LAUPER TO PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Jennifer Lopez

DAYME AND BASTONE -- Our pick-to-click of the year Dayme has officially joined with producer/re mixer Freddy Bastone. As a matter of fact, at this very moment the two are in Bastone’s NYC studio working on several tracks. Bastone first made his mark on the music scene as one of the premiere producers/remixes in the halcyon 80’s; of late he’s worked with Justin Timberlake; Jennifer Lopez; and Jill Scott, and is about to embark on a production project with Nina Hagen. The two signed their agreement last week at the Palm in midtown. Dayme has impressed us with her originality and vivaciousness; she is terrifically compelling. We'll keep you posted.


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Cyndi Lauper

LAUPER LOVE -- Cyndi Lauper is wrapping up a rather terrific year. She just finished a sold-out national tour with Dr. John; her latest CD, To Memphis With Love, received rave critical praise, and thousands of theatre-goers every week are singing along with her songs in the Broadway smash Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Each night Nick Adams, Tony Sheldon, and Will Swenson, the leads, belt out their versions of Cyndi’s hits “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” and, her terrific “True Colors.” Although the popular show at the Palace Theatre has run since March, the artist has not been able to see the show yet; but that will change soon as Cyndi is making plans to see the show before Christmas and cast is looking forward to officially welcoming her. Additionally, Lauper is prepping for her benefit concert, Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for Holidays: December 4th at the Beacon Theatre, to benefit Homeless LGBT Youth. Joining her for this special performance will be Norah Jones; Amy Lee; Cassandra Wilson; Rosie O’Donnell; Wanda Sykes; John Secada; Carson Kressley; Lou Reed; Vanessa Carlton; Harvey Fierstein; Debbie Harry; Clay Aitken; and Alan Cumming.


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Mickey Rourke

A PBA XMAS -- Saturday, December 10 is the date for this year’s annual PBA holiday Widow’s and Children’s event at the sumptuous Bridgewater’s at South Street. Though the event has been going on for years (spearheaded by the PBA’s Patrick Lynch), it essentially began as an event to honor the men and women (and, their families) who served at 9/11. Back then, many of the kids were much younger; and, in some cases, had just been born. Seeing these kids today, having grown into fine and honorable people, is terrifically moving. Some of the bold-faced names that have shown, include; LL Cool J; Harvey Keitel; Micky Dolenz; Robert Funaro; Skip Sudduth (Third Watch); Mickey Rourke; Vincent Curatola; Lon Van Eaton; Burt Young; author Mark Bego; as well as Improper editor Keith Girard and PR-pasha David Salidor. This is one to be at for sure! Our friends there Al O’Leary and Mary Grant help everyone out there .... and do, a splendid job!


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The Muppets Miss Piggy

MOVIE MONEY -- This long-weekend’s movie giants are … The Muppets, with an estimated $42 mil for their just-out holiday release, while the latest Twilight installment in nearing $500 mil worldwide. Who says there’s no money left out there in movie-land?

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Poppy Montgomery

UNFORGETTABLE IS JUST THAT -- We've already praised the new CBS hit Unforgettable, with the lovely Poppy Montgomery and Dylan Walsh, but what a nice surprise to tune into their show Tuesday last, with an episode called Trajectories, and see none other than our old friend Robert Funaro, in a startlingly good turn as a police officer who by accident, gets involved in their crime-of-the-week. Funaro, via The Sopranos and American Gangster, turned in one emotive and compelling performance. A stand-out for sure!



Photos By: Sara De Boer/RD/Kirkland/Walter McBride/Retna