David Mamet's The Anarchist—a two-woman drama starring Tony Award winner Patti LuPone and Oscar nominee Debra Winger—will start its 14-week run at Broadway's Golden Theatre Dec. 2, Playbill.com reported. Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, Oleanna, Speed-the-Plow) will direct his 90-minute play (set in a female penitentiary) about "two powerful women forced to engage in a cage match of wits." LuPone first worked with Mamet in The Woods in 1977; this will be Winger's Broadway debut.
Elton John got cheeky on the French Riviera when he mooned actor Michael Caine as their yachts passed each other, according to The Mirror. Onlookers at the playground of St Tropez say the antics brought laughter from the crews of both yachts, with John looking pleased with himself. John, 65, actually played the same prank on Simon Cowell earlier in the week.
Actress/comedian Mo'Nique is continuing her fight for marriage equality by sending a fundraising email on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) that urges recipients to support same-sex marriage, according to an HRC press release. Mo'Nique, a Maryland native, previously recorded a video for HRC's Americans for Marriage Equality campaign, and delivered a similar message for the Marylanders for Marriage Equality campaign.
In New York City, photos have surfaced of Ben Maisani—the partner of CNN anchor Anderson Cooper—kissing another man, according to the Daily Mail. Reportedly, Cooper (who only recently came out publicly) wanted to marry Maisani as soon as Labor Day. Cooper has been dating Maisani, who owns gay bar Eastern Bloc in Manhattan's East Village, for approximately three years.
Lindsay Lohan is reportedly appearing in Lady Gaga's music video to support Gaga's next studio album, ARTPOP, according to Advocate.com . Lohan—currently filming the the Bret Easton Ellis-scripted drama The Canyons opposite straight porn star James Deen—has become friends with the "You and I" singer.
In Russia, U.S. embassy officials urged Madonna's fans to be very alert after receiving a threat of physical violence at her concert in St. Petersburg, according to the New York Post. A message posted on the U.S. consulate's website read, in part, "U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant regarding their personal security, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas." During the show, Madonna urged the audience to "show your love and appreciation to the gay community. We want to fight for the right to be free."
Out actor Rupert Everett and Freddie Fox will star as, respectively, Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas in David Hare's The Judas Kiss, which will run at the UK's 666-seat Cambridge Arts Theatre in November, according to Cambridge News. Forced to make a choice between his lover and freedom, the production will show the ever-romantic Wilde embarking on a course towards self-destruction. Everett has appeared in such movies as My Best Friend's Wedding, An Ideal Husband and two of the Shrek films (as the voice of Prince Charming).
On Aug. 13, HGTV's House Hunters International profiled the story of Ivan and Devin, a binational couple who previously lived in Washington, D.C., but have been forced abroad because of the Defense of Marriage Act's impact on LGBT couples, according to ImmigrationEquality.org . The show's website says that the couple "built a life together in DC: they worked jobs they loved, shared their home with their beloved dog and exchanged wedding vows. But when Ivan's work visa expired, he had no other choice but to head back to his native Bogota, Colombia, with his American husband, Devin, and their dog, Danger."
Out celeb blogger Perez Hilton is defending Dancing with the Stars pro Derek Hough's appearance at a Utah gay club, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Hilton criticized a National Enquirer article in which a fan said that Hough "threw an impressive hissy fit when I asked for a photo." Hilton said that "we can dream up just as many reasons why someone might not want to be photographed," adding that Hough is dating recent "Dancing" partner Katherine Jenkins.
Dale Olson—a PR executive and entertainment journalist best known as Rock Hudson's spokesman when the actor battled AIDS—has died of liver cancer at 78, Advocate.com reported. Born in Fargo, N.D., Olson moved to Los Angeles in 1951; he eventually joined the homophile organization the Mattachine Society and served as its first national secretary. Olson is survived by husband Eugene Harbin.
Cate Blanchett and Mia Wasikowska are attached to the film Carol, slated to come out next year, IMDB.com noted. Carol is based on Patricia Highsmith's novel The Price of Salt (1952), an erotic thriller that is about the relationship between two women in New York City in the 1950s. Highsmith—who died in 1995 at age 74—also wrote such works as Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
An album featuring the late R&B singer Aaliyah will be released later this year, according to MTV.com . The CD will feature 16 unreleased songs and snippets from the singer blended with contributions from artists such as Drake and Missy Elliott. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001 at age 22.
Writer Bret Easton Ellis has gone beyond criticizing out actor Matt Bomer—he has now gone after gay actor Neil Patrick Harris as well, according to Gather.com . After saying Bomer would be a bad choice to be the lead character in the film adaptation of 50 Shades of Grey because he's gay, Ellis tweeted about Harris. He posted, "Feel complicated about Neil Patrick Harris on How I Met Your Mother—central joke being that he's a gay actor playing a ... womanizer." Ellis then called "How I Met" a "piece of crap," although he likes Harris as a Tony Awards host.
Beyonce recently performed in a different New York City venue: The United Nations. According to Yahoo! Music, she sang "I Was Here" Aug. 10 in the UN's General Assembly Hall in honor of World Humanitarian Day, which is Aug. 19. A music video of the performance will debut the same day. The song is on Beyonce's most recent CD, 4.
Blake Fielder-Civil, the ex-husband of the late singer Amy Winehouse, is in danger of also dying, as the 30-year-old is on life support after an alleged overdose, according to Yahoo! Music. Fielder-Civil's partner, Sarah Aspin, discovered him choking on his vomit in bed; he was then rushed to the hospital and put in a medically induced coma. The media documented Fielder-Civil's history of substance abuse during his two-year marriage to Winehouse.
Actress Rashida Jones of TV's The Office is urging John Travolta to come out of the closet, according to the Huffington Post. Talking with SpinningPlatters.com, Jones (and Celeste and Jesse Forever co-star Will McCormack) discussed out gay actors with Jones saying, "A movie star. Like John Travolta? Come out! Come on. How many masseurs have to come forward? Let's do this." (Jones later apologized for the comment.) Travolta has been dogged by rumors about his sexuality and is facing several lawsuits from men alleging sexual harassment.
In her first major directorial job in television, Jodie Foster is set to direct and executive-produce Angie's Body, a drama project set at Showtime, Deadline.com reported. Angie's Body features a clever, sexy and, when necessary, lethal woman who runs a family-based crime syndicate. This marks the first TV directing/producing gig for Foster, who helmed an episode of the 1980s syndicated series Tales from the Darkside before heading to feature films.
After sustaining an injury on the set of The Good Wife last month, Kristin Chenoweth is leaving her recurring role on the hit CBS show as she continues to recover, People.com reported. In a statement, she said, "It is with deep regret to inform everyone that due to my injuries, I am unable to return to The Good Wife at this time." Chenoweth was injured by a piece of falling lighting equipment while on the Brooklyn set of the show July 11. However, Chenoweth will appear on the series' Sept. 30 season premiere.
Out R&B singer Frank Ocean abruptly dropped out of his European tour— which included a potentially career-making stint opening for Coldplay, the New York Daily News reported. In a statement, Ocean said, "Let me start by saying I feel like an a——— right now. But a tough decision had to be made in regard to my schedule over the next months." He had cut short a show at a Norwegian festival the day before, apparently due to vocal problems.
Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte is going from the pool to the beach with a cameo on the CW show 90210, TheWrap.com noted. Lochte—who will not be swimming in the episode—will be a guest at a resort where characters Naomi and Max are staying. The episode will air Oct. 29. Recently, Lochte expressed interest in being on a reality series such as Dancing with the Stars or The Bachelor.
Comic actress Wendi McLendon-Covey—known for her roles in the movie Bridesmaids and the TV show Reno 911—will guest-star on the ABC show Modern Family as half of a lesbian couple, Entertainment Weekly reported. Saturday Night Live alum Michaela Watkins will portray her partner. McLendon-Covey, who will appear in the third episode of the season, joked that she's looking forward to taking on a role that is completely different than what she's done before—because she's playing a loving mother.
Former Will & Grace co-stars Sean Hayes and Debra Messing will reunite on Messing's new show, Smash, next season, according to TheWrap.com . Hayes will play Terrance Falls, a TV and film comedian who's making his Broadway debut in the musical Liaisons. Smash—which saw the departure of series creator Theresa Rebeck as well as several cast members following its first season—will be a mid-season replacement for its second season.
Sesame Street has an impressive list of guest stars for its upcoming 43rd season, according to TheWrap.com . Among those slated to appear are Halle Berry, Zac Efron, Kristen Bell, David Hyde Pierce (who is out), Don Cheadle, Melissa McCarthy, talk-show host Wendy Williams, NBA player Blake Griffin and Jon Hamm, among others. In addition to the guest stars, the new season, which premieres Sept. 24 on PBS Kids, is adding a new segment, "Elmo! The Musical!"
GLAAD has spotlighted the Aug. 19 episode of the Lifetime drama Drop Dead Diva that addresses FDA's ban on biological donations by gay men, according to a press release. In episode 411 of Drop Dead Diva, titled "Family Matters," a man fighting for visitation rights of his biological child sees his chances of caring for his son drastically reduced because he is a gay man who donated sperm. GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said, "This episode demonstrates how unfair this outdated and biased ban really is."
Ron Palillo—famed for his role as Arnold Horshack on the '70s TV show Welcome Back, Kotter—died of an apparent heart attack Aug. 14 at age 63, Examiner.com reported. Co-star Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein, died at age 60 of a heart attack earlier this year. (The show also starred Gabe Kaplan, John Travolta and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.) Palillo is survived by Joseph Gramm, his partner of 41 years.
George Michael used a foul-mouthed tweet to fire back at critics who accused him of using the Closing Ceremony of the Olympics to promote his new single, "White Light," The Mirror reported. Michael raised eyebrows when he performed the new track while other artists sang their biggest hits. (Michael also performed "Freedom '90.") On Twitter, Michael said, "I hope you are not bothered by the press reports of my scandalous 'promotion.' Please join me in telling them to f*** off."
The legendary Owlwood Estate in Holmby Hills, Calif., that once belonged to Sonny Bono and Cher—and childhood home of Chaz Bono—is on the market for $150 million, the Huffington Post reported. The Tuscan-style estate includes a 12,201-square-foot main house that architect Robert D. Farquhar designed and built in 1936. When it was last listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), the description listed eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms; there are also a pool, pool house and tennis court.
