C-6 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 1999
Cleveland is the last stop for Victor/Victoria tour
by Dawn E. Leach
Cleveland-After a national tour that started in September, the touring production of Victor/Victoria is making its final stop in Cleveland for a June 15-27 run at Playhouse Square.
Toni Tennille
The story is known to many from the 1982 Oscar-winning movie of the same name starring Julie Andrews, created by her husband, director Blake Edwards. The plot, based on a 1933 German film, centers around an opera singer fallen on hard times, who is on the
verge of homelessness and well into the depths of desperation.
Victoria is befriended by Toddy, an aging queen with only slightly better fortunes, who comes up with a scheme to make them both wealthy. Victoria will reinvent herself as Victor, a Polish aristocrat and female impersonator. The scheme works, and Victor becomes the toast of the town. The charade backfires, however, when a macho (and presumably heterosexual) gangster falls in love with Victoria and she with him. The resulting chaos turns gender and sexuality topsy-turvy. After the successful movie, Edwards adapted the story to a Broadway musical, which was also tailor-made for Julie Andrews. Since Andrews' singing career came to an abrupt halt in 1997 after disastrous vocal cord surgery, the role has been played on Broadway by Glenn Close and Raquel Welch.
Singer Toni Tennille, who just missed audi-
KIMBILIO FARM
Bed & Breakfast for Women
Accomodations⚫ Indoor Pool & Hot Tub • Organic Gardens Hiking ⚫ Womyn's Art Gallery⚫ Near Mohican State Park
•
6047 TR 501⚫ Big Prairie, OH 44611 kimbilio@valkyrie.net • Web site: www.valkyrie.net/~kimbilio
(330) 378-2481
KIMBILIC
PLACE OF SEJUGI
Come Out!
Come Out to Church
DING!
tioning for the role when Close left the Broadway production, is playing the title role on the tour. Tennille, better known as a pop singer, has sold over 23 million records she and her husband Daryl Dragon (a.k.a. the “Captain") have recorded together.
When she was offered the touring role, she hesitated at first, not wanting to be on the road for a grueling nine-month schedule of eight shows a week. However, Tennille said that as an artist with many gay friends, she feels the gay-positive message of the show gives it special meaning.
Tennille has proudly pointed out that the Victor/Victoria touring company raised more
money for Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS than any other touring production.
Though she said she has been homesick during the long tour, "I believe that if one person in the audience can have their perspective changed about gays and lesbians, it will all be worth it."
Victor/Victoria will play at Playhouse Square in Cleveland from June 15-27, Tuesday through Sunday, with two daily shows on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices range from $32.50 to $51 and can be purchased through Advantix at 216241-6000 or 800-766-6048 or www.advantix.com.
Ring in Y2K, bug and all, at Ohio's largest GLBT party
Cincinnati-Have you thought about what you'll be doing for the last New Year's Eve celebration of the century? What you probably didn't know is that one of the largest private gay and lesbian New Year's celebrations in the Midwest happens right in Cincinnati.
The New Year's Eve Party is already set for the Year 2000. Carolyn Dent of Regal Cincinnati Hotel confirms that packages for the biggest New Year of our lifetime are now available to purchase.
Dent is working with Michele Hobbs of Planet Freedom, and she suggests that the party will sell out early. Hobbs is working with Pridefest, AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, and Womonfest, among others, to get the message out to the local tri-state area to ensure that everyone has their opportunity to make plans before the party is promoted elsewhere.
The concern is that the millennium celebration will be one of the most sought-after tickets in town.
Although all the details are still being worked out for the 2000 celebration, Hobbs is working with Rev. Bonnie Daniels of Metropolitan Community Church and Dan Howell of Victoria Travel to put together “Cincinnati's biggest commitment ceremony since taxpayers passed the stadium tax." Victoria Travel hopes to offer "honeymoon" packages to those who wish to take their relationship to the "next level for the next millennium!"
For over ten years the party has offered gays and lesbians a safe and affordable New Year's Eve celebration. The original party was chaired by Hobbs and Carol Wright as a way to offer
a safe environment to lesbians who were not out in the community.
The first event, held at the Radisson in Springdale, Ohio, had 80 guests. Hobbs has since formed Planet Freedom Events and has worked exclusively with the Regal Cincinnati. The guest list now ranges from 800 to 1,299 gays and lesbians. Planet Freedom will be sending out almost 7,000 invitations to this year's event.
The party begins at 8:00 p.m. December 31, and will go until 4:00 a.m. The Regal will have at least one tower closed for the Planet Freedom group and will block the entire hotel if it fills early enough.
The party includes entertainment, open bar from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., free champagne toast at midnight, munchies, and party favors. Currently the Regal is offering packages at the price of $299. The package includes two tickets to the party and a room for two at the Regal.
Hobbs says that during Pridefest and Womonfest, the price will be offered for $229 for a package for two. (Packages must be purchased by July 15 for the Pridefest discount.) Planet Freedom and the Regal have donated a package to the June 6 Pridefest, and the June 12 Womonfest celebrations as door or raffle prizes.
For information on the New Year's Eve Party call the Regal, Monday-Friday, 9 am5 pm, at 800-876-2100. Request the Planet Freedom/Pridefest promotion for the discount. For information on Womonfest, call Cathy 606-572-0868. To get on the Planet Freedom mailing list call 513-721-3713.
KICK BACK & RELAX IN WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS
CATERING TO GAY MEN
Hot Tub Pool Hiking Secluded Mountaintop
C
Clothing Optional
ROSELAND GUEST HOUSE & CAMPGROUND
RD 1. Box 185B. Proctor WV 26055 (304) 455-3838
e-mail: roseland a revideo.com
Cleveland 3.5 hours
Columbus 2.5 hours
Web Site: www.reviden.com roseland --OPEN--
YEAR ROUND
Charleston 2.5 hrs. (incinnati 4 hours
PILGRIM U.C
A hurch with atitude
There's A Place for You at
Pilgrim Church (UCC)
On the SW corner of West 14th & Starkweather
In Tremont
MILANETS, MARIA BOTTLES, CHANS, HERGY BARS, SHORTS, SEATS, FENDERS, GLOVES, TUBES, CARRIERS »
HELMETS, WATER BOTTLES, CHAINS, ENERGY BARS, TIRES, SHORTS, SEATS, FENDERS, GLOVES, TUBES, BABY CARRIERS, RACKS, LIGHTS, PEDALS
Get pumped up for Summer at Coventry's best bike shop
BIKE ONE
Bicycle sales, service, and repairs
Great deals on
two wheels! Accessories &
tune-ups too!
1791 Coventry Rd Cleveland Heights 932-4830
HILARITS, WATER BOTTLES, CHAINS, ENERGY BARS
We can help with all your Summer riding needs!
Tues-Fri 11-7
Sat 10-5