The Kid
Read it
Dan Savage writes the sex column, “Savage Love,” that appears in newspapers across the country. It’s a wonderful forum on politics and relationships (a recurring joke throughout the show) but Savage is at his best in his two books that document the relationship between he and his partner lover boyfriend husband and their decision to adopt a child, their son D.J.
In the off-Broadway show Savage’s story (adapted for the stage by Michael Zam) is strong but the music (by Andy Monroe) falls so very flat. I don’t remember a single song from the show, and there were many. In fact, I left The Kid singing songs from another show. The cast, however is really delightful and more importantly brings Jill Eikenberry to the stage. Remember her? From LA Law?
Jill!!!
She plays Savage’s mother and has the one song in the show that could be memorable. But it’s not. She’s still amazing. Give her an award.
Bottom line: read his books. Both The Kid and his follow-up The Commitment. And, what the hell. See the show too. And watch the New York Times video of it. And spay and neuter your pets.
Remembering the Memoirs
Jezebel recently posted “20 Celebrity Bios You Should Read” … and bravo goes to Janice Dickinson, whose shattering model memoir No Lifeguard on Duty, tops the list at #1.
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So, as a tribute to memoirs … here is a listing of five of my favorite out-of-print stories…
Roman by Polanski
Cinematic genius – international playboy – tragic victim – immoralist. Which is the real Roman Polanski? Published in 1984, it’s his story as he wanted to tell it – at that time.
The Baby by Viva
Although the subtitle reads “a video novel” – I’ve always considered “The Baby” to be more memoir than fiction… but this confusion just adds to the allure of this Warhol-inspired book by one of his superstars, Viva. Even Joan Didion quoted it “I think The Baby is enchanting, or maybe enchanted, an extraordinary verbal videotape of a life in the process of being lived.”
