The OUT100 2012: The Broadway Connection Part I

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If it is the start of November, it must be time for OUT Magazine's "100 List."  Each year, the magazine comes up with the 100 most influential LGBT people and straight allies of the gay community.  They come from all aspects of life: politics, sports, business, and, of course, the entertainment business.  As usual, they roll out the list in burst, building the anticipation for finding out who will receive this year's honors.

Last Year's 100 covers, featuring Larry Kramer,
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Kathy Griffin

As you might expect, the Broadway is once again well represented.  Of the 22 names revealed so far, eight have connections to the New York Theatre scene.  If these first honorees are any indication of what's to come, there is a nice representation of long standing members and activists of the community, and an emphasis on the new generation of young up and comers who represent a new kind of activism: they live their lives openly and lead by example.

Here at those first 8 that made the 2012 OUT100:

Elton John and David Furnish (Photo by M. Sharkey)

Elton John and David Furnish: Legendary Singer/Composer and Filmmaker, Theatrical Producer

Known for: Elton: Rock 'n roll legend, Broadway composer, AIDS activist; David: Filmmaker, theatre producer and AIDS activist
Theatre Connection: Furnish and John produced the play Next Fall on Broadway.  John has written the scores for AIDA, Lestat, Billy Elliot and a little show called The Lion King.
Activism:  John and husband Furnish run the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which distributes millions of dollars worldwide in support of AIDS prevention and education programs.  They have raised some $275 million for this worthy cause.

Terrence McNally (Photo by M. Sharkey)

Terrence McNally, Playwright

Known for: writing plays and musicals with gay characters, thees and stories for mainstream culture
Theatre Connection: Where to start?  I'll just list a few of his works: The Ritz, Lisbon Traviata, Lips Together Teeth Apart, The Full Monty, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Love! Valour! Compassion!, and Corpus Christi, not to mention Ragtime and Master Class.
Activism: He has, for decades, been a prominent voice for bringing gay issues to the widest possible audience.

And now that younger generation...

All of these talented young men lead by example, as out, proud leaders of their profession and role models for future generations of youth, LGBT AND straight.

John Tiffany (Photo by M. Sharkey)

John Tiffany, Director

Theatre Connection: He won a Tony for directing his Broadway debut musical, Once.  Up next: The Glass Menagerie with Cherry Jones and Zachary Quinto.

Gideon Glick (Photo by M.Sharkey)

Jonathan Del Arco (TV actor), Jason Moore, Andy Mientus
and Michael Arden (Photo by M. Sharkey)

Jason Moore, Director

Theatre Connection: Tony-nominee for Avenue Q, Steel Magnolias

Michael Arden, Gideon Glick, and Andy Mientus, Actors

Theatre Connecton: Michael: Big River, The Times They Are A-Changin', bare (the original New York production); Gideon: Spring Awakening, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Wild Animals You Should Know, Into the Woods (Public Theater's revival in the Park); Andy Mientus: RENT, Spring Awakening (regional), off-Broadway's Carrie, TV's Smash (upcoming Season 2)

More of the list will be published as the month goes on.  To read about each honoree, click HERE.

Before you go...
...have you VOTED in this month's THEATRE POLL?  It is in the left column!
...have you VOTED in this week's HOT or NOT?  It's DROOD, PART 2: THE PRINCIPALS!  CLICK the show logo in the upper left column!
...have you ENTERED to WIN tickets and the OBCR to NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT?  CLICK that show's logo in the left column to enter by Wednesday, November 7!...have you checked this week's INTERVIEW with CHAPLIN's WAYNE ALAN WILCOX?  He's a pretty amazing guy!  CLICK his picture in the right hand column to find out more!
Jeff4.064Comments? Questions? @jkstheatrescene (Twitter); jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com (Email); or leave a comment below and check a box!