Press Release
H.A.! The Series – The Web Series by Perry Laylon Ojeda
www.HaTheSeries.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Broadway actor and critically acclaimed playwright PERRY OJEDA joins forces with Television Legend BRUCE VILANCH, star of THE NANNY CHARLES SHAUGHNESSY, renowned actress DAWN DIDAWICK, Stand-up Comic RYAN HILL, NYC personality SCOTT NEVINS and newcomer ROBERT W. EVANS, and the accomplished comedienne LISA-BETH HARRIS to star in HA! the Series.

This new satiric comedy on the web at www.HaTheSeries.com, takes on the Ex-Gay Recovery movement. The 16 pod-cast/episodes, which will premier in early 2009, follows the misadventures of a sweet, wanna-be children’s book writer Roger, who is cajoled by his mother to join an Ex-Gay 14-step group (the two extra steps are for COMPLETE RECOVERY!) called Homosexuals Anonymous: H.A.!

Set in the conservative Deep South of America, Roger’s life gets complicated when our hero meets a sexy stranger, a Yoga instructor, who invites him to join a class at the local Young Men’s Christian Association. The two fall in love with delightfully disastrous results.

The high jinks are peppered with original songs with lyrics by Mr. Ojeda and music by RANDY REDD, fresh from his triumph with the hit show THE MUSIC OF JACOB STERLING and Grammy & two-time Emmy Award winner JOHN MCDANIEL, along with a soon to be hit tune from new Latino Hip Hop group MANOLETE.

HaTheSeries.com promises to be a political power punch that is timely, topical and hilarious! Based on experiences in the Mormon Church and the real life trauma of attending actual H.A. meetings in his youth, Mr. Ojeda has created a not to be missed comic tragedy that is a sexy biting-satire. Directed by Larry Raben and produced by Polar Bear Productions and Dr. Barry Kohn (the real life doctor who was the basis for Charles Busch’s THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE), HaTheSeries.com is the beginning of a new wave of web based entertainment that will change how we think about ourselves, bigotry and intolerance.

HaTheSeries.com promises to be a political power punch that is timely, topical and hilarious! The stellar cast also includes, Brian Kirchoff, Becca Flinn, Derris Nyle, David Astone, William Ngo, Barry Kohn, Bobby Wise and Michael Solarez.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT:

Steven Webber: swebbernyc@aol.com

Bruce Vilanch to host 12th annual gay Miami Recognition Dinner
From the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

Join us for Miami’s premier annual celebration

The 12th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner
Saturday, October 18, 2008
6:30 PM – Midnight
InterContinental Miami

Honoring:

Ilene Chaiken
(The L Word)

Joan Schaeffer

Keith Boykin

Keith Boykin Confirmed as Third Honoree!
Keith Boykin has been actively involved in progressive causes since he worked on his first congressional campaign as a student in high school. A founder and the first board president of the National Black Justice Coalition, Keith has spoken to audiences all over the world and delivered a landmark speech to 200,000 people at the Millennium March on Washington. He served in the White House as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton, who appointed him, along with Coretta Scott King and Rev. Jesse Jackson, to the U.S. presidential trade delegation to Zimbabwe in 1997. Boykin is currently the editor of The Daily Voice newspaper and a host of the BET television show My Two Cents.

Writer/Performer Bruce Vilanch to Host the Awards Ceremony
After years behind the scenes writing topical jokes for Academy Award hosts such as Billy Crystal and comedy personalities like Bette Midler, Vilanch became a celebrity in his own right after becoming a wisecracking regular on the revamped Hollywood Squares game show, seated to the left of center square Whoopi Goldberg. He is openly gay and is notable for breaking the Hollywood stereotype of a homosexual man. In 2005 he starred on Broadway as Edna Turnbladt in the musical Hairspray and appeared on the VH-1 reality series Celebrity Fit Club 3.

For information on sponsoring the event or joining the Host Committee, please visit www.theTaskForce.org/miami or contact Michael Bath, Special Events Manager, at 305.571.1924 or mbath@theTaskForce.org.

The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation presents One Night Only COMEDY TONIGHT ! An Evening of Outrageous Comedy & Decadent Divas.

Wed., June 11, 2008, 8:00 pm Theatre 39 on Pier 39 – (Beach St. and The Embarcadero) – in SF 94133 (Complimentary Validated Parking at Pier 39 garage)

A benefit for The Richmond / Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF)

THE COMICS

JUDY TENUTA American Comedy Awards “Best Female Comedian” / TV, film star BRUCE VILANCH Broadway (Hairspray) / TV (Hollywood Squares) star JOHNNY STEELE Winner San Francisco Comedy Competition MARILYN PITTMAN Lesbian comic and radio talk show host AUNDRE THE WONDERWOMAN Finalist SF Int’l. Comedy Competition

THE DIVAS

SHARON MCNIGHT Tony nominated (Starmites) cabaret star MAUREEN McVERRY Cabaret star / actress LEANNE BORGHESI Cabaret star, aka Anita Cocktail plus Cast Members from INSIGNFICANT OTHERS – Theatre 39’s resident show

Musical Director Scrumbly Koldewyn

Tickets and Information Call 415/ 273 -1620 Show only $35 Show + Dessert After Party with the cast at Hard Rock Café $50 Pre-Comedy show Option – Special pre-fixe dinner at Hard Rock Café $25 (a portion of the dinner ticket will benefit REAF)

Order tickets online at http //www.helpisontheway.org

The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation l 942 Divisadero St., #. 201, SF, CA 94115

lhelman@sbcglobal.net

L.A. Outfest, NY NewFest and Breckenridge Festival of Film Announce New LGBT Movie TRU LOVED to Highlight Their ‘08 Festivals

Students from Los Angeles Unified School District’s Miguel Contreras School of Social Justice – first teens to screen the film – call TRU LOVED the next ‘Juno’

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ — Given unprecedented pre-release attention by leading civil rights organizations and students at an early screening, a number of festivals including Los Angeles LGBT fest Outfest, mainstream Breckenridge Festival of Film, and NewFest: The 20th Anniversary New York LGBT Film Festival (where the film is programmed foropening night on June 5th), have made announcements of their selection of TRU LOVED — the inspiring new family-friendly film about LGBTQ youth andtheir families — as a highlight of their 2008 fests.

Last week, the filmmakers allied with The School of Social Justice atL.A. Unified School District’s Miguel Contreras Learning Complex (MCLC), where more than 900 students participated in the National Day of Silence. The three-day event honored the students and school as role models in stopping homophobia before it starts.

The film’s producer, Antonio Brown of BrownBag Productions, along with Eric Borsum, the film’s Executive in Charge of Social Partnerships, formed early alliances with numerous organizations, including Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); the Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network); the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), and others. The support of these groups has been vital to early positive word-of-mouth on the film, and the filmmakers reached out to their leaders to join stars of the film in thanking the MCLC students for their year-round commitment to the protection of LGBTQ students and families.

“Seeing positive, healthy images of GLBT people and their families … is critical in transforming hearts and minds,” said PFLAG Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby, who during production presented director Wade with PFLAG’s “Focus on Equality” Award. “TRU LOVED does this perfectly, and shows how, alongside our straight allies, we all can create real change.”

At the event, civil rights leaders such as Huckaby, Kevin Jennings of GLSEN, Carolyn Laub of GSA Network, and TRU LOVED stars Jasmine Guy, Bruce Vilanch and Nichelle Nichols spoke to students and celebrated their leadership in protecting LGBTQ students against bullying and harassment.

In her address to the students, Nichols said, “As someone who knew and was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, I believe he would be very proud of your efforts, for he too fought against discrimination and unfairness and for a better world.”

Melissa Etheridge, whose music is included in the film’s soundtrack, sent a message to students, stating, “I’m so pleased that TRU LOVED and the LAUSD are working with GLSEN, PFLAG, The GSA Network and other organizations to lead the charge on this year’s Day of Silence … congratulations to the LAUSD for showing the movie TRU LOVED to get the dialogue going, so that we can all use our voices to end bigotry and make our world safe for ourselves and our children.”

Actor T.R. Knight (”Grey’s Anatomy”) was also in attendance, speaking to students from the heart, saying, “Thank you so much for what you’re doing, because if I … had this support when I was your age, I wouldn’t have wasted so many years … I would have gone out there and made a
difference.”

TRU LOVED (http://www.truloved.com), written and directed by Stewart Wade (”Coffee Date”) tells the story of Tru, a sixteen year old uprooted by her lesbian moms from her gay-friendly home in San Francisco and moved to a conservative community in Southern California. Tru’s only friend is a closeted football player, and that friendship is jeopardized when she starts the school’s first Gay-Straight Alliance.

Produced by BrownBag Productions, TRU LOVED stars Najarra Townsend (”Me And You And Everyone We Know”), Jake Abel (”The Lovely Bones”), Matthew Thompson (”Drake and Josh”), Alexandra Paul (”Baywatch”), Cynda Williams (”Tales of the City”), Alec Mapa (”Ugly Betty”), Bruce Vilanch (”Hairspray”), Nichelle Nichols (”Heroes”), Jasmine Guy (”A Different World”) and Jane Lynch (”The 40 Year Old Virgin”).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2008

For press materials and hi-res color press photos,

Visit http://www.shawnryanlive.com

SHAWN RYAN and FRIENDS! An All-Star Benefit Concert Tues., June 3, 2008 (7:30 pm) One Night Only The Rrazz Room in SF (All Ages Welcome)

Shawn Ryan from NBC’s America’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist returns to SF to Headline a Benefit Concert for The Young Actors’ Theatre Camp Scholarship Fund. Featuring Bruce Vilanch, Wesla Whitfield, Terese Genecco, Shaynee Rainbolt, Sony Holland, Connie Champagne, Spencer Day, Barry Lloyd, and Nicole Julien !

Whether it is acting, singing, or charming Regis Philbin on America’s Got Talent, Pleasanton native Shawn Ryan is taking the world by storm, one song at a time! Shawn Ryan is Entertainment! And this evening’s line up of entertainment makes this a Not to be Missed event to be sure! (Theatre Camp Info is below)

Tickets ($45) are now on sale at http://www.therrazzroom.com or by calling 866/ 468- 3399.

To arrange an interview with any Cast Member, please call John Ainsworth at 323/ 401- 4342.

Shawn Ryan is one of the rising stars performing jazz and standards today – having what the LA Times calls “a charm that is rare!” After placing in the semi-finals of NBC’s 2006 Summer hit, America’s Got Talent, Shawn’s star continues to ascend. He currently has two albums and numerous national TV appearances. Most recently taking on the gender-bending role of Karen Adams in ABC’s Women’s Murder Club. Shawn is also the co-founder of The Young Actors’ Theatre Camp (YATC) along with his partner of 7 years, John Ainsworth. YATC is an Overnight Intensive Theatre Training program for students, ages 8-18 that allows for students to work alongside industry professionals.

View Shawn Ryan’s performance on America’s Got Talent : www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZEwC-tKoo8 View The Young Actors’ Theatre Camp Footage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvMcPxoSXZo

Calendar Editors, please note…

What: SHAWN RYAN and FRIENDS!

Who: Shawn Ryan returns to SF for a Star-Studded Benefit featuring Bruce Vilanch, Wesla Whitfield, Terese Genecco, Shaynee Rainbolt, Sony Holland, Spencer Day, Nicole Julien, Connie Champagne, Barry Lloyd, and the Kelly Park Trio for an unforgettable evening to raise money for the Young Actors’ Theatre Camp Scholarship Fund.

Date: Tues., June 3, 2008 – 7:30 pm

Venue: Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko 222 Mason St., San Francisco, CA 94102

Tickets: $45 in Advance / $60 at The Door, All Ages Welcome

Telephone: 866/ 468- 3399

Website: http://www.shawnryanlive.com

PRESS RELEASE
Bruce Vilanch Loses Battle with Semi Truck

On April 17, 2008, famed comedic writer Bruce Vilanch lost his battle with a semi truck. Bruce was filming a commercial for a new footwear company called Gravity Defyer. Vilanch was shooting a spoof video of Kobe Bryant’s jump over an Aston Martin.

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 — Famed comedic writer Bruce Vilanch tragically lost his battle with a semi truck in a commercial.

Vilanch was filming the commercial for a new footwear company called Gravity Defyer (www.gravitydefyer.com). The video is a spoof of Kobe Bryant’s jump over an Aston Martin. In the footage Vilanch gets distracted and never jumps, getting run over by a semi truck. The footage has been released online at www.brucegetshit.com.

The company Gravity Defyer debuts their technologically advanced footwear this week. Gravity Defyers are scientifically constructed footwear with a patented shock absorption system. Three shock absorbers in every sole give Gravity Defyers ultimate comfort and stability. With each step the hidden shocks absorb the impact walking and running creates.

Each Gravity Defyer is handcrafted using the finest leather, materials, and components from around the world and designed by the best shoe designers from three continents. Bruce Vilanch was a perfect fit for Gravity Defyer.

Winner of two Primetime Emmys, Vilanch attended Ohio State University as a theater and journalism student and graduated with a BFA in theatre in 1970. Known for his witty wisecracking humor Bruce’s career is colorful to a T, literally.

The larger than life personality has a recognizable trademarked look; colorful wacky T-shirts, wild untamed hair, and an avant-garde taste in eye glasses.

He has a musical comedy background and contributed to concert shows starring Bette Midler, Diana Ross, and Michael Feinstein. Vilanch is also known for his writing on a number of awards shows, most notably the Academy Awards. He commands high fees for emergency Hollywood script rewrites, having “punched up” scripts for films like Die Hard 2 and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

He was a favorite on Hollywood Squares with best friend Whoopi Goldberg and was recently on the third edition of Celebrity Fit Club where he lost 21 pounds. In 2005, he starred on Broadway as Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray.

His inner circle of friends include an array of entertainment greats such as Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Rosie O’Donnell, Paul Reiser, Lily Tomlin, Roseanne Barr, and many many more.

Vilanch is openly gay, and a supporter of many gay charitable organizations. Vilanch was the subject of two documentaries: Get Bruce (1999) and Laughing Matters…The Men, also released as Laughing Matters: Gay Comedy in America (2007).

Bruce Vilanch is one of the greatest writers entertainment has ever had.

I’m in New York and chilling out, but I found this from my friend Richard Knight. Jr at Windy City Times out of Chicago. Here are his own words. He’s SO shameless!:

From the department of shameless self-promotion:

For almost four years now I’ve been writing film reviews and doing interviews for Windy City Times from a queer perspective, and for the last year I’ve also been working on a TV pilot that incorporates those two things—and more. The project is called “Movie Queens,” and my co-host is performer-playwright and fellow film fanatic David Kodeski, who worked as a producer for almost 10 years on “At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper.” I’m happy to announce that the Web site for “Movie Queens” is now online with about 20 minutes of content ( with more to come ) —including a mini-version of our interview with queer icon Bruce Vilanch. Stop on by Movie Queen Manor at www.moviequeens.net and say hello.

And as always, you can check out my archived reviews at www.windycitymediagroup.com or www.knightatthemovies.com . Readers can leave feedback at the latter Web site, where there is also ordering information on my book of collected film reviews, Knight at the Movies 2004-2006.