Facing East Press-a-Palooza

Variety

New York Times

Broadway.Com (1)

Broadway.Com (2)

Playbill

Theater Mania

ONTD!

STAY TUNED...

The Best Backhanded Compliment I've Probably Ever Received

(Said to me the other night by Facing East partner Duane as we were going over some schtuff:)

"Oh, Em... You would totally be my type if I were single. And you were single. And I was drunk."

Like Seeing The Face Of God - Only Better

So, my illustrious Facing East producing partner, Duane, and I flew to NYC last weekend to attend the opening night (show and after party) of Priscilla Queen of the Desert starring our, even more illustrious and wonderful, director Will Swenson.

We entered the theater, sat in our ridiculously amazing seats and attempted to take it all in. Who's who of Broadway, TV and film buzzed around us - and I waited.

I knew she would be there - she is one of the producer's. Held my breath. Tried not to explode with anticipation and suddenly... There She Was. 5 rows behind us. One of the single greatest influences on both my personality and my performing, an enormous connection to my father, my idol, my hero, my golden calf, my Venus, my fire, my inspirer of fantastically flowery formulations, my Superstar Supreme, my Deity Delicious...

The Divine Miss M


My dad and I had all her albums and listened to them ad-nauseam. The first time I smoked weed was with my dad and his boyfriend before her Christmas concert in San Francisco. My sweet father, when he was dying, stood for 2 hours in the rain to get her to sign her book The Saga of Baby Divine for me.


I hear her voice saying, "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke!" in my head, like the best guardian angel ever, every single time I face the Hateful Cow Club.

Bette Midler, Meryl Streep and Barbara. The Holy Trinity to the daughter of a gay man.

We didn't meet. We didn't speak. She did accidentally grab Duane's arm during intermission - something I will forever be oozing envy over. She has no idea that I even exist. But, she exists. And for a couple of hours we breathed the same air and got swept up in the same Drag Show of Epic Proportions. That is enough for me. For now.




The show itself was as fabulous as expected. Just a giant barrel of good old fashioned drag queen monkey fun. Will was wonderful and brought a depth to the show, with his portrayal of a gay man who is a father and more than a one dimensional drag character, that I loved.

We also sat 2 rows in front of the oh-so-yummy Guy Pearce (who totally made my day by flirting with me at the after party) and next to the ever-lovely, Diva in her own right, adoring girlfriend of Will Audra McDonald.


Amazing weekend. Definitely one for the books. And the blogs.

* * *
Related Links
Facing East
Facing East Website
Facing East Blog
Facing East Contribution Fund

Facing East

I have mentioned before that I am producing the feature film Facing East, based on my mother's play of the same name. The play premiered, and had a very successful run, here in Salt Lake City in 2004 followed by a run off-Broadway, one in San Francisco and several more around the country.

Facing East is the story of a Mormon couple re-evaluating their lives after the suicide of their gay son. The play was incredible and the screenplay Mom has written is absolutely stunning. I simply cannot wait for us to bring this story to life on screen. We are hoping to premiere the film in 2012. I will most definitely keep you posted.

My partner and I are thrilled to have hired Will Swenson to direct. Will was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as Burger in the Broadway revival of the musical Hair and is currently starring, again on Broadway, in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.





This will be a very fun, and important, ride for all involved. As producers, we are donating a percentage of the film's proceeds to The Trevor Project and are encouraging all our investors to do the same. Because several people have asked how they can donate to this project without actually investing, we have established the Facing East Contribution Fund. All proceeds from this fund will go directly to The Trevor Project. Anyone wishing to contribute may do so online at the
Fractured Atlas Facing East Contribution Fund. Anyone wishing information on how to invest, or otherwise be involved in this project, please contact me directly.

Facing East Website

Facing East Blog

Facing East Facebook Page

Spread the word to any and all interested. This incredible film will, without question, change hearts, heal families and save lives.

Breaking The Rock

I love the image that was used in the speech (below) by Patricia Clarkson at the HRC benefit in New Orleans - taken from the quote by Tennessee Williams "The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks."

It is a theme of "Dancing With Crazy" that has been a big one for me in my life - which you all will read once the damn thing is published. Sheesh. But what a glorious picture: Something as seemingly tiny and fragile as a seed - a flower, breaking through something as seemingly hard and impenetrable as a mountain - a rock.

This speaks to something so much bigger than equal rights and those who are fighting to achieve them (as important as that is). It speaks to the human soul that has been buried and covered and lost in the dark - smashed by the rock of the lies and pain of life. It speaks to the ability we all have, in the deepest parts of our beings, to not give up. To struggle and to grow and to reach for the light. To stand tall and beautiful, having fought the fight of a lifetime, with our hearts and petals open and alive in the sunshine.

There is no feeling that comes close. Except maybe love. Because that is, ultimately, what it is. Love. Love of Self. Love of Life. And, Love of that word that I have only recently begun even speaking again. God. (I think I just heard several of you fall off your chairs.)

Coochie. Coochie. Coochie.

So, I just got back from a quick trip to LA. Saw the Long Beach production of "Facing East." It was a wonderful weekend of book and film schmoozing and creating and making peace with the city that tried to kill me two decades ago. All was fantabulous until my flight home.

Okay, I get the whole "terrorists exist therefore you must get naked before boarding and not carry anything containing liquid that is bigger than a freaking pimple" but come on... Long beach is a very small airport. The happy people that worked the ticket counter, also worked the gate and had left by the time we got there to check baggage. I was not able to check my bags. So at the security check point I explained that NO ONE was there to check my bags and that I was not packed for carrying on. I was informed that there was nothing to be done and they proceeded to go through my luggage and toss out ALL my (not inexpensive) shampoo, conditioner, face wash, lotion, body spray, toothpaste, deodorant... They weirdly let me keep my gallon jug of anal lube. Not sure what that was about.

So, I'm balling and bitching to the Airline Gods who tried to appease me by giving me a seat close to David Archuleta. It was sweet of them but I really think that I had earned Blair Underwood or Johnny Depp considering the rude fashion in which they had just raped me.

Good thing I still had my lube.

Facing East: The Musical

Yeah, you read that right. Facing East: the musical. When my mom first told me that she had been approached by a guy that wanted to make her play Facing East into a musical I cringed. And then I laughed. I was instantly barraged with images of Hugh Jackman leaping from an open grave belting, "I gotta be me, I just gotta be me!" while Alex, Ruth and Marcus back him doing the Suicide Soft-shoe. Honestly, I thought that it would be the weirdest, most depressing piece of musical dinner theater imaginable. But as loud and opinionated as I so often am, I am also totally open to being wrong - which I, again, so often am. And this just may be one of those times.

For those of you not familiar with Facing East, it is a stage play written by my mother, Carol Lynn Pearson about a Mormon couple whose twenty four year old gay son has just committed suicide. It is an intensely powerful and important piece. It was produced here in Salt Lake by the Plan B Theater Company, then had an Off-Broadway run, a San Francisco run and is now being done by several smaller, very prestigious, theater companies.

So, back to the musical. Mom has forwarded me several lyrics and pieces of songs that they have created and I must say, they are really quite beautiful. And I find myself excited to see what they come up with. Any interested Facing East fans can check out their website and blog for more information and updates.

And then there is my baby - Facing East: the film. My producing partner is Duane Andersen [Big Dreams Little Tokyo, White on Rice], who was introduced to me by Juiceman. (Thanks again Juicy.) Duane and I are now raising funds and beginning our search for the perfect director and talent as well as gearing up to tackle the kabillion things that go into producing a film. I'm so excited I could spontaneously combust - which I just actually may do any moment now. I'll keep y'all up to date as the project progresses or you can contact us at info@facingeastthefilm.com

So much attention - whether it be dramatic, musical or cinematic - could not happen to a nicer play. Facing East changes minds, hearts and lives and I could not be prouder of my mom or more honored to be a part of bringing it to the world in this way.

And, no, Hugh Jackman is not being considered.