HI GANG - Going back into HAIRSPRAY on BROADWAY this Tuesday, so I've been busy. But I wanted to share this op ed I wrote and published on HUFFINGTON.

Hope y'all are taking care of each other.

xoxoxooxoxoxox

© 2008 by Harvey Fierstein.

HISTORIC FOR SOME, SAME OLD SHIT FOR THE REST OF US.

An Op Ed by Harvey Fierstein


While we dance in the streets and pat ourselves on the back for being a nation great enough to reach beyond racial divides to elect our first African American President let us not forget that we remain a nation still proudly practicing prejudice.

I have heard this day described as one of transcendence where Americans came together to prove that we are, above all, a nation of fairness. World witnesses wrote that we rose above ideology, politics and bigotry to achieve a great moment for America. Meanwhile, on this same Election Day, we great Americans passed laws as heinous as any Jim Crow legislation. We great Americans reached out and willfully put our name to language that denies an entire minority group their equal rights.

Of course I am referring to the states of Florida, Arizona and California passing legislation to specifically deny gay people from entering into the contract of marriage. Actually, that's not true. We can still get married, just not to each other. Yes my friends, Florida and California have now made it legal for gay men and lesbians to marry as long as we don't marry our partners. How much sense does that make?

Now, before you rise up on your high horse to holler, "We're not against Civil Unions, just Gay Marriage", let me once again explain that THE SUPREME COURT HAS STATED THAT SEPARATE BUT EQUAL IS NOT EQUAL. And even if it were, civil unions are simply not equal to marriage.

Let me give you a simple example that anyone can follow. John and Jim are registered as domestic partners and so, just like a married couple; Jim is covered by John's employee health care. That's really nice. BUT… since the IRS does not recognize civil unions or domestic partnership Jim has to pay income tax on the value of this coverage. So, unlike a married couple, John and Jim are penalized hundreds of dollars for not being married. That's not fair. That's not in the spirit of the civil union legislation. And that's just the tip of the iceberg of the inequality being offered.

Listen, my fellow Americans, I am only asking that we get sensible about this controversy. Gays are not asking for religious blessings. We are not asking for everyone to come to our weddings. We are not asking the government to force churches and synagogues to perform marriage rituals or even to allow us into their tax-exempt edifices. We are simply and forcefully demanding equal protection under the laws of this nation as tax paying, voting, property owning citizens. I want no more or less protection than granted any heterosexual to control and distribute my holdings.

State sanctioned marriage is a civil contract period. A contract is not a judgment of moral value. It is a legal agreement between two parties that testifies to a meeting of minds between those consenting entities. It is not a religious act or rite and so has nothing to do with Adam and Eve or Steve or even Harvey. I often say that if you want to really want to understand the contract of marriage just ask anyone who has been divorced. The marriage contract is one of property rights. Or maybe you can look in the bible to see what Adam had to say about divorce since Eve was his second wife.

So, while we rightfully celebrate the election of our first African American president, let us take a moment to mourn the passage of three new laws legalizing prejudice. Of course there will be those who claim that voters were only protecting the institution of marriage to whom I would suggest it is just as likely that Obama's supporters were only voting against W. Breaking the lock on my door doesn't make your home any more secure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYaQjLVs6f0

HEADING BACK TO HAIRSPRAY!

I got the saddest call last week saying that it might be time to say farewell to the Broadway production of HAIRSPRAY. After close to 7 years and 2,600 performances, the show that never fails to send audiences dancing out of the theater every night is going bye-bye. I assume it's partly the economic picture and partly just plain old TIME.

Anyway, they called and asked if I would go back in and play EDNA for the last go 'round and I said YES. How could I say no? HAIRSPRAY has become such a defining signpost in this past decade of my life. Starting in 2000 I participated in workshop productions every 6 months until it was time for the full production. We then went to Seattle where we were all blown away by the outrageous lovefest the show created there. Then we headed back to NY and took Broadway by storm.

The original production spawned two American tours as well as countless productions around the world. Our finale song, YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT, has become a staple for college and High School bands and the movie version won millions of fans around the world. Yes, HAIRSPRAY is a genuine phenom and I am thrilled to have been part of it all.

Since leaving the show I've gone on to perform in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF for a year on Broadway during which I wrote and eventually starred in A CATERED AFFAIR which tried out in San Diego before coming to Broadway this past spring. I also played Edna in the HAIRSPRAY LAS VEGAS gig for a few months. I also tore down and rebuilt my home from the ground up. In other words, it's been a busy decade for me. The only thing that would have made me happier would have been to keep HAIRSPRAY running another few years. Well, I doubt the BEAT will ever be silenced and it will carry on in endless productions for decades to come. And I am THRILLED to have the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to EDNA and all of her fans.

So... If you want exact dates of when I'll be at the NEIL SIMON THEATER or any other information PLUS all the dish and photos and fun, do like you always do and...

...STAY TUNED!

HI KIDS AND HAPPY SEPTEMBER.

LOLA: A LOVE STORY

As some of you may remember, I share my home with two rescue cats; ELVIS and LITTLE SH-T. My last two dogs both passed of old age around two years ago.

Anyway, moving into the new house and settling down on the property I started to feel the urge for another dog. Don't get me wrong, I live my kitties. But some writer once observed that DOGS LIVE WITH YOU. YOU LIVE WITH CATS. Cats become the soul of a house, and they totally own the space. But you can come and go and they will be fine. A dog is only where it is to be with YOU. So, it's a totally different energy. I like to think that CATS are sex while DOGS are love.

Well, however you want to look at it I was starting to miss the energy of a dog in the house and on the land. So I found myself trolling PETFINDER and other such sites. (I don't believe in getting animals from breeders. There are thousand of puppies killed every day for lack of homes. Until we solve the problem of unwanted animals I think it is wrong to purposely bring more into the world. Just my opinion.)

So there were dozens of likely candidates online and I even visited a rescue center that I didn't like before deciding to return to THE NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE where I found my last two dogs seventeen years ago.

Some of you may have seen the ads I did for NSAL where I posed with puppies. I think I did ads for them two or three times.

Anyway... today I drove down there and was once again blown away by the facility, the staff, the care they give these animals and the amount of unconditional love available in that one building in Long Island Sound.
These folks had grown dogs and puppies, pure breds and mutts, kittens and Cats of every description and it was only with GREAT DIFFICULTY that I managed to escape the building with only one puppy.

Before I share her photo, I wanted to show you an array of the other dogs that I found wanting homes. These pics are the smallest sampling of the love available at the shelter. Take a look at these babies....

Here is a Golden Retriever mixed with a terrier. (These are all just guesses since no on e really knows for sure. But half the fun is trying to figure out what they'll look like when grown.) Anyway, this boy was a lover.


And here's a full grown bundle of nerve and kisses. What a face! and look at those ears.


I think this mix is part retriever and part pitbull and all mush. Full grown and ready to guard your home.


This pretty girl was catching her beauty nap, but look at this white collie mix. Truly elegant.


When I think of the LITTLE RASCALS I always think of PETIE the pitbull in those movies. This girl was the kissiest of dogs and ready to play a part in your movie.


Another Golden full grown. Too much love to be wasted behind a cage.


Here's a long haired German Shepherd mix that I had a hard time walking away from. Who wouldnt? But since I didn't take him... YOU COULD!


And here's another bundle of puppy love. This boy was the most laid back puppy I have ever encountered. You would have sworn he was boneless. He just melted into your arms. I could see him as an 60 lb adult still thinking of himself as a lap dog. He came in second in my choosing, but a close second at that.


LOLA

And now for my choice. Here she is boys, Here she is world... HERE'S LOLA!!!!




They think she is a chocolate lab and Burmese mountain dog mix, but I don't care. It was just love for me. As I type she is asleep on my feet. And at 8 weeks old she has already pooped and peed outside on a little patch of virgin grass I created just for her.

Here's a shot of us at the shelter entrance...



SO....

If love is what you want please remember that there are animals galore everywhere you look who want nothing more than to be loved and love you right back. They all desperately want a home of their own. Get your butt to a shelter and make yourself happy.

And to keep up with LOLA and my adventures just do what you always do...

STAY TUNED!!!!!

HELLO GANG!

Sorry about the silence on my end, but I've really just been enjoying a break from the world. After A CATERED AFFAIR closed on Broadway I finally had the time to stay home and finish unpacking all my boxes from the move. Well, not ALL the boxes. But I've filled my walls and shelves and am really settling into life in the new house.

Of course the house is still not finished. Why would it be? I moved out January 2006 for an 18 month construction job that has lasted 31 months and counting. Oh, yeah! THIRTY-ONE MONTHS and the driveway remains unpaved, the kitchen not done and I have a three page list of items that need repair or finishing.

One day I may tell the tale, but for now I'll keep it to myself. Hmmm.

BROADWAY

Well, with my time off I've also gotten to see a couple of shows about town. My fave thusfar was HAIR. I attended the opening night in Central Park and had a wonderful time. One thing puzzled me though: The show takes place in Central Park. We were in Central Park. But the set designer surrounded the stage with a big wooden wall that blocked out our view of the park. WHY? I didn't get it. But the show may move to Broadway and when it does they will probably cover the theater's wooden walls with trees so that will make up for the other production.

Sunday I'm going to see XANADU at last. I have so many friends in the show and it will be great to watch them work it!

And before the performance I'll be over at THE NEIL SIMON THEATER celebrating HAIRSPRAY'S SIXTH ANNIVERSARY!!!! Hard to believe that it was six years ago that we opened the show. What a trip. Just thinking back, since leaving HAIRSPRAY after 2 years, I've done more than a year on Broadway in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, followed by HAIRSPRAY Las Vegas, then the San Diego try-out of A CATERED AFFAIR and the Broadway run of it. I've also built a house, adopted two cats, lost 2 dogs and 2 other cats, not to mention losing and gaining hundreds of pounds! Man, do I know how to fill six years!!!!! No wonder I'm tired.

MOVIES
Finally got to BATMAN today. Fun. Loud. Entertaining. Violent. And I don't mean to be picky but... lots of it made no sense at all. Still, I certainly felt I got my money's worth. But I wondered about Heath Ledger's performance. Sometimes I thought he was doing a Dustin Hoffman in MIDNIGHT COWBOY impersonation. In other scenes his accent was totally different. Still, it was a fascinating performance and I was riveted.

I also got to see BRIDESHEAD REVISITED which I really LOVED. Beautiful film, magnificently shot and acted. They tried hard to capture the story in total and I appreciated the effort. I recommend this for a summer's evening.

And then there was WALL-E. A delight. And the HELLO DOLLY music just made me laugh and laugh. Don't miss this one either. But I think of the three this one will not lose much on a home theater screen. The others should be movie outings.

WRITING
I've begun work on a new show. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't discuss what I'm working on until it's time to go public. But I think this one will be a BIG FAT FUN NIGHT IN THE THEATER FOR EVERYONE. After the tender solitude of A CATERED AFFAIR, I really wanted to write something that would allow the composer to let loose. This, I think, is it. More as it comes together.

SHOPPING
Not much shopping lately. I went to the ELEPHANT TRUNK FLEA MARKET two weeks ago and found some treasures. But my budget needs to be spent finishing up the house and not on frivolities. (But I am planning on going to an auction next week, so we'll see how my budget survives.)

So, kids, that's where I've been and what I've been doing. I promise to try and keep you up to date on all in the world of HARVEY. And I must get the camera out and share the summer views. So, until we meet again...

....STAY TUNED!

I wrote the following about ESTELLE GETTY for today's edition of the NY POST but just in case you missed it...


AT the height of "The Golden Girls"¤' popularity, there was no more beloved character on television than Sophia Petrillo. Estelle Getty, who brought Sophia indelibly to life, was awestruck: "What the hell is going on? I have the highest TVQ of any woman on television?" ¶

It was true. For several years, Estelle Getty, formerly Estelle Gettleman of Bayside, Queens, was the most popular, likable and bankable star on any network. She was bigger than Carol Burnett, more salable than Mary Tyler Moore, and surer to deliver viewers than Cher. Still, the day after she won the Emmy, she told me she'd trade it and her Golden Globe for a Tony. ¶

Estelle Getty was, despite all of the glamour, glory and gold of television fame, a theater creature. ¶

Along with her husband, Arthur, and friends Anne and Jules Weiss, she was a fixture at La Mama ETC and other Off-Off Broadway venues. Working as a bookkeeper by day, this semi-pro actress haunted the East Village by night supporting experimental theater. ¶

In 1978 when we produced the first of the plays that would become "Torch Song Trilogy," Estelle chided me: "Listen, Mr Big Shot playwright. Why don't you write the role of your mother and I'll play it opposite you?" ¶

Just picturing this 4-foot-8-inch fireball playing the mother of a 6-foot-tall drag queen made me giggle. The following year, when she came to see the second of the trilogy, she challenged me again and this time I took the bait. I went home and created Mrs. Beckoff for Estelle. ¶

From the first reading through seven years of productions here and on the road, the marriage of actress to role was remarkable. There was simply nothing like seeing Arnold's front door open and this henna- wigged tornado dressed in a turquoise suit and carrying a raffia purse arrive onstage to announce, "I'm the mother." ¶

So great was her performance that almost every audience member identified with my character. You read that right: Estelle's Mrs Beckoff was so identifiable that everyone claimed her as his or her mother. And if she were their mother, then they were a 6-foot drag queen. It was magic. ¶

The thing about Estelle was that you could not catch her acting. She was being. If her character was supposed to be angry, Estelle got angry. If her character was broken hearted, the actress was broken hearted. On stage there was simply no deception. It all felt real. ¶

Acting opposite her was an absolute pleasure and complete challenge. She demanded the same truth from the rest of us that she was delivering. And when we'd fool around onstage, as actors in long runs are apt to do, she would berate us, even hit us, and then join in the laugh. ¶

Popular thinking is that by creating Mrs. Beckoff, I launched Estelle's career. But it is just as true that when Estelle inspired that character, she gave me mine. ¶

Without the mother, "Torch Song Trilogy" would never have achieved its universal popularity and might not have reached further than La Mama. But with the mother the play was, and remains, a force not to be denied. ¶

And so, hand in hand in hand, Estelle, Mrs Beckoff and I marched our way to Broadway and theater history. ¶

Still, with Estelle's triumph in the show came disappointment, When the Tony Award nominations were announced for 1982, Estelle was somehow overlooked. We were all stunned. How could anyone who'd witnessed that performance overlook the achievement? ¶

The only explanation I could muster was that she was so natural in the way she inhabited the role that people couldn't see how hard she was actually working. She made it all look effortless when it was anything but. ¶

Estelle was dealt another blow four years later when she wasn't cast in the film version of "Torch Song." Although we never discussed it directly, I knew how much that hurt her. (Recently, I've come to know exactly how she felt — know what I mean?) ¶

Estelle and I remained friends and supporters of each other's efforts for more than 30 years. I'm proud to say that her last professional job was voicing a character for my HBO family special, "The Sissy Duckling." I take comfort in knowing that the world will always have a part of her in those endless "Golden Girls" reruns. ¶

But only the theater audiences who saw her onstage have any idea who we really lost this week. ¶

IT'S COUNTDOWN TIME

With the final week of performances beginning tomorrow I guess it really is countdown time. Just eight shows to go. The saddest part is that the audiences just keep getting more and more enthusiastic. That's only to be expected as folks who've wanted to see the show finally get there and mix with those who have seen the show on numerous occasions.

The saddest part is listening to all of the folks asking why the show is closing when, to their eyes, it's a sold-out hit. Kind of hard to explain the BIZ of SHOW to people who just love coming to the theater and don't really worry about the inner workings.

Anyway, we will perform to our best abilities for the last round of shows and go out with big smiles on our faces. Certainly I have little to bitch about. I had a dream to bring this story of A CATERED AFFAIR to the Broadway stage and, thanks to a couple of dozen incredibly talented and dedicated and hard working theater types, the dream came true. They made a miracle happen and we gave it to you, our audience. After that...? It's not up to us let alone up to me.

MEANWHILE...

WE are still our giggling silly selves backstage as we play poker together, perform together and just hang out together. So here is your weekly peek into our backstage world.

MOUSE EARS and POKER



Company manager PENNY is the latest to try on the lucky ears. But my luck ran out at poker this week. The ears just didn't help as I was trounced by the rest of the table. That's probably why this group of players is smiling so heartily.



House manager SUSAN, actress KATIE and friend of the family KAREN laugh it up while I cry over my small stack of chips.

WE TRY ON MORE THAN MOUSE EARS...



Here's LORI WILNER in her Mrs. Halloran wig posing in the arms of M Scott. But then we all decided to have a go at her glamourous look.



I don't think it works on me.



I don't think it works on KEITH



But I think it's perfect on WOPAT. Yes?

WOPAT SIZE?

Speaking of Wopat... He shared the fruits of his garden with us this week. Here is MATT admiring a cuke straight off Wopat's vine.





And here's my favorite model ZBORNIK kicking up her heels.

And I'll leave you with this image of KEITH making company manager ASHLEY feel right at home in my dressing room.



WAVING GOODBYE

So I assume I will post photos from our closing night party for next week's FINAL BLOG and a few thoughts summing up the entire experience.

I hope those of you who want to see the show get the chance to catch us before we fade off into Broadway infamy. But if you are only inclined to share these backstage moments with me then enjoy this one and watch for the rest. All you gotta do is...

STAY TUNED~!

WOOF WOOF IN SHUBERT ALLEY!!!!

Thanks to the miraculous work of BERNADETTE PETERS and MARY TYLER MOORE along with volunteers from BROADWAY CARES and almost every show on the boards, homeless animals got their yearly boost last Saturday.

The streets were filled with reps from all of the area shelters who brought a bevy of adoptable pets looking for a home and some human to love.

Since all of my pets are rescues, this event has a special place in my heart. And since I am contemplating getting a new puppy... Well, you can imagine how my eyes were roaming the streets and shelter vans.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos from the fun day. I hope a billion animals found homes. And remember all of you out there... THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS ARE PUT TO SLEEP EVERY DAY IN AMERICA FOR LACK OF A HOME. So spay and neuter your pets and don't ever buy a pet from a mill!!!!


DR RUTH was in the crowd telling everyone how great a pet is for your sex life!!! Not sure if that's true, but anything that gets a pet adopted is okay in my book.


How's this for PUPPY LOVE? This little guy was named ARIZONA though he was born in Brooklyn.


Ray Ban sunglasses could not protect KATIE KLAUS from the lure of kittens.


Neither could they disguise the PUPPY-LUST of MATT SCOTT.


But I do think they make me look plenty butch. (Or at least sort of Southern)

BACK IN THE DRESSING ROOM...


The MICKEY MOUSE HAT craze continues. Just because we couldn't play poker this week was no reason not to wear the hat. Right, Adam?


Even company manager ASHLEY got into the act.


As did PHILIP HOFFMAN


But I think my dresser KEITH SHAW got the wrong memo.

TWO WEEKS TO GO


With TWO WEEKS to go until closing we are all grabbing every opportunity to be together and share moments. Here are LORI WILNER and KRISTINE ZBORNIK either gossiping outside the loo or auditioning for a Tennessee Williams revival. You decide.

Meanwhile... I will keep snapping shots for you, greeting any of you who make it over to the theater to see us, and... as always... keeping you up to date with life at A CATERED AFFAIR. All you need do is...

STAY TUNED!!!!!

ONE MONTH TO GO...

...and all in all it was a quiet week. The July Fourth holiday, falling on a Friday, emptied the city out pretty early in the week. So we played to smaller, but no less enthusiastic audiences, and enjoyed our time together.

POKER....

...was the main event. We played between shows on Thursday and again on Saturday. Squeezed into my dressing room, we giggled and snacked our way through the breaks. As you can see from the photos, my MICKEY MOUSE HATS were very popular good-luck charms among the players. The one that says WINSTON (the name of my character) was a gift from producers Jordan and Richie. The one that says GBM was a gift from our press agent, RICK MIRAMONTEZ. Just what the GBM stands for I cannot divulge. But I'm sure your own imaginations can provide fun guesses.


Cavenaugh prepares to attack.


Klaus rallies her nerves.



Matt Scott ciphers the odds.



and Danny just tosses money at the rest of us!

JUST BEFORE SHOWTIME...

...is always interesting in my room. Folks drop by on their way down to the stage or just hang out waiting for the show to start.



Here are Adam and Penny waiting for The Go.



And either Leslie was being shy or she was trying to tell me something with this pose. Can you guess what that message may have been?

THE VISITOR

Lest you think the week was without incident of note, here is a photo of legendary actress ELAINE STRITCH who popped backstage after seeing the show. And I'll risk tooting our collective show horn by telling you that she went APE for the show. She called it "New - EXCITING - REAL - BRILLIANT - SHOCKING - and - B-LL-S-IT FREE!" It was really lovely hearing her go on and on that way.



THREE WEEKS TO GO

And so we have only 3 weeks, or 24 performances, to go before we slip away from The Walter Kerr Theater. I expect that our audiences will continue to discover the unique experience we offer even while we begin to pull up our tent-pegs.

Meanwhile, I will keep you up to date on all that happens with us.

So, from me and all the gang at A CATERED AFFAIR I say...

...STAY TUNED!!!!

THE FOURTH IS COMING...

But, as with most holidays, we will be onstage performing and will miss the fireworks show in NYC!

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that we are still playing and will gratefully entertain the folks who come to see us, but some times it's nice to just get lost in a crowd of people and enjoy being a grain of sand on the beach.

So, for those of you who get out to the East River to watch the MACYS show... Say an extra "AH!!!" for me.

And for any of you who run the other way from loud noises and big crowds... Come see A CATERED AFFAIR on July 4th. We will be there doing our beautiful show.


SAMSUNG SINGING

Last week we did a CD signing over at the Time Warner Center. It was in the hyper modern Samsung store. It was lovely to see all those people who came out to hear us sing a few tunes from the show. After the entertainment, we all signed CD's for whoever wanted. Here are a few photos of the event.


HEATER MAC RAE and LORI WILNER await their turn to entertain.


KATIE KLAUS sings for the folks. And that'sETHYL WILL on the keyboards behind.


And then the one and only TOM WOPAT took to the stage and wailed for the crowd.

SPEAKING OF TOM... OR RATHER... SPEAKING NOT OF TOM...

Mr Wopat had a gig out of town on Sunday and so his very capable understudy, MARK ZIMMERMAN, took to the stage of The Walter Kerr Theater and rocked the house.

Here is Mr. Zimmerman in rehearsal proving that we didn't just hire him because he's the President of the stage actor's union! Ha!!! Really and truly, he did an amazing job stepping into that very difficult and emotional role. He did himself and the rest of the cast proud. Sorry I only have rehearsal shots, but you get the idea!





NOT LONG FOR THIS WORLD

As you've probably heard, A CATERED AFFAIR is now scheduled to close on July 27th. It would have been terrific to have had a longer run. The show is such an amazing piece to perform night after night. And our audiences keep getting better and better and more intense with each show.

Unfortunately, the numbers just don't match up with the enthusiasm and, although we have the MOST generous producers on Broadway, this is still a profit-making business and the numbers tell the tale.

So, if you can get to our theater... RUN and come see us before the end of the month. I promise that you will experience a show you will not soon forget with performances by FAITH PRINCE a brilliant cast that will blow you away.

We have THIRTY-TWO performances left. And remember that we are performing a new schedule with matinees on Thursdays so even if you are in another Broadway show, you can get to see us. Don't miss this, kids.

JULY BEGAN AN HOUR AGO... and I've got to get to bed! So I will leave you with two fun photos from last week.



What can I say about Josh? He's only 26 years old, so I'd better not say anything other than I LOVE THIS TALENTED YOUNG MAN who slaved to make the physical production of our show a stand-out. He's now off on a dozen new shows, but watch for this rising star. You're going to hear from him!



And here's LOLLY, dresser to the stars extraordinaire!!!! Here she models my "valuables" wallet as a hat. Believe it or not, she isn't a fashion model in her off hours. No, our Lolly is a successful real estate agent. This lady's got it all going!

SO THAT'S IT FROM ME FOR THIS WEEK. If you want more, you know what to do,...

STAY TUNED!!!!!