WELL AS YOUR OWN COUNTRY !!
- Know your History on this Rap shit !!..It is a business !!
- MAKE good connections and know the right PEOPLE !!
- Make sure your Hood and City respects you for you and the work you doing and did to Rep your state !!
Do you have a favorite moment of your career that sticks out for you?
My favorite moment in my career would be the Day I met EPMD which was one of my favorite Rap Duo and then moved to Long Island… that’s when my career started !! God is Good !!
Who currently is your favorite artist in hip hop and who would you love to collaborate with?
My favorite artists are still Slick Rick, Krs One, IceCube, NWA & EPMD. These are the groups and guys that built me !!
I’m curious to know what your take is on the hip-hop industry today. Where is it excelling and where do you think it is lacking?
My ERA ( Biggie ,Snoop, Eminem D12, Jay Z, Tribe Called Quest Dogg Pound ,Wu Tang,Beanie Siegal,Kanye West,Naughty By Nature,Lords of Underground, Keith Murray,Busta Rymes Flip Mode,OutSiders, G-Unit,Game,Mobb Deep, R.I.P Sean Price and Helter Skeltah ,Lil Kim, The Pharcyde, The Roots, Xzibit, Boot Camp,UGK,Smiff and Wesson,Common,Scar Face,Camp Lo,Pete Rock Cl Smooth,Organized Confusion,Slum Village,Craig Mack,Choclair,Kardinal Official, ETC….
New Era I listen to Kendrick Lamar, School Boy Q TDE ,GunPlay , J Cole , Dope D.O.D , Rick Ross, Asap Rocky, Asap Mob, Drake, Che Grand, Jneiro Jarel, Boogie.
I want to collaborate with everyone !! Everybody on one track goin in!!
I’m curious to know what your take is on the hip-hop industry today. Where is it excelling and where do you think it is lacking?
I love Hip-Hop ! It provides jobs and allows and average person to become somebody !! The state of HipHop NOW; the music is sounding the same.. and that’s what people and fans complaining about. But hey it’s still provides jobs to my people my culture… the future of Hip-Hop will continue to grow and be that universal language !!
What other upcoming projects do you have coming up that your fans would like to know about?
My up and coming projects are-
MUDFACE ALBUM- Oct 30 2015
MUDDY WATERS 2- 2016
BLACKOUT 3- 2016
HOW HIGH 2- 2017 or 2018
Also I’m directing and producing behind the scenes in Hollywood. I started and production company with my Business partner Laura Irvine called UGLYJONES ! We are producing a show now called “Who Got Heat”; a street version of American Idol.. I feel there’s not enough artists getting recognized so we want to help with a platform to be seen… also we will give back to the community each city we run show at…stay tuned for details… show is fucking Hot !
Also I love woman who have beautiful FEET..Oh God… whewww !! I wanna create a High Heel Open Toe Sandal for woman !!! That is my top goal… So as you see i have another 8 to 10 years worth of work to do, and I’m gonna do it !! AND THAT’S HOW YOU KEEP RELEVANT FOR 23 YEARS BOYIIIEEEE !!
Much Ado at the McKittrick
Outdoor summer movies for New Yorkers have become as ritualistic as cross-fit and craft brew pubs. In parks, on roofs, and around outdoor spots within the five boroughs, cinephiles jockey for blanket space and pre movie picnicking–at least until the beginning of September when most festivals dismantle their screens.
For the fortunate few, there is still time to catch a cool breeze and flick atop the McKittrick Hotel. Since July 14th, the hip Chelsea joint has joined forces with comedienne Amy Poehler to screen some of her favorite films including The Jerk, Sixteen Candles, and To Kill A Mockingbird.
Upcoming films through the end of September include The Apartment, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Rosemary’s Baby, each film running for a week at a time.
There are only about 30 seats per viewing in the intimate, private garden space called The Farm and each $20 ticket entitles guests to a complimentary bag of popcorn and the hotel’s signature, vodka based cocktail-“Sleep No More” -named for their ongoing immersive theater production. Folks can settle into canvas Cabana chairs and enjoy Poehler’s curated classics with huge projection and quality sound. One might be wise to bring a light jacket, a sweater or a cuddly lover as the evening air can turn a tad brisk.
When the film festival was announced at the beginning of July, it sold out in a day, but the hotel’s website encourages email sign-up to those wanting information on future screenings.
Still, there is plenty more to do at the fictitious hotel that subtly tips its hat to Hitchcock. Besides The Farm is Gallow Green, offering a full bar with stellar city views and an all you can eat weekend buffet through October. More dining, drinks, and live entertainment can be found at The Heath and The Manderley, and with Halloween just around the corner, there is hardly a better time for the spooky and intoxicating Sleep No More, an immersive interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, performed by the British Theater company, Punchdrunk.
For more information about the McKittrick, visit:http://www.mckittrickhotel.com/
D. Woods on “Blackbird”, music, acting… and more!
It is rare in this day and age, to find someone talented enough to be considered to be a triple threat. D. Woods is someone who is a strong contender to be that particular kind of entertainer. Already known for her musical prowess and dancing ability, the talented Massachusetts native is keeping her buzz loud and strong by starring in the new feature film “Blackbird”. Alongside Academy Award winning actress Mo’Nique, D. Woods shines in a breakthrough role about acceptance in yourself and others that will no doubt put her on the forefront of who is next in the acting community.
Beautiful, humble and sweet, D. Woods sat down with me recently to discuss her involvement in “Blackbird”, as well as her beginnings in the theater, influences that she has gotten to know and worked with, and what her future plans are outside of all the fab things she is doing right now. Take a look.
A lot of people know you from music obviously, but you are now dabbling in acting. Do you have a particular preference?
Well, I grew up in the theater actually. It was dancing first, then musical theater came after that, and finally it was the music industry. I have never really separated the art forms, especially with musical theater you do all at the same time and that is how I was trained to do it all- dancing forms, singing, acting, delivery, musicality etc. It all comes together for me, I am just now able to do projects that are more visible and show my acting talents but I’ve been on the stage doing acting throughout my life. Now I’m on screen so you are being introduced to a whole other side of me!
It is safe to say that your background in music that we have come to know is R&B based. A lot of people feel as if that particular genre has been dead for quite some time, what is your take on it?
I think because of the way records are selling or not selling, and everyone is trying to appeal to as many people as possible and want the largest demographic, that is where a lot of artist get into this EDM/Euro or Pop N’ B type feel to wherever they think is going to sell. I do believe that there are a lot of artists that are true to R&B, I just don’t put myself in a box however. I do whatever the music tells me to do, so it might be rock influenced or feel more cinematic, you know what I mean? It might be trap or ratchet, but then I might do R&B harmonies and vocals, its whatever I want to play with. I think there are a lot of audiences out there that want a true musical experience whether they are going to an R&B show and they are getting a little gospel thrown at them, or maybe some rock as well in the way that the band switches up the track that people know and love from their recording into the live show. I think the live performance is the best and a lot of R&B singers are the ones that can give you a true live performance as opposed to some overdubbed, autotuned track where they just hit play and walk out.
Growing up, you had to have influences that got you into the entertainment field that you are in today. Do you have any in particular that standout?
Yes, of course! I’ve met a lot of people that I didn’t expect to meet, or that I watched and know so much about their work and having a conversation with them is weird because I don’t want to have a fan moment or weird them out. I got to work with actress Lynn Whitfield on a musical called “Rebirth” and being in rehearsal with her everyday made me think of “The Josephine Baker Story”, which would just freak me out. I thought she was Josephine Baker when I was little! She comes from a generation that had that triple threat feel to it, so that was definitely a great experience working with her.
Working with Mo’Nique was big, because we saw her evolution from a comedienne to a comedic actress to working her way up to winning an Oscar and now she is an executive producer on top of all of that. So working with her was just fantastic. I watched a lot of fantasy movies growing up, so whenever they redo “The Wiz” I definitely want to partake in that on some sort of level. I met Quincy Jones a while back and pretty much told him, “I LOVE the soundtrack to The Wiz”. I mean, this guy has worked with everyone from Duke Ellington & Michael Jackson, the soundtrack to “The Color Purple” and so much more… but that is what I saw when I met him. The Wiz.
So the movie “Blackbird” just got released to stellar reviews. What is your involvement in it?
“Blackbird” is a coming of age story, centered around a character named Randy Rousseau who is played by Julian Walker. He is our breakout star. He is straight up novice, like Julian is still in college right now. I remember he was doing homework while on set! When I read this script, I found out the character finding himself and coming to terms with his sexuality but at the same time trying to live up to the expectations of his family, community and church. I play one of his friends in high school named Leslie Crandall whom he also feels like he has to live up to in his group of people around him. I feel with “Blackbird” at the base of it, it is all about acceptance and love. Loving yourself, accepting yourself, hopefully the people around you love you and accept your choices and are supportive but its trusting that voice inside in being who you want to be.
Following up on that, what would you say if someone was reading this article and having a hard time coming out to their loved ones or had something they want to share with people around them but fear backlash?
I would say, just be who you are. You will be so much happier at the end of the day. If the people around you don’t accept you, there is a pool of people that you can find who can become your family, circle of friends and ultimately your support system. I have a non-profit mentorship program called “Foolish Dreamers” and one of the main things that I tell the high school students is “You have to get the squares out your circle”. I can’t take credit for that, it was Future, but I thought it was so real because the people around you have to support your dream and choices so that you can be the best person that you are. If you are trying to be somebody that you are not, you are not being true to yourself, fair to yourself, and ultimately what you can bring to the world.
I recently saw you on an episode of Bravo’s hit show “The Real Housewives Of Atlanta” where you and her went to back to your old high school. A lot of people know you from the reality world already, so would you consider going back to it?
I’ve been asked many, many times but it has to be under the right circumstances. I’m still trying to get that dark cloud from over me as it is hard to make a first impression for the second time. If you are introduced the wrong way to the general public you have to re-educate them so that gives them the opportunity to throw away the perception they may had of you and what you had presented at that point. At the end of the day- the networks and everyone else has their own agenda, question is- can I get mine? I haven’t felt comfortable with doing it yet so as of now no.
Besides “Blackbird”, what other fabulous projects doing you have coming up in the future?
I’ve partnered up with Patrick Ian-Polt & Tall Skinny Black Boy Productions and my independent label to produce the soundtrack to “Blackbird”. The first single came out Tuesday, shortly after the movie’s release, called “Find Your Way”. It is written by myself and produced by Simon Illa, another long time collaborator of mine. It was a song inspired by the film, and then we have the songs in the film that will all be on the soundtrack.
Anything else you want to add Miss Woods?
You can follow me on social media at YaGirlDWoods on everything! My main site is missdwoods.com and I have a single out right now called “Ur Tattoo” featuring Paul Wall. Paul is seriously president of Texas after all this time. We performed at SXSW and couldn’t even walk down the street, it was crazy.
Thanks so much for sitting down with me!
You are very welcome!
Check out D. Woods on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
Theater Review: CLINTON The Musical
Love ’em or leave em, it is hard to deny the impact of larger than life politicians, Bill and Hillary Clinton. How can we forget the bountiful years of economic growth, the (dare I say it) “ambitious” first lady who tackled health care problems, and of course, the intern who shook a nation.
Just in time for Hillary’s announcement of a Presidential bid comes Clinton The Musical, a smartly satirical reflection of the trials and tribulations of William Jefferson Clinton and his family. Director and choreographer Dan Knechtges has assembled a hugely entertaining and talented cast that will leave audiences aghast and amused.
Paul and Michael Hodge have written a keenly insightful book incorporating not one, but two Bill Clintons into the script. One is the stately, professional, and polished politician (Tom Galantich); the other is a good ‘ole boy skirt chasin’ philanderer (Duke Lafoon). Both actors beautifully capture the duplicitous essence of our 42nd president. Kerry Butler assumes the role of Hillary Rodham Clinton, and while she is a fine actor with a dynamic voice, it’s hard not to sense a bit of miscasting here. Butler’s natural girlishness lacks the edge needed to fully embody Mrs. Clinton.
John Treacy Egan and Kevin Zak steal the show as Newt Gingrich and Kenneth Starr (respectively), a maniacal duo with an unquenchable thirst to bring down the President. Judy Gold also adds hilarity as both the Ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt and Linda Tripp. The real firecracker here, though, is Veronica J. Kuehn who recreates the infamous girl in the blue dress, Monica Lewinksy. Her number about her tryst with the President, “Monica’s Song” is a gleeful, upbeat R- rated dittie that will, no doubt, have you in stitches.
Clinton The Musical is everything great satire ought to be: clever, funny, well-acted, and above all, thoughtful. No matter what side of the aisle you favor, this is one wild party you won’t want to miss.
Clinton The Musical plays Off Broadway at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th avenue. For tickets and information, please visit the box office or http://clintonthemusical.com/ . ***Special $20.16 seats available for a limited time. ***
INTERVIEW: Playwright and Screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher
Jeffrey Hatcher has a lot on his plate these days. As a master of adaptations, he is eagerly awaiting the summer release of Mr. Holmes, his version of Mitch Cullin’s book A Slight Trick of the Mind. The period piece stars Ian McKellan as Sherlock Holmes and is directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon. This marks the second time McKellan and Condon have worked together (their prior film was Gods and Monsters). “The production company was familiar with some of my previous works,” said Hatcher during a recent phone interview from his home, “so they came to me and asked me if I’d adapt it. It afforded me the opportunity to travel to England, so that wasn’t too bad,” he says wryly. Much of the film was shot in Sussex and London.
He’s also put the finishing touches on a stage version of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by John Kennedy Toole, A Confederacy of Dunces. The World premiere opens at Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company in November with an eye towards Broadway. Television’s Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman will lead the cast. “In terms of writing, that project is done for now,” he says, “but I’m sure as we go into the rehearsal process, I’ll be making some changes and fine tuning it.”
For now, the Minneapolis based writer is turning his attention to Off-Broadway’s Pearl Theatre, one of fourteen stops for The Acting Company who are performing Hatcher’s adaptation of A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court in repertory with a production of Macbeth. The group began New York performances on April 1st and will run through April 12th. Their entire tour commenced on March 4th in Springfield, IL and will continue through April 20th in Gettysburg, PA. This won’t be the first time he’s worked with John Houseman’s multiple award-winning theater company. The playwright’s previous adaptations include The Turn of the Screw, An Evening of Poe, and The Spy.
Connecticut Yankee is Mark Twain’s satirical tale about a 19th century man who time travels to 6th Century England after a blow to the head. Hatcher has taken poetic license for this version. He explained, “This is really more of a riff than a straight adaptation. Since 140 years have passed since Twain’s book was written, it needed to be updated. I’ve taken the general notions and have applied them to modern-day, which can be done since it is public domain.” He continued, “It can sometimes be deadly to adapt old works, but the trick is to find authors who are dramatic and exciting. Twain tended to write complicated books, but as long as I have the subjects and the plot, that is the critical part.” The old adage that the “devil is in the details” might work in a novel but in a stage version, those details might sometimes have to be sacrificed. “You simply have to betray them for the sake of time and interest. The important part is to keep the thematic idea and central notions intact.” Like most contemporary playwrights, Hatcher has his “usual suspects” from whom he has drawn inspiration. “Pinter, Shaw, Wilde, Kaufman, and Neil Simon pretty much top the list,” he said.
Is he adamant about actors paraphrasing his lines? “By and large-Yes,” he admitted. “If the actor is clever or witty and they think of something funny that is appropriate to the character, then I support it, but otherwise it can turn into a case of every other actor trying to get into the act.” For now, he’ll be in New York to see his words brought to life. So be sure you know your lines, actors. Mr. Hatcher will be watching!
Stars will Convene to Honor the Late Polly Bergen
Stage and screen actors will gather this Thursday, March 26th at Broadway’s American Airlines Theatre to honor the late Polly Bergen, who passed away on September 20th, 2014.
Bergen’s six decade career included numerous Emmy Award nominations for Desperate Housewives, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance. She took home the coveted prize in 1957 for The Helen Morgan Story. The Tennessee native starred on Broadway in the 2001 revival of Sondheim’s Follies and earned a Tony nod for her performance. A year later, she returned to the Great White Way opposite Mark Hamill in Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks.
To view her boldly defiant turn as Carlotta Campion from Follies, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5sDtBzOhyc
Stars scheduled to speak and/or appear include: Christine Andreas, Harry Belafonte, Arlene Dahl, Raul Esparza, Michael Feinstein, Chris Matthews, Phyllis Newman, Kelli O’Hara and others.
The event will be held from 3-4:30 PM ET and a limited number of tickets will be made available to the public on the day of the event.
Get To Know “Looking” Star & Gifted Actor Daniel Franzese
For any person in the late 20’s to early 30’s, they know how much of a fucking rockstar Daniel Franzese is. The uber talented and incredibly handsome actor & activist has been at the forefront of many people’s minds and laughter since he shot to superstardom as the “Too Gay To Function” Damian in the megahit Tina Fey/Lindsay Lohan movie “Mean Girls”. Damian possessed a huge comedic wit in that movie that paired incredibly well in his scenes with Lindsay Lohan and star of Masters Of Sex Lizzy Caplan, that there was no doubt in my mind that he had quite a bright future ahead for himself.
Since Mean Girls, his popularity has continued to be on the rise. He has had guest starring roles on shows like “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and my personal favorite TV series, “The Comeback.” He also has launched a hilarious Youtube series called “S**t My Italian Mom Says” which has reached millions of views since its inception. Now Daniel is starring in the 2nd season of HBO’s critically acclaimed series “Looking” in which he plays Eddie Bear, a openly HIV positive counselor in a homeless gay shelter who takes a liking to Agustin’s character, played by Frankie J. Alvarez. Although the show has had its back and forth critiques, something that seems to be a constant with social media and critics is the positive feedback his character gets. He has breathed a new life into the 2nd season of this show, and his ever growing relationship with Agustin’s character on “Looking” is a great distraction from the very present main character’s story lines of Kevin & Patrick.
With the season finale airing tonight at 10PM eastern, 9pm Pacific on HBO, Daniel was nice enough to sit down with me and discuss his rise in the entertainment world, his take on “Looking” and his new series that is debuting on ABC Family this coming fall. Take a look at what the Brooklyn native had to say.
Hey Daniel, thanks for sitting down with me! So I just saw that you went to TBRU (Texas Bear Round Up), one of the biggest bear events in the world. Did you have fun and have you ever gone to one of those events before?
I’ve gone to bear parties before but I have never been to an organized bear event like that, ever. It was absolutely wonderful and the bears there couldn’t have been nicer to me. The friendliest group of people I have ever met. This was a great indication of how I am known in the bear community as there wasn’t a bear there that didn’t recognize me from my work, which was quite the awesome feeling.
Let me ask you about the show you are on at hand and what everyone is talking about, Looking. I’ve been a fan of the show since the first season and when i found out you were going to be on the show I was ecstatic for several different reasons. How did this whole thing start for you?
Well I was having a conversation about the show with my friend Lori Malkin who is a casting director. She asked if I was watching the show, which I wasn’t. When she asked why I said no, I simply replied, “Because they never have bears like me on a gay show like that”. She then followed up simply, “Then why not become the bear on that show?”. I was all about manifesting destiny so I looked up the casting director who happened to be the first one I ever encountered when I did my first movie “Bully” back in 2001. I wrote her an email, sent her some photos, and said “If you ever need a sexy bear!” to which she said “Well, you never know!”. It turns out they were already thinking of the character Eddie and even further thinking of me to play him and then offered me to play the part.
Not only are you the only bear on the show, but your character Eddie is also openly HIV positive which is a big part of your storyline with Agustin’s character, in particular the past two episodes. Can you get a little bit into the process of how you immersed yourself into this character?
My neighbor and one of my best friends Ryan is HIV positive and we have coffee every morning together. I knew him before he was poz and when I was getting the script and talking to him about it. The look on his face said it all as he was so excited that Eddie wasn’t being played as a victim and living a full and well adjusted life. I know that was the intention from the beginning for Andrew Haigh and Michael Lannon was that they wanted Eddie to be someone who just happened to be HIV Positive and that it really wasn’t affecting Agustin’s decision to be with him. Going into that portrayal I was excited more than anything to represent a very underrepresented community.
You surprised a lot of people by doing a full frontal sex scene with Agustin a couple of weeks back on the show. Was that the first time you’ve done a scene like that and was it tough to film?
This is why I think it is good that you brought up the bear community as growing up as the chubby kid who wore my shirt in the pool all the time to having an opportunity in my first movie “Bully” in which I take my shirt off was really uncomfortable for me. I have since then become very comfortable with my body and just from talking about guys in the past who have been into bears that aren’t bears themselves even and where their first inkling of where there attraction to a larger man came from. I heard several people reference James Gandolfini being naked in a film was when they realized they were attracted to bigger guys, and I knew that being part of an underrepresented community that displaying nudity in “Looking” would possibly do that for future generations of guys to see the male form in a different view. We all come from different shapes and sizes and I thought this was a way to see it sexualized in a different way.
Eddie is so vulnerable in that moment and has so many walls up and is trying to figure out if Agustin is really real and can handle his baggage. I think in that moment he feels that “Oh no, this is where the HIV gets in the way and I lose this great thing, that’s why I don’t want to get serious”, and I think its such a difficult moment for him because he is naked.
What is your take on how gay men are portrayed in the entertainment world in 2015? Do you think we have hit our stride or do you think we still have to push forward in order for us to become more normalized to the general viewing public?
I’m not sure that Hollywood will ever get any minority right because it is totally judged off of a bunch of people’s different opinions and based on each individual project. There will always be women that are marginalized, there will be African Americans that are marginalized, and in the same token there are gays that are. I feel like I love the way how “Looking” does it and how they show gay people in that story in San Francisco. We get to see so many kinds of levels of stories and places that straight people live and I think there is a lot of pressure on “Looking” to represent the entire gay community, but I think that they are just telling a story about some people in SF and I think that is interesting in an under-looked at subculture.
On top of looking, you have a new show set to air on ABC Family this coming fall called “Recovery Road”. What can you tell us about it?
One of the coolest things about this is that it is written by my roommate in college Bert V. Royal who wrote the movie “Easy A”. The other show runner Karen DiConcetto is a friend of mine for over ten years who played Snooki in the musical that i co-wrote called “Jersey Shoresical: A Freaking Rock Opera!”. It is so great that I have two of my dearest friends that are going to be creating the part for me. It is about a 17 year old girl named Maddie who has some problems with drinking and drugs in school so she makes a deal with her guidance counselor so they won’t expel her if she spends certain nights and weekends in an adult sober living facility. I play a gay man who has addiction issues contributing to a weight gain; essentially I was a former gogo boy with a cocaine issue.
So these are some pretty deep roles you have been taking lately, however a lot of people know your comedic side from “Mean Girls” and your part on season one of “The Comeback”. Do you prefer the dramatic side of things or the comedy parts?
Well “Recovery Road” is actually a comedy. I think on “Looking” I’m pretty funny and definitely do love comedy. It is my first love. However I love horrors if they are scary and I love comedies if there is drama and dramas if they are poignant and meaningful. I just love good stories so if there is one there that is where I will go ultimately.
On a complete sidenote here, I hope that when they submit you for the Emmys that at least you and Lauren Weedman (Doris) get nominated for Guest Actor & Actress in a Supporting Role because you both really do great work on that show.
Actually, we are being submitted in the supporting categories. I am being submitted for Supporting Actor In A Comedy.
Oh! Well in that sense I hope they give you and “Looking” some love because it has kind of been the same shows winning year after year there and they could use some sprucing up with some new blood. I mean, enough with “Modern Family” winning. In other words… I WANT YOU TO WIN!
Thank you :).
You had a hit on Youtube with the hilarious “S**t Italian Moms Say”. How did that whole thing get started?
My mother was the big inspiration for this, and she is sitting right here next to me while I’m chatting with you. My mom thinks that you said that i might get an Emmy is phenomenal! The “Shit Says” meme was happening everywhere and I was waiting personally for an Italian one to happen. Around the same time, right before the meme happened, my friend Michelle said to me “You can come to my apartment but I don’t have anything to offer, not even a piece of cake”. We laughed for an hour over that and then we thought of all the things we could say or do and then my friend Lisa said “Let’s do this”. We pulled it together one weekend and did two episodes and then the following weekend did another one. It was really fun and hit a million views in six days. It was really fun to watch it unfold.
Besides all of these amazing things, what else do you have going on in 2015?
I have a comedy coming out about five people who get hypnotized while the hypnotist has a heart attack and the people are stuck in its trance. I play a gay man who thinks he is a pregnant woman during this whole thing. Really looking forward to seeing what people think about that.
Thanks again Daniel for sitting down with us and good luck with “Looking” and everything else you have going on!
Thank you so much!
For more on Daniel Franzese, you can check out his official sites here!
Review “SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN” with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
In spite of the cinematic rain and actual winter chill, a burst of sunshine shone through the Garden State this past weekend as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presented a unique and thoroughly enjoyable event.
On Saturday evening, February 7th, these professional musicians took to the stage at Newark’s New Jersey Performing Arts Center to play the orchestral score from the 1952 classic while the movie was shown above them. With keen sound technology, the integrity of the vocals and tap dancing were maintained against a lively and vibrant orchestra. Under the direction of Constantine Kitsopoulos, memorable and often recognizable melodies came alive, treating the audience to tuneful ear candy. On Sunday afternoon, February 8th, New Brunswick audiences were delivered the same delightful confection at the State Theatre.
Singin’ In the Rain, written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green is a musical comedy set against the backdrop of the roaring twenties. Dashing leading man Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and his co-star Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) are the biggest silent screen celebrities in Hollywood. While the public believes that their on-screen romance mirrors their real life relationship, nothing could be further from the truth. Lockwood has little time nor patience for the pushy and manipulative Lamont and instead,he turns his attention towards chorus girl Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). Soon, talking pictures are in vogue and Lockwood’s best friend, Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Conner),is hired as the musical director. Unfortunately for Lamont, whose strident tones will soon be revealed, it may mean the end of her career.Like any old fashioned musical, there is no shortage of minor drama, but laughter and love are sure to triumph.
There apparently was no scarcity in the wardrobe department either. According to the Internet Movie Data Base, Walter Plunkett’s splashy costumes cost the studio $157,000, most of which are seen in the dazzling “Beautiful Girl” montage and later in “The Broadway Melody”. Whatever you’re wearing now or have hanging in your closet will most likely look like a garment from the scrap box of Goodwill in comparison to this flashy attire.
While Comden and Green were already established Broadway and Hollywood writers, they surprisingly contributed lyrics to only one song in the movie, “Moses Supposes” (sung by Kelly andO’Conner). The remainder of the musical selections were comprised of songs from other MGM musicals by producer Arthur Freed, who also served as their lyricist.Nacio Herb Brown collaborated with Freed, writing the music to the film’s other well-known hits including, “All I Do Is Dream of You”, “Make ‘Em Laugh”, “Good Morning” and the quintessential title song. There isn’t a single tune in the movie that won’t leave you smiling or swooning.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra has not only reminded us how fun a night of light-hearted screen music can be and what an absolutely joy-filled film Singin’ In the Rain is ; they’ve also reminded us that the power of live symphonic music-when played to this level of excellence- is a vital treasure.
For more information about the Symphony’s upcoming programs, visit http://www.njsymphony.org/