2009 Wave Award Winner for Favorite LGBT
Blog
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Dear
WANZeGRAM Reader, |
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If you woke up this morning and had
ready access to safe drinking water, you
are better off than one third of the
people on this planet.

If troubles are
getting you down, just stop and take
stock of all the wonderful gifts we in
this country have right at our
fingertips.
No need to turn your
world upside down looking for treasures.

You need only turn on
a faucet to know you are fortunate.
Happy Friday! |
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Quick Links |
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Wanzie and Doug's Movie
Review

Hydrate
often.
And be grateful you can. |
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Stuart Milk To Visit
Orlando In Support Of Linda Stewart |
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Orange County
Commissioner Linda Stewart will receive
the endorsement of activist Stuart Milk
at a series of events planned for late
March. Stuart Milk is the nephew of
Harvey Milk, the slain, openly gay, San
Francisco City Supervisor who was the
subject of the 2008 biographical movie,
Milk.
Milk is a national
activist who advocates for equality on
behalf of the LGBTQ community, and promotes
the legacy of his late uncle. He recently
formed the Harvey B. Milk Foundation that
works with governments around the world to
promote equal rights for LGBTQ citizens.
In 2006 Commissioner
Stewart supported Orange County's
non-discrimination ordinance that added
sexual orientation to the list of factors
businesses could not use to discriminate
against individuals seeking loans or home
ownership. In addition, she recognizes that
if our region expects to attract Fortune 500
companies, Orange County needs to respect
diversity in our community.
Commissioner Stewart's
campaign for Mayor has a diverse support
group that touches every community in Orange
County. Her support is independent of race,
religion, income, or orientation. She
believes that as the next Mayor, she must
represent and be accessible to everyone.
Stuart Milk will
headline events on Saturday, March 20th
that will include a private reception and an
evening community fundraiser to benefit the
Stewart campaign. The endorsement of
Stewart is the first Milk has ever made for
any candidate outside the state of
California. Milk's trip to Orlando will be
solely for the endorsement of the Stewart
campaign, and not for benefit of any other
campaigns or foundations.
"As a person who comes in contact with so
many people from around the country, I know
that to truly serve a large and diverse
community, we need leaders who will listen
to all voices and make decisions that
respect the rights of everyone. After
spending time with Linda Stewart, I can
clearly see how well she would fulfill that
mission as the next Mayor, "Milk
said.
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Leslie Jordan - ONE
NIGHT ONLY - All New Show |
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Tickets On Sale Today
LESLIE JORDAN
Tickets Now Available Exclusively
for
WANZeGRAM Subscribers - In advance
of announcement in any other
publications!
Reserve your seats today for
The Parliament
House & Wanzie Presents
Leslie
Jordan's All New
FROM WHENCE I CAME
The Footlight
Theatre
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Beloved
Emmy Award-winning actor/comedian
LESLIE JORDAN returns to one of his
favorite stomping grounds, ORLANDO, to
kick off his latest stage show, aptly
titled Leslie Jordan's ALL
NEW-FROM WHENCE I CAME.
Jordan continues to regale captive
audiences by dishing the dirt with his
many celebrity encounters and delving
into a never ending well spring of
salacious stories, both personal and
professional, as he did with such recent
stage triumphs -- ensemble pieces
SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES and
A SORDID AFFAIRE, along with
his classic solo turns in LIKE A
DOG ON LINOLEUM, MY TRIP DOWN THE PINK
CARPET (soon to premiere
off-Broadway for a 12 week run at the
Manhattan Theatre in NYC), and
LESLIE JORDAN - FULL OF GIN & REGRET.
His numerous
memorable television and film
appearances define the Jordan canon. A
career pinnacle came with his first Emmy
for his recurring role as the caustic,
camp, BEVERLEY LESLEY on the ground
breaking NBC comedy WILL & GRACE.
In feature film he made his mark with
his indelible classic portrayal of the
delusional but endearing Tammy
Wynette-obsessed character BROTHER BOY
in SORDID LIVES, a role
which he reprieved in Logo TV's version
of the film, SORDID LIVES, THE
PREQUEL.
Actor, author,
activist are but a few of the many
dimensions on display through his innate
story telling abilities chronicling his
astonishing life and career.
This
one-night-only performance of Leslie's
all new show is scheduled for March 28
at 8 PM at the Footlight Theatre at the
Parliament House Resort.
Tickets are on
sale today, in advance of all other
publicity, which kicks in on Friday. So
take advantage of this special advance
notice and select your seat today
through the WANZIE.com on line box
office.
Also, if you have
not yet purchased your tickets for the
newest Wanzie-penned play - 55 WEST -
remember you can order tickets for
multiple events at the same time and pay
only one transaction fee.
NOTICE: All three of
Leslie's previous appearances at the
Footlight Theatre were SOLD OUT
events. To avoid disappointment,
advance reservations are strongly
encouraged.

Leslie Jordan's ALL NEW -
FROM WHENCE I CAME
brings the popular entertainer back
to one of his personal favorite
venues, the FOOTLIGHT THEATRE at the
PARLIAMENT HOUSE RESORT.
"Audiences here just seem to get
it...me, my humor, angst and all. I
suppose it comes from y'all being
Southern boys, too," Jordan
quips with that unmistakable,
naughty twinkle in his eye.
Leslie
Jordan's All New
FROM WHENCE I CAME
ONE NIGHT ONLY /
ONLY AT THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE
SUNDAY, MARCH 28,
8 PM
Tickets: $43
Now On Sale
Exclusively through the WANZIE.com
On Line Box Office:
Select-A-Seat Now!
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Come Help Roast DOUG
in Celebration of his 50th |
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You
may know him as actor Doug Ba'aser,
or as friend Doug Bowser, or as movie
reviewer, just DOUG from the Philip's Phile,
or as Opal Locksdale. You may be close to
him, not so close to him, or only know him
from his work on stages and in dinner shows
and theme parks throughout Central Florida.
But no matter how well you may or may not
know the man, you will surely not want to
miss seeing him roasted, Comedy-Central
style, in celebration of his 50th
birthday.
Wanzie will serve as Roast Master,
and Comedian Jeff Jones will have the
coveted final slot/shot at lampooning and
lambasting the multifaceted and unique
individual that is Doug
whatever-his-last-name-is.
In order to maintain
an element of surprise for Doug, we have
chosen to NOT list the 8-person panel of
roasters, but you can be certain, roast Doug
they will. And of course, Doug will get the
final word.
Doug was asked to
personally select the charity he wishes the
event to benefit. He has chosen the Valencia
Community College scholarship that is
available to a gay or lesbian theater
student, which was created in memory of
Doug's dear friend, Paul (Miss P) Wegman.
A minimum donation of
$10 cash-at-the-door / or a check ($10 or
more) payable to The Paul Wegman Memorial
Scholarship Fund at VCC is requested by
all who attend.
All
donations made at the door will be for
general admission only.
Reserved seating is
available for a donation of $25, and may be
arranged only through the WANZIE.com online
box office.
100 % of the proceeds
from entry donations will go to the charity.
The Celebrity Roast of
Doug will take place on Monday, March 29th
at 8 PM in the Footlight Theatre at The
Parliament House Resort.
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WANZeGRAM Outing to See Dynamic New Play: |
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SPECIAL WANZeGRAM OUTING
To attend
SHOTGUN
as a group
Thursday evening,
April 1, 2010

A fully staged and
costumed production of John Biguenet's
gripping, post-Katrina play set in New
Orleans featuring Dennis Neal, Barry
White, Brandon Rogers, Chantal Jean-Pierre,
and one of Orlando's finest acting talents -
Russ Blackwell, under the direction
of David Lee.
Enjoy a Specially
Arranged WANZeGRAM Subscriber Discount:
SAVE
$18
Off regular ticket
price!
Pay only $20 for your
$38 ticket
Offer valid at this
one performance only, and only if you book
as part of the WANZeGRAM group.
SIMPLY DIAL
407.447.1700
Reserve for the Thursday, April 1
Performance
Ask for discount code
WANZeGRAM
Offer valid while
seats remain available, and by reservation
only.
WANZeGRAM group
discount is NOT available through the
website - only by phone.
This event is selling
fast.
All seats are assigned
on a first call - first served basis
407.447.1700
Mark your calendar and
save the date:
April 1, 2010
to save $18!
Meet at 6:30 PM for
pre-show cocktails at Savoy! |
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Advertisement |
Wanzie to co-host annual
Easter Bonnet Parade & Auction
Event with
Darcel Stevens
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Now on Sale
in our Box Office! |
Opening Night Is This Saturday,
MARCH 13,
2010
For
World
Premiere of latest
Wanzie-penned comedy:

Opening
Night Tickets Include
POST SHOW MEET & GREET RECEPTION
In the pool bar
With Complimentary
Hors d' Oeuvres
And, as always - free club cover for the
remainder of the evening
STAY FOR SPECIAL GUEST HOSTESS
CAROL LEE
Emceeing the 10 PM & MIDNIGHT
FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS FEMALE IMPERSONATION
SHOWS
FREE WITH YOUR PURCHASE OF A 55 WEST
TICKET
FOR THAT SAME EVENING - SATURDAY, MARCH
13!
SELECT-A-SEAT NOW
(All
Dates On Sale)
ONE
NIGHT ONLY!

GRAB A GOOD SEAT RIGHT NOW
For Leslie's
ALL NEW
SHOW
Select-A-Seat Now!
LOOK WHO'S GETTING SKEWERED!

$10
entry donations accepted only at the
door for general admission seating
on a first come, first served basis
For a donation of $25 you
may request a specific reserved seat
through our online box office, for
which you will receive a
confirmation:
Select-A-Seat NOW!
SELECT YOUR SEAT IN ADVANCE
FOR THE MOST EXCITING
PAGEANT OF THE SEASON!

NOTE: You may
purchase on-line tickets to multiple
shows at the same time and pay only
one transaction fee.
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Tchotchkes Big & Small |
A free marketplace for WANZeGRAM
subscribers:
Subscribers
are invited to submit items you wish to
offer for sale in this
complimentary-listing section.
Non-business listings only. The
WANZeGRAM accepts no responsibility
for/takes no active role in the private
transactions between sellers and buyers.
Listings must include an item header,
brief description of item, price, your
name, and a means of contact. (Pictures
optional / posted at our discretion.)
Garage sales may also be listed here
free of charge. PLEASE NOTE: we at the
WANZeGRAM do not advocate or encourage
the exchange of funds other than in
person after the buyer has inspected the
item on offer. This is a local market
place for our Central Florida
Subscribers. We reserve the right to
limit listings. The WANZeGRAM does not
endorse any particular listing/seller,
and the WANZeGRAM warrants no claims.
Submit A Listing
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We've Got Mail!
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We at the WANZeGRAM are always just as
pleased as punch to receive, post, and
answer our mail in this public forum.
But it takes two to play! Send your
email to WANZIE!
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Short Takes:
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"John Biguenet,
who wrote SHOTGUN, was hired by the New
York Times after Hurricane Katrina to
report on the flood, New Orleans, and
the recovery efforts to rebuild the
city. He is from New Orleans...his story
is amazing...his play is stunning. He is
a novelist and playwright with
international acclaim...a new friend, an
amazing writer. An astonishing man."
- David Lee
Submit
YOUR Short Take directly to
WANZIE at michael@wanzie.com.Be
sure to type "Short Take" in the
subject line. Short Takes
submissions must be received no
later than midnight on each
Tuesday, for inclusion in the
following Friday GRAM. A strict
limit of 30 words maximum is
imposed. You must provide your
first and last name, which will
be printed following your
submission. Your name will not
figure into your word count. All
postings will be at the sole
discretion of the management
team at the lovely WANZIE.com
World Headquarters, with offices
inconveniently located in
Melbourne, and Lake Mary,
Florida.
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My Two Cents:
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BIG
VICTORY IN KISSIMMEE!
By Mary Thomson Hunt
The Kissimmee City Commission voted
[this week] to offer domestic partner
benefits to its employees. The effort
was led by the openly-gay and very
courageous Commissioner Cheryl Grieb,
and supported by all of the
Commissioners except Art Otero.
You may recall that Commissioner Otero
previously had wanted to add "In God We
Trust" to the Kissimmee logo in order to
send a message, among other things, that
Kissimmee loves God and hates gays.
Orlando and others pummeled Mr. Otero,
and squashed his effort.
Kudos as well to Equality Florida for
assisting Commissioner Grieb, and
working hard behind the scenes to make
this happen.
Below is a link to a video piece run by
Channel 13, and the written article they
ran on the story. (That's Equality
Florida's Joe Saunders, The Center's
Michael Vance, and Vicki and me in the
picture watching the proceedings.)
Thank you to all of you who wrote and
called the Kissimmee Commissioners to
encourage them to support this. Do the
same now to thank them. Go to the
Equality Florida blog at this link to
sign on to a collective group "thank
you":
http://eqfl.blogspot.com/2010/03/victory-in-kissimmee.html
You may also email the Commissioners
directly at:
'jswan@kissimmee.org'; 'jgemskie@kissimmee.org';
'cgrieb@kissimmee.org'; 'cirizarry@kissimmee.org';
'aeotero@kissimmee.org'
"Everybody
has a heart. Except some people."
--
Bette Davis
Submit YOUR TWO CENTS:
My Two Cents
submissions must be received no later
than midnight on each Monday for
possible inclusion in the next Friday
GRAM. A strict limit of 350 words will
be imposed. Please submit your column
directly to WANZIE at michael@wanzie.com
and kindly type "My Two Cents" in the
subject line.
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PARTY - St. Patrick's
Day with Wanzie & Miss Sammy
On Wednesday, March 17th
- Forget about Beach Blanket
Bingo. Wanzie & Sammy will not
be handling the balls. Instead,
they'll be having a ball
creating a special St. Patrick's
Day-themed happy hour party just
for you!
St. Patrick's Day
Irish Spring Party Games
Hosted by
Miss Sammy & Wanzie
Lots o' great prizes
Special Prize For Best
St. Patty's Day Attire!
St. Patty's Happy Hour
Drink Specials
poured by
Taylor, The Illustrated
Bartender
Featuring
Susan's Irish Potato Famine Nosh
Baked Potato Bar
Plenty of Complimentary Baked
Potatoes
For you to customize to your
liking
Choose from
Butter Chives Bacon
Bits
Cheddar Cheese Chili
&
Shamrock-green Sour
Cream
Wednesday, March 17
6 PM - 9 PM
Video Bar / The
Parliament House

THEATER - In The Heights
 Broadway
Across America presentation of 2008
Tony Award Winning BEST MUSICAL. IN
THE HEIGHTS is a sensational new
show about chasing your dreams and
finding your true home. With an
amazing cast, incredible Tony
Award-winning dancing, and a
thrilling Tony Award-winning score,
IN THE HEIGHTS is an exhilarating
journey into a vibrant Manhattan
community - a place where the coffee
is light and sweet, the windows are
always open, and the breeze carries
the rhythm of three generations of
music. Experience the next chapter
of the classic American story at
this most joyous, exciting, and
award-winning new musical. Find out
what it takes to make a living, what
it costs to have a dream, and what
it means to be home...
Through March 14, 2010
Tuesday through Thursday at 8 pm
Saturday, March 13 at 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, March 14 at 1 pm & 6:30 pm
Carr Performing Arts Centre
401 West Livingston Street
Orlando, FL 32801
$37-$68
Box Office: 407.849-2000
Or

SPECIAL
EVENT - Philip Seymour Hoffman
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman will be
appearing live on stage, Saturday, April
10 at 7:30 PM at the John & Rita Lowndes
Shakespeare Center. In an "Inside the
Actors Studio" type of interview, Jim
Helsinger will talk to Hoffman about his
career in film, theatre, and new plays.
Individual tickets are priced at $50,
$75, & $100 with some student tickets
available at $25. For further
information and ticket purchase:
407.447.1700 /
www.OrlanoShakes.org

THEATRE - CITIZEN EVE
A reading,under the direction of
Kenny Howard. In this fascinating play
centered around the writing of the film
All About Eve, Orlando actress and
WANZeGRAM fav Becky Fisher will once
again assume the persona of Bette Davis,
which she so amazingly embodied in the
critically acclaimed Me And Jezebel,
for which Fisher won The Lillie Stoates
Award for Best Performance by an Actress
in the 1997 Orlando theatrical season.
Other familiar actors appearing in
CITIZEN EVE include Becky's own
husband and gifted performer in his own
right, Joe Swanberg, the fabulous Frank
McClain, the talented Alan Finic,
luscious newcomer Michael Ealy, brassy &
sassy Meagan Maroney, the always
delectable Heather Leonardi, sultry
Katherine Skelton in the role of Marylyn
Monroe, and our own Wanzie in the role
of Charles Foster Cane.
It's 1950 and Joe Mankiewicz is toiling
and troubling over the script of "All
About Eve." Enter the supernatural, and
things get even bumpier. Enter Bette
Davis and, well...fasten your seat belt!
Citizen Eve
By Scott Bibb & Jerry Rice
Directed by Kenny Howard
Sunday, April 4, 8 PM
Friday, April 9, 7:30 PM
Only $5:
OrlandoShakes.org
This event is part of

April 2 - 11, 2010
PlayFest is a ten-day theater event packed
with dynamic new plays and new play
programming for anyone who loves great
theater!
The complete schedule of events, the dates,
times, prices, and ticket purchasing are all
now available by logging onto
OrlandoShakes.org
ALSO
This is the final weekend for
HAMLET & ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Orlando Shakes /
Margeson Theater
812 E. Rollins Street
Loch Haven Park
Orlando, FL 32803
$16 - $38:
407.447.1700
http://www.orlandoshakes.org

THEATER -
The Fantasticks
Aaron Babcock directs this
record-breaking musical, which features
the song "TRY TO REMEMBER" (that kind of
September). At the heart of The
Fantasticks' breathtaking poetry and
subtle theatrical sophistication is a
purity and simplicity that transcends
all cultural barriers. The result is a
timeless fable of love that manages to
be nostalgic and universal at the same
time. Featuring; Adam Shorts Boarman,
Lorelei Sandberg, Joe Schmerler, Doug
Boarman Shorts, Wesley Speed, Larry
Stallings, Charlie Stevens, and Dave
West.

February 12 thru March 13
Thursday, Friday, & Saturdays: 8 PM
Sunday Matinees - February 14 & 28: 2:30 PM
THEATRE DOWNTOWN
2113 N. Orange Ave
(At Princeton)
Orlando, FL 32804
$15-$18: 407.841.0083
NOTE: The first Thursday night performance
all Theatre Downtown productions are priced
at only $10 |
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Coming
Attractions: |
Upcoming events which are not
listed elsewhere in this edition
of your WANZeGRAM. Please note
that only opening dates are
indicated. Some events may have
extended runs. Please check with
the venue for additional
information.
A
comprehensive listing of most
performance venues in Central
Florida, including web links and
phone numbers for ticketing, may be
accessed if you simply
CLICK HERE
TONIGHT
March 12 STOMP -King Center
March 15
CRAIG FURGESON - Hard Rock Live!
March 19 WINTER PARK SIDEWALK
ART FESTIVAL - Park Ave/Central
Park
March 26 LEWIS BLACK Hard Rock
Live!
April 4
LISA LAMPANELLI Hard Rock Live!
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Now Playing: |
Ongoing
attractions currently being
presented which are not featured
elsewhere in this edition of your
WANZeGRAM
Through May 3 -
INTERNATIONAL FLOWER &
GARDEN FESTIVAL - Epcot
Through April 17 - MARDI
GRAS - Universal Studios
Through March 21 - WITHOUT A
TRACE: Artists Imagine a World
Without Us
- Orlando Museum of Art
Fridays 10PM -
MAMA'S COMEDY SHOW - Sleuth's
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Performing Arts Reservation Links & Numbers: |
Our
companion website -
WANZIE.com -
is pleased to host a permanent
listing of Central Florida
theatrical & concert venues, as
well as most area performing
arts companies, with phone
numbers and web links for
ticketing and reservations. If
you are interested in any event
listed in the sections directly
above, you may quickly access
venue/ticketing information when
you
CLICK HERE.
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A Note From Wanzie:
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As of this writing, I am officially
endorsing Commissioner Linda Stewart
for Mayor of Orange County.

And now Orange
County Mayoral Candidate
I am also pleased
to have included Commissioner Stewart in
the dialogue of my newest play, 55
WEST.
I hope to see many
of you at the opening night performance
tomorrow night followed by a reception
in the pool bar. Carol Lee is guest
hosting the Footlight Players shows that
evening.
Then I hope you
will consider joining Miss Sammy and me
for our special St. Patrick's Day party
and games, which will replace Beach
Blanket Bingo on Wednesday, March 17 at
the PH.
BTW - Those new
commercials for FUN SPOT amusement parks
are enough to make me not want to ever
go there.
Doug and I did go
to see IN THE HEIGHTS, however.
Great set - and the best touring cast
I've seen at Bob Car in years! High
energy and great singing, and
extraordinary choreo from beginning to
end. Highly recommend it.
Thanks to everyone
who made my birthday so swell by coming
out last Saturday night.
Much appreciated.
Finally, I am
delighted to invite you to visit our all
new companion website, which just
launched yesterday morning, dedicated
entirely to the Footlight Theatre and
Footlight Cabaret Lounge. The amazingly
talented and incredibly giving Mr. Doug
Fish created it all from start to
finish, simply because he loves the
venue - especially Sunday Piano
Sing-A-Long/Open Mic Parties with Kelly
Richards where Doug and his husband,
Richard, have long assumed the roles of
unofficial hosts. Not only did Doug
design the new website, but he is also
the talent behind the beautiful art deco
make-over of both our theatre and the
lounge. He's done an amazing job, and we
at Wanzie Presents can't thank him
enough.
And now I proudly
give you...
www.footlighttheatre.com
I'm WANZIE and That's
REALLY All I Wrote!
email
me
2009 Wave Award Winner for
Favorite Local Spiritual
Leader
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