Old Timey Hotties, Triple Hobbits, Gay Rejection and Olympic Nonsense

Mihai Eminescu, age 19, 1860

I first found My Daguerreotype Boyfriend on Tumblr about a year or so ago. I completely forget where the link came from, but many of the photos (most from the late 1800's into the early 1900's) are intriguing, to say the least. I think I was most surprised at how many of the men featured there looked so modern. Granted, not every photo is a gem, but what you find attractive and what I find attractive won't always be the same. K and I are usually amazed when we find the same guy attractive, while my friend Laura and I rarely disagree (though the guy we usually find most attractive is also most likely to be the first to die in a horror movie - Tuc Watkins in The Mummy, for example).

Many of the guys featured on MDB are unnamed prisoners and Civil War soldiers, though there are plenty of portraits of famous men in their youth, like Teddy Roosevelt, Charlie Chaplin and Lionel Logue (the real speech therapist featured in The King's Speech). The blog also has a whole section dedicated to men from the past who look like stars from today. MDB is currently searching for photos of hot Olympians from 1896 - 1936. 

Now, as gorgeous as some of those men may be, I don't think they can compete with modern athletes like Phillip Boy or Jonathan Horton or Danell Levya. Of course, being the dirty old man I am, Uncle P is really only interested in seeing the Men's Gymnastics; Men's Swimming; Men's Diving and Greco-Roman Wrestling events. But honestly, that's always been the case for me, old or young.

And speaking of rings (wow - talk about stretching for a segue), director Peter Jackson has formally announced (via - among others) that The Hobbit will indeed be a trilogy. Seriously? I know it's been a very long time since I read Tolkien's "prequel" to The Lord of the Rings (I think I was 13) but I don't remember there being enough material to support three feature-length films. Or maybe I'm wrong. I do know that while I really liked reading the LOTR trilogy, I enjoyed The Hobbit a whole lot more. Personally, I just can't wait to see how Jackson imagines Smaug!

And finally, I initially missed the first video in this series, but Towleroad has posted these very amusing tutorials on dealing with rejection for gay men, by TipsForLife:

He's already got the whiskey and the gin - he might as well add vodka, rum, tequila, sweet and sour mix and Coke to make an LIT.  If you're going to drink, it should at least taste good, no? And honestly, no one knows more about gay rejection than yours truly... Oh, that sounded a little pathetic, didn't it? Trust me, I have had my share of acceptance, though the scales do seem to have been tipped in the other direction. Not that I'm complaining... (well, maybe just a little).

More, anon.

Prospero

Why I Don't Like Pictures of Me

Jeffrey Final Dress, Photo by Rich Kowalski

No, that's not a still from the latest J-Horror movie; nor is it some bizarro production of Madame Butterfly. No dear readers, this is a production still from last month's JTMF production of Jeffrey. From left to right: Dear D, adorable Chino Devine and (dear lord) Uncle P. The script called for "elaborate Chinese pajamas, perhaps." I got a gorgeous custom-kimono that was so fun to wear, but look at the puss on that guy. I'm telling my Broadway dancer boyfriend Darius (Chino) to "Leave this house!" because he didn't know who Ann Miller was. It looks like I'm about to vomit! And there are plenty more, where that came from. My mouth hanging open; my eyes squeezed shut; my hair in a thousand and four directions like a fat, gay Professor Irwin Corey (how much does that date me?). Ugh! 

Anyway, here are a few more shots from the first half of Act I. I'll post more here tomorrow and others on the JTMF blog, soon. All photos in this post are copyrighted to NJ's best theatre photographer, Mr. Rich Kowalski.

"Hi there!"

I Work Out!

"Nice Set"  "You, too!"

"Do you like this? On me, I mean."

"It's! Just! Sex!"

"Am I making you nervous?"

"Your single, you're gay..."  "It isn't pretty."

Okay, so that last one isn't too terrible. And you should know I got a haircut the very next afternoon, before the show opened. If I can't be photogenic (I really appear much more human in person), then I'm going to surround my self with actors who are. 

But that's really unfair, because the folks other than Yours Truly aren't just pretty faces. They are exceptionally talented and giving performers who work with JTMF because they really want to and are thrilled when asked. And while we expand our talent pool every year, we've also developed a core company whose members consider one another to be family. The talent we've discovered and developed all believe in JTMF and our mission. They are all people who I personally love beyond words. If you're reading this and you are one of those people, then you know what I'm talking about. Nothing brings us more joy each year, than participating in the JTMF event. I am both proud of and humbled by what we've accomplished these past ten years. Everyone who has ever taken part in a JTMF production (and there are several dozens), should feel the same way. 

Watch for more photos (and maybe a backstage story or two) from Jeffrey in the next few days.

More, anon.

Prospero

Friday Gratuities, Faux Holidays, Cooking and Other Assorted Nonsense

Nature

Let's start with some gratuitous Nature porn, shall we?

I found that picture on this site, listed as an "Epic Win!" I've seen this photographer's work before (if you know his name, please let me know so I can credit him). He specializes in shooting ocean waves in motion and has captured some amazing things, so I don't doubt to the veracity of the photo and I don't think it's been Photoshopped. Light through water is exceptionally beautiful and this wave looks like magically stained glass thanks to a remarkably colorful sunset. Luck, skill, timing and being in the right place at the right time.

Now, I know some folks who would say "God made that wave like that." Um... Okay. If you want to think that, I'm not going to stop you, but actually the photographer used a combination of science, art and nature to capture that moment when the three come together to create something extraordinary as that photograph. Truth is, art couldn't exist without science. Paint; photographs; videotape; compact discs; Mp3s... all of them impossible without chemistry, biology and physics. And quite honesty, it is science that proves how we exist, even if it still doesn't exactly know why.

"Ai-Ooo-Gah!"

And speaking of beautiful (and slightly less philosophical) things, it's time to move on to some gratuitous male flesh. Because you see, Uncle P has fallen in lus... er, uh... love with  ballet dancer Jonathan Guijarro, pictured to the right. You should all expect your "Save the Date" notifications, soon. Jonathan and I will be honeymooning in St. Tropez, Monaco, Nice and Paris, followed by an extended stay with his parents at their beach house in Ibiza.

In lieu of gifts, please donate enough moeny to convince Jonathan to marry me. For reals, ya'll. I mean it. Help a brother out!

Honestly, I don't know the young man's real heritage. He could be Latino or Spanish, but who really cares? The boy is smoking hot! I'm talking 12 alarms. Mui caliente.All that and a bag of chips. The cat's pajamas. The bee's knees. Wait... what? Australia's number one gay men's magazine, DNA has a small photo feature (may be NSFW) of Jonathan on their website this week. Like Hrthiik Roshan; Chris Evans; Ryan Reynolds; Bradley Cooper and My Obsession, Guijarro is just another gorgeous person with whom I actually have nothing in common. But that doesn't mean I can't look at, admire and comment about people I find to be particularly attractive. I'm only human, afterall. And we all like pretty things...

Of course, it's genetics (more science, thank you) that makes people like Jonathan so attractive. Not everyone's DNA is wired for such esthetic perfection. But enough of that.

May the Fourth Be With You!

Let's move on to Faux Holidays. This weekend sees two of the silliest...

Today of course, was "Star Wars Day" (every self-respecting Sci-Fi geek knows why). My equally demented friend and co-worker Mia, shared the image on the left. Of course, Luke Skywalker isn't quite as Christ-like a figure as Spielberg's E.T. but I suppose he'll do in a pinch, even though he's more like young Arhur Pendragon than Jesus of Nazareth. 

And tomorrow (today, actually) is the Mexican St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo. Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo celebrates a single victory against the French in 1862. In Mexico, it is only celebrated in the state of Puebla. In the U.S., it is celebrated in Mexican restaurants both good and bed; bars and cantinas (talk about a Star Wars seque!) with tequila shots, Margaritas and dos Equis; tacos; enchiladas; salsa; cilantro; tortillas and rice. All of which, by the way, I will be doing tomorrow.

It just so happens that the next dinner with my college friends falls on May 5th, so we're obviously having a Mexican-inspired feast. We're trying hard not to do the usual. I'm making a "Creamy Taco Casserole" and a rice dish that combines elements of two different recipes I found online, along with my personal tweaks and embellishments.

 

Candy-filled Pinata Cookies

I was very tempted to try to make the candy-filled pinata cookies on the right, but I'm not really a baker. I do well enough with pies, tarts and crisps I suppose, but cookies have never been my thing and while I found these to be delightfully whimsical, they're also pretty complicated for a novice cookie maker. I imagine a sweaty version of myself, cursing and decrying my clumsy ape-like fingers as rainbow sugar cookies crumbled to into rainbow crumb-fetti.

Of course, I'll be posting about our gas-inducing indulgence afterwards.  There are some very yummy-sounding dishes on the menu and I'm looking forward to both seeing my friends and eating great food. What more can one ask of life? Wait... Don't answer that... 

I'll be sure to let you know if I ever do make those cookies.

More, anon.

Prospero

"Hairspray" Act II

That's it. Tickets to the MCCC/JTMF production of Hairspray are all gone. Which means I have three more performances to go before I start Weight Watchers. I've already lost 7 lbs during hell week and last weekend's performances. I'd like to lose another 20+ before Jeffrey opens at the end of June. These pictures have helped motivate me, though I know Edna is supposed to be an "ample American," as Motormouth Maybelle says. These days, I'm looking to be a bit less ample and a lot more healthy. Anyway, here are a few more pictures (of the over 300) taken at last Sunday's matinee (copyright: Robert Terrano):

"Big Doll House"

"Hold it right there, sucker man!"

"You're Timeless to Me"

"Without Love"

"I Know Where I've Been"

"It's Hairspray!"

"Cooties"

"You Can't Stop the Beat"

"You can't stop my happiness..."

Tracy and Link - Happy at Last!

Finale

While I will be sad to say "Farewell" to 1962 Baltimore and the many friends I've made there, my feet will be very happy to never have to be jammed into those pumps again. And I'll move on to Jeffrey, reprising the first role I played (Sterling) in the very first JTMF show back in 2003. It's so strange to realize that a decade has passed since we started this amazing thing. Nine June Galas, Twelve shows and $50K+ for AIDS; Arts Education and Suicide Prevention Charities later and we're still going strong. 

Tickets for the JTMF 10th Anniversary Gala featuring Paul Rudnick's  Jeffrey are available now. If you are unable to attend, but want to help, you can always make a donation via PayPal here or contact us at JTMF@verizon.net to donate an item to our Silent Auction.

More, anon,
Prospero

"Hairspray" Act I (or: R.I.P. Dick Clark)

John Waters based the character of Corny Collins in Hairspray on America's "Perpetual Teenager," Dick Clark. In the 50's and 60's, Clark hosted "American Bandstand" which was broadcast nationwide out of Philadelphia. He later went on to host "The $10,000 Pyramid" and in the 70's became the face of New Year's Eve as part of ABC's "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve." Clark - a respected and much-loved TV icon - passed away today age 82. I'll be dedicating my final performances in Hairspray to his memory. 

On a lighter note, here are some pictures from Act I of the MCCC/JTMF production of Hairspray.  Act II will follow tomorrow (Photos copyright Robert Terrano).

"Good Morning, Baltimore"

"The Nicest Kids in Town"

"Tracy Turnblad, where are your manners?"

"I Can Hear The Bells"

"The Madison"

"Miss Baltimore Crabs"

"Detention"

"You're Mama's Welcomin' the 60's"

"Go Mama, Go, Go, Go!"

"Run and Tell That"

"Tracy, Maybe He's Right"

"Big, Blonde and Beautiful!"

"Two-Four-Six-Eight! TV's Got to Integrate!"

And that's Act I. There are still a few tickets left for the Saturday and Sunday matinees, if you are in the area and so inclined.

More, anon.
Prospero

A Quickie

Corny Collins: "It's Hairspray!" (click Corny's pompadour to embiggem)

I'm uploading pictures tonight, so I thought the very least I could was to give you another teaser.

Since everyone has already posted them on Facebook, I'm going to post a whole album of Hairspray pictures tomorrow. We rehearsed tonight and I'm tired and lazy and still not recovered from a rather grueling (though in the end, worth it) hell week. 

I do hope there's a picture of me riding the hot dog cart in my second costume and wig.

If you're so inclined, you can read our only local review (so far) here. The reviewer seemed to either forget or ignore JTMF but she liked the show, so I'll give her a pass. I promise to stop talking about it, soon (don't worry, Jeffrey will take it's place in a few weeks). Anyway - I'm off to finish downloading the rest of the pictures.

More, anon.

Prospero

The Cottingley Fairies

Really?

April Fools! To honor the day, I thought I would briefly touch upon one of the most successful hoaxes ever perpetrated, The Cottingley Fairies.

First published in 1919, the photos of 'fairies' cavorting with young cousins Elise Wright and Frances Griffiths caused quite a stir among Victorian esoterics, including 'Sherlock Holmes' creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (who would later join magician Harry Houdini as a debunker of psychics and mediums). Doyle even wrote a book about the event, The Coming  of the Fairies. There were tons of articles written about the photos and hordes of Victorian-era folks longed to believe in the photographic 'evidence' of otherworldly beings. Doyle was convinced of the photos' authenticity, though many were certain the pictures were faked.

 

It wasn't until 1983 that that Elise and Frances admitted to faking the photos, though both maintained they had actually seen real fairies in their many trips to the beck (stream) in Cottingley, West Yorkshire. The story inspired two films, including Fairy Tale: A True Story:

Personally, I've met several fairies, though none of them were particularly magical (Sorry - couldn't help myself). Much like Houdini and James Randi, I am still waiting for absolute proof of psychic phenomena. Until then, I shall remain an open-minded skeptic and hope all of you do so, as well.

More, anon.
Prospero

That Toddlin' Town

I was finally able to upload some photos from last week's trip to the Windy City.

That's Uncle P taking his own picture in the reflection of "The Bean."

Can you spot Uncle P in the bean?

The Millennium Park Amphitheater, designed by Frank Geary.

Half of the Crown Fountain.

The Navy Pier Ferris wheel.

My own picture of Marylin on Michigan Ave.

What the...?

Meet "Sue" -- the most complete T-Rex skeleton in the world. She's on display at the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History.












Uncle P and the fabulous Stephen Rader finally meet after 4 years of mutual admiration. We had an amazing evening of barhopping in Boys Town that night...





My Facebook friends can see more of my Second City Adventure. I'll be back soon with a new installment of The Gayest Thing...

More, anon.
Prospero

The Last "Die Mommie Die!" Post

Well, I finally got a disc that worked and as promised, here are some pictures from dress rehearsal. There are a few minor costume accessories that were still missing and Angela's wig hadn't been styled, but I you get the idea. Click the pics for larger versions.

That's Kathy Garofano (L) and Kelly Reilly as Bootsie and Edith, on your left. I  love that adorable dress on Kelly.

Kelly and Damian Gaeta as Tony.

We used the screens in the back for our production of The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, as well. They're really quite effective.

Kelly, David C. Hamm (C) as Angela and Damian. 

Putting a 6' 1" man in 3" heels and a bee-hive wig makes for a rather gigantic woman.

David, Damian, John Devennie (as Sol) and Kelly.

John and Matty Daley (R, as Lance).

Poor Matty spent the show with his hair in his eyes so he could look more like a Flower Child.

David in Angela's tennis whites and Matty, holding one of the best props ever: "Angela Arden's 1954 Christmas Album." If you enlarge it, you can see it actually has David's picture on it. We let him keep it, after the show.

John, Kelly, David and Matty.

David was so enamored of the kimono, he commissioned our costumer to make one for him in black. We also let him keep the black pumps and the rhinestone flip-flops. 

Angela inserts the poisoned suppository, much to Sol's discomfort.

This scene got howls from our audiences, especially when the suppository slipped out of its hiding place on Opening Night and they had to re-insert it.

Tony seducing Edith...

Tony seducing Lance.

And yes, we put a giant rubber phallus in Damian's pants. The things I ask my actors to do.

Lance and Edith plot their revenge...

Edith with a cheek full of scissors!

Angela takes a little acid trip...

Lance and Edie fighting over Tony and his package...

Sol confronts Barbara with the truth!

Bootsie's alive, too!

One last time - the amazing cast of the JTMF 2011 production of "Die Mommie Die!" (from L to R):

John Devennie; Matty Daley; Damian Gaeta; David Hamm; Kelly Reilly and Kathy Garofano. 

More, anon.

Prospero