Playbill.com reported today Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to the Phantom of the Opera entitled Love Never Dies got itself a choreographer in Jerry Mitchell. Mitchell is hard at work staging the upcoming musical Catch Me If You Can, based on the true story depicted in the 2002 Steven Spielberg film. Also reported was some “loose” dates for the musical: Rehearsals will begin “approximately [in] August 2009.” Opening night will be “approximately [in] October 2009.” In addition, a unique description of the show was provided giving just a little more insight to the storyline: “In 1907 New York, the mysterious ‘Maestro’ who runs the theatre at Coney Island announces a one-off concert by legendary Parisian soprano Christine Daaé. Her arrival in New York with husband Raoul, Victome de Chagny and son Gustave, and their subsequent meeting with the ‘Maestro,’ bring the cataclysmic events of 10 years earlier at the Paris Opera crashing back into all their lives.” Exciting news, indeed.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
More Movement on Love Never Dies
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Update: Supreme Court Rules GSA MUST be Permitted
A few weeks ago I reported on the case in which a Jacksonville high school was being sued by students and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for refusing to allow the formation of a gay-straight alliance within the school. Thursday, Florida Supreme Court Judge Henry Adams ruled in-favor of the ACLU and the students, forcing the school district to ensure the students’ constitutional right to meet on-campus. Aren’t you glad we taxpayers got to foot the tens of thousands of dollars it cost to bring this case to court? I don’t know about you–but I am sick of my hard-earned tax money going to pay for stupidity, ignorance, and intolerance! We must demand better from all public officials, particularly our school districts which are so strapped for precious resources in this near-depression economy that students and teachers are having to make drastic sacrifices that have major impacts on the quality of education. Having to pay a costly bill defending behavior that is unacceptable is simply that–UNACCEPTABLE!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Florida Senator Working to End Gay Adoption Ban
Florida State Senator Nan Rich, a Democrat (of course), is quietly introducing 2 bills which would end Florida’s ridiculous and discriminatory ban on adoptions by gay men and lesbians. While fundamental religious activists continue to claim gay and lesbian parents are not fit and are unstable to be parents, social science studies have all indicated gay men and lesbians are actually very good parents. Myths related to child molestation, increased likelihood of homosexuality in children, and higher levels of mental distress have all been debunked.
And major child welfare organizations like the National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Pediatrics, American Psychiatric Association, and American Psychological Association have all spoken-out in-favor of gay and lesbian adoptions and have published large numbers of position statements supporting removal of any barriers to allowing gay men and lesbians to become parents and/or adopt children. In addition, a Florida Supreme Court has ruled the ban unconstitutional but several religious organizations have been fighting the decision in court. If Nan Rich’s bills pass, then it won’t matter how the court eventually rules.
Incidentally, this ban is also quite expensive for Florida’s taxpayers, who are footing the bill for thousands of children who could be adopted into loving homes to remain in foster care. Read my comprehensive Cost/Benefit Analysis of Florida’s Ban on Gay Adoptions under the “Research” link (above).
Lady GaGa Wows The View
Lady GaGa, who’s sold-out World Fame Ball is coming to Orlando’s House of Blues on April 6th, performed her #1 hit song “Just Dance” today on The View. After seeing Britney Spears give an amazing (yet mostly lip-synched) performance in her Circus Tour this past weekend, I am eager to see the World Fame Ball and was excited to see Lady GaGa, who is a Julliard Graduate, sing every word in this performance (as she did in her opening act for New Kids on the Block last year in Ft. Lauderdale). Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed every minute of the Circus Tour and I doubt Lady GaGa will be performing the acrobats, constant dancing, and stunts Spears performed Sunday night. But it will be quite a treat to see a pop star rely on her own voice to carry the show. Here is the video of Lady GaGa’s performance of “Just Dance” on The View today:
Religion Losing Ground
After an explosive piece by the Washington Post was published Monday indicating the number of Americans who identify as Christian or with a major religion is dwindling, one evangelical is conceding, the writing is on the wall. Michael Spencer has written an excellent op-ed piece for The Christian Science Monitor this month in which he predicts the eventual extinction of evangelical Christianity in the not-too-distant future. Spencer articulates his opinion based partly on the fact that evangelicals are out of step with mainstream America on social issues like abortion, gay and lesbian rights, and stem cell research but mostly because of their allegiance to conservative Republican political ideology and quest for political prowess.
Evangelicals have been able to donate large sums of money to mostly staunch-conservative Republican politicians and have worked diligently to show their muscle in getting their voters out to the polls to affect elections. No one can doubt the past 8 years of George Bush were largely the result of the huge funding arms of fundamental Christian groups like the Christian Coalition and their ability to bring voters to the polls in droves. While I believe Spencer’s thesis is partly correct, I believe he is ignoring one of the largest contributors to the demise of traditional Christianity: Science.
Scientific discovery, which has proliferated over the past century, has disproved so many Christian beliefs that Americans are beginning to become more disenchanted with ideologies that aren’t based in scientific reason. Evolution, genetics, physical law/theory, and discoveries in medicine and health have covered the falsehoods of supernatural powers being responsible for things like creationism, mysticism, and magical healing of the sick. And as science begins to show more mundane explanations for facets of life previously considered unexplainable by humans, religion loses not only its appeal, but its merit and fidelity as well.
Spencer’s piece is meant as a “wake up call” for evangelicals and he might have some short-term success. But as social experiences of Americans continue to change and science continues to cast such a strong shadow of doubt over long-standing Christian and religious-based doctrines, religion will continue to dwindle in its relevancy in American life. Everyone is entitled to his or her own beliefs and as a Christian myself, I work to be the best person I can be and live how I believe God wants us to live. But when religion begins to spew hate, take away the rights of minorities, and perpetuate ignorance and unreasoning, my conviction it has no place in politics or any aspect of secular life grows ever so stronger.
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
After its nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the film The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is gaining a little ground towards its limited US release at the end of this month. The film is based on Michael Chabon’s 1988 novel which depicts the story of 3 good friends who experience love and lust in the midst of a gay/bisexual love triangle the summer after their college graduation. The film, which stars Peter Saarsgard, Sienna Miller, Mena Suvari, and Nick Nolte looks promising if this trailer is any indication:
C-USA Releases 2009 Knights’ Schedule
After a horrendous 4-7 2008 season, the UCF Knights are eager to get back to their winning swagger and head Coach George O’Leary is eager to keep his job. The Knights, who are one season removed from Conference USA Champions, have a great schedule for 2009 which includes 7 home games, including the October 17th matchup between UCF and the Miami Hurricanes. The Knights also have one game scheduled for nationwide broadcast on ESPN. That game is against the Thundering Herd of Marshall on Sunday November 1st. The Knights will also take on the Texas Longhorns in Austin on November 7th. Here is the complete 2009 schedule. Times are still TBA:
Sat Sept 5 vs. Samford Sat Sept 12 @ Southern Miss
Sat Sept 19 vs. Buffalo Sat Sept 26 @ East Carolina
Sat October 3 vs. Memphis Sat October 17 vs. Miami
Sat October 24 @ Rice Sun Nov 1 vs Marshall (ESPN)
Sat Nov 7 @ Texas Sat Nov 14 vs. Houston
Sat Nov 21 vs. Tulane Sat Nov 28 @ UAB
Sat Dec 5 C-USA Champ
(Games in bold are home games played in Brighthouse Networks Stadium)
Black & Gold Baby!!! GO KNIGHTS!!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Circus: The Preview
Pop Princess Britney Spears is about to set-launch on her Circus Tour, which opens tonight in New Orleans. I will be watching the Circus Tour in Tampa this Sunday and after checking-out this preview clip, I am more pumped than ever! This concert isn’t cheap. Our seats cost over $200 apiece. But early reviews of the show, seen through rehearsal, have been spectacular with music critics begrudgingly admitting Spears is at her prime. Circus is by far Britney’s best album ever and this concert is going to be HOTT!!! While most shows have sold-out, a very few cities have some obstructed view and limited seats still available through http://ticketmaster.com. Here’s the Preview of Britney Spears’ Circus Tour: