Arts & Entertainment
‘Will & Grace’ loves ‘Lucy’
This may be the final season for NBC’s “Will & Grace,” but the show’s writers and cast will be devoting at least one of its precious last episodes to paying tribute to another iconic sitcom.
Entertainment Weekly revealed yesterday that an entire episode of the NBC show will this spring be built around recreations of classic moments from “I Love Lucy.”
In the episode, stars Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally will each take a turn at playing Lucy Ricardo, in three dream sequences that are “re-imagined versions of iconic scenes from the original series,” while Eric McCormack will portray Ricky in all of them. The sequences will include Grace as Lucy in a tribute to the “Vitameatavegamin” scene, Jack will play her in a scene from the “chocolate factory” episode, and Karen will re-enact the character’s grape-stomping routine. Each of the three actors will take turns rotating as Fred and Ethel in the other sequences.
According to EW, “Will & Grace” writers left the classic show’s original scripts intact for each of the excerpts from the groundbreaking TV series.
Additionally, the news outlet reports that Lucie Arnaz, daughter of “I Love Lucy” creators and stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, will appear in a cameo. She will take on the role of the conveyor belt supervisor in the chocolate factory sequence.
In a statement, Arnaz said, “I know my parents would be over the moon to be honored in this way and by such similar talents who bring the same kind of joy to audiences as they did in ‘I Love Lucy.’ I’m thrilled to be invited to the party and will do my best to honor the memory of Elvia Allman’s iconic performance.”
“I Love Lucy” ran for 180 episodes from 1951-57 on CBS.
“Will & Grace” originally ran for 8 seasons on NBC, from 1998-2006, before returning for a rebooted ninth season in 2017. The current season is its tenth and last.
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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