As the heroes of the trans-positive rock ‘n roll zombie epic Wild Zero, Guitar Wolf should have a special place in the hearts of LGBTQIA terror freaks.
As hypnotically cool live performers, they should definitely appeal to lovers of music, worldwide, as well.
Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
Roles in Oklahoma, Carousel and The Music Man pegged the exquisite Shirley Jones as one of America’s true sweethearts. Glossy production numbers on variety specials, like the one below, only enhanced that image.
But every performer has a dual nature. Jones, who won an Academy Award for playing a lady of the evening in Elmer Gantry, has been nicely showing hers in such latter day horror productions as Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th and Zombie Night. If that isn’t proof of her full bounty of talent then I don’t know what is!
Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan
The one thing that has always struck me as both unique and heartbreaking about the theatrical performance is its impermanence. Once it is done, it’s done and if you weren’t there, it isn’t even a vaporous speck in your consciousness. Of course occasionally, whether in rehearsal or secretively done during a performance, footage can be recorded for posterity.
Such is the case with Zombie Bathhouse: A Rock Musical. I wrote the book for this show that premiered during the Halloween season in Chicago last fall. Along with the ghastly limb chewing action and romance – (Yes, romance. This was a musical, after all.) – that occurred onstage; some ghostly presence got some recorded evidence of the show. Now we have a super cool music video of one of composer-lyricist Scott Free’s most aggressive numbers, Man Meat.
Nicely, this leaves an imprint for both the work of director Dan Foss and one of the show’s inspirations, Joey Kissling. Foss, who was suffering from kidney and heart disease, died nine days after the close of the show. His imaginativeness helped flesh out the show’s structure and his love for the cast allowed everyone to overcome the emotional hurdles involved with mounting a larger production with ease. Kissling, meanwhile, provided the spiritual outline for Michael, the show’s conflicted and defiant lead. Kissling succumbed to an aggressive form of cancer in the spring of 2016 and Michael was created in his honor. Now, thanks to the existence of this video, they both have a more permanent and much deserved legacy.
Dan Foss directing the ZB cast.
For those interested in the production itself, please feel free to visit www.zombiebathhouse.net/.
Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan
Though they share no screen time, 1934’s Of Human Bondage proved to be a successful project for Frances Dee, who would go on to headline Val Lewton’s classic 1943 offering I Walked With a Zombie, and Bette Davis, whose take on the spiteful Mildred Rogers finally established her as a star of significant reckoning.
Davis, of course, would go on to become one of the queens of gothic horror with appearances in such revered projects as Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? and Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte. Here, though, her determination to artistic truth emerged via her insistence that Mildred’s decline not be a pretty one, but a dark and realistic journey. Her perseverance was also tested here as she was, reportedly, not treated well by her co-star Leslie Howard, who felt that a Brit should have been cast in the role in deference to the film’s English setting.
Dee has the nicer, less meaty role here. As the kind and understanding woman who eventually gains Howard’s heart, she does project a luminous quality that would bring her good stead in her most famous role of Betsey Connell, a nurse introduced to the ominous world of voodoo in (the above mentioned) I Walked with a Zombie.
This is truly Davis’ show, though. Compelling even as her repellant actions to Howard’s club footed Philip Carey make one wonder what he could ever see in her, she provides a bravura performance that has lingered in the public consciousness for decades.
Now, be sure to wipe your mouth, wipe your mouth…and until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
“Like a barnacle they stick to me, like a zombie’s teeth in my flesh…”
As Tammy in Planet Terror, the multi-hyphenate Fergie unsuccessfully dealt with some vicious undead trauma. But in real life, this wise woman knows that the true emotional horror comes from a relationship gone cold.
Nicely, the video for Save It Til Morning, off of Double Duchess, her latest release, also prominently features handsome actor Jay Hernandez, known not only for his work in my deepest fantasies, but in the Hostel series, as well.
Of course, you can get in touch with this gorgeous songstress anytime of the day at www.fergie.com or https://www.facebook.com/fergie.
Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
Hmmm…That old performing truism about not writing something for a cast member that you wouldn’t do yourself has come back to haunt me, as of late.
For years, I’ve been working with composer-lyricist (and Chicago institution) Scott Free on a project called Zombie Bathhouse: A Rock Musical. After a number of readings (and lots and lots of rewriting and reimagining and… well, you get the picture), we were ready to hit those Midwest stages, last week, for a professional run. Naturally, our amazing and dedicated cast was firmly in place, when circumstances twisted, as they are want to do, and I found myself recruited – or ham that I am, did I offer myself up willingly!?!? – to take over the role of the mysterious Dr. Martino, the man responsible for the many nightmares endured by the show’s tortured romantic hero, Michael.
Honestly, it’s the last position that I expected to find myself in…but after some inner grumbling and heavy sighing, I’ve actually found myself immensely enjoying being one of the many creepy cogs in a creative machine again. My artistic journey began in the theatrical trenches and I had forgotten how amazing backstage comradery can feel. It’s been very satisfying being part of a unit working for a common goal…and the fact that this, (quite possibly) my final theatrical stage appearance, is in a work of horror makes it all the more satisfying.
More than anything, though, this experience makes me respect artists everywhere all the more. There are so many beautiful things involved with creating something, but so many risks and heartaches, as well. Sometimes those negatives can even outweigh the positives…and, damn, don’t those failures fucking burn?!? But, still we persist. Therefore, I want to send up a salute to my fellow cast mates and to all who dare to risk, to dream and to falter, on a daily basis. We’re warriors, folks, and even the mysterious and totally unsavory Dr. Martino would probably have to bow down to that.
Zombie Bathhouse runs until October 29th at The Center on Halsted. Further information is available at
https://m.facebook.com/ZombieBathhouse/
Until the next time, Sweet love and pink Grue, Big Gay Horror Fan!
https://m.facebook.com/BigGayHorrorFan/
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Ladies and gentlemen, I know you’ve been a bit worried, but at last…my butt has been fully restored. Yes. After sitting through countless half-assed productions, often scribbled out by established playwrights, at such venerable institutions as The Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf –Be honest. How many times have you thought to yourself, “Now, why the fuck did they spend all that money to do…that?!?” – I have been posteriorly redefined by some good old fashioned, gnawingly eviscerating storefront theater.
Factory Theatre’s latest production is a horror comedy that goes by the name of Zombie Broads. The title is a reference to a book club featuring many of the show’s female characters, but it is also indicative of the fact that playwrights Corbette Pasko and Sara Sevigny have focused the mayhem here around a series of powerful and resourceful femmes. It’s a nice contrast to The Walking Dead, World War Z and other popular forms of undead entertainment that, granted, contain some awesome female characters, but are seemingly more focused on the male perspective in times of apocalyptic crisis.
Here, former cosplayers turned survivalists, Maxine and Marco, are bringing up Shelby, their exasperated daughter, in a shelter style environment. Shelby, certain that a ghoulish uprising is out of the question, just wants a cell phone, a normal job and to be able to spend some less secretive time with her boyfriend, Alex. But sometimes the folks are right, and when Shelby finds out the dead actually can have real bite, she is glad for all the preriquisite training. If only she weren’t feeling so strange…
Nicely, all of Maxine and Marco’s battle minded compatriots are women and the involved and inventive fight choreography by Matt Engle shows these actresses and, therefore, their characters off to strong intent. Indeed, the audience emotionally connects with all of them.
But if I must choose a favorite…I have decided that I want the divine Haley Rice to be my best friend, in real life, forever! Her subtle, slightly bored take on Isabel, the saucy custodian who starts off the crisis, is comic gold. I! Love! Her!
Granted, the second act does lose some of the zippy breeze established in the first, settling into much more nihilistic vibe. Tone-wise, it’s a bit jarring, as is the semi- cliffhanger ending. But the uniformly enjoyable cast is always a treat and it would be damn hard to find original scripting as zanily courageous and heartfelt, amplified by Janice L. Blizt’s flinty direction, as this anywhere else.
Zombie Broads runs at The Factory Theatre in Rogers Park in Chicago through November 26th. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/factorytheater/ and www.thefactorytheater.com.
Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
Hell of A Gal explores the many genre credits of European exploitation goddess Helga Liné!
Diversity, thy name is Helga Liné! While her role of Natasha in the deliriously fun 1972 Spanish/British mash-up Horror Express finds her in familiar bad girl territory, this definitive fatale also adds a light sense of girlish comedy to her scenes with terror legend Peter Cushing.
Sneaking aboard the Trans-Siberian Express, Liné’s Natasha talks her way into the room of Cushing’s turn-of-the-century anthropologist. Charmed by her seductive brashness, the two strike up an engaging friendship. Of course, that relationship is cut short when Natasha’s thieving ways earn her a place on the victim’s list of a prehistoric caveman, who just happens to house the essence of a murderous alien creature. (I know! Happens every day, right?!?)
Still, in her unfortunately short screen time here, Liné and Cushing shine together. Their cute chemistry, also, produces one of the unusual screenplay’s funniest lines, as well.
A blend of Euro horror (with both more traditional and zombie elements), zany action and science fiction, Horror Express features delightful performances from almost everyone involved (including horror legend Christopher Lee and an exuberantly wacked out Telly Savalas) and Severin’s ( http://www.severin-films.com ) 2011 Blu-Ray re-mastering features such amazing extras as an extensive audio interview with Cushing and features with director Eugenio Martin and composer John Cacavas.
Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan
Pestilence ridden floods, 7-11’s with exploding dairy products…I would, gladly, follow Jesse Metcalfe just about anywhere.
So, obviously I am thrilled that Metcalfe, whose other terror credits include Insanitarium and The Tortured, is taking on the zombie hordes in the upcoming Dead Rising: Watchtower, based upon the popular video game series.
The trailer for the upcoming flick, which begins streaming on Sony’s video service, Crackle, in March, actually looks like a lot of fun.
In the meantime, be sure to get exclusive updates (and other cool stuff) at:
https://www.facebook.com/deadrisingwatchtower
Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
Looks like things will never be the same again, Toto! Dead Kansas’ writer-director-producer Aaron Carter (and his multi-talented crew) just won Best Zombie Film at the 2014 Fantastic Horror Film Fest in San Diego!
Featuring a strong heroine (a passionate Erin Miracle), Dead Kansas details what happens when a determined young woman traverses across the barren land of a once thriving state in order to save her father. Chased by a band of renegades determined to use her to jumpstart society and the hungry undead (known here as Rottens), Carter’s vision shows how far a little bit of attitude and a sure sense of familial love can take someone.
Naturally, some performances here are stronger than others, but genre veteran Irwin Keyes (as a kindly character known as the Giant) continues to prove that his versatility is pretty much endless.
Most significantly, Carter has made his feature available, for free, online.
You can keep up with further news on this shambling, rock n roll style epic at
https://www.facebook.com/deadkansas, as well.
Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!
Big Gay Horror Fan 