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GLENN'S 411
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November 23, 2009 |
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Glenn Shadix and Tim Burton at MoMA
Tim Burton hosted several hundred of his friends and collaborators at a special preview Monday Nov 16, 2009 at The Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. It was loving gathering of the folks who have worked with Tim over the course of his still blooming career. This amazing installation included work dating back to his High School days in Burbank. I arrived at MoMA with my nephew, Sam Teer, who is a senior, majoring in Graphic Arts, at The Alabama High School of Fine Arts, long time friend and mentor, director and founder of The Tennessee Williams Festival In Provincetown, David Kaplan and Nine Moon Productions associate, Joel Olgesby.
BEETLE JUICE pals Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones at MoMA
The collection of Tim's work was truly astounding. This MUST-SEE installation runs until mid April 2010. We all moved to an elaborate party at The Russian Tea Room after two hours of viewing Burton's art.
Glenn Shadix and Johnny Depp at The Russian Tea room
I am preparing a more detailed BIO TALE when time permits. Just got back from New York and wanted to share the joyous time we all enjoyed. Our Boy from Burbank has, indeed, been most prolific in the 22 years we have been friends. I glowed with pride and simply had fun with dear friends from my time in Hollywood.
Heard great reports about my work in FINDING GAUGUIN from Cherry Vanilla who saw a recent screening in Hollywood. Cherry is known as the Fairy Godmother of Pop Culture and is a loyal and trusted friend of so many in the crowd that gathered at MoMA.
Glenn Shadix and Cherry Vanilla
There will be much more in the BIO TALE I plan to upload before the end of the year. Appeared in a documentary for TRUTH WINS OUT which we shot on the terrace at Hotel Metro. So much more to tell but am in the midst of planning a big Thanksgiving at TUNE FARMS. My dear friend Diane Tune and her apprentices as well as close friends and family are gathering on her huge farm an hour north of Birmingham. Happy Thanksgiving All!!!!!
This last picture is my dear nephew and amazing artist, Sam Teer.
Sam Teer getting into his first "stretch limo". It was a surprise and more fun for him than a taxi!
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September 15, 2009 |
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On Friday September 10th, my fiend
Jason Maloy and I began our road trip to Arkansas to visit
Little Rock (where I enjoyed a visit to President Clinton's
Library). We then traveled on to Fayetteville Arkansas for
the second annual Gala Benefit & Silent Auction benefiting
The Building--A Dream Capital Campaign Fund for TEMPLE
SHALOM of Northwest Arkansas held at Fayetteville's UNITED
METODODIST CHURCH. The Jewish Community has been using the
local Unitarian Church as their home and their dream of
building a permanent home is becoming a reality due to Fadil
Bayyari's tremendous act of generosity. Bayyari Construction
services are being donated at cost to the project and Mr.
Bayyari, himself, is donating his services as general
contractor. NEVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY HAVE
CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTS DESIGNED A JEWISH TEMPLE THAT IS BEING
BUILT BY A MUSLIM CONTRACTOR.
This building partnership has also had the added benefit of
creating a vision of understanding and respect for all
viewpoints. Temple Shalom has established a FAITH TO FAITH
Initiative that will provide people of all religions,
ethnicities and cultures a safe forum in which to share and
learn from each other.
To inquire about making a tax-deductible donation to the
BUILDING OF A DREAM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FUND please contact:
Barry Brown, Capital Campaign Chairman at (479) 871-1457
(cell) or at his home: (479)750-4004 or email at
bbrown@uark.edu
Barry gave me a personal tour of the Temple, now under
construction and I was treated as an honored guest during my
time in Arkansas. A highlight was a beautiful poem read by
Mohja Kahf at the Gala benefit Sunday evening. What a
wonderful example for all communities of Faith. It was
certainly worth the 16 hours I spent in my car on the way up
and then back to Birmingham!
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August 1, 2009 |
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 The microclimate in the remote area of Maui's beaches (surrounded by lush mountains of rainforest and flora beyond adequate description on a blog) has been a dynamic challenge for the exteriors we are shooting. Sun across the bay and hard rain on the left side of us that comes and goes without much concern about our lighting continuity (LOL) has heightened the work for both cast and crew. Every second of sun is used and if we have sudden rain... we just have to re-shoot the master and coverage quick-like-a-bunny and it gives deeper meaning to one of my lines of dialogue: "Time Is Precious". The photo above shows me in costume as Henri Vollard sitting in a straw hut (with a blue umbrella to keep the wardrobe dry) beside screen writer (of FINDING GAUGUIN) Stephane Gauger. We shot the coverage of this crucial scene once in half sun, half rain, and a whole other set of coverage in light rain. Getting golden work from everyone, in spite of, or possibly BECAUSE of the tremendous obstacles...
 These guys (that I call my Maui Mafia) are just a few of the enormous group of native Hawaiians who are making this film possible. What a kind and genuine people...The making of this film would be impossible without the hundreds of generous, hard working people of Maui. By the way, they gave us a happy, song filled Luau after our wrap last night; a truly refreshing and amazing blessing. I feel like I have come home in an un-transmittable sense. And I thought I had seen the most beautiful geographic scenery on Earth when I spent months on both north and south islands of New Zealand. The remote Maui beaches rival ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN ANYWHERE.
Bob Taicher Bob Taicher
is co-director and Executive producer. We met ten
years ago at Michelle Phillips' "Last Full Moon Of The
Millennium" party and the night we met he gave me a script
which I read THAT NIGHT in Michelle's "GOLD RECORD ROOM” office. Bob hired me as soon as I finished reading the script and now "SHUT YER DIRTY LITTLE MOUTH" will have it's official release this coming Autumn. I Love and Respect Bob as a dear, kind and brilliant man as well as a magnificent artist. It is a pleasure to be working with him again--this time with practically the entire Taicher clan either behind or in front of the camera.
Don Taicher as Paul Gauguin At 72 years of age, Don is blossoming in too many ways to describe. He carries this film with his portrayal of Gauguin. This is our first collaboration and I am sure it will not be our last.
Alexander Taicher as Adam Playing the role of the young artist Gauguin is mentoring, Alex is, at 20, in the process of creating a remarkable film debut. A natural. A hard working complete natural. We completed work on our first scene together last evening and we are having a wonderful time preparing for the scenes we have ahead. He is a beautiful young man inside and out.
Glenn Shadix on a remote beach location on Maui Yes, I dyed my hair and lost a few pounds (I weighed in at 185 lbs. as of this morning) and am enjoying the work on this picture more than anything I have done since BEETLEJUICE. Too bad I have to deal with such a tough location as I end my four year sabbatical! LAUGHING OUT LOUD. More of the incredible cast and crew as time permits and the adventure continues. So many of this wonderful ensemble will be at my party at The Roosevelt later this month and what fun THAT will be......Love to all--GS
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July 16, 2009 |
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April 21, 2009 |
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Got my first look at the seven insertions
into my ankle and leg and see the current Xrays with famous
ankle surgeon, Dr. Angus McBryde, at Sports Medicine.
Michael Jordon and tons of college and top pro athletes have
had their careers saved by this man. All looks great
and I was put in a new cast. Still have 4 weeks with
no weight on the right foot, so the crutches are nearby.
Checked into a lovely hotel for a rest from family care and
a change of scene. All is well and tomorrow is a full day of
real estate shopping...
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March 21, 2009 |
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Sad to report that my old chum Anita Page
has become the final real Star of Silent Films to pass
away. She was 99 and died in Los Angeles this last
September. She had a movie in post production when she
died! I've seen both her silent's and early talkies (she
co-starred with a teenaged Joan Crawford.) She was not
some joke EVER, she was quite a fine actress and I often
catch her films on TCM. She was the real deal and the very
last Silent Queen to go. There are no more. Randal Malone,
a truly bizarre character actor who performs in very
independent films must be given credit for taking Anita into
his home a decade ago and brought her out of a 60
year retirement. He took her to celebrity signings and
generally brightened up final years. They made quite a
couple and I know Mr. Malone must be heartbroken. He truly
loved Anita and took very good care of her until the end.
My News: Simple. Having ankle surgery
April 7th and will be recuperating with family. Doing tons
of research in regards my return to California. If all goes
as planned my friend William Wright and I will be leaving
Birmingham in my new car (yet to be chosen) and my plan is
to take a small West Hollywood apartment while I look for a
house in Ventura. Its very exciting to be starting over. I
have had an incredible time in Alabama but it is time to
check back in to The Hotel California.
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February 20, 2009 |
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Not any BIG news currently. I just
booked an appearance in Nashville for October 17th and 18th.
It will be my first time to visit fans in Dixie. I went to
Conventions in Florida but Florida is not really part
of Dixie! I will have location and details posted as the
time draws near.
Mainly, my life today consists of swimming an
hour a day, not smoking, and generally getting ready for ankle
surgery March 4th...My webmaster has come up with a lot of great
ideas for the site design and we've been having a blast giving
this 12 year old site a Face Lift!
Hope everyone will check out my new
blog---it's still taking shape. Be sure and check out my
Oscar
predictions before this coming Sunday and you
can see if I'm on the money or way off base!
For the first time in the site's history I
have put up a
link's page.
Just a few of my very favorite sites..
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December 3, 2008 |
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THE HOME OF JONATHAN EDMONDSON AND KYLE PUGH
is often the gathering place for The Bessemer Historical Society
of which Kyle is treasurer. Each Christmas over the
past four years Kyle and Jonathan transform this magnificent
Victorian into the setting for one of the most fabulous
Christmas palaces for their Holiday Party--the most
sought after invitation of the season. Click the link
below for more photos from last year's bash.
Click here
for more photos
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November 21, 2008 |
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Glenn with Dr. David Pollick, current
President of Birmingham Southern College. " It was an emotional
reunion celebrating the 40th anniversary of the building of the
magnificent theater designed by my mentor and teacher, the late
Dr. Arnold Powell and his collaborator and lighting designer
John Kitchens. With its split revolve turntable stage it
became a model for The Lawrence Olvier Theater in London and is
still the finest theater I have had the honor to tread the
boards. I will be a guest lecturer for the drama department in
2009. A great night of old friends and wonderful
memories."
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October 12, 2008 |
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This article
popped up out of nowhere and its funny now but at first I
was livid. There I was on the front page of my little
small town paper-an old photo of me on one side and my well
known house on the other. Trouble was no one knew I was
living there and I had visions of a break-in and getting my
throat cut for 50cents. The old interview was pulled from
the website and, of course, it looked like I was inviting the
city of Bessemer to drop by anytime-----many have. But now
it just makes me smile.....
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October 12, 2008 |
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Leslie Jordan breezed into Bessemer fresh from his
Emmy win on WILL & GRACE.
Louise Hall hosted a luncheon at Bessemer's Famous 101 year
old BRIGHT STAR restaurant just a few blocks from my house
before Leslie attended a $150 a plate dinner for Carl
Stewart's Terrific NEW THEATRE ( KNOWN AS TNT) It was a long
day for Leslie. He performed his show ADVENTURES DOWN THE
PINK CARPET and then signed copies of the book. (available
at AMAZON) TNT had a sold-out adoring group of fans and then
he was back on his tour. Quick but fast and Leslie LOVED my
new digs and Birmingham LOVED LESLIE JORDAN.
the whole gang chow down in the legendary Bear
Bryant room.
A lot of game plans were worked out on that table during the
Bryant hey days. "Louise Beard is THE FABULOUS
REDHEAD--confidant to the stars!"
Read the Article in The Western Tribune
about Leslie's visit to Bessemer here.
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October 12, 2008 |
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The article
went on to talk about the progress made but the main quote
made my point " I believe that today there are two major
issues confronting society in regards Gay people. One is the
right to have a civil OR a religious marriage with all the
rights and responsibilities that entails. This fear of the
word marriage is just another way to infer "separate but
equal" and we all know in our hearts that connotation means
"second class marriage." The other, and in many ways most
important, is the right to serve openly in the armed forces.
When you fight and die for the country you love it becomes
difficult to be treated differently in civilian life. We are
already there in every service. Its a matter of honesty. I
think the truth is well worth the adjustments the military
could easily make. Enough Politics! Where's my FLOAT!
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March 21st, 2007 |
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Glenn and nephew Samuel Teer (student at Alabama School of Fine Arts) at The Birmingham AIDS Outreach Benefit in March 2007 holding a plate on which they collaborated that fetched a nice price for this worthy cause. Glenn began his association with BAO in 2005 with plates he and Catherine O'Hara created. Glenn will be playing host to his dear friend, the legendary actress and monologist Lily Tomlin during her visit to Birmingham in November and together they will enlist other celebrities to create plates for the 2008 auction.
Starting three years ago Glenn became involved with BIRMINGHAM AIDS OUTREACH and will be working with them again on several upcoming benefits.
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January
13, 2007 |
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Glenn and Jane Fonda in Marin County Ca.
Glenn is enjoying an extended sabbatical from film and television work as well as a break from life in Los Angeles and has taken a loft in downtown in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Writing , spending quality time with old friends, his extended family and exploring the profound changes in the state he left 30 years ago. " I have certainly experienced a culture shock that rivals what I experienced moving from Alabama to New York City in 1976." Glenn took a trip back west to San Francisco to open Bob Taicher's "SHUT YER DIRTY LITTLE MOUTH" in which he stars with Gil Gayle.
It was a small theatrical opening at the Roxy in San Francisco and The Elmwood in Berkeley. Critical response was terrific and business slow. Ah, show biz. While in the Bay Area Glenn joined Jane Fonda in a fundraiser for David Zeigers, NO, NO SIR, a documentary about the suppression of the stories of Vietnam Veteran's Against The War during the late 60's. At the screening in Mission Valley, Shadix joined the benefit audience, founders of the Veteran's movement, Fonda, Maria, Muldair and Holly Near singing the great old gospel hymn, Down By The Riverside (Aint gonna study war no more) " It was quite a moving evening with several Iraqi veteran's on hand."
Flew into Los Angeles November 1st to vote in the midterm election and visit with my dear friends Adam and Sara Biesk and meet their beautiful new baby girl, Emma. Dropped by Michelle Phillips' Tuesday night to get the election returns and a hug from my favorite legend.
Shortly after returning to Alabama I got the word that Denny Doherty (lead tenor of The Mamas and Papas had passed away in Halifax Nova Scotia from kidney failure. Michelle attended the funeral in Halifax and in response to a letter I had written her she ended her missive simply with "Last one standing." Everyone loved Denny and he will be greatly missed. I was very glad to have seen his one man show in New York called "DREAM A LITTLE DREAM." It was after that we met for the last time for lunch with Michelle at Four Oaks in Belair in 2005. He was in good health at the time and full of, as always, fabulous and hilarious stories to tell. Denny's favorite song he sang with The Mamas and The Papas was the little known but hauntingly beautiful "Dancing Bear" but he will, I think always be best remembered for his soaring lead vocal on the group's biggest hit "Monday, Monday." Good-bye with love and thanks dear Papa Denny.
Denny Doherty, Glenn, Michelle Phillips. Last Lunch with Papa Denny at Four Oaks.
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