Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous
Saturday, February 18 at 8 p.m., $28, $38
Everyone who’s anyone turns to Bruce Vilanch when they need to be funny. He’s written for Bette and Dolly, Lily and Robin — and he made Billy the Oscars’ host with the most! He even made the “Hollywood Squares†seem not so, well, square, while he was in the famous center square. Back from his recent turn on Broadway as Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray,†Vilanch is more than delighted to share his unique and provocative perspective on being Jewish, gay and (gasp!) blonde.
Vilanch’s career as a celebrity bon vivant began when he was writing features for the Chicago Tribune and schmoozing with whatever celebrities or semi-celebrities were in town. That’s how he met then-struggling nightclub singer Bette Midler and the two became fast friends. It was Vilanch who gave Midler some helpful career advice: “You’re pretty funny. You should talk more on stage.â€
