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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 05
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Another reason for soap fans to love Eakes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Warner Robins native and former Miss Georgia Bobbie Eakes has prepared a unique Valentine’s treat for soap fans this year.
Eakes, who portrays the feisty, Southern-fried Krystal Carey Martin on “All My Children,” is among ABC actors who have contributed vocals for “Love Affair,” a seasonal set of standards out this month via Buena Vista Records.
On the disc, Eakes interprets Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me.”
“I fell in love with the arrangement because it was really different,” Eakes told Buzz. “It’s also a sentimental favorite for me because I sang it at my husband’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.”
Also on the album is “One Life to Live” actress Kathy Brier, who plays Marcie Walsh McBain, who recently went on the lam with her adopted son even though she was technically under court order to turn over the tyke to his biological father.
Oh, and this being a soap, Marcie naturally ended up in a fictitious drag nightclub in Decatur.
In drag.
As a woman.
Performing a number from “Dreamgirls.”
“I felt so bad for the guys in the scene with me who are drag queens in real life,” Brier recalls with a laugh. “When they do drag in a club, they’re only in costume for a few hours. Then they work a 16-hour day with me! Believe me, everything hurt at the end of the day!”
Perhaps the most unlikely contributor to the CD?
Five-time Emmy winner Anthony Geary, who’s in the process of earning his sixth for playing “General Hospital’s” legendary Luke Spencer. Geary croons the Cole Porter classic “Every Time We Say Goodbye” on the album.
“They tell me I attracted their attention at last year’s Broadway Cares benefit in New York,” Geary says, laughing. “But I played an old lady [Edna Turnblad] from the musical ‘Hairspray.’ I’m not exactly sure how romantic I was! But once they talked me into it, it was enjoyable to do since I started out as a song-and-dance man.”
Geary currently is winning praise for his latest story line: after decades of living on the edge, Luke’s ticker is failing.
“When they first talked to me about it, they said, ‘Would you be concerned about disturbing the character’s reputation as a hero?’ I said, ‘Of course I’ll play it. I’m an actor. We have plenty of heroes around here. Disturb away!’
“Luke being vulnerable is something new to examine. Playing his ‘creeping decrepitude,’ as I refer to it, has been interesting.
“I mean, I’m 60. I have some real-life experience with the body folding in on me. And I’m fighting it all the way, too!”
SWEET DEVIL MOON SETS FOR NOW
Regulars walking up to Midtown’s Sweet Devil Moon are disappointed this week. Diners have been greeted with a sign informing them that the tapas emporium is closed for remodeling.
Two years ago, owner Paul Vinces moved his popular Peruvian eatery located in Oakhurst to the space at 980 Piedmont Ave. near 10th Street.
The sign assures Sweet Devil Moon will “re-open soon.”
Let’s hope.
Surely the bulldozers, cranes, trucks, steel plates, road barriers, cones, barrels and endless sewer makeover operators that have been clustered out in front of the restaurant for months now couldn’t have done a lot to generate business …
COMBS: ‘YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A HAND’
Four years ago, part-time Atlantan Sean “Diddy” Combs took his celebrity and influence across the nation in an effort to get young people to vote, with the bold slogan “Vote or Die.”
As voters went to the Super Tuesday polls this week, Combs has a simpler message: Go vote.
“If we want to stop the war, if we want to get the economy better, I think that young people need to understand they have to take matters into their own hands,” Combs, 38, tells The Associated Press this week. “It is really like waking up a sleeping giant.”
“The seeds that we planted in ‘04 are now coming to fruition. A lot of young people have decided that this is their future. This president is going to decide their future.”
Back then, Combs refused to endorse a candidate and is keeping to that policy this time around, for now, at least.
“I didn’t really want to get in the political game, but I wanted to see young people become empowered,” he said. “That’s where my attention is at. … I think that young people will have a hand in the result.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor is 91. Actor Rip Torn is 77. Singer Natalie Cole is 58. Vocalist Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses is 46. Singer Rick Astley is 42.
CELEBRITY DOCKET
Hatcher wins lawsuit ruling
“Desperate Housewives” actress Teri Hatcher (above) has won a ruling in a feud between rival lip plumpers worthy of Wisteria Lane.
A judge ruled Monday that a $2 million lawsuit against Hatcher should be moved out of court and into arbitration.
The lawsuit from cosmetics company Hydroderm claims that a 2005 endorsement agreement stipulated that she would not pitch competing products.
Judge Helen I. Bendix ruled that both sides are bound by a prior agreement to arbitrate all of Hydroderm’s claims.
According to the lawsuit, the company learned Hatcher was also pushing CityLips, a lip plumper made by City Cosmetics, which competes with Hydroderm’s Volumizing Lip Serum.
And here, we always thought it was Nicollette Sheridan who had that particular endorsement deal …
Contributing: News services
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If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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Sneak peek of TV ‘Raisin’ a hot ticket
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanks to True Colors Theatre co-founder Kenny Leon, folks in his hometown will get a gander at his acclaimed version of “A Raisin in the Sun” (which had its premiere at Sundance last month) well in advance of its three-hour broadcast premiere on ABC Feb. 25.
On Feb. 11, Leon, who directed the new TV version as well as the 2004 Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of the Lorraine Hansberry classic, will host the red carpet Atlanta premiere of the film at the Woodruff Arts Center.
But unless you’ve already secured tickets, chances are slim you’ll get into the premiere, without braving a stand-by list.
While the event is technically free, donations to the nonprofit True Colors Theatre are being graciously accepted. Explained True Colors communications director Jenny Costantino to Buzz Monday: “Since it’s a broadcast film, we couldn’t and shouldn’t charge for the event. But we leapt at the opportunity to put the work of True Colors out there as a nonprofit.”
Confirmed “Raisin” cast members set to stroll the red carpet include: Audra McDonald, Bill Nunn, David Oyelowo and young actor Justin Martin, who portrays grandson Travis in the telefilm.
Amy Sancetta / AP
At Sundance last month, some of the stars of the production: Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald, Phylicia Rashad, John Stamos and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Part-time Atlantan Sean Combs and Atlanta fave Phylicia Rashad haven’t as yet been confirmed for the premiere here but Costantino assured us that Leon is using every ounce of his considerable charm to persuade the stars to participate (Rashad is currently performing in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” on Broadway and Combs is scheduled to attend the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday).
For his film version, Costantino tells us that the playwright’s estate allowed Leon to flesh out certain aspects of the Younger family saga for the ABC premiere.
At Sundance last month, Rashad and the film itself both received a standing ovation.
“Normally, people who attend Sundance pop in to get the feel of a film and then they pop out to the next screening,” explained Costantino. “But people stayed. We were excited by the reaction. Sundance is a tough crowd!”
For info: www.woodruffcentertickets.org/center.
‘GWTW’ MUSICAL PICKS ITS RHETT
Finally, Scarlett has someone to sing dysfunctional duets with. Former U.K. “Pop Idol” finalist Darius Danesh will join Jill Paice in the cast in Trevor Nunn’s musical production of “Gone With the Wind,” playing the iconic roles of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara.
The new adaptation of the classic love story with music by Margaret Martin will open at the New London Theatre on April 4.
Danesh is a platinum-selling recording artist, songwriter and actor who rose to fame on the hit British television show that inspired “American Idol.”
In 2006, Danesh played Billy Flynn in the West End run of the musical “Chicago” at the Adelphi Theatre, and in 2007 he starred as Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage’s Olivier Award-winning production of “Guys and Dolls.”
CELEBRITY DOCKET
Sigh. Hick-hop artist/alleged Waffle House beatdown artist Kid Rock’s arraignment in DeKalb County has now been continued until March 3. Last month, the court date was postponed until Monday. As you’ll no doubt recall, Mr. Rock made national headlines after he was arrested here in October following a post-concert, pre-breakfast brawl at a smothered, covered and chunked center on Buford Highway in DeKalb. Rock, his entourage and one less-than-devout fan who is charged with a felony count of second-degree criminal damage to property resulting from a broken window, are all due to appear or be represented by legal counsel next month.
OVERSCENE
Over the weekend, OutKast’s Big Boi celebrated his 33rd birthday party in the basement of Stats downtown with 30 close friends and family, including DJ Speedy. We’re told the rapper-actor played OutKast tunes from his personal iPod while guests sampled spicy buffalo wings with blue cheese celery sticks, diner chips with warm crumbled blue cheese and housemade fries. The drink of choice at the party? Hennessey, natch.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Stuart Damon is 71. Writer-producer Stephen J. Cannell is 67. Actress Charlotte Rampling is 62. Actress Barbara Hershey is 60. Actor-director-comedian Christopher Guest is 60. Actress Laura Linney (“The Truman Show,” “You Can Count On Me”) is 44. Bassist Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver (and Guns N’ Roses) is 44. Singer Bobby Brown is 39. Country singer Sara Evans (above) is 37.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I don’t like October Road for the same reason I don’t like getting an air conditioner dropped on my head: It’s painful.”
TV Guide columnist Michael Ausiello responding to a reader on Tvguide.com. The critically panned ABC drama shot its initial episodes and exteriors here last year.
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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