Friday, June 29, 2007

Congratulations to Ditmar!

Have you ever been to the only gay bar on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach? Welcome to 1200 Ocean Drive, home to The Palace, where Ditmar reigns as King.


Tonight is the first party at D-Bar, Ditmar's new venture in the back bar at The Palace. He will bring his trademark energy and excitement to make this a big success. The Countess wishes she was going to be there tonight but she will definitely be there in spirit.

I have so many wonderful memories of Fun with Ditmar...

Ditmar at the bar...


Ditmar with his family...



Ditmar at Brunch at The Ritz...


Ditmar at his beautiful home (with Officer Brian)...



Ditmar at my beautiful home with my daughter...

There is a picture hanging on the wall of Ditmar's house of him kneeling at my feet and kissing my ring. Everytime I come through the door of The Palace, Ditmar makes me feel like a true Countess.
CONGRATULATIONS, DITMAR!!!!!
D-BAR IS HERE!!!!!
Countess Bedelia 6/29/2007 02:58:00 PM | 3 comments |

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The Glass Menagerie at BTF



Kate McGuire, Aya Cash, and Tom Story starring in The Glass Menagerie in the Unicorn Theater at The Berkshire Theatre Festival. Final performance on June 30th.


I always say I'm not a professional critic and only know when I like something. The problem with that is that I like almost everything I see on stage and if I do see something I don't like, I blame it on the director, the lighting, the stage manager, etc. .... never the actors! So, once again, I give a thumbs up to a production.


Tom Story is wonderful as Tom, the son trapped by his responsibility and love for his mother and sister. He is almost too handsome in the part. Very tall and imposing on the stage. He made me feel the conflict he was having; always a sign of a good actor. Tom is also teaching Contemporary Scene Study to the interns at BTF this summer.


Kate McGuire, who is the Director of BTF, surprised me in the role of Amanda. She brought a combination of melancholy and bittersweet humor to the role. Aya Cash had just the right note of vulnerability. Greg Keller played The Gentleman Caller with just enough bluster and kindness.


The Unicorn Theater is a wonderful space. The stadium seating allows the audience to look down at the stage. There isn't a bad seat in the house. It is an intimate theater with only 99 seats.
Only a few more days left to see this wonderful production, so get in your car and take a drive to beautiful, historic Stockbridge, Massachusetts. You won't regret it!
Countess Bedelia 6/27/2007 11:16:00 AM | 2 comments |

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Semper Fi


Last night I watched Semper Fi, a docudrama, on Showtime. This is a story based on the journals of Jeff Key, a gay man who wanted to be a Marine and serve his country so badly that he went back into the closet to do so.
From an article in PlanetOut:
"Hero worship isn't just for straight people any more. Increasingly, queer soldiers are making their way through boot camp, performing acts of bravery, winning medals and then marching out of the closet -- maybe not into ticker-tape parades, but certainly as grand marshals of LGBT Pride celebrations.
Marine Lance Cpl. Jeff Key is one such gay veteran.....
"Semper Fi" is a portrait of an all-American boy who just happens to be gay. It's clear evidence of the ordinariness of homosexuality that every Christian fundamentalist would benefit from seeing. "
As a Marine, Key is sent to Iraq. He eloquently describes his disillusionment with the purpose of the war and his ultimate rejection of the military solution. In the docudrama, he makes the point that the U.S.A. is not destroying terrorism with its policies but creating terrorists who hate us enough to die for it.
If you have Showtime, this movie will be on 3 more times this week and it is available On Demand.
From the same PlanetOut article: ""Semper Fi" belongs in every LGBT history collection. Jeff Key gives gay Americans reason to be proud."
Countess Bedelia 6/26/2007 09:18:00 AM | 0 comments |

Monday, June 25, 2007

See the next American Idol, Bennett Harrington, this Saturday Night !!



Where: The Mirabar in Providence, RI


When: Saturday, June 30th, 8 pm


Some of you are lucky enough to have seen Bennett perform recently at The DreamGirls Cabaret in Newport which I wrote about on April 15th.
Now you can see him in person at The Mirabar.
Check out his MySpace page and hear his new song. When his new record takes off, you can say you saw him in person!!
Good luck, darling. Countess duBarry, Jimmy, and I will be there to cheer you on!
Countess Bedelia 6/25/2007 03:02:00 PM | 2 comments |

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Back to the Berkshires!!

The Countess is back in her summer home in the beautiful scenic Berkshires of Massachusetts. Last night was the opening night performance of Terrence McNally's Tony winning drama, Love! Valour! Compassion! As usual The Berkshire Theatre Festival put on a production that any Broadway theater would be proud of. All the actors were fantastic. It would be hard to single out just one as it is pretty much an ensemble piece but I do have a special place in my heart for an adorable young man who was making his Main Stage debut at BTF, Ricky Fromeyer, playing the role of Ramon, the young dancer. He sings, he dances, and he can act....even when completely nude! That takes talent! I can't believe I forgot to get Ricky's picture. We will take care of that when I return in a couple of weeks.

At the party after the play, it was fun to catch up with old friends like my dear Stewie who is Director of Audience Services. (If you go to see One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at BTF in July, you will catch Stewie playing what I am sure will be an award winning performance as an inmate in the lunatic asylum!!)



It wouldn't be a party for me if I didn't meet a few handsome men. Leroy McClain is on the left. Remember his name....he will be the next Broadway star!! Tim Acito, a talented composer, is on the right. He just finished all the songs for a musical production of "The Women of Brewster Place". You might remember the movie of that name starring Oprah. Now you will be able to see the musical. Look for it to premiere in Atlanta at the Alliance Theater from September 5 thru the 30th of this year. Looks like I might be taking a trip to Atlanta!



Tonight I am going to see The Glass Menagerie starring Tom Story. I last ran into Tom in NYC at the opening night for the Peter Paige directed play, "Me, My Guitar, and Don Henley". Now he has the lead role in TGM. Isn't he handsome?



Jon Epstein was there and he told me that he had a great run as King Lear at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. I posted about that previously and I hope any of you in that area had a chance to see him there. Next up he will be playing Randall McMurphy in Cuckoo's Nest. Linda Hamilton of The Terminator movies was also at the party. She is playing Nurse Ratched in Cuckoo. Several of the actors that are in rehearsal for that play were at the party (including my very favorite stage actor!!) and it was fun to meet them. It always adds an extra dimension to the experience when you know the performers.

I think I need to write a story about this "Summer in the Berkshires". It looks like it is off to a great start. My partner in crime, Cat is here with me and we are looking forward to lots of adventures this summer.
Countess Bedelia 6/23/2007 10:49:00 AM | 2 comments |

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

New York State Assembly approves Marriage Equality Bill !!!!!

Assembly Votes to Provide Equal Access to Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

Just a few minutes ago, the New York State Assembly passed the Governor’s marriage equality bill by a vote of 85 to 61. Next step ... The New York State Senate.

Click here to read the press release from the Empire State Pride Agenda.

As a proud supporter of the Empire State Pride Agenda, I am elated. Just like MassEquality in my home state, this organization is fighting for equal rights for all our LGBT citizens in the state of New York. And those rights include MARRIAGE!

*The Countess does her Happy Dance !!*
Countess Bedelia 6/19/2007 10:33:00 PM | 2 comments |

Sunday, June 17, 2007

True Colors Concert in Boston

The True Colors Concert is on a 16 city tour and is raising money and awareness for the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the Human Rights Campaign. If it comes to a city near you, please buy a ticket and enjoy the show while contributing to two worthy causes.


It was a beautiful day in Boston and the concert was held at the Bank of America Pavilion which is right on the waterfront. Ditmar and I posed for our many fans.




As befitting our royal status, we had VIP room passes and spent a little time clinking our champagne glasses and toasting each other. It looks like Ringo Starr joined our party which included the Countess duBarry, Mister Brian, and Bennett.



Margaret Cho was the hostess for the evening and she did a 10 minute comedy routine between acts. Gossip, Erasure, and The Dresden Dolls were on the bill. Debbie Harry (Blondie) rocked the house with a great set of tunes. Debbie is 62 years old and she was out there in a silver mini skirt rocking and rolling! Fantastic!





Rufus Wainwright was also on the bill. His band jackets prompted Margaret Cho to call them "The Candy Canes".





Last but not least was the lady herself, Cyndi Lauper. At 54 years of age, she is one energetic woman with a wonderful voice. Her final number, "True Colors", had the audience singing along with arms around each other.




And I'll see your true colors
Shining through, I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful, Like a rainbow
Cyndi organized this tour just for the purpose of helping the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the HRC push the Hate Crimes bill through the Senate. (It has already passed the House.) This bill (which has been renamed 'The Matthew Shepard Act" adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the original list which allows the Federal government to prosecute hate crimes based on race, religion, color, national origin, and disability.
Countess Bedelia 6/17/2007 11:47:00 PM | 2 comments |

Friday, June 15, 2007

All Hail, King Ditmar!

Ditmar, King of the Palace, has arrived in New England in his golden coach.


As befitting visiting royalty, The Countess sent her First Knight, Sir Brian, to escort him to the Castle Bedelia. A welcoming feast was prepared, gifts of jewels were exchanged, and even the Principessa attended.


More festivities are planned to entertain King Ditmar. Tonight he will make his appearance at the Club Cafe and tomorrow Cyndi Lauper will perform at the True Colors concert in his honor.
Countess Bedelia 6/15/2007 01:40:00 PM | 2 comments |

Thursday, June 14, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE!


Today the Massachusetts legislature defeated a proposal to put an anti-gay, anti-marriage Constitutional amendment on the November 2008 ballot which would have put this precious civil right up for a popular vote.


"Opponents of gay marriage face an increasingly tough battle to win legislative approval of any future petitions to appear on a statewide ballot. The next election available to them is 2012."
MassEquality has done a phenomenol job in getting this vote accomplished today. Congratulations to them and to all the elected officials who did the right thing.
Countess Bedelia 6/14/2007 05:33:00 PM | 0 comments |

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Capital Pride In Albany, New York!!


When your friend gives a party for a few thousand people and invites you, it is just something that you have to do. Cat is the Chairperson for the Albany Pride Committee. She does a lot of volunteer things in the gay community all year long but Pride Week is the biggest event of the year. There were lots of activities to participate in like a Gay Pride Cruise on the Hudson River, Drag shows, Tea dances, Community discussion panels, etc., etc. My congratulations to Cat and the whole Pride Committee for a spectacular job well done.

Here is Cat revving up the crowd at the Festival.


"Mama" from the Waterworks Pub was the star of the Saturday night drag show. Some of my dear friends will feel a little nostalgic when I say that all the numbers were from "HAIRSPRAY". All the ladies do their own singing -- no lipsyncing. Fantastic voices!!


The Pride Parade on Sunday had several great floats. I liked ROCKS, a new bar in town. They were rockin' and rollin' down the parade route.

No Pride Parade would be complete without some condom heads throwing condoms to the crowd and reminding us all about safe sex.


The Pride Festival in Washington Park drew thousands of people. The show was hosted by the fabulous queens, Carmie Hope and Frieda Munchon.

There was an impressive line up of talent starting with "Ten Year Vamp", a local band that had the crowd rocking.

More drag show....I hung out in the dressing tent with the queens. SO.MUCH.FUN!!

Cat was VERY excited about The Lipstick Lovelies!

A wonderful time to remember. Hats off to the whole Pride Committee for making this happen.
Countess Bedelia 6/12/2007 08:07:00 PM | 1 comments |

Monday, June 04, 2007

Capital PRIDE in Albany, New York

It is PRIDE week in Albany. Check out the Pride Events Schedule if you are in the area.



The Pride Parade is this Sunday, June 10th. My friend, Cat, is the co-chair of the Parade Committee and she tells me that it will be a spectacular parade!
Countess Bedelia 6/04/2007 11:20:00 AM | 0 comments |

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Boston PRIDE Week




Lots of activities planned for Boston PRIDE Week. Check the website out here.




Mr. Brian is walking in the AIDS walk today. Good Luck, Mr. Brian!
Countess Bedelia 6/03/2007 09:44:00 AM | 0 comments |