Going to See Brüno? Bring a Barf Bag

No actual gay guy would ever have made this film.

The likelihood of a decent lesbian or gay film ever playing at the multiplexes in the Berkshires is a million to one. But let a bad gay exploitation movie be offered and every screen within a hundred mies will show it. Go figure.

Supposedly those of us who are made uncomfortable by Brüno’s extravagant incarnation of a silly, retrograde stereotype of gayness are supposed to be relieved and amused to see the panic and confusion he causes in others.

But my question is this: does the movie send up stereotypes or perpetuate them?


Seeing this film in the midst of a straight audience - with all its over the top posing, camping and flouncing - might bring back memories or bum you out, possibly both. If you go, please share your take on the film, and the reaction of those around you in the theatre. This could be instructive.

Opera Queens - La Sonnambula is a Must See at the Mahaiwe

Short notice, I know, but you simply must drop everything and get down to Great Barrington's Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center to see The Met's new production of Bellini's La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) telecast in HD because the bel canto singing is not the only attraction, the cast is gorgeous too. It is slated for Saturday, March 21 at 1 pm.

The musical purists - you know the ones who are loathe to see any sacred cow gored - were horrified that The Met dared to do a new - gasp! - modern production. But oh, that rascal Peter Gelb, their young and daring General Manager is desperately trying to repot that root-bound institution to prepare it for the future. Clearly my colleague (and former rock critic) Charles Giuliano not only liked it, but loved what they did to this great, if silly, old chestnut. He gives it the once over at Berkshire Fine Arts. It's an opera review for the masses, not for musicologists. About time someone woke up and saw the future.

For more information on the Metropolitan Opera High Definition Telecasts, and list of theatres that show them you can visit The Met site.