Billy Porter, the Pittsburgh native and Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of “Kinky Boots,” will be honored at the 28th annual GLAAD Media Awards May 6 in New York.
The awards are given for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community. Mr. Porter will receive the Vito Russo Award, presented to an openly LGBTQ “media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance.” Past recipients of the award include Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, George Takei, Cynthia Nixon, Rosie O’Donnell, RuPaul, Tom Ford and Alan Cumming.
Debra Messing will receive the Excellence in Media Award for her “outspoken support” in fighting LGBTQ discrimination. Ross Mathews will host the event for the fourth time, with presenters and special guests including actor Zachary Quinto, a Pittsburgher who, like Mr. Porter, is a Carnegie Mellon alum. They also were co-stars in the off-Broadway Signature Theatre production of “Angels in America.”
The announcement noted that Mr. Porter created the plays “While Yet I Live” and “Ghetto Superstar,” both about his life growing up as a black, gay, Christian man in Pittsburgh, and that “he pushed for marriage equality as a board member of the Empire State Pride Agenda and consistently demonstrates his commitment to LGBTQ youth by working with organizations including the Ali Forney Center for LGBTQ homeless youth in New York City.”
“Billy Porter is a trailblazer who has helped move inclusion forward for marginalized communities in theater and music communities,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD. “Whether advancing acceptance on the stage or off, he sends unabashed messages of pride to LGBTQ youth and out performers around the world.”
The newly married Mr. Porter — he tied the knot with Adam Smith on Jan. 14 — will headline two concerts at Hartwood Acres this summer: as part of the Allegheny County Concert Series on Aug. 27 and a more intimate concert Aug. 26 on the Hartwood Acres Mansion lawn for the Allegheny County Parks Foundation’s inaugural Twilight Picnic for the Parks fundraiser. Tickets are $250 (individual), $500 (patron) and $1,000 (benefactor) at 724-327-7627 or www.acparksfoundation.org.
In October, he introduced three songs from his just-released album “The Soul of Richard Rodgers” (Sony Masterworks) during a solo Trust Cabaret appearance: “Edelweiss” (“The Sound of Music”), “Lady Is a Tramp” (“Babes in Arms”) and “My Romance” (“Jumbo”). The “My Romance” track on the album features a duet with “Hamilton” Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr., one of many collaborations on the recording. Other fellow Carnegie Mellon alumni and Tony winners singing with Mr. Porter are Renee Elise Goldsberry and Patina Miller, and he gets political with Todrick Hall on “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair.” Cynthia Erivo, Pentatonix, Ledisi, India.Arie and rapper Zaire Park also join Mr. Porter in the new exploration of Richard Rodgers’ music.
Simon Bradbury wins playwriting prize
Pittsburgh knows Simon Bradbury as an actor, one who shared Post-Gazette Performer of the Year honors with Derdriu Ring for Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre’s “Hobson’s Choice” in 2010. Now he’s an award-winning writer as well. Mr. Bradbury was awarded the Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize, which comes with £10,000 (close to $12,900), for his play “The Last Act of Love of J B Moliere.”
Set in 1673, the play imagines a dying Moliere planning to perform in “The Imaginary Invalid,” and the madcap efforts to have him renounce the risky profession of acting.
Rob Ashford dances on to Broadway’s ‘Frozen’
Disney’s “Frozen” musical that is headed to Broadway recently announced full casting and one thing more — Rob Ashford (Point Park ‘82) will replace Christopher Gattelli as choreographer.
Mr. Ashford recently has collaborated with Kenneth Branagh and and last worked on Broadway directing Scarlett Johansson in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” His most recent Broadway choreography was for the 2012 “Evita” revival with Elena Rogers, Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris. He has one best director Tony Award nomination (“How to Succeed in Business”) and seven for choreography, winning in 2002 for “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Tony nominations on Tuesday
When the Tony Award nominations are annoucned, it is likely one or more of your favorites will in the new musical categories will be missing. It won't necessarily be a snub -- this has been an incredible season new and worthy musicals.
“Dear Evan Hansen” and star Ben Platt have been garnering awards and kudos from its premiere in Washington, D.C., off-Broadway run and now, on Broadway, as tough a ticket as "Hamilton."
Carnegie Mellon's Kristolyn Lloyd plays an over-achieving student in the musical about teen isolation and angst in the social-media age. In her cast bio, she says, "I, luckily, survived the conservative, clean, suburban streets of Spring, Texas, and made it to a magical place called Hogwarts. Just kidding, it was Carnegie Mellon University, but same difference."
"Anastasia," the adaptation featuring music by Dormont's Stephen Flaherty, has already received multiple nominations from the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk voters.
Here are some of the other new musicals to watch out for when Christopher Jackson ("Hamilton") and Jane Krakowski ("She Loves Me") announce the nominees Tuesday:
“Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812”; “Come From Away”; “Groundhog Day”; “Bandstand”; “Amelie”; “War Paint”; “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”; “A Bronx Tale, the Musical”; “In Transit” and “Holiday Inn.”
Top revivals include Bette Midler in “Hello, Dolly!” and Christian Borle, also the star of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” in “Falsettos.”
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg.
First Published: April 26, 2017, 9:55 p.m.
