The mania of celebration on my Facebook feed can’t even be expressed. Seeing Alex up on that stage, looking beautiful, and centered, and emotional … as well as the mere fact of this beautiful show, what it signifies (let alone her participation in it, which has been thrilling for those of us who love her) … and then there’s Tambor, and a lot of my friends know him, a lot of my friends took his acting class (still do). My brother is one of them. Tambor is, by all accounts, a phenomenal acting teacher, a truth-teller, honest as hell, he does so much good for his students. So my Facebook feed then filled up with one word from those people who know him: “TAMBOR.” Like a triumphant war-cry.
Sometimes great things happen to great people. Sometimes life happens that way. And it’s beautiful to take a breath, a pause, and acknowledge it.
It was a gorgeous moment and I could not be more proud of my dear friend. Well-deserved.
I also want to throw a shout out to Judith Light, who has been a great, visible friend to the LGBT community for 30 years or more – something that’s taken for PC-granted these days but was tantamount to career suicide in the 80’s. Plus she’s a good actor. Yeah, Judith! xxx Stevie
Yes.
and she KILLS ME in Transparent.
Did you see her in “Save Me?” She plays the director of a religious conversion therapy camp – devastating.
Oh God, no, I haven’t.
It’s streaming on Netflix right now – have flagged for later.
I am deeply embroiled in Health Insurance Insanity this morning. I have now been on hold for about an hour and a half, all told. But I am making progress. Chipping away at bureaucracy, sweet-talking all the operators so that they help me (everyone has been super nice) … It’s all quite confusing, but I’m getting there.
I will save Save Me for later – it sounds crushing.
The whole conversion therapy thing is horrible – a friend of mine from Chicago was put into conversion therapy when he was a kid. I see RED about it. I’m sure you’ve seen the doc This Is What Love In Action Looks Like – and it’s been soooo fascinating to see all of the people who headed up those major organizations basically either come out as gay – or apologize for the damage they have done. Not surprising, really, but still.
Stevie – watched “Save Me.”
My God. What a performance she gives. And Stephen Lang!!! I ADORE him. His one line from Public Enemies, something like, “Dillinger ain’t going to a Shirley Temple movie …”
He’s SO GOOD.
Devastating film.
I haven’t seen Transparent yet (this will be rectified soon), but seeing Tambor give such a great speech was still one of the night’s highlights. I also loved the real excitement from Jill Soloway up on stage for the big win.
The whole show is a little bit of a miracle – not just because of the incredible ensemble (although it’s one of the best ensemble shows I’ve seen) – but because of how well it works. It’s funny, it’s ridiculous, it’s tragic, it LOOKS great – none of the story-lines lag, there is no weak link.
And my friend Alex got to do a duet with Jeffrey Tambor, both of them wearing matching gowns, so now we all can die happy.
All magic.
xoxo
And that Alex and Jill go way way back- you know, show business is a small town and I love that aspect of it.
I was so happy with the Transparent wins last night-I was actually quite emotional about it. I thought of you, seeing your friend Alex (who is amazing on the show-such warmth and strength) on stage last night, what moment that must have been!
It was very emotional!!
I wanted to watch the show after discovering your friend and her Youtube channel, but if I’m not mistaken it’s not available outside the US. So frustrating!!
Lyrie – I’m not sure what the status is on its availability outside the US – since it’s on Amazon, I’m not sure what their deal is. I imagine eventually it will be available on DVD.
Oh I’m really glad you saw it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it but I remember it very well. And you’re right, Stephen Lang does an outstanding job. Now I have to see the Robin Wright movie.