April 3, 2009

I called Lisa Estridge to thank her for saving the day at the "Legends!" performance. I had been emailing her but hadn't heard back. So I left her a voicemail message and she called me back saying that the event and its subsequent press had been great for her. That an agent had signed her because of it and she has been very busy going to auditions. And nothing has come of it for me! But that's not unusual. I am rarely asked to audition because I'm thought of as an "exotic." Probably most of the people in the audience at the "Legends!" event had never even heard me speak onstage, even though I have, a lot!

When I was visiting Scott Wittman up in Salisbury Mills the other day, we watched a bit of the Al Jolson movie "Mammy" c. 1931. Then I noticed a friend had sent me this photo of Al checking out the two dancing men in the movie "Wonder Bar."



Here's a photo of me with Lily Tomlin and another Al -- Alexis Del Lago. Taken at Akbar in Silverlake (Los Angeles).



How about a photo of 1970s NYC disco diva Rollerena? The old gal is still around; I saw her on Christopher St. a few months ago.



Here I am with Fabio, the night of "Legends!" You can see how nutty my wig was in the shot. It was nuttier in the second act than the first!

April 2, 2009

Here's another photo article about the "Legends!" event, with photos not previously seen.

March 30, 2009

"Legends!" appears in the print edition of New York Magazine.



By the way, I went to see the show "Happiness" at Lincoln Center, starring Ken Page, Joanna Gleason and Hunter Foster. Songs by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie who wrote the musical "Grey Gardens." I enjoyed it very much. A metaphysical cross between "A Chorus Line" and the subway thriller movie "The Taking of Pelham, One, Two, Three!"

I enjoyed a couple of days in the country with Scott Wittman, watching old Kay Francis and Loretta Young movies.

March 28, 2009

There were no critics invited to "Legends!" It was a one-night staged reading, not a preview of an official production. Of course, everybody's a critic, especially in a democracy where the internet is popular.

A Provincetown drag queen who finagled a ticket to "Legends!" for himself had these excerpts to say about the show on his blog. I've removed some of his ruder comments that really have nothing to do with the show: "I am not sure this will interest anyone outside of NYC but last night I had the pleasure of attending 'Legends!' at Town Hall starring drag divas Charles Busch and Lypsinka and TV host and movie star Whoopi Goldberg. 'Legends!' is a tired old play about two faded rival movie stars whose careers need reviving. The conflict begins when a young upstart playwright has the perfect stage vehicle for the two of them, but will they put their differences aside and agree to star in this possible hit? Who cares! John Epperson (Lypsinka) has done his very best to refresh the play with some new jokes and current pop references...but the entire cast knows it is a stinker and occasionally they slyly state this throughout the performance letting the audience in on the joke and taking the sting away from the sluggish play. That being said, watching Charles and Lypsinka duke it out on stage was wonderfully entertaining. Lypsinka looked lovely and thin in a gorgeous purple dress accented by oodles of diamonds and a fur cape. And Charles can command the stage [to the degree that] everyone leaves satisfied.

Sadly Whoppi Goldberg called in sick due to the flu.

All in all the event was a huge success and raised lots of money for Friends In Deed-The Crisis Center For Life Threatening Illness. Besides that we were witness to history: this was the first time that the play 'Legends!' was every performed on a NYC Stage. Hopefully it will be the last."

I guess this is what is called a mixed review! But I smell the bitter odor of sour grapes. And the onstage character is not a playwright, but a producer.

Another person who is a culture maven, and is someone I know and have socialized with, apparently got himself a free ticket (to a benefit) and then wrote about the event. I didn't read his "review" but I'm told he supports the cast but finds the play unsalvageable, racist and internally homophobic. I can understand why he thinks the play is unsalvageable (we all knew going in that the play has that reputation; that was one of our selling points!) and racist (all the characters are archetypes -- the sassy black housekeeper, the bitchy movie star, the goody two-shoes, the conniving producer, etc.), but I'm not sure about the "internally homophobic." I'm curious to know how he justifies that. (I haven't actually read his comments; they were reported to me by Michael B., the publicist for the event.)

And he left out misogynist! Many people think drag is inherently misogynist, and they are usually women. But let me point out that Gloria Steinem (who probably wouldn't remember this) told me she enjoyed my act because it was a sendup of the kind of behavior she was encouraged to display when growing up.

Some theatre people also think if you read the good reviews, you have to read the bad ones too. Here are some of the quotes from emails I received:

From a legit online theatre critic (full disclosure - I've known him for over 30 years), major-publication-journalist, and memoirist: "You were genius last night. Congrats on LEGENDS! .. you were amazing and funny and even a bit moving at times ... I loved the way you were able to underplay and be outrageously funny all at the same time. So proud of you. And it was a good cause too."

The artistic director of a downtown theatre: "John, last night was so SWELL! What a truly great night for a bad play. There were times I was laughing so hard I almost wet my pants - your entrance for example. And then when Charles flubbed up the lines toward the end. I hope you all were having as much fun as it seemed you were having. It was one of those magical NYC evenings I dreamed of when I was growing up in the Midwest."

An Off Broadway director (and good pal of Charles B.): "Congratulations to you on on a wonderful evening! Just stellar work. Your performance was absolutely pitch perfect -- delicious, hilarious and touching -- and your adaptation of Mr. Kirkwood's play was just scrumptious. You looked absolutely stunning, and it's always a thrill to get to see you play a role as well as give us a taste of of your peerless lip-syncing. Thank you for rescuing this play and getting it on a New York stage. I nearly got to see it lo those many years ago with Misses Martin and Channing but missed the booking by a week. I am so happy to have gotten to see it at last with Busch and Lypsinka. Aren't we all!!!"

Famous playwright: "Well, congrats on an evening of great fun. You can't say they didn't fall for you -- especially on your entrance. I think a good time was had by all. I thought the costumes were wonderful. Of course, the absence of Whoopi was disappointing, but in the end...you and Charles were the show. Supporting cast first rate. Dancing birthdaygram was a big hit. Bryan Batt fine. Fran Liebowitz was a surprising theatre pro and got her laughs! And one should give credit to the understudy, too. She seemed secure and didn't throw you or Charles ever. Christine was great in warming us up to her."

A friend who works in the "display" world: "john!!!!! i saw the show last night!
the show was such fun-i laughed and laughed-you looked amazing, and your moment
of dance and lip-synching was electrifying as always-god, you're great!
so happy to see you on stage again-your energy with charles was awesome."

A friend in the graphic design business: "Sorry I wasn't able to let you know sufficiently [last night] about how much I enjoyed myself and how good 'Legends!' was. Wow--I hope it gets a second life! There was so much dialogue I'd like to ponder over, and so many lines that had me absolutely doubled over. I must also say that Bryan Batt was wonderful. The Brad Pitt call and the hash brownie routine were priceless! Your entrance alone was worth the price of admission. And your ad lib when Charles stole your line. That was a brilliant moment."

Broadway and TV actress: "Thank you for your wonderful, TRUE, touchingly hilarious performance and presence. I had such a delicious time. At last I have had a glimpse of Lypsinka...I love her almost as much as I love you!!!"

Stage manager friend: "I don't think there could have possibly been any more applause on Lyp's entrance. And you looked gorgeous! Everyone else in the cast was wonderful. Truly a great evening of theater. My dear friend, Wayne, came to see the show and this is from an email he sent me yesterday: 'I had never seen Lypsinka perform before. Amazing!! Please tell him that she was hilarious and...I am now a total fan. A very smart performer, no? She balanced the line of being in the apartment and on stage so hilariously.' I couldn't agree more with his statement. Bravo to you, John, and brava to La Lyp!!"

From an employee of the managing office that handles the building I live in: "Well, I can certainly understand why the play never got to Broadway - what a clunker. Of course, refreshed with your input, and the casting, the evening was totally delightful. Thank you for sharing the fun!"

An African-American friend who works at a museum and has written some non-fiction works about popular culture: "let me be the first to congratulate you. the play was a success--everyone loved it (and the reporter in me was, most certainly, listening). i'm so proud of you for pulling this off. whoopi who? this was YOUR baby and i appreciate and respect all the hard work you put into it--and you even had a musical number--YOU BLACK BITCH!!! (yes you--not whoopi's understudy!--who, by the way, was fantastic.) the play had everything: sex, comedy, bitchiness, a dance number, a striptease, a pot-induced breakdown, a carol burnett show-like audience pleasing moment when you all stepped out of character--'she did that in every rehearsal,' and a musical finale. bravo!"

From Charles Busch: "It really was a great night. You should be very proud of yourself as writer and actor. You really did a great job in both roles. I'm very glad you involved me."

March 27, 2009

I am listening to The Grand Canyon Suite and hope to finish here tonight what took place Monday and Tuesday.

As usual, I was the last one out of the theatre. It always takes me awhile to get off the makeup and pack it up, and all the other gear. Fortunately, I had Rodd Sovar to help me. Friends In Deed had got a donation from a car service called Attitude, so I was able to put all my bags in the car while I went to the party. I don't do well at parties like that, so I admit I had a Maredsous ale from Belgium to make me more of a "people person."

At the party Michael Borowski was waiting for me. Libba Wilkes and her daughter Alexandra were also at the front door. They had come up from Mississippi to see the show, but I had told them in advance that I probably wouldn't be able to talk to them much at the party. I introduced Libba to David Zippel and his partner. Michael B. pointed me towards Ken Kleiber and I did an on-camera interview with him. Due to the powerful ale and the headiness of the whole thing, a lot of the party is blurry. I chatted with Elisa Lefkowitz, the literary executor of the Kirkwood estate, and Arthur Beckenstein, the beneficiary. Both of them were pleased and excited. Arthur's partner was also pumped, and a friend of theirs from Buenos Aires was very effusive about the evening. Cy O'Neal was there; John Kelly, too. I was re-introduced to Ultra Violet who I hadn't seen for 20 years. Michael then pushed me toward a New York Magazine reporter who was doing a story about the party.

I got home very late (the car had to make a detour coming down Seventh Avenue) but I was too wired to go to sleep immediately. So I watched the end of the finale of RuPaul's Drag Race! I found out from Charles the next day that he was up until after 4 am. I fell asleep at 3, but woke up at 6!

Biff Liff, agent for the estate, called about 11:20 Tuesday morning to tell me how much he enjoyed the evening, and that he would speak with Elisa and Arthur.

I stumbled through the day, receiving calls and answering emails, and did take a nap at 4 pm for one hour. I could have gone longer, but knew I needed to get back on a regular schedule, so I made myself stay awake. At 7:30 I left my apartment to walk to Orso where I had dinner with Libba, Alexandra and Fabio. We were there for over 3 hours! We had a lot of fun yakking and eating.

J.C. McClatchy was there by himself reading a book at a nearby table. I had met him before, and our eyes met, but I wasn't sure he remembered me, so I didn't say hello. He left, and then Gloria Steinem sat at his table! She was with 2 women, one of whom I met at "33 Variations" and was told at the time that she was Ms. Steinem's best friend.

"Guys and Dolls" must have had an early curtain, because Craig Bierko arrived for dinner with friends at the table next to ours.

During the day, I was hearing about all the celebs at the show the night before: Stephen Sondheim, Joel Schumacher, Liz Smith, Michael Kors, etc. And someone mentioned a visually stunning redhead, but no one knew who she was.

Well, there at Orso, in walked a visually stunning redhead, and all heads turned and a hush came over the place. I told Libba, Alexandra and Fabio about the redhead I had heard about the night before, and maybe that was her! I dared Alexandra to go to her table and ask if she was at the show the night before. Alexandra did, and it turned out to be Barbara Flood who was a model in the 1960s and was one of the investors caught up in the Bernie Madoff mess!

Fabio and I walked Libba and Alexandra to 34th and 7th and then put them in a cab to 34th and Lex. Fabio and I walked to my place, and said goodnight.

Wow! What an incredible last few days. As a Facebook friend of mine said (quoting Susan Hayward in the movie "Valley of the Dolls") we really rolled with the punches on Monday!

March 26, 2009

After much adrenaline and not much sleep, I have come out of my fog to deliver the post-mortem.

For those who have wondered, Cheyenne Jackson had hoped to play the role of The Policeman (not the stripper) but had to bow out a few days before the show because of his commitments to "Finian's Rainbow" at City Center that starts tonight. So Mark Waldrop got Todd DuBail to play The Policeman and he was excellent. (Todd can be seen here in the first photo on this link. Wow!) Dashaun Young, sweet and sexy, played Boom-Boom the stripper. Dashaun is currently playing Simba in "The Lion King" on Broadway.

Monday morning I got the word that Whoopi was sick and would not be appearing on The View that day, and would try to get to the theatre at 6:30 p.m. (Rehearsal was scheduled onstage at 1:00 p.m. Dinner break was scheduled for 6 to 7. House open at 7:30.) I didn't see how this could work, and found it disheartening. But when I thought about the fact that Lisa Estridge, Whoopi's "rehearsal proxy," was well-rehearsed, and that the costumes could be altered to fit her, I took heart again.

I couldn't find my cell phone that morning, so I wasn't hearing from the car service. They had my land line number but weren't using it for whatever reason. I did finally hear from them and arrived at the theatre about seven minutes late. But because of the construction across the street, and the fact that the driver wasn't thinking fast enough, he wasn't able to stop in front of the theatre and had to drive all the way around the block again. Then when he got to the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street he couldn't make a left turn! So he went east several yards and made a U-turn that was probably illegal. I got to the theatre at 12:15 and thankfully Kimothy Cruise was waiting for me and helped me with all my stuff. (If I didn't have so much stuff to transport, car service or taxi wouldn't be necessary.)

Charles was already in the dressing room. I unpacked my things and we started putting on our microphones with the help of a very nice sound guy named Andy who works with Matt Berman. That was all easy enough. Dashaun rehearsed his number at 1 p.m. and they were ready for us at 1:30 as scheduled, with Charles, Bryan and me in costume. We started at the beginning and steadily worked our way through the show. Around 4 pm we got the word that Whoopi would not be doing the show and Lisa was taken downstairs for the alterations. We continued to work without her and when it was time to stage the bows, she was brought back wearing her first dress inside out because that's the way they were marking and pinning it for the alterations (she's smaller than Whoopi). The bows were staged and the only thing left to do was for me to rehearse my number (Charles was to have a number, too, but he decided to cut it).

There was a sound problem that had to be worked out, and I saw Roma Torre and Donna Karger waiting in the audience, so I introduced myself to them. Donna and I had met briefly before; she's very shy. And very chic in person. Tiny and thin like a model. Roma is also a very lovely woman, and not shy at all. These two ladies were part of the surprises we had planned. They both appear on a popular theatre program on the local cable television news channel we have in New York called NY1. It's on channel 1 on Time Warner Cable, and their show is called "Onstage." Donna is the host of "Onstage" and Roma is a theatre critic. I'm going to brag and say it was my idea to have Donna come onto the stage at the end of intermission and make the usual kind of introduction she makes on "Onstage" and then introduce Roma who would give her fake review of the first act of "Legends!" Her fake review would segue into a pitch for Friends In Deed. This all worked beautifully, and the next day NY1 ran a short segment about it that you can see right here. It's amazing how the media loves to feed off of, and plug, itself!

The sound was fixed. I rehearsed my number with the sound and the follow spot (that I had to put my foot down repeatedly to get, behavior I hate to have to exhibit; I wasn't raised to stick up for myself and it doesn't come easily to me) and then it was time for a bite to eat a little after 5:30.

In the dressing room, Louis Braun the makeup guy had set himself up. Just before 6 we started makeup. I didn't like the eyelashes Louis put on me; they were too severe and not appropriate for the character, so I made him change them. He wasn't happy. Again, something I shouldn't have to go through, but what's right for the show is right for the show.

Gerard Kelly arrived with the wig at 7 and it looked nice. He had added some more copper highlights at my request and seemed to have washed and freshened it so it didn't look like it had too much product in it. We put the microphone under it and Gerard styled it, and that was done.

Lisa was sent to Louis and I wasn't in the room when he did her makeup. He made her look very nice (I had never seen Lisa without her eyeglasses, or wearing any makeup, and she had always had her hair pulled back in a pony tail) but he had put glitter on her eyelids. That was totally wrong, because she has to be able to fool Leatrice into thinking she works for Sylvia, and it's just another day at work. So the glitter was removed. With her wig and costume, Lisa looked spectacular. It was like a Cinderella moment. She said she was ready to throw up, but she was smiling the whole time. I think she was loving it, and later on one of the dressers told me Lisa was very excited. I told her she was a pro, and she would be fine, and she was all that, and more. She was just great! Read about her success here from Playbill.com.

Christine Ebersole was already planning to come to the show and I think it was Michael Borowski's idea to have Christine go onstage and let the audience know that Whoopi wouldn't be there. There were signs on the front doors of the theatre teling the public that Whoopi would not be there, and plenty of buzz in the lobby about the fact, but it was important to make an announcement. Christine also encouraged the audience to be supportive of Lisa, and they were. She got an ovation when she appeared.

Fran Lebowitz was the narrator of the show, she got her laughs I'm told at the beginning of the evening. I was in the dressing room (my character doesn't appear for about 15 or 20 minutes) so I wasn't able to hear everything. But I couldn't stand it any longer so I went down to the wings to hear what was working, and what might not. I heard Bryan getting laughs and when Charles made his interest the show really started to cook and I was very proud. Proud of my own work, and proud to hear Kirkwood's text finally getting New York laughs.

Charles and I were both shaking onstage, filled with adrenaline and nerves, but I tried to keep my performance cool and not push. I hope I succeeded. Dashaun of course got a huge ovation; he and the choreographer Josh Rhodes did fine jobs.

During intermission the hair and makeup people freshened us and Patrick McMullan and Bruce Glikas came backstage to get photos of all of us: Christine, Charles, Lisa, Bryan, Todd, Dashaun, Fran, Donna, Roma, Mark, Josh and me. See Patrick's photos here. His associate took the production photos. See Bruce's photos here.

I think we were more relaxed during the second act, but, as Charles says, the play is a souffle that you have to work hard to keep light. The audience was response was enormous and the event was pure showmanship thanks to the director Mark Waldrop and others.

More photos were taken afterwards (with Fabio Toblini the costume designer and Ray Klausen the set designer) and there was a weird autograph hound who got backstage. Bored with that, I decided it was time to get out of all the trappings and face packing up. I'm going to publish this post now, and finish the rest of the evening and the event of the next day later on. Maybe later today. Thanks to everyone who attended the show, or were interested in it!

March 22, 2009

I hardly spoke yesterday to save my voice.

Another long rehearsal today. I walked to the Friends In Deed space, and then I wore that tight costume for hours! The show is tighter, too. Charles and I seem to know what we're doing.

We'd been rehearsing the cast couple of times with the furniture for the show. At 6 the stage managers arrived and taped it all up for moving it to the theatre tomorrow. Darrin Maurer showed up for that.

Bryan has a cold. (I just sneezed; that reminded me; I seem to have allergies.) But he's still doing a fine job.

We staged the finale. The choreographer Josh Rhodes was there for that. Turns out I worked with Josh years ago on a number that we were going to do at Wigstock, which got cancelled that year for some reason I've forgotten. City problems, I think. Could have been 96. Anyway, we did some of the show, including my number, at The Palladium that year and called the event Wig-Not. And, of course, now The Palladium is gone.

I walked home from Friends In Deed. Picked up things for the dressing room.

When I got home, Fabio Toblini, the costume designer for the event, had sent me this photo of himself holding my Oscar prop.



Another friend in Mississippi sent this Mardi Gras costume winner. Very funny!