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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1995)
J « « t o u t ▼ M pN w h i r 1, I M S ▼ 2 7 From left: John Leguizamo as Chi Chi, Wesley Snipes as Noxeema and Patrick Swayze as Vida T he M an B ehind the Q ueens Douglas Carter Beane on bicoastal success, le tout Hollywood in drag, and the role o f the responsible “New York fag writer” T by Daniel Vaillancourt tionship between a gay man and his best friend, a executive producer. Academy Award nominee n Sept. 8, Universal Pictures will straight woman. If all goes well, it will hit the Stockard Channing (Six Degrees o f Separation), release the long-awaited To Wong airwaves by mid-season. Arliss Howard, Blythe Danner, and Melinda Dillon Foo, Thanks fo r Everything, Julie Holed up in the hot, humid Big Apple, the 35- co-star as Snydersville locals. Newmar. The comedy, written by year-old scribe recently took time out from his Ever since Spielberg showed interest in openly gay playwright and screen hectic schedule to answer questions. His most Beane’s writer Douglas Carter Beane, stars Wesley Snipes, original screenplay— his first— the con p ressin g in q u iry : firmed New York writer Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo as Noxeema, America is about to learn a thing “Wong F o o mania... has been busy in Holly Vida and Chi Chi— three New York City drag or two about being fabulous. Do you have it yet?” wood. Current Beane queens who revolutionize the tiny fictional town film projects in pre-pro “During one incredible weekend of Snydersville, Neb., when their cross-country Tell us about Wong duction include Father’s reads a recent promo piece, Foo. Day, a remake o f the It’s about the dif F rench com edy Les “eyes will be opened, broken hearts feren ce b etw een Compères, with Robin healed and hair teased within m what is supposed to Williams and Billy Crys an inch o f its life. ” be middle America tal slated to star, for Joel trek to Tinseltown is derailed. According to Uni and what is supposed to be the gay community. Silver at Warner Bros.; This Could Be the Start o f versal, America is about to learn a thing or two It’s about learning and helping each other.... You Something Big, a comedy for Oliver Stone; and about being fabulous. “During one incredible will have a good time. You will laugh. It’s a fun the screen adaptation of Beane’s first stage play, weekend,” reads a recent promo piece, “eyes will movie. And when it’s all over, you’ll feel proud, Advice from a Caterpillar, which deals with bi be opened, broken hearts healed and hair teased which is my favorite thing.... This is for every sexuality. within an inch of its life.” one. I wanted a film that straights could go see, Best of all, Beane is creating a sitcom for The film, produced by Steven Spielberg’s and “get,” and have a good time. But I also wanted Carsey-Wemer (Roseanne, Grace Under Fire). Amblin Entertainment, was directed by Beeban gay people to go and, at the end, say, “That is so The untitled show, a vehicle for up-and-coming Kidron (Used People, Antonia and Jane). Openly cool.” I mean, it is a mainstream film. There’s no actress Parker Posey, revolves around the rela gay Bruce Cohen (The Flintstones) served as O , ” m e n iti denying that. It is Universal. I mean, there is something about seeing that huge globe on a big screen that says, “Universal,” and then the next shot is Patrick Swayze quoting Gypsy and putting makeup on his face. You just go, “Wow!” What inspired you to write the screenplay? I actually wrote it as a writing sample.... I got the idea when I wa> with my mom on Easter vacation [in 1993, in Cape May, New Jersey]. It was spring break and RuPaul was on MTV. My mom was watching, and said, “She’s a lovely girl, but she has terrible proportions.” And I thought, "That’s what they think of drag queens?” [I’d also seen clips from] The Gay Agenda, in which there’s a line that says, “These so-called drag queens want to take over your town.” And I just thought, “That’s something to be afraid of? I think in most towns it would be a plus.” How did the script find its way to Steven Spielberg? I wrote it very quickly, in about a week and a Continued on page 29 PEACE O F M IN D W ITH Tirad of the sam t old thing?... Wtil... Tht Paris Thtatra Mi^Miniblind' MARK HUCKINS Founder FR EE M E A S U R IN G F R E E IN S T A L L A T IO N $50 OFF On purchase over $500 Not valid with ony other offer Expires 9 30 95 McfíMiniblind • Pleated Shades • Silhouettes • Duettes • Wood BUnds •Vignettes •V erticals NO COVER HI 21 ft ovar Portland • Beaverton Washington Co. 222 0566 6 SW 3rd lake Oswego «West Gresham • Happy Vancouver »Clark Cty ] Unn Clackamas Volley Co. »Tualatin Multnomah Co $ol«m • Monon Co e (503) 292-6464 (503)636-6588 (503)667-0354 (503)363-7993