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Thursday, December 17, 2015

Fabulous Gay Memoir “After Woodstock” By Elliot Tiber









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

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Kate Clinton LGBT Year End Review & More









In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Kate Clinton our favorite political humorist about her annual LGBT year end review and chat about what 2016 will bring. This has definitely been the year for marriage equality with the Supreme Court ruling finally making gay and lesbian marriage legal in all fifty states. Now we’re focusing on ENDA the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and transgender rights as Caitlyn Jenner and others have advanced these long overdue issues to the forefront. Kate also talked about how fabulous that more LGBT stories have found their way into mainstream media including the Tony Award winning musical “Fun Home” on Broadway and Phyllis Nagy’s latest screenplay “Carol” starring Cate Blanchett that recently won the New York Film Critics Circle for Best Screenplay and Best Film. We talked to Kate about how even though we have accomplished marriage equality in America we still have a lot more work to do to achieve full LGBT equality.

When asked what she would like to see happen for LGBT civil rights in 2016 Clinton stated, “What I would like to see for LGBT rights in 2016 is a continuation of what I see as a whole exciting new generation of LGBT leaders, and they wouldn’t even say they’re leaders because they don’t have a hierarchical idea of what they do. They’re activists, they’re feminists, and the people who are moving for example the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and these are young black feminists, some gay some straight and they’re involved in that and fearless, absolutely fearless work in immigration. So I think there’s this incredible new generation of LGBT activists who are in so many other wonderful social movements like the movement for climate change, the movement for women’s reproduction rights and I’m very excited and I want to see a continuation of that into 2016 because they are great activists, great strategists, they’re unbelievably hopeful and joyful and not stung by the outrageous slings of the internet. They just go on and they really make a difference in everyday people’s lives. In immigration some young people are doing voter registration and telling people ‘Well I can’t vote because I’m undocumented. I know you don’t care about voting but would you vote for me if I were voting?’ I think it’s fabulous. I’m very excited about what’s happening and hoping that we can make the connection with electoral politics. Just two words, Supreme Court. I’m done…”

Clinton is also very involved with NCLR (The National Center for Lesbian Rights) and LPAC (Lesbian Political Action Committee) conceptualized by her wife Urvashi Vaid to give lesbians a real and meaningful seat at the political table. LPAC is a political action committee (PAC) that builds the political power of LGBTQ women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality and social justice. With 2016 being a presidential election year it is crucial that we elect candidates that support women’s rights and our LGBT community. Currently Kate is working on a new book of essays and about to launch her new show WAKE UP CALL she’ll be performing nationally in 2016.
For More Info & Shows: kateclinton.com











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Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Writer Phyllis Nagy Discusses Her Film “Carol” (AUDIO)













UPDATE:  Phyllis Nagy has been nominated for an Oscar Best Adapted Screenplay for “Carol”
--> In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with writer-director Phyllis Nagy about her latest screenplay “Carol” starring Cate Blanchett in the title role that just won her the New York Film Critics Circle for Best Screenplay. Actually "Carol" also won the New York Film Critics Circle for Best Film. This much anticipated romantic film is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s important novel “The Price of Salt” that endured a 18 year journey to bring it to the screen. The movie follows two women from very different class backgrounds who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. As a period piece it's beautifully directed by Todd Haynes who also won New York Film Critics Circle for Best Director along with cinematographer Ed Lachman who won New York Film Critics Circle for Best Cinematography. “Carol” is an important film to see especially by our LGBT millennial generation to reflect just how far our community has advanced. Nagy delivers a beautiful and honest story within the conventional norms of the time. The story is about a young woman in her 20s, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) who is working as a saleswoman in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life when she meets Carol (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage. As an immediate connection sparks between them, the innocence of their first encounter becomes more challenging as their love deepens. When Carol breaks free from the confines of marriage her husband (Kyle Chandler) begins to question her competence as a mother as her involvement with Therese and her relationship with her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson) come to light. The refreshing aspect to “Carol” is that the story is not problematic because the relationship is between two women but instead the characters just have complicated issues like everyone else. We talked to Phyllis about her journey bringing “Carol” to fruition and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Nagy stated, “I’m an out lesbian, I always have been and I think by leading my life openly as possible and trying to inspire other people to do that and help other people do that, I don’t know if there could be a bigger commitment than that, to inspire people not to hide, let’s say. When one’s creating one’s work it’s important to include out interesting characters. They don’t have to be saints. It’s preferable that they’re not, but that they are presented as real people with real complexities who are neither burdened by having the weight of centuries of sexual attitudes behind them nor burdened by having to represent every single gay person on earth. Just real honest characters behaving in a world that either accepts them or does not, but how they behave in that space reflects well on them.”

“Carol” is Phyllis Nagy’s second film with Number 9 Films and Killer Films. Their first collaboration was the Emmy nominated HBO film “Mrs. Harris” written and directed by Nagy. Phyllis’s stage adaptations and translations have also included Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, Chekhov’s “The Seagull” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”. Currently she’s at work on two new film adaptations of “The Trap” a novel by Melanie Raabe for TriStar and “The Luneburg Variation” a novel by Paolo Maurensig for Raindog Films, with Colin Firth attached to star. “Carol” is now playing in limited release by The Weinstein Company.
For More Info: carolfilm.com
 
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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Bridget McManus Creates New LGBT Web Series









In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Bridget McManus about her new romantic web series “Maybelle” that premiers on tellofilms.com on Sunday December 13th. The story is about Maybelle Garris (Bridget McManus) who must learn to live for herself as a gay woman in the South and address the fact that she is still in love with her best friend from high school, Della Cain-Cumbee played by Frances Nichols. Maybelle quit school 20 years ago to take care of her ailing mother Ida, focusing all of her attention at home, detached from her first and only love Della. When her mother passes away Maybelle is left to reflect on her stunted life. Della married her college beau JW Cumbee but has always held a flame for Maybelle. In this original web series set in rural Virginia, Maybelle discovers herself for the first time and fights for the woman she loves. Bridget wrote and stars in “Maybelle” directed by Christin Baker. We talked to Bridget about her inspiration for this fabulous six episode series and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights McManus stated, “I think being out is one of the most important things that an LGBTQ person can do for civil rights. Obviously not everybody has the ability or feels safe enough to be out in their life and I’m not directing this at them because I think everyone should come out in their own time whenever they feel safe and supported. But I think the more you’re out the more people realize, wait a minute there’s nothing wrong with people who are different. My mind is always blown when people find out that I’m gay and find out I’m married. They almost switch their tone how they talk to me like their voice goes into a falsetto, why that’s nice you’re married to a woman like its kind of an alien thing. Being out is so important because the more visibility we have the more we let people know we are here and not going anywhere. I’m a stand up comic and I’ve done work all over the world. I was a correspondent for the 8th International Gay Games in Cologne, Germany. I hosted the 40th anniversary at Stonewall in New York. So I think doing as many gay events and representing and being visible is such an important thing to change the world.”

Bridget McManus is a television host, screenwriter and award-winning comedian. She hosted two television shows for the Logo Network “Bridget McManus Presents: That Time of The Month” and the award-winning comedy talk show “Brunch with Bridget”. McManus is one of the few female warm-up comedians in television. She was the warm-up comedian and the host's sidekick on CBS’s “The Queen Latifah Show” for two seasons as well as the warm-up comic for NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, CBS’s “The Jeff Probst Show”, Fox’s “The Boris & Nicole Show”, ABC’s “Family Fortune”, HLN’s “Heads Up!”, ABC's “The FABLife” and CBS’s “Friends With Benefits”. “Maybelle” which debuts on December 13th will be the 4th scripted project Bridget has worked on with tello films known as the lesbian Netflix that leads the industry in developing new strategies for alternative distribution for not only lesbian-themed content but for all women in film.
For More Info: tellofilms.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Gay Latin Entertainer Migguel Anggelo Speaks OUT









In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Migguel Anggelo about his new CD entitled “La Casa Azul” and upcoming performance of “Another Son of Venezuela” at Joe's Pub on December 1st in New York City. In a similar genre to Justin Vivian Bond, Migguel has created a brand new production under Obie Award-winning director, David Drake which addresses his thoughts through music on national pride and a belief for a better future. Migguel has previously sold out seven shows at this fabulous venue. His second album, “La Casa Azul” was co-written and produced by music director Mau Quiros and is mixed by Grammy Award-winner Felipe Tichauer which was selected as a recommended favorite in People En Español. We talked to Migguel about how artist Frida Kahlo was the inspiration of his new CD and his spin on our LGBT issues.

Originally from Venezuela, when asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Anggelo stated, “I’m very proud to be gay and actually I told my mom when I was twelve years old. My mom she understands me a lot because she was a ballet dancer but my father no. My father was a very macho man for the farm and I don’t think he was happy that he had a gay son but he died when I was thirteen years old so we don’t have a good connection me and him, but I respect him. My mother always supported me. I told my mother when I was twelve years old I said, ‘Mom I like my neighbor’ and she said, ‘Your neighbor, who’s your neighbor?’ And I said, ‘My friend Juan Carlos.’ And she asked, ‘Why do you think you like him?’ And I said, ‘When I see him I feel butterflies in my heart.’ She hugged me and kissed me and said, ‘Well honey I know you’re very young right now but I will support you right now and forever, whoever you decide to be in your life.’ I was very lucky to have my mom. I’m very happy for example last year I got married to my partner and we are very happy so I hope everyone the same. When you love someone you want to decide to be with someone, I hope people can do it. In my country Venezuela, it’s a very beautiful country but right now they’re under the regime of Communism so I don’t think it will happen right now. It’s very difficult for gay people in Venezuela so whenever I am here, in Europe or in Africa or wherever, I will open my mouth to hear my voice to gay people and the LGBT community.”

Migguel Anggelo first fell in love with the theater as a child playing Pinocchio in a touring production of the show. As a Latin American theater star, Migguel perfected his commanding stage presence and electric performances after studying opera at the Conservatory of Music in Cologne, Germany. He received an invitation to attend after being discovered performing on the street and trained for a dozen years in classical ballet, falling in love with the drama and discipline of opera and the explosive whimsy of pop. His greatest influences are Luciano Pavarotti and Freddy Mercury and with his multi-octave voice, pays homage to them by jumping easily from operatic aria to rock anthem. Recently, Migguel completed a tour of the Midwest with Nuevo Tango group, “The Oblivion Project”, bringing to life the music of Argentine tango master, Astor Piazzolla. He’s currently working on this third CD to be released in the summer of 2016 and he will be performing at Joe's Pub on December 1st at 7P in NYC. (Photo Credit: Nico Iliev)
For More Info: migguelanggelo.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

White Party Week Supporting Care Resource (AUDIO)









In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Jonathan Welsh, Marketing and Development Manager with Care Resource about their event the White Party Week in Miami, Florida that takes place November 25th to November 30th. Since its inception in 1984 the White Party Week has raised millions of dollars for Care Resource, South Florida’s oldest and largest non-profit community health care focusing on HIV/AIDS research, prevention and currently extending medical services to encompass children, youth, families and seniors with an emphasis on our LGBT community. White Party Week is a series of fundraising events over the long Thanksgiving weekend. This year they’re pulling out all the stops, bringing in guests from all over the world, premiering a mega-yachting White Party and once again raising this dance party event to a whole new level. On Saturday November 28th at 6P guests will board the Grand Floridian Mega Yacht, the largest, newest and most elegant yacht in South Florida for the premier event of the year, the 31st Annual White Party “Anchors Away” fundraiser benefiting Care Resource.

We talked to Jonathan about the fabulous White Party Week of events and his spin on our LGBT issues. When asked what he would like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years Welsh stated, “I am very proud of the community for what we’ve done regarding marriage equality. It was a long battle; it was a hard battle but we stayed committed and so much was done. Now we have an opportunity to focus on other issues in the LGBT community like transgender issues. Transgender issues are huge here in South Florida when it comes to employment, when it comes to health, when it comes to a whole array of issues and this is an opportunity for us to really focus on that group because the LGBT community, it’s different groups coming together for a united purpose and maybe for too long the ‘T’ transgender issues under that umbrella of LGBT perhaps took a back seat for awhile. This is an opportunity now to focus on those issues and do some good stuff for that community as well.”

Jonathan Welsh, a University of Miami alumnus, has served in South Africa with the United States Peace Corps and has campaigned for various environmental and health initiatives both in Washington D.C. and in Tallahassee before joining Care Resource. The White Party Week fundraiser features one week of amazing events with superstar DJs beginning on Wednesday November 25th with “White Heat” at Bailo Nightclub and for women there’s the “Wonderlust Kick-Off Party”. On Thursday November 26th the party continues with “White Journeys” at Heart Nightclub. Then on Friday November 27th witness a stellar night with “White Dreams” at Club Space and for women there’s the Freza Dance Party. Saturday November 28th kicks off with “White Splash Pool Party” at the Aloft South Beach Hotel followed by The White Party Anchors Away and “White Starz” at Score Nightclub. The Official Women’s White Party “Cirque Blanc” takes place on Saturday November 28th at Nikki Beach in Miami. Then on Sunday November 29th there’s the “Muscle Beach Party” on the sands of South Beach followed by the infamous “Noche Blanca” party at Story Nightclub in Miami Beach. All the events benefit Care Resource, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community health care provider with offices in Downtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
For More Info & Tix: whiteparty.org

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Ann Hampton Callaway Changing The World With Music










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway about her upcoming concerts and new jazz CD entitled The Hope Of Christmas. Ann will be performing at The Tyler Clementi Foundation’s 2015 Upstander Legacy Celebration on Monday November 16th at Studio 450 in NYC. Tyler Clementi was the accomplished violinist who took his life after being cyber-bullied by his Rutgers roommate for being gay. Callaway’s concert schedule is non-stop including returning to Feinstein's/54 Below with her new show Feminine Persuasion: Ann Hampton Callaway Celebrates Women Songwriters from November 22nd through the 28th in NYC. We talked to Ann about her new CD, upcoming tour and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Callaway stated, “Well I don’t think it gets more personal than getting married. November 7th last year I married the love of my life Kari Strand and that was a big decision for us because I think both of us never thought Oh I need a piece of paper to prove I love someone, and we went through eight years together thinking that. But when we realized we were in this point of history and how much we love each other and what a gift it was, we had to step into this commitment in a historical, politically active way and say This is our moment to stand and shine and be part of something that will hopefully inspire a new wave of courage and joy for other couples. And it’s had a much more powerful effect in our relationship than we realized. It was such a sense of giddy joy about it and also a renewed responsibility and I don’t mean that in a serious way like Oh now I must do my duty as a wife, I mean that in the sense that I really want to be the best partner I can possibly be and the intention behind that and I know Kari shares that it is something that has really touched our lives in many ways. We had an amazing celebration that I’m glad that you and Marilyn could be part of. It was just an incredible experience to share that. I feel living your life out loud and not being afraid to share what matters to you is a great quiet revolution for this time when we’re really trying to make a world more inclusive for everyone and a world that accepts that love belongs to everyone. In fact I recently wrote a song with Michelle Brourman called Love & Let Love and I think it comes out of the spirit of this that each of us is here to be exactly who they are and Kari and I getting to share our relationship in a bigger way with marriage has been quite a ripple effect.”

Ann Hampton Callaway is a champion of the great American Songbook whose gifts as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator and producer have given her one of the most unique careers in music today. Callaway won the Theater World Award and received a Tony nomination for her starring role in the Broadway musical Swing! Known for writing and singing the theme of the hit TV series The Nanny, she’s written over 250 songs including the Platinum Award winning hits for Barbra Streisand At the Same Time, I've Dreamed of You and Christmas Lullaby. Currently Ann and her sister Broadway star Liz Callaway have been nominated for their London engagement of Sibling Revelry for a Broadway World UK Award for Best Theatrical Event of the Year.
For Tour Info & CD: annhamptoncallaway.com