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From Chi-town to the Jersey Shore

Filed Under: Main by Jerry Nunn

Two hometown girls returned to their roots this week first with Jennifer Hudson making two appearances on Monday. She went to Weight Watchers then  ended the day by signing her memoir I Got This at Barnes & Noble. I felt 300 pounds next to the skinny chanteuse when I took a picture with her. What an inspiration for the new year. Her PR people know how to time things and were really nice to let me photograph her last minute. Her social media folks turned the tables on me and interviewed me about meeting Jennifer afterwards. Then there was Team Griffin landing in a snowbank at the Chicago Theatre for two shows. Kathy brought the funny and the dish to tons of gays and women in the audience. Unfiltered and mouthy just the way we like her, she took on the Kardashians, Hasselbeck, and Paltrow with a little baby Blue Ivy in the mix. After chatting for over two hours she left the crowd ready for her new talk show in April on Bravo.

Then I jetted over to The Kills at the Riviera. This was rocking good show with two drummers pounding away and more hair flipping than a Poison concert! They reminded me of The Pixies with their retro sound and did not disappoint in that regard.

Saturday was “t-shirt time” with Jersey Shore the Musical. The cast captured the essence of our Jersey fist pumpers. My favorite was Nathan Stoner as Angelina. The accent, mannerisms, and wig were spot on. Erin Johnson as Sammi was a sweetheart after the show and had the cast pose with me. She is much nicer than the real Sammi let me tell you…

Bring some liquor with you when visit the show but keep the noise down as the audience got drunker they talked out loud at the performance I attended. Let Snooki be the messy one not you!
I finished out my east side experience with a Real Housewife of New Jersey Melissa Gorga at Spin Nightclub. She was so sweet and nice as when I interviewed her earlier a few weeks ago. Joe was a great sport and took pics with all his gay fans until the wee hours of the morning. What a week, yeah boy!!!

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Interview of the Week: Holland Taylor

Filed Under: Main by Jerry Nunn

New York actress Holland Taylor recently debuted her production of Ann for Broadway in Chicago. She personifies and brings to life the story Ann Richards, the late Texas governor, in a one-woman show with a simple set and a self-written script.

At lunch one day Ms. Taylor discussed the legend of Ann and Holland’s stellar television career from Bosom Buddies to Two and a Half Men.

Jerry Nunn: That Ann Richards was quite a pistol. I just saw your performance the other night.

Holland Taylor: Oh, good. I’m glad you saw it. She was actually a huge person as you could tell from seeing the play.

JN: What inspired you to make a one-woman show about her?

HT: Inspiration is the answer. Some people would just look from a distance and assume that I made a practical or professional decision to do a one-person show and that I was looking for a subject. First of all I am too old to do a one-person show. I would never say at this time in my life, “I would like to shoulder the complete responsibility for a very expensive production and do it for months and months!” I wouldn’t do that.

JN: Of course not, and you had met her in the past correct?
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Fly Away with In the Heights

Filed Under: Main by Jerry Nunn
Two Broadway in Chicago shows flew into town this week. I originally planned to pick the best one and trash the other one. The problem is there are good and bad sides to both projects. Critics have been kind and tough on them both as well.This is the perfect time to get out of our snow covered homes and take in performances that are not to be missed from Broadway.
In the Heights is a Latino musical set in the barrio of Washington Heights. Launching in 2008 where it was nominated for 13 Tony Awards the bright and energetic take on dreams is a little long but full of heart.
In contrast Come Fly Away is only 90 minutes with no intermission. It has been cut down from the original New York version to play better in Vegas.
Come Fly Away follows a loose plot with a variety of characters set to Frank Sinatra music with choreography by Twyla Tharp.
The show originally had a singer in New York but she was cut to focus more on Ol’ Blue Eyes. There is a live a band and the dancers lose their shirts and one even his pants so what else do you want in an audience full of blue hairs?
In the Heights uses non union actors this time around for their tour.  The set is smaller than New York and some of the cast is a little rough around the edges but overall the modern choreography wins out. I love the spray cans being used in a dance sequence.
A new friend Celina Polanco has a motherly dramatic speech that makes the audience take notice. I just wished the salon could have been run by a Latina drag queen. “Tell me something I don’t know” okay?
Fly Away really has some strong numbers to go with those extensions. Another new friend to the show Julius Rubio lifted those ladies like they were light in the Sinatra loafers.
Eye candy and light antics were what Twyla was obviously going for.
If you go to either one or both they have their moments with very stylized choreography. Want more of a story? Hit the Heights. Want a classy crooner? Don’t delay to Fly Away.
In the Heights is over quick to run to the Oriental Theatre before January 15. Come Fly Away swings into the next town after January 22.
Visit http://broadwayinchicago.com for tickets and details.

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Top 10 Albums of 2011

Filed Under: Main by Jerry Nunn

Music seemed to thrive in 2011 despite a bad economy. People really enjoy forgetting their problems, rolling their tops down and blasting the latest tunes.

While interviewing many music artists I tend to avoid the question about their opinion on the music biz. It usually goes sour with frustration over stolen music and labels not promoting enough. Luckily there is iTunes and YouTube to find what is coming out next.

These are my favorite albums and yes we still call it that even those most people buy singles these days. For this list I was looking for the complete package that really stood out from the pack!

10 Duran Duran/All You Need Is Now

Mark Ronson knows how to shake off the dust and spotlight a group’s strength, they played twice in Chicago this year to sold out crowds. Guess who was there to photograph them?

9 Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday

Not only did she bring the crazy female voice into rap but she opened for Britney and stole the show!

8 Lady Gaga/Born This Way

Although not the pop album everyone wanted, she made a gay anthem hit the radio waves, went country, and sang in German, never boring…

7 David Guetta/Nothing But the Beat

Instead of taking away the voice of the artist with beats, this DJ/producer knows how to highlight someone like SIA in unique ways.

6 Cults/Cults

Haunting vocals from Madeline made this Sony debut a surprise. See them at Smart Bar in April.

5 Pitbull/Planet Pit

Armando took over the world this year helping J Lo revive a struggling music career. Put the needle on this record to get the party started!

4 Ellie Goulding/Lights

This British lass covered Elton John’s “Your Song” and crossed the pond to play live twice in the windy city this year.

3 Florence + The Machine/ Ceremonials

Catching the tail end of 2011 with a follow up to her Lungs made Flo a diva live and angelic at the same time.

2 Adele/21

She made an album on her own terms, dressed like a lady and was surprisingly played on the radio. Hopefully she gets her voice back for the new year.

1 Foster the People/Torches

The nicest guys ever bring a full album that gets better with repeated listens. Their after Lollapalooza show at the Hard Roc

k was amazing and they return next year with one my favs Tokyo Police Club.

It’s interesting to note all of the artists on my top ten played live in Chicago. What a great city we live in see the acts bust their chops in small to large venues.

Let’s see what Madonna, Alanis Morissette, and Garbage can bring to the table for 2012!

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Gift Guide

Filed Under: Main by Jerry Nunn

It’s getting down to the wire with a few weeks left to go for holiday shopping. Here are a few last minute gift ideas for the special people in your life.

Every Gaga fan will go crazy over this picture book where photographer Terry Richardson followed around the Lady herself with over 350 pictures from behind the scenes to out front and out loud. Being a visual artist shows she needs no words to be a show stopper! Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson is only $50.00 at booksellers everywhere, rah rah.

Everyone has a sweet tooth and Praim makes some chocolate bars that need to be stuffed in a stocking. Can you say “cho-ho-ho-colate?”

When hanging the decorations play some music from Glee: The Christmas Album vol. 2. “Let It Snow” and “Blue Christmas” never sounded so good from the Fox hit television show.

For spirits try Voli Light Vodkas available in fruity flavors that the Real Housewives are said to adore. The world’s first vodkas that are low in calories make this beverage worry free for the New Year.

Also, mix up 1 1/2 oz Hennessy VS, 5 raspberries, 1 oz creme de cacao, and 1 oz heavy creme to make  a Hennessy Holiday Berry Frost served in a frosted martini glass, yum!Get slap happy as the Slap Watch is taking over and recently featured on our friend Ellen Degeneres’ show. What time is it? It’s time to slap one on!

Dinner and a show are important to make the season bright on date night. Drop in early for happy hour at Flemings Prime Steakhouse on Grand where 5 appetizers, 5 cocktails and 5 wines are offered for $6 each. It’s one of the best kept secrets  in the city for the value, shhhh. Then run like a reindeer to Donny & Marie’s Christmas in Chicago show before it closes on December 24 at the Ford Center or try A Christmas Story the Musical at the Chicago Theatre through the 31st. Hopefully this gives some secret Santas some ideas on where to shop and what to buy. Happy holidays to all and to all a goodnight!

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Celebs in the City

Filed Under: Main by Jerry Nunn
Forget La La Land and that big island New York, Chicago really is the place to spot and hang out with celebrities. First off almost everyone comes through here (except for Kylie on her last tour, I just can’t get that out of my head) for concerts, promotional appearances and now The Rosie Show.
If you are downtown on Michigan Avenue your chances are big that you might spot one shopping or on their way to their event. For my stalker celebrity friends, is it really worth being kicked out of their hotel or escorted away by security? Some would say yes (sigh) but I would much rather have lunch or a drink with them after an interview.
After writing several travel stories out of the country it was time to stay at home for a bit, attend events and get back to interviewing.
The Human Rights Campaign have been working for decades for equal rights in the workplace. Their gala was so fun and I spoke to Piper Perabo about her support of our people and appearances in movies playing a lesbian. I felt downright Coyote Ugly in this picture with her but what am I gonna ask for a retake? The singer Tiffany, who recently brought down the house at the House of Blues, and I chatted about her life in my hometown of Nashville. Her and her husband are so warm and I could have talked their ears off all night.
The day after I went to brunch at Big Chicks and hung with Young Sun Han and his boyfriend for meatball sandwiches. He is currently on a successful run with Bravo’s Work of Art. Winning three challenges in a row and bringing attention to gay issues makes this Sun one to watch on the show. It was adorable as several people in the bar came up to Young and showed their appreciation for his work.
I met Princess who is high on being the next RuPaul Drag Race Doll and now finally performing in Chicago after a successful Nebraska and Indiana tour. With three Chicago contestants hopefully we will have a winner out of the bunch or it is going to be a long winter for them. I have known Dida since she was in diapers at About Face Theatre and Phi Phi I will grow to love with that style. Remember lyp-sinc for for your lives ladies or you will never be a queen!
I had lunch with Holland Taylor the next day. She is from television’s  Two and a Half Men who just debuted her one-woman show Ann for Broadway in Chicago. It tells the story of Texas Governor Ann Richards to a new generation. It was such a delight to spend the afternoon with her and hear her stories. What a phenomenal talent she is.
So many celebrities love being in the windy city. Despite the weather the fans are down to earth and not afraid to gush around them. LA and New York people in general are into their own world or taught to ignore someone who is famous because it is the cool thing to do. So next time you see one don’t be afraid to show your appreciation and say hi. Have you spotted your favorite celebrity today?

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O vs. Ro

Filed Under: Main by Jerry Nunn
Living in Chicago has its advantages and many chances to be on television. I have been lucky enough to experience a few talk shows in my life. I flew to New York to be in the audience of Wendy Williams and in LA sat in the front row of Jimmy Kimmel.
In my own hometown I asked a question on Jenny Jones “Why are those whores laughing onstage, Jenny?” and on Jerry Springer I watched him take an attractive audience member’s phone number, what a dirty old man! He also planted actors in his audience to stir things up. People still love to scream “Jerry! Jerry! ” to me all the time in his honor.
Oprah Winfrey has filmed her show in the windy city since it’s beginnings as Good Day Chicago. I always felt connected with by us both moving from the south to make it in the big city.
To kick off her last season she shut down Michigan Avenue to throw a huge concert and I landed a few tickets to the show. Arriving at 12 pm luckily I was moved towards the front. Little did I know that was where the best dancers for the flash mob would be. The crowd surprised Oprah and the Black Eyed Peas with a huge dance routine that is on YouTube if you want to check it out. She was very friendly with the crowd and not the diva that I worried about but genuinely nice to people.
I wanted the studio show experience and after tracking down the right person wound up on a show about porn stars. After the show taped Oprah took questions from the audience and the mic went to me. It happened in slow motion. Oprah said, “Let’s get a man’s opinion. So are you married?” I screamed “No, I’m gay!” Then I did this raise the roof move straight from Kathy Griffin who I later told about the incident). I exclaimed, “Where my peeps at?” and it was all straight women around me in bright colored clothing. I told Oprah that I just wanted to state that I write a gay porn column and gays use condoms more that straight porn does. O said, “Well, isn’t that interesting. Are there any straight men in the audience?” I quickly sat down.
Rosie O’Donnell took over Harpo Studios recently. I interviewed her to promote the show and invited her to Showtunes Sunday at Sidetrack. I didn’t think she would come with her moving into a new house and the new show starting. To my surprise she did and I got there right after she left! I felt horrible and brought her flowers to the studio.
I attended a taping the week after because I love Sharon and Kelly Osbourne who were there for an interview. Rosie was so much fun and makes everyone feel right at home. The experience was similar to Oprah except with O we sang a karaoke challenge while with Ro you are fed cupcakes and bottled water. The studio is kept cold that Rosie mentions for menopausal reasons so hold your water! Boys2Men performed and we took home gift bags and CDs. No cars but what do you expect on the first year? I hope Rosie finds her legs with this show. The stand-up is getting funnier and the game show segment is a hoot. She has enlisted some big named friends to help out. Hopefully The Rosie Show will last even more than 25 years of O!

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