THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Cinema

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Zac Efron Stays Seventeen

If you missed this summer's Hairspray or don't have any children in your life to bombard you with High School Musical mania, then you probably still don't know that Zac Efron is the hottest teen idol in America right now. And he's about to see his profile raised even past his niche demographic with three new projects. First, he'll star in the screen-to-Broadway-to-screen-again musical version of Footloose. After that, he's being courted by two gay directors. Hairspray helmer Adam Shankman wants to place Efron in Seventeen, a Big-like story of a 38-year-old man who becomes young again and goes to school with his own kids; and director Greg Berlanti is Zac-focused on his new feature Bridge and Tunnel. With all this potential work on his plate, when will Efron find time to do High School Musical 3? Stay tuned.

Dolly's on the Broadway Clock with 9 to 5

Although there are no firm production dates yet, Dolly Parton is moving full speed ahead on the Broadway musical version of her hit 1980 film, 9 to 5. The legendary country singer and gay icon is already hard at work writing songs for the show about three women struggling in an oppressive workplace, in which female employees make up most of the staff but don't get to make the rules. Early readings steered by Wicked director Joe Mantello featured Allison Janney and Bebe Neuwirth in key roles, and Parton has told the press that she hopes to have the show ready for a Los Angeles workshop version in 2008 with an eye toward a 2009 Broadway opening. Can it be less than a smash with Dolly involved?

Leo and Kate Together Again for Rudin

It's not like they've resisted the idea, but the Titanic duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet has yet to appear together again on screen. Until now. Gay uber-producer Scott Rudin's latest project, Revolutionary Road, based on Richard Yates' novel, will reunite the pair as a mid-1950s married couple, struggling to raise their children, maintain their marriage, and hold on to their sense of individuality against mid-century pressure to conform. ( Think 'squares' with beatnik souls. ) Co-starring unsinkable Titanic alum Kathy Bates and directed by Winslet's husband, Sam Mendes ( American Beauty ) , the film started shooting this summer. Look for a probable - and Celine-Dion-song-free - 2008 release.

Peaches Testifies for James Brown

'Godfather of Soul' James Brown led an idiosyncratic and sometimes troubled life, and his death hasn't diminished the public fascination with him. Enter a new documentary, Life on the Road with Mr. and Mrs. Brown, featuring details about his controversial last marriage to Tomi Rae Hynie, in addition to the influence he's had on the generations of musicians that have followed him. Directed by Sheile Lussier and Camille Solari ( who've previously worked together on something called Hookers, Inc. ) , the film boasts an impressive array of pop's most successful names, assembled to speak about the hardest-working man in show business: Michael Jackson, Fergie, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, metal band Scorpions, and lesbian electro star Peaches round out the testimonials. No word on whether this posthumous account will surface on big or small screens, but it's sure to be funky.

Romeo San Vicente is the hardest working man in his apartment. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com .