In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with writer/producer Elliot Tiber about his third volume of memoirs entitled “After Woodstock.” The book completes his trilogy following the critically acclaimed “Palm Trees on the Hudson” and his breakout bestseller “Taking Woodstock” co-written with Tom Monte and made into a feature film by director Ang Lee. During the summer of ’69 Tiber helped start the gay liberation movement and saved the Woodstock Festival from cancellation. This must-read book and perfect XMAS present begins as Elliot heads to Hollywood to fulfill his dreams in the movie industry driving his recently purchased Cadillac with a duffle bag filled with $50,000 in cash all acquired from his Woodstock Festival windfall. Finally breaking free from his parents he heads on a cross-country road trip adventure with just the guidance of maps provided by his father. Hollywood doesn’t quite turn out as he expected but the adventure continues. Along the way Tiber meets the love of his life Belgian playwright and director André Ernotte. Over the course of their twenty-seven year relationship, Tiber realizes his potential as a humorist and writer and finds a way to cope with his difficult mother whose second wedding in the hills of Israel gives new meaning to the Wailing Wall. The relationship is tested by the AIDS crisis and a string of professional disappointments but ultimately endures the test of time. We talked to Tiber about the inspiration for his new memoir and his spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Tiber stated, “It’s amazing to me there is such a movement and such an organization that’s worldwide because when I was coming out there were no groups, there was nobody to talk to. There were no companions, no people you could come out and say ‘Hey I’m gay and you’re gay let’s be friends’, no such thing. So seeing this develop into a movement it’s very inspiring to me and hopeful to me. I’m 80 years old now, it’s a little late for me and I’m in forced celibacy now at 80. I feel good that the new generation have a model someplace to look to find some answers and carry on with their own lives and hopefully these people go the next step further. I don’t know what that would be at the moment but the next step further so that we’re all equal which we should be.”
Elliot Tiber has written and produced numerous award winning plays, musical comedies, television shows and films. As a professor of comedy writing and performance he has taught at the New School University and Hunter College in Manhattan. His first novel, “Rue Haute” was a bestseller in Europe and was published in the US under the title “High Street”. His second book “Taking Woodstock” was made into a fabulous 2009 film by Ang Lee starring Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, Dan Fogler, Eugene Levy, Imelda Staunton, Emile Hirsch and Liev Schrieber. Currently Tiber is a highly sought-after lecturer and hopes he can inspire new LGBT generations with his latest memoir “After Woodstock: The True Story of a Belgian Movie, an Israeli Wedding and a Manhattan Breakdown” published by Square One Publishers and available on Amazon.
For More Info: squareonepublishers.com
