Normal Heart, Ptown & Coleman
It’s been 40 years since The Normal Heart debuted at The Public Theater (actually, it was 41 years ago). So the Public is staging a one-night-only benefit reading of the play – a play that has had more one-night-only benefit readings than any play I can think of. For this performance, they’ve secured the services of Billy Eichner as Ned Weeks, Michael Urie playing Felix Turner, and Ben Stiller as Ben Weeks. The reading will take place on April 27th. Tickets are still available at PublicTheater.org.
We’re at that time of the year when events for Provincetown start to be announced. Since I like to space this stuff out, let’s start with Town Hall. On August 9th, Joy Behar will make her Ptown debut in a special evening hosted by Judy Gold (which tells me it will primarily be an interview). Produced by Mark Cortale, this will benefit Sandy Hook Promise. Some of Cortale’s other events at Town Hall include Audra McDonald and Seth Rudetsky (May 24th), Megan Hilty (July 5th), and Cheyenne Jackson (August 2nd). Naturally, the indefatigable Marilyn Maye returns for her 15th consecutive year on August 30th. Grab your tix at PtownTownHall.com.
We have time for a brief Ask Billy question. Victor in Fort Lauderdale asked, “Who was Coleman Domingo thanking at the end of Saturday Night Live? It was cut off down here.”
It was cut off everywhere because it’s a network show and someone didn’t tell him they were off the air. Here’s his full closing: “Tonight is for all the little boys in inner cities. All the little girls in small corners of Brazil. Tonight is for the dreamers. Tonight is for the people who bring light into the world, especially Lorne Michaels and this beautiful cast. Thank you to the band. Thank you to everyone who came to come together in a dark room and just laugh when we need more laughter in the world. This has been an epic night and we want to send you away with a big ole kiss and love and to love on each other. Thank you so much to every single one of you. Good night.” You can see the full video on BillyMasters.com.
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When we’re wrapping up with someone else’s closing, it’s time to end yet another column. Last week, I saw my pal Sherri Shepherd at Boston’s Wilbur Theater. The show, Make It Make Sense, is great and the capacity crowd loved her. At the end of the show, Sherri thanked two people from the stage – her opening act and her good friend Billy Masters! You can check me out each and every week on BillyMasters.com – the site that can make sense of anything. If you have a question, send it along to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Caitlyn gets that new passport! So, until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.






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