Hairspray star Harvey Fierstein has lined up his first post-Broadway role. When Fierstein wraps his run as Edna Turnblad this summer, he'll report to work for queer producing wunderkinds Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, who have convinced him to go primetime in a new ABC television sitcom.
Fierstein will also co-executive produce the series, in which he's expected to play a strong-willed blue-collar mom. The drag icon will tackle the matriarch role as straight as a queen can—think Roseanne rather than The Birdcage. The search is on for a writer to pen the still-untitled pilot, which Meron and Zadan hope to shoot in New York. The new show is expected to air in early 2004.
Lane Lands Agent Gig
Out actor Nathan Lane has a new job ... as an agent. Lane is set to star as a Hollywood power broker in the next big-screen flick from campy comedy director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde). Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! centers on a Hollywood bad boy (played by former General Hospital hunk Josh Duhamel), whose partying and womanizing would put Colin Farrell to shame.
With Hamilton's reputation and box-office appeal at risk, his PR-savvy agent (Lane) orchestrates a charity contest in which one lucky fan will win a date with the matinee idol. The plan takes an interesting turn when an innocent grocery clerk from West Virginia (played by Blue Crush babe Kate Bosworth) wins the date—and Tad's affections. Hamilton rolls before cameras in May.
A Stritch in Time
Broadway diva Elaine Stritch is taking her act to HBO. The cable network, along with the BBC, is doing a documentary called Elaine Stritch at Liberty, based on her Tony Award-winning one-woman show. Currently touring nationally, Stritch's show is a very personal look at her professional life, marriage, and recovery from alcoholism, told through songs and funny monologues. Queer audiences have filled theaters to overflowing to hear about Stritch's relationships with legends like Noel Coward, Ethel Merman, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland. At 78, Stritch still gets standing O's when she sings her signature song, 'The Ladies Who Lunch.' Producing the film is legendary concert documentary producer D.A. Pennebaker (Don't Look Back, Monterey Pop).
Dog in the City
Actor Willie Garson is getting a new best friend. Garson, who plays Stanford Blatch, Carrie's gay pal on Sex and the City, has been cast in a new CBS pilot. The actor—who actually has been friends with Sarah Jessica Parker for more than 15 years—will star in Harry's Girl, a half-hour comedy written by Frasier alum Rob Greenberg, about a neurotic Bridget Jones-like single woman named Nicole. The story will be told from the point of view of Nicole's dog. Once again, Garson plays the best friend, but there's no word yet if he will play it gay—or dress in those crazy Technicolor outfits like he wears on Sex.
Romeo San Vicente used to have a crush on Quincy, M.E. Write2Romeo@yahoo.com .
