Dennis connects via Zoom with poet Steven Reigns to discuss his new book A Quilt for David, which explores through poetry the story of David Acer, the dentist from Treasure Cove, Florida who was accused by multiple people of giving them HIV through dental work in the early 1990s. The story made national news, led to several $1 million-plus insurance settlements and turned David into a convenient scapegoat for a nation wary of gay people and terrified of AIDS. Steven talks about the book's mixture of poetry and investigative reporting, going to Florida to research and interview people who were around at the time and his goal with the project of humanizing David Acer. He also recites two of the poems from the book. www.aquiltfordavid.com    

DENNIS ANYONE? with Dennis Hensley

Poet Steven Reigns ("A Quilt for David"): "This Book is David's Panel"

After surviving a breakthrough case of COVID, Dennis returns with this Zoom with filmmaker Wes Hurley whose delightful autobiographical film Potato Dreams of America is currently playing the festival circuit and will be released in 2022. The film tells the story of how he moved from Eastern Russian at 16 when his mother became a mail order bride for an American man in Seattle. He talks about his decision to use magical realism to tell his own story, using two sets of actors to play the mother and son characters and how he came to cast Mean Girls Jonathan Bennett, Orange Is the New Black's Lea Delaria and Love Boat's Lauren Tewes is key supporting roles. He talks about how American movies shaped his childhood in Russia and becoming obsessed with Gregg Araki's gay classic The Living End...but renting it in secret so his stepfather wouldn't find out he's gay. He also recalls what it was like when he first came to the U.S., the challenge of making friends, his mom helping meet other gay people and how he learned English by immersion. Other topics include: Keanu Reeves in tighty-whities, rebelling by listening to Marilyn Manson, Freddie Mercury being huge in Russia, what it took to get the movie made, his Russian grandmother's visits to Seattle, how getting a hotel room from a film festival made him feel legit, the grant he received that changed the game and the times when his mother says, "Stop being so Russian."

Filmmaker Wes Hurley: "He's Talented, He Couldn't Be Gay"

Dennis is joined via Zoom by Todd Stephens, the writer director of the new film Swan Song, which is about retired hairdresser named Mr. Pat played by Udo Kier who busts out of his nursing home to do one last job, styling the hair of the dead society matron for her funeral. Todd talks about the real-life Mr. Pat who inspired the movie, collecting stories from people who knew the real Pat, and how the character of Mr. Pat was supposed to be in Todd's first film Edge of 17 but got cut. Todd talks about the inspired casting of Udo Kier as Pat, meeting Udo--and his dog Liza Minelli--at his home in Palm Springs, and becoming friends with Udo over a year before shooting. He also talks about why it was important to him for the queer characters in his film to be played by queer actors. He also talks about how meaningful it's been to shoot multiple movies in his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio, the theme of redemption after being counted out and why it was important to him to play gay film festivals with the film. Other topics include: the Variety review that did a number on him, tracking down More cigarettes, including Mr. Pat's favorite songs on the soundtrack, being helped out by the town witch, why he loves teaching film to young people and snagging the Linda Evans portrait from the prop department for his apartment after the shoot.    

Filmmaker Todd Stephens ("Swan Song"): "All of These Magical Things Kept Happening"

Dennis is joined via Zoom by actor Arianna Ortiz one of the stars of the new film Nine Days, a unique and moving film about seven souls and the man who decides whether or not they're going to go to earth. Arianna talks about the role she plays Maria, what it's like to create a character with virtually no backstory and what made Nine Days a dream-come-true experience. She recalls how the audition came to her, the thrill of getting the part and what it felt like to shoot the scene in the movie where her character is in the center of a lot of cinematic magic. She also talks about the mind-trip of premiering the film at Sundance to raves and then having the whole world shut down due to COVID and how she processed all that. Other topics include: finding a therapist through the Actors Fund, appearing in super-dramatic commercials, getting swag at Sundance, bonding with co-star Winston Duke and how the Nine Days experience changed her life. https://www.ariannaortiz.com/

Actor Arianna Ortiz ("Nine Days"): "I Got Pizza Hut Socks!"

Dennis is joined via Zoom by four of the creative forces behind the new film Summertime; director Carlos Lopez Estrada, and actors / poets Paolina Acuña González, Raul Herrera and Marquesha Babers. Carlos shares the projects origin story, recalling how he saw a live performance of a group of LA poets and was so knocked out by their performances that he came up with the  day-in-the-life-of-Los Angeles idea as a way to showcase them all in a feature film. Paolina talks about her poem "Red Lipstick" and the spectacular choreographed dance number the comes out of it in the film. Raul talks about his poem "Clouds," which he wrote years ago and marvels that something he created as a way to cope with grief ended up being immortalized on film in Summertime. And Marquesha talks about her poem, "Shallow" and the heartless man who inspired it. Other topics include: where the title Summertime comes from, how the San Fernando Valley fits into all of this and the joy of creating art for the sake of creating art. https://gooddeedentertainment.com/summertime/

Summertime Magic: w/ filmmaker Carlos Lopez Estrada & actors/poets Paolina Acuña González, Raul Herrera & Marquesha Babers

Dennis is joined via Zoom by comedian Julia Scotti who is the subject of the new documentary Julia Scotti: Funny That Way, which tells the story of how she began her career in comedy as Rick Scotti in the 80's and 90's before transitioning in her late 40's and going back into comedy as Julia. Julia talks about why she chose to trust filmmaker Susan Sandler to tell her story, how she was denied contact with her children for 14 years after her transition, and what it was like to finally reconnect with them. She also recalls her appearance on America's Got Talent and her spur-of-the-moment decision to tell the world that she was trans. Other topics include: the joy of being an abomination, agism in comedy, losing the love of her life after transitioning, her desire to be a mother, her favorite AGT judge and what it feels like to get a great big laugh. https://www.juliascotti.com/  

Comedian Julia Scotti ("Funny That Way"): Very Fine People On Both Sides of the Lincoln Tunnel

Dennis is joined via Zoom by four of the creators behind the new audio drama 90069: West Hollywood - Brunch, Interrupted, which is one of a series of Zip Code plays produced by the L.A.-based Antaeus Theatre Company. The four guests are writer Sean Abley, actors Parnell Damone Marcano and Bill Brochtrup (who is also the company's Artistic Director) and sound designer Jeff Gardner.  The quartet talk about the process of creating the project during COVID and the play's oh-so-current theme of gentrification of gay neighborhoods. Then the group joins Dennis for a rousing round of You Don't Know My Life! where they each submit answers to this question: What's something you've witnessed or experienced where you thought, 'Only in West Hollywood?'  The answers range from the hilarious--a shirtless neighbor asking, "Do you have any poppers I could borrow?"--to the poignant--RIP, Silver Spoon and Yukon Mining Company diners. You can listen to the audio play Brunch Interrupted here: https://antaeus.org/special_events/90069-west-hollywood/     

THE BOYS WHO BRUNCH: w/ writer Sean Abley, actors Bill Brochtrup and Parnell Damone Marcano and sound designer Jeff Gardner

On this special Pride month podcast, Dennis handles the audio editing on this one as he welcomes past podcast guest Steven Reigns to present a project he produced about the legendary disco star Sylvester's Los Angeles roots. Here's the official synopsis:  Born in Watts, Los Angeles, to a middle-class African-American family, Sylvester developed a love of singing through the gospel choir of his church. Leaving the church after the congregation expressed disapproval of his homosexuality, he found friendship among a group of black cross-dressers and transgender women who called themselves The Disquotays. He made an impact in music, fashion, personal expression and also on those he befriended even before his fame. Hear about Sylvester’s influence to a previous West Hollywood resident who grew up with him, Tiki Lofton. Tiki met Sylvester, then known as Dooni, and that friendship influenced her life. Listen to her tales of growing up black and trans in LA in the 60s as a part of the Disquotays with a good friend that soon became a disco superstar. Sylvester biographer Joshua Gamson is featured as well. This program is presented with the support of a grant from the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division as part of the City's One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival. Steven Reigns, Los Angeles poet and educator, was appointed the first Poet Laureate of West Hollywood. He has two previous collections, Inheritance and Your Dead Body is My Welcome Mat, and over a dozen chapbooks. Reigns edited My Life is Poetry, showcasing his students' work from the first-ever autobiographical poetry workshop for LGBTQ seniors. Reigns has lectured and taught writing workshops around the country to LGBTQ youth and people living with HIV. Currently he is touring The Gay Rub, an exhibition of rubbings from LGBTQ landmarks around the world. His new book A Quilt for David will be published by City Lights in September 2021.   Steven Reigns: www.stevenreigns.com Joshua Gamson: http://www.joshuagamson.com/    Sylvester: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvester_(singer)

SHAPED BY SYLVESTER: Tiki Spills the Tea - hosted by Steven Reigns

Dennis is joined via Zoom by Michael Anthony, author of the new book Life at Hamilton, which documents his experience as the Bar Manager at the Richard Rogers Theater where the Broadway sensation Hamilton premiered in 2015 and went on to become a global phenomenon. Mike talks about the book’s humble beginnings as social media posts, how they gradually became more and more popular, the time he would spend responding to posts from his followers and how the posts involved into a book. He also talks about what it’s like to be a trained actor and be tending bar in a setting where so many others are living their dreams as performers. He also talks about the lesson his position has taught him: that you can’t always become the thing you’ve dreamed of being…but you can keep finding new things that light you up. He talks about what it was like to be around the Hamilton phenomenon during the Trump Era and recalls the night after the election when Vice President-Elect Mike Pence came to the show. He also talks about his passionate curiosity in what happens after we die and the unlikely butterfly sightings he’s had that make him believe that his father is still with us. He recalls some of the famous people who have come to see Hamilton and shares sweet stories about Amy Schumer, Rosie O’Donnell and Jimmy Kimmel. Other topics include: his first meeting with Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda, what Lin thinks about the book, the moment in Hamilton that always makes him cry, the incredible journey his father made to see him in a show, bartending flashiness, when Obama and Biden came to the show, the incredible power of kindness and what’s the most popular candy at Hamilton.

Author Michael Anthony ("Life at Hamilton"): The No-Look Pour Never Goes Well

Dennis is joined via Zoom by singer-dancer-actor=model-porn star-Only Fans entrepreneur Valton Jackson who just released an EP of remixes for his sexy single "Shirtless" and also posted a spot-on video to Instagram, where he recreates Britney Spears' "Sometimes" video at a water villa in the Maldives. He talks about the making of that video, growing up in Georgia, how he got into performing and what it's like to be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in the morning...and fly home to have dinner the same day with his family in Georgia. He talks about his decision to get into porn at 28, how doing porn gave him a sense of control after years of being at the mercy of the show business gods, coming up with his porn alter ego Andre Donovan, and how his Only Fans page helped him stay afloat during COVID when live theater work dried up.  He also talks about growing up with shame about his sexuality and the process of coming to his own and living his truth, regardless of what people think. Other topics include: the Chorus Line director who pushed his buttons, bringing his acting skills--including tears--to his porn work, the difference between doing studio porn and Only Fans, how stopped compartmentalizing the different parts of his career, what his family thinks about his work, dating while porn-ing and his ultimate Britney Spears dream meet-up scenario. And after the interview, Dennis gives Valton a special BRITNEY SPEARS BIRTHDAY QUIZ. Spoiler alert: Valton crushes it.    

Singer-Actor-Dancer-Only Fans Entrepreneur Valton Jackson: "Everyone Should Be Apologetically Who They Are"

Dennis is joined via Zoom by his old pal, comedian Jim David to talk about Jim's hilarious new album Gay Jokes for Straight Cruisers, which he recorded on a trans-Atlantic cruise in March 2020. He talks about what inspired him to put the album together, the early-COVID time capsule quality of the album and the thrill of going to Number 1 on iTunes. Other topics include: how edgy the cruise lines that hire him allow him to get, when he thinks cruising will return, when cruise passengers complain about his gay material, how he uses his downtime on the ships, what his 90-year old parents think of his career, the clever nicknames he has for his fans and that time he insulted Trump to his face. www.comicjimdavid.com

Comedian Jim David (Gay Jokes for Straight Cruisers): "I Finally Found My Niche"

Dennis connects via Zoom with actress and singer Kathy Deitch, one of the stars of the comedic musical homage Titanique, which streams live on Sunday, May 2nd at 7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PST.  Kathy plays "Kathy Bates as Molly Brown" in the send-up, which originated as a stage production that played both in New York and LA. Kathy talks about how she got involved in the show, her affection for Kathy Bates and Celine Dion and what it's like to sing Celine's money notes in "All By Myself." She also talks about appearing in Magic Mike XXL as the object of Matt Bomer's bumping and grinding in the movie's epic climactic strip sequence, being part of the original Broadway casts of Wicked and Footloose. She also talks about her fat activism, the podcast she hosts on the subject "Plus This! Show" how he relationship to the word 'fat' has evolved and starting a sketch comedy group with like-minded performers called "Fatch." Other topics include: feeling inspired by Ann Wilson of Heart, teaching young people to sing, the children's show scripts that offend her, the myth that show business has to be hard, the power of representation and the real-life Maria Von Trapp who changed her life. www.titanicmusical.com

Actress-Singer Kathy Deitch ("Titanique"): "I Was Just Adorable"

Dennis is joined via Zoom by actor Randy Harrison to discuss the play he's currently appearing in, Mike Bartlett's Cock, which is streaming through April 18th through the Studio Theatre in Washington DC. In the play, he plays John, a self-identified gay man who leaves a long-term relationship, begins seeing a woman soon after and ends up torn between the two lovers. Randy talks about the themes of identity, power and desire that drew him to the piece, his desire to someday do it before an audience and what it was like to rehearse and shoot the production during COVID-19. He also discusses his breakout turn as Justin in the American version of Queer as Folk, leaving a summer stock ensemble gig to go shoot it, and how the experience was all of the things; exciting, scary, insane and fun all at once. Other topics include: his decision to be out from the get-go, how the discussion around LGBT roles and actors has evolved recently, his dream gig, why he acts and his favorite memory of shooting Queer as Folk. https://www.studiotheatre.org/plays/play-detail/2020-2021-cock  

Actor Randy Harrison ("Cock"): I Want To Be Challenged and Amazed"

Dennis Zooms with the three men behind the new prison romance "Luz;" writer-director Jon Garcia and actors Ernesto Reyes, who plays prison newbie Ruben and Jesse Tayeh who plays his seen-it-all cellmate Carlos. They talk about shooting in a real prison in Oregon, why they couldn't wear blue during shooting and including actual inmates in the film. Jon discusses the strong chemistry between the actors and how he knew they were the right choices and the actors talk about the strong bond they forged working on the film. Jon talks about the culture of machismo that's explored in the film and enlisting his own mother to play Carlos's mother in the film. The trio also talk about their approach to the film's two powerful sex scenes, why they were important to the film and what they were like for the actors to shoot. Other topics include: getting the tortilla-making right, bringing levity to serious work, the kind or unkind ways we speak to ourselves, the way guys razz each other for dumb things like the way they carry their books or drink from a bottle and the gloriousness that is Costco pizza. https://www.lakeproductions.org/  

Filmmaker Jon Garcia and actors Ernesto Reyes & Jesse Tayeh ("Luz"): "Love Takes Courage"

Dennis is joined via Zoom by writer-performer-drag legend Jackie Beat to talk about Sunday's Zoom event 'WHO'S DA BOSS? THE LOST TAPES'...a loving homage to the classic sitcom Who's the Boss? Halfway through the chat, Dennis and Jackie are joined by actor Danny Pintauro who played Jonathan Bower on the original Who's the Boss? and reprises his role in this stage / Zoom version. Jackie talks about finding ways to stay sane, creative and make money during the pandemic, having plastic surgery on his neck during lockdown and what he hooks into when playing Angela, Judith Light's character on Who's Da Boss? When Danny joins, he talks about what appealed to him about doing the stage show, coming out in The Enquirer, calling Judith Light right after coming out, overcoming the demons of child stardom and coming out happy on the other side. Other topics include: Joan Rivers memories, the upside of doing online shows, doing personalized videos on Cameo, Stanford pride, love of animals, what's cool about Austin, TX, a possible Who's the Boss? reboot, how the world has changed for LGBT actors since the Who's the Boss? days, his friendship with Alyssa Milano, finding love through Tupperware, how drag's place in the gay entertainment hierarchy has changed in the last decade and Tony Danza's sweatpants obsession. https://whosdaboss.live  

Jackie Beat & Danny Pintauro (Who's Da Boss?): "My Feet Hurt From Paving the Way"

"A poodocast about making things up and making things happen." L.A.-based writer-performer Dennis Hensley interviews a different creative person each week about what they do, why they do it, and how they keep it going. Past guests have included authors, actors, photographers, musicians, screenwriters, acrobats and one visual artist who makes cartoons centered around dead houseflies.

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DENNIS ANYONE? with Dennis Hensley

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