Chicago dining, nightlife, events and photos for the gay and lesbian community http://www.chicagopride.com en-US http://www.chicagopride.com/graphics/cplogo-sm2.gif http://www.chicagopride.com Known for his groundbreaking works including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angels in America and the Olivier-awarded <i>Caroline</i>, <i>Or Change</i>, celebrated playwright Tony Kushner sat down with ChicagoPride.com's ShowBizQ to discuss his perennial works, the process of stage to screen translation, and why so many LGBT people have found a home in the theatre. Kushner will received the 2009 Chicago Tribune Literary Prize ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/153001 2009-11-18 The incredibly dashing Anderson Davis dons the role of Lt. Cable in the National Tour of South Pacific. From his humble days as a would be oboe player to strapping leading man, Anderson talks to ChicagoPride.com's ShowBizQ about the impact South Pacific has had on the musical theatre, his blossoming career and his college days at Carnegie Melon along side some of Broadway s greatest up and coming talent. South Pacific runs November 24-29... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/153504 2009-11-18 Bruce Vilanch is no longer just a Hollywood Square. Whether he s writing for the Academy Awards or losing weight on Celebrity Fit Club, this comedic man behind the scenes continues to stand out. With his new movie Oy Vey! My Son is Gay! at Reeling it was time for Nunn on One to Get Bruce! WCT: (Windy City Times) Hi, Bruce. I met you a few years ago at the Grabby Awards in Chicago. BV: (Bruce Vilanch) Oh, wow. I must have been chemically ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/152500 2009-11-15 Various churches and religious leaders have spoken against homosexuality citing the Bible as their main resource. But does the Bible really say anything about homosexuality? Filmmaker Ky Dickens tackles that exact question in her documentary Fish Out of Water. The film asks LGBT church figures and other people (e.g., the Rev. Fred Phelps) their interpretations on homosexuality in the Bible while unveiling new perspective on seven Bible passages t... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/152001 2009-11-04 Before their November 11th inaugural Speaker Series featuring President Bill Clinton, Chicago House CEO Stan Sloan takes a moment with ChicagoPride.com's Brian Decker to chat about the founding of Chicago House, the Sweet Miss Giving's bakery job program one year later, and a deep dark secret that you may not already know about this fascinating community leader. CP: (ChicagoPride.com) Chicago House was founded in 1985. While the initial reason f... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/151009 2009-10-28 The very out (and striking) Cheyenne Jacksonwho has made a splash in everything from Broadway s Xanadu to the TV show Ugly Betty to the film United 93 (in which he played gay rugby player Mark Bingham)has teamed with musical legend Michael Feinstein to record The Power of Two. Based on the sold-out shows at Feinstein s New York nightclub, the album (which will be available Tuesday, Nov. 3) features the twosome singing together a... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/151504 2009-10-28 Stage 33 Chicago, 3655 N. Kedzie, is presenting a 60-minute improvised game show hosted by Elizabeth Keener for its first production. Windy City Times' Jerry Nunn talked with Keenersister of actress Catherine Keenerabout The L Word, family and the show (called Keenerville). WCT: (Windy City Times) Hi, Elizabeth. Do you miss playing Dawn Denbo on The L Word? EK: (Elizabeth Keener) Absolutely, best gig ever. You get to be nasty as you want to be. [... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/150516 2009-10-07 Now over a decade since Matthew Shepard was tragically murdered in the town of Laramie, Wyoming, the company at the Tectonic Theatre Project will present and publish an epilogue to its poignant theatrical retelling, The Laramie Project. Leigh Fondakowski, head writer of <i>The Laramie Project, The People s Temple, and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later</i>, sits down with Michael J. Roberts & Alissa Norby to discuss the... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/150025 2009-10-07 In a city synonymous with House Music and legendary talent like Frankie Knuckles, it s hard for a young spinner to keep from being drowned out by the other up-and-comers, let alone find their music and artistic identity. It s a reality that fresh-faced DJ Chris MD can relate, but one he is determined to overcome. I try not to copy anybody, proclaims Chris. It s all about being different! At Lake Park High School, Chris ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/149536 2009-09-30 It seems a lot of people like the Fox series 'Glee.' So much so that the new series has already been signed for 9 more episodes. Fox touts the show as a new comedy for the aspiring underdog in all of us. Glee s certainly got it all: hit songs, dance, laughs, intrigue and gays. Earlier this month, the cast of 'Glee' visited Chicago s Orland Square Mall to meet the fans. That s where ChicagoPride.com s Michael J.... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/149049 2009-09-30 You might not be able to put a name to the voicenot yet anyway. But all of that is about to change. Pop music fans are soon destined to not only recognize, but to revel in, the gorgeous voice and emotional intensity of Chris Willis, a performer who has been thrilling dance music aficionados, DJs, and club denizens for the better part of this decade. Beginning with his vocal performances on the debut album, <i>Just a Little More Love</i&g... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/148564 2009-09-23 <b>FLYING THE TRENDY SKIES</b> Pam Ann Flies into Chicago, by Jared Lytner Fasten your seat belt, stow your designer luggage and prepare for the flight of your life. The super glamorous air-hostess with-the-<i>mostest</i>, Pam Ann, is bringing her one-woman comedy show to Chicago s Harris Theatre. Boystown will never be the same. Q: What's the first thing you plan to do when you touch down in Chicago? Pam: I can&... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/148081 2009-09-16 The cast of Fox's hit musical series, <i>Glee</i> visited Chicago's Orland Square Mall to meet with fans, offer sneak peeks of what is to come in the upcoming premiere season, and gab about what it has been like to star in America's favorite show choir. ChicagoPride.com's Michael J. Roberts and Alissa Norby were there to interview the multi-talented Gleekers about the unique experience of being part of one of the biggest television ph... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/147600 2009-09-08 New York City based, out-rapper Cazwell s musica ridiculously fun mix of electrified dance music and old school hip hopis the perfect example of the new spirit of pop music. Says Caz, "When people ask me how to describe my style, sometimes I say 'Just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer for breakfast.'" Having collaborated over the years with Amanda Lepore, Larry Tee, Boy George, Jodie Harsh, Colton Ford, David Lachapelle... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/147121 2009-09-02 Powerhouse duo Sugarland have released their thank you to the fans, <i><b>Live on the Inside</b></i>, a CD/DVD set consisting of live tracks and performance footage from their Love On The Inside Tour. The album recently debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album Chart. Filmed in high-definition in Lexington, Kentucky with 20 cameras, the duo s innovative, hi-energy live show has been captured on DVD with 16 songs and ov... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/146169 2009-08-26 Oh, to be a celebrity chef these days. Just look around you. Cooking and food have become two of the hippest cultural hot topics in recent years, and have provided many chefs with rock star-like popularity thanks to the abundance of food and lifestyle TV networks and programming, not to mention a multitude of epicurean Internet sites. Although most fans are likely to believe that celebrity chefs  lives are glamorous or filled with storie... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/146644 2009-08-26 The B-52s have been together 25 years and have sold more than 20 million albums. Returning to Chicago after years to the House of Blues, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland and Cindy Wilson will be here soon. But before the group s Aug. 21 concert at the House of Blues, Windy City Times spoke with Fred Schneider on the road about the greatest party band in the world. WCT: (Windy City Times) When was the last time you were in Chicago? FS: (Fre... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/145696 2009-08-24 Donna Summer s career has spanned decades and crossed musical genres. Incorporating R&B, rock, gospel and, let s not forget, disco, this artist was the first to have three consecutive double albums hit #1 on the Billboard charts. Heaven knows that Windy City Times had to talk to the original bad girl. WCT: (Windy City Times) Hello, Donna. I have been studying up on your career and you originally started in musicals such as G... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/145225 2009-08-19 Once again, the TV series Mad Men has lived up to expectations and hypeproviding captivating twists and turns while the lives of Sterling Cooper s employees (and their families) evolve. Openly gay actor Bryan Batt plays closeted exec Salvatore Romano, and his life definitely changes during the show s second season (now out on DVD). Windy City Times talked with Batt in early July about what happened with Romano, the upcoming thir... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/144756 2009-08-12 Under the covers. Three words that, when taken together, candepending on one s own proclivitiesconjure up opposing images in the mind: naughty or nice, salacious or modest, dangerous or safe. Now, take these same three words and make them the title of the new album by singer/turned porn star/turned singer Colton Ford, and the brain activity intensifies. <b><i>Under the Covers</b></i> is the second full-length albu... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/142900 2009-08-03 Known for her roles in <i>You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown</i>, <i>The Apple Tree</i>, and <i>Wicked</i>, Tony-award winning and Emmy-nominated actress Kristin Chenoweth is regarded as one of the most iconic, golden-throated screen and stage performers of our time. The bubbly blond talked to ShowBizQ about the premature cancellation of her acclaimed show, "Pushing Daisies", her recently released memoi... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/143361 2009-08-03 Real love for Jody Watley by Tony Peregrin Ask Grammy Award winner Jody Watley to describe herself and she will tell you the following: I am a singer. A writer. A performer. A producer and an entrepreneur. I m also a mother, daughter, sister, auntie, and one-time wife. I m a friend. I m a chameleon, known for musical change and great style. I am continuing to evolve. Watley, whose 10th studio album, Chameleon, will be ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/144289 2009-08-02 Chicago s Jason Antone has been musical since he can remember. He started playing piano at three years old, and then moved on to the violin, then the saxophone and then back to the piano. This was part of the territory for Jason since he was raised in a musical family. Jason's grandfather had his own Chicago band. His father also played in the band and instruments always surrounded the entire family. Growing up, Jason wanted to continue ... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/143824 2009-07-29 Few new artists embody the spirit of downtown NYC more completely than Cazwell. A leading figure in the renaissance of New York nightlife that has taken place over the last five years, Cazwell s musica ridiculously fun mix of electrified dance music and old school hip hopis the perfect example of the new spirit of pop music. Says Caz, "When people ask me how to describe my style, sometimes I say 'Just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Do... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/141984 2009-07-15 Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said, The whole object of comedy is to be yourself and the closer you get to that, the funnier you will be. If this is true, no one can get closer to comedy than comedian and writer <b>Eddie Sarfaty</b>. This man knows funny and he knows it well. After years of performing stand-up at countless comedy festivals, on national television, cruise ships and regular gigs in P-Town and the New York City comedy clu... http://www.chicagopride.com/news/interview.cfm/articleid/142441 2009-07-15