This is a story of how coming out and riding roller coasters are similar experiences. Let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago, five of my friends and I participated in Six Flags Great Adventure's "Gay Night" where the amusement park was open for us gays (and the straights who love us). So there we were: Six fags at Six Flags for a great adventure -- you didn't think I was going to let that pass without comment, did you? -- where I was chomping at the bit to ride the big, scary rides ... especially the roller coasters.

Now, if you knew me, you'd know that my just looking forward to spending time in an amusement park was ironic. As a kid, I was a huge wuss when it came to ANY big, scary ride. From my childhood deep into my twenties, the closest I ever got to a coaster, in fact, was at a small, local amusement park called Nunley's that had a dinky, pint-sized "coaster." I use the quotes because it wasn't even a good excuse for one.

About eight years ago, my family and I began a yearly tradition of going to Coney Island on Mother's Day to ride The Cyclone -- a serious coaster if there ever was one -- and eat Nathan's hot dogs. And for years I watched from the side, swearing up and down that I would never, EVER ride that thing.

But then fast-forward to the spring of 2001: I was working on a television show where we did a shoot at Disney World's MGM Studios. Our office trailers were right next door to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and, because of that, everyone wanted to go on the ride. Well, um, let me clarify: Everyone but me. But I wasn't about to be laughed at by my co-workers for being a chicken. So I went, sweaty palms and queasy tummy in tow. And man, did I LOVE it. Who freakin' knew? ...

Back in June, I called Tony Award Night the gay equivalent of Super Bowl Sunday. Well, how 'bout Super Bowl Saturday. Yes kids, it's finally happening: 'Legally Blonde' will air on MTV on Saturday, October 13th at 1 PM EST.

Now, what I've tried to do here is give a little theatre to those of you who don't live in New York, or get to come here. What MTV is doing is REALLY bringing the theatre into your home. This is great news.

Like movies and television, theatre provokes emotion -- and even the fluffiest shows can jump-start a conversation. 'Legally Blonde,' for instance, can be the catalyst for talks about women's rights, men vs. women, law, marriage, Chihuahuas, hair extensions and, well, the color pink.

While MTV is sure to rerun the show clear through 2028, I thought I'd give you a peek at a backstage video I found on YouTube. Can I get some snaps for this, please? Watch it after the jump ...

Broadway has a new play, everybody, and it's pretty freakin' great. The play not only has a tip-top ensemble of performers who act their faces off, but it also has writing that gives the audience equal helpings of comedy and suspense. Oh. Did I tell you what it's about? Oops, sorry. It's about stamps, people.

Stamps.

'Mauritius,' pronounced MOR-ee-shus, is written by Theresa Rebeck and currently playing at the gorgeously restored Biltmore Theatre. Here are two random pieces of trivia, folks:

Trivia Tidbit #1: The show's title refers to rare stamps from the island of Mauritius.

Trivia Tidbit #2: When The Muppets put on a show in their 1984 classic, 'The Muppets Take Manhattan,' they did so at the Biltmore.

Anyway ...

At the core, 'Mauritius' is about two sisters who squabble over an album full of (rare and possibly valuable) postage stamps, and it's quite smart, adult and funny. And at just over two hours with an intermission, you can't go wrong ...

Margaret Cho -- the talented, dirty, hilarious, shocking, gay-loving comedienne -- has been making audiences laugh for over 20 years.

Did I write laugh? No, I mean something bigger. I mean spit out your food and have your drink come up through your nose laugh. The fact that she loves and embraces the gays – men, women, MTF, FTM and everyone in between – makes me adore her even more.

Her new show, 'The Sensuous Woman,' currently playing off-Broadway's Zipper Theatre, is one of her most original and outrageous stage outings yet.

For this go-round, she's joined by Los Angeles bellydance and burlesque sensation Princess Farhana, emerging transgendered comic Ian Harvie, the burlesque performer Selene Luna, comic actor Liam Sullivan as internet rock-star Kelly, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Ryan Heffington, New York downtown fave Miss Dirty Martini and sketch comedians Diana Yanez & Kurt Hall of the Gay Mafia Comedy Troupe of West Hollywood.

I was seriously excited to talk to Margaret. I found her to be candid, honest and flat-out cool. We talked about comedy, her love for the homos and trannies and the new show.

And for some reason I wanted her to get sorta dirty like only she can. Did she? Find out after the jump.

With ticket prices climbing, and with every theatre on The Great White Way currently or about-to-be occupied, Broadway producers are scrambling and competing for our hard-earned bucks now more than ever. Often times, those producers have to get creative to market and publicize their shows in unique (and sometimes off-beat) ways that often reflect our high-tech, short-term attention span culture.

Some examples:

If you read this post or this one, you already know that the people behind 'Legally Blonde' are taking a huge gamble by airing the musical in its entirety on MTV on October 13th while it's still running on Broadway. (The show is currently doing moderate -- but far from boffo -- business.) If this MTV plan works, look for other shows to follow suit in some way.

'Spring Awakening,' this year's Tony-winning Best Musical about teenage sexual angst, aggressively went after the high school set (and their parents) this past summer with both MySpace and Facebook pages. The show also posted a pretty cool music video of one of its songs, 'The Bitch of Living,' on its website. (You can watch that here.)

Now come February, 'In The Heights,' an award-winning musical that follows friends and families living in New York City's Washington Heights area (think 'Rent' way uptown), is making the dicey and costly move from a 499-seat off-Broadway house to the 1,300-seat Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway.

That's a ton more tushies to get in that theatre.

Like a lot of New York (and, presumably, non-New York) gays, I make sure to grab a copy of The Sunday New York Times every week. Sure, I like to get my helping of real news, but I admit that I immediately thumb may way to three specific sections: Arts & Leisure, Real Estate and Styles.

Arts & Leisure because it usually has some terrific theatre articles. Real Estate for "The Hunt" column (ahem, in which I was once featured). And The Styles Section for the wedding announcements.

Yes I know, the wedding announcements are way-gay. But since the paper started listing gay and lesbian unions in August 2002, I've been interested in reading about my own brothers' and sisters' love stories. Sure, I admit I also occasionally look for old boyfriends who might have since gotten hitched.

And when I read about the marriage between Jeffery and Matthew (below), I got pretty giddy.

I've kept my mouth shut about the continuing, sad saga of Britney Jean Spears long enough. But I have to end my silence, here and now.

Frankly, it's rare to see a celebrity like Britney -- who's usually surrounded by a protective and highly-paid team of managers, publicists and assistants -- so publicly fall from grace and unravel before our very eyes.

But it seems that Britney thinks she can do it all on her own, without a manager (who just fired her) and without a publicist (who Britney herself fired long ago), but with a few fame-craving and rather chatty assistants.

Britney's performance at the VMA's two weekends ago was awful. We had all hoped we were going to get back the Britney we knew and loved. But instead her dancing was mechanical, zombie-like and lazy, as was her lip-synching, which she all but gave up on midway through the song. (Why even wear a faux microphone? We know you're not singing.) When she turned to the audience at the end of the number to thank the crowd for their (deservedly tepid) applause, you could see it in her eyes that she knew she screwed up. And she DID screw up.

I get angry with celebrities like Britney Spears. I realize it's not easy to constantly live in the glare of the camera, the curiosity of an increasingly media-savvy public and the pursuit of the paparazzi, but a lot of stars do it without incident and without being constant fodder for The Enquirer. (When, for example, was the last time you read about Julia Stiles dancing on the banquettes of The Waverly Inn? You haven't. Get my point?)

And surely Britney could've done a bit less of her supposed partying and a lot more rehearsing the weekend before the VMA's. And because she chose to drink her way through the weekend (again, allegedly), she deserves some ribbing from famed YouTuber, Greg Scarnici: A man in a bikini and wig. 'Nuff said.



Tell me, readers: What do YOU think of all this Britney hoo-ha? Are you sick of it or still fascinated by it?

A few days ago I wrote this post about how Broadway's 'Legally Blonde: The Musical' was going to be broadcast on the used-to-be all music, all the time channel, MTV.

Come on, admit it: You're going tape or DVR or TiVo the heck out of 'Legally Blonde' and watch it until you have every lyric ... every dance move ... every piece of dialogue memorized. I mean, we're talking about a show with a gay love subplot (albeit, a quick one) and a showstopping 'Riverdance'-like number, for cryin' out loud!

OK, I need to calm down. Anyway ...

From what I hear, this week's taping in front of an enthusiastic crowd was quite the event, red pink carpet and E-List reality stars included. With that, I received an e-mail yesterday from a fellow musical lover named Matthew:

Hey Sanford!

I just wanted to let you know that I attended the "Legally Blonde" taping for MTV the other night here in NYC. From the pink carpet, to the stars of "The Hills" parading down the aisle, and of course the show itself, it was quite the event. My friend David and I had a great time and captured it all on camera. Can't wait to see how it turns out when it airs on TV.

-Matt

Anyone who documents anything Broadway is A.O.K. by me. And I think Matt's video is pretty freakin' fantastic. What do YOU think?



'Legally Blonde: The Musical' will air on MTV on Sunday, October 14th. And a big hat-tip to fellow show queen Matt for the e-mail and the video.

I've long admired John Bartlett (right), the man and the fashion designer. The out and proud clothing extraordinaire has a "life experience check-list" that you couldn't possibly make up. Some bits and pieces:

- Graduate from Harvard University, check.

- Launch own label in 1992, check.

- Be the first menswear designer to receive the Perry Ellis Award for Best Newcomer in 1993, check.

- Get the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award in 1997, check.

- Give it all up, at least temporarily ... um, check.

While most of us would probably work until we were blue in the face, John chose to stop, relax and reflect when, in 2002, he packed up his swatches and took a sabbatical to Thailand and Cambodia to study Ashtangha yoga and Buddhism.

Towards the end of 2003, he came back to fashion with a smaller -- and exquisite -- men's collection. And now, he just opened his own signature store in one of the coolest areas of Manhattan.

I recently spoke to the hunky designer about the gay guy's style, his store, his (three-legged) dog and what YOU should have in your closet this Fall.

Read up after the jump ...

I love crisp Saturday nights in New York. The air is cool, but not cold. People are milling about inside and out. The city is your playground. As is somewhat usual with my schedule, I chose this past Saturday night to go to dinner and the theatre with my friend Liza (not Minnelli).

In said crisp weather, we strolled across West 20th Street in Chelsea to catch a new play called 'Scarcity.'

Now, I only knew two things about the show going in: The buzz was really loud (in a good way) and Michael T. Weiss (photo below) – you know, that way hunky 'Pretender' dude – was in it.

Frankly, that was enough for me.

Let me say this: I am rarely pleasantly surprised in the theatre. It's not often I go see a show without knowing something about it (you know, like, say, the plot). In these particular circumstances, I don't count on getting my socks knocked off. But readers, it happened. Luckily, I was wearing my Paul Smiths.

The play's setup is simple: Set in rural Massachusetts, 'Scarcity' is about a brother and sister whose need to escape the confines of poverty and small-town life conflicts with their sense of family responsibility. When 16-year-old Billy has the chance to change schools and move out of town thanks to an overly attentive teacher, his family starts to unravel around him ...

Everyone loves a smart-mouthed, mean girl -- and boy, Broadway's 'Legally Blonde' sure has one o'those. And she really IS smart. But you know, she's not really THAT mean. And she's STUNNING. But we just don't like her when we meet her, and that's the way it should be.
Oh wait, here's the Cliff Notes version of the musical in case you're unfamiliar:

Elle Woods goes to Harvard to win back her beau, Warner Huntington III, and prove to him that she's a serious woman. But Elle doesn't know that Warner's already taken up the with purebred preppy -- and already serious -- Vivienne Kensington. And the games begin!

As Vivienne, Kate Shindle has the task of taking down Elle Woods eight times a week with a whole lot of snarly zingers.

And boy, that Vivienne is a bitch with a big B. But Kate? Not even close.

I spoke with her about being Miss America (yes, really!), an actress, an activist and an author ...

And being that today is Kate's 10-year Miss America anniversary (yes, today!), I thought it would be appropriate to not only wish her a Happy Anniversary, but also find out just where, in fact, she keeps that crown of hers.

Find out after the jump.

With the fall season quickly approaching, there's a quite a bit to write about when it comes to Broadway these days. And even if you're not a die-hard theatre fag (oops, I mean fan), you just might be interested in today's post.

First off, let's have a show of hands, shall we?

How many of you are familiar with the work of the X-rated actor, Ryan Idol (right)?

Wow! That many of you.

In case you had your hand down, Mr. Idol (born Mark Anthony Donais) was the star of adult films like 'Idol in the Sky' (1996), 'Idol Worship' (1991) and, um, 'Idol Eyes' (1990).

Well, you might want to get your well-sculpted tushies to Studio 54 in New York City because, starting September 14th, Mr. Idol will be appearing in the new Broadway revival of Terrence McNally's romp, 'The Ritz.'

And I'm willing to bet there's going to be just a wee-bit of flesh involved. Don't believe me? Read more after the jump.

When I was a gay little lad growing up, I admit I had my fair share of dolls. Dolls that I would place in the same aesthetically pleasing, yet carefully constructed, configuration on my bed every single morning before sauntering off to school. (OCD, anyone?)

But even as an adorably swishy kid, I never -- EVER! -- had anything quite like THIS. Did YOU?



Now I know that dolls like this are supposed to teach little tykes how to properly pish in the potty. But I have to be honest: This doll kind of freaks me out. Well, maybe it's the commercial that freaks me out. I'm so flustered right now that I can't decide. But it freaks me out nonetheless.

And hey, this particular doll comes from the UK, so I'm also wondering something else:

Is Baby Wee Wee's wee wee circumsized or uncircumsized? Someone needs to check out pressing matters such as these because -- and I'm just throwing this out there, gays and gals -- I don't want to cry genital discrimination or anything.

But let's not ignore the elephant in the room here:

It's a doll.
And it tinkles.
From its own, um, pee pee, for cryin' out loud!

Will you excuse me, please? I think I have to go to the bathroom ...

Check out Mr. David Hasselhoff -- or, um, as some people call him, "The Hoff" (oh jeez) -- absolutely butchering the somewhat pleasant song, 'This Is The Moment,' from the somewhat pleasant Broadway musical, 'Jekyll & Hyde.' This is from 'America's Got Talent' the other night, folks.

It's painful.
It's awful.
He's terrible.
You HAVE to watch!



Is your other-half or roommate hitting you over the head with a household appliance for subjecting them to that right about now? Just blame it on me.

And just so you know: David Hasselhoff, the very guy you just watched with a wrinkled, cringed look on your face, is ...

THE BIGGEST-SELLING RECORDING ARTIST IN GERMANY!

OK, I have to calm down now. Oy!

Good Monday, QueerSighters.

I caught the revival of 'Grease' last week and, I'm sad to report that this, the second Broadway revival of the much-loved show, just isn't very good. It's not bad, per se. It's just so ... boring.

This is the revival that had television viewers vote on the show's two leads via NBC's dismal reality show, 'You're the One That I Want.' While Laura Osnes (as Sandy) fares much better than the "deer caught in the headlights" looking Max Crumm (as Danny), the show just isn't any fun.

And that's a shame because 'Grease,' at its core, is a balls-to-the-wall spoof about high schoolers in the 1950's. And except for 'Born to Hand Jive' (where, too late in Act Two, the production shows its only sign of life), nothing about the show is worth any real ink -- not to mention my 120 bucks ...