News Round-Up: July 30, 2019

Michael Caprio

Some news items you might have missed:

• Hottie of the Day: Prior to last week's red carpet at Chippendales in Las Vegas when 'Jersey Shore' star Vinny Guadagnino returned as celebrity guest host, my hubby Michael (longtime publicist for Chipps) helped photographers get their light settings right standing in for the reality star. This was his 'back of the dress' pose.

• Tennessee: A group of over 300 lawyers says Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcutt should have his law license suspended after admitting he doesn't prosecute domestic violence crimes involving married same-sex couples. "I don’t prosecute them because I don’t recognize it as marriage. There’s no marriage to protect."

• Sun Sentinel: The South Florida newspaper had an 'oopsie' when it tweeted out a headline about moving a 100-year-old house, but instead featured a hot guy and a link to a story about an 'adult-themed' party in Key West.

How a nearly 100-year-old house will be saved by moving it across town https://t.co/F1vqJgJTEv pic.twitter.com/K9VZ876Vnt

— South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) July 28, 2019

• Lambda Legal: Military leaders, medical associations, public health groups, and HIV advocates joined three friend-of-the-court briefs which argue the Pentagon’s exclusion and discharge of HIV-service members is outdated, irrational and discriminatory given the advancements made in HIV medicine.

• Newsweek: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell got his panties in a wad when #MoscowMitch began trending on Twitter after he refused to allow a vote on new election security measures to stop interference in U.S. elections. What he's not keen on admitting is he received campaign donations from voting machine lobbyists before blocking the vote.

• Out Music: Earlier this month, I interviewed out singer/songwriter Tom Goss about his latest single, "Quayside," from his upcoming album, Territories.

The song is born out of Goss's own experience exploring a polyamorous relationship after his husband asked to open their marriage. It was a journey he'd not previously considered.

“I really wanted the video to reflect the uncomfortableness of my situation,” Goss recently told Parade. “I want the viewer to feel the uncertainty and fear that I did visiting the Quayside for the first time."

"That said, we were very conscious to make sure that my actions were still my own," he added. "Nobody ever forced me through the door, I was, and am, a person who chooses his own path. The final decision, to walk into the Quayside and to completely submerge, represents the most complicated and uncharted path of them all — polyamory.”

Happy 24th Anniversary To The Best Husband In The World

Michael's 40th birthday party.  John Ganun, fabulous photog, came and shot the party.
This is us.

Today, hot hubby Michael and I celebrate our 24th anniversary together.

It's also our 15th official wedding anniversary - we kept the same day of the year because I used to be blond and can't remember too many dates :)

Happily, this has become a regularly scheduled, annual post.

*******************************************************

October 17, 1994, I met Michael Caprio for the first time.

I was on the road with the pre-Broadway tour of the Broadway revival of "Hello, Dolly!" and we were in Minneapolis recording our cast recording. Michael was VP of Publicity and Marketing for the record label.

"It only takes a moment, for your eyes to meet and then..."

It was one long day of me watching Michael from across the studio, and as I found out later, Michael kept his eye on me, too.  And boy, am I glad.

Twenty-three years, two marriage certificates (one in Toronto, Canada, one in Palm Springs, CA), one cancer journey and six dogs later - here we are.

We actually are very different people. Michael is very social and loves being out in the world; he loves meeting, mixing and mingling with tons of people, and people love him back.

I love our friends but in small doses where I can focus on them and their lives one at a time. I love being home with the dogs in our own little world.

Michael gets special points as he endures my constant roller coaster ride with politics. But over the past several years, he's become as passionate if not more so than I about the state of our country :)

Somehow, this all works really, really well.

I love being married to Michael. I love our life together.

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary - HAAAAPPY anniversary!

A few pics from the short journey together - so far:

First pic Michael ever sent me after we met, from the set of a photo shoot for the record label he was
VP of publicity for at the time.  Can you say "cute"???

From a Mammoth Ski weekend after a long day of skiing

My favorite pic with Michael

First wedding!  Toronto, October 17th, 2003
Senior Justice Lauren Marshall was very gracious to officiate the marriage for us.

Getting married in Palm Springs, CA, right before 2008 election
Mayor Pro Tem Ginny Foat officiated the marriage for us right before Prop 8 passed.

Vegas View

Ricky Martin and Michael Caprio
Photo: Denise Truscello

Handsome hubby Michael and I attended the official opening of DSQUARED2's new store in Las Vegas on Thursday.

The men of DSQUARED2 - Dean and Dan Caten - are not only hot fashion designers today but also designed all the costumes for Ricky Martin's ALL IN residency at the Monte Carlo, which had it's opening the night before.

The pop star hosted the new store's opening and super talented photographer Denise Truscello snapped this pic of Michael with the very easy on the eyes Mr. Martin.

News Round-Up: May 16, 2016

NFL's first out football player Michael Sam with my hubby Michael Caprio at 2016 Las Vegas HRC gala

Some stories you may have missed:

• My hubby Michael Caprio had "a moment" with the handsome Michael Sam (pic above) at the Las Vegas Human Rights Campaign gala this past Saturday night.

• The U.S. Supreme Court refuses a case that could have sabotaged the Obama administration's transgender policy.

• RuPaul explains drag culture to ABC News: “There are aspects of your personality that you don’t even know about until you get into drag.”

• Ivanka Trump, with a straight face, says her father Donald Trump has "elevated" political discourse. #SRSLY

• Rep. Alan Grayson becomes the first U.S. congressman to use the term "cisgender" on the floor of the House of Representatives.

• Madonna's REBEL HEART TOUR is getting a Blu-Ray/DVD release sometime around July!

• Just in time for LGBT Pride month, Converse debuts it's 2016 Pride Collection. We got your high tops, your low tops, your black, your white... #DiversityRocks

Behind The Scenes At The SURVIVOR Finale Tonight

Michael backstage before the season finale of SURVIVOR

My handsome hubby, Michael, is volunteering behind the scenes today at the SURVIVOR finale.

He is helping the cast sign different pieces of memorabilia that will be up for auction after the show ends tonight, will all proceeds going to The Danny Strong Fund at Boston Children’s Hospital.

The Danny Strong Fund at Boston Children’s Hospital supports the nation’s top-ranked Heart Center and its mission to heal children’s hearts. Donations to the Danny Strong Fund advance world-class research that’s leading to better, more effective treatments for patients with cardiomyopathy and other congenital heart diseases.

On top of volunteer work we both care about, Michael and I are both major fans of SURVIVOR going all the way back to season one.

Michael's been texting me pics with many of our favorite contestants this year. Way, way cool.

Make sure you tune in tonight on CBS for the finale. Starts at the beginning of primetime - 8pmET/7pm CT and 8pm on the west coast. I'll definitely be watching!

Our favorite this season! Super-Survivor Joe!

Michael shows Joe what items to sign for the auction

Kelly Wigglesworth - the season one runner-up! She should have won!

Michael models this year's immunity necklace

Fan favorite Spencer and Michael

Michael with another fan favorite - Keith!

Michael with Jeremy, who's modeling BOTH of his immunity necklaces from this season

Trailer: "Gods Of Egypt"

I know my hubby Michael will love this movie. But there is already a bit of scandal around the film, that doesn't open until February 26th.

When the trailer dropped earlier this month, critics denounced the casting of the film due to a huge lack of diversity. A movie titled "Gods of Egypt" had not one Egyptian cast in a major role.

The film's studio responded to the criticism:

“We recognize that it is our responsibility to help ensure that casting decisions reflect the diversity and culture of the time periods portrayed,” the studio said. “In this instance we failed to live up to our own standards of sensitivity and diversity, for which we sincerely apologize. Lionsgate is deeply committed to making films that reflect the diversity of our audiences. We have, can and will continue to do better.​​"

“The process of casting a movie has many complicated variables, but it is clear that our casting choices should have been more diverse,” Proyas added. “I sincerely apologize to those who are offended by the decisions we made.”

Michael and I enjoy these kinds of fantasy/action films, so I'm sure we'll see it at some point. But I'm glad the idea of diversity was brought up here. You have to wonder if the idea of casting an Egyptian actor even came up during the casting process....?

Happy 21st Anniversary To Michael And Me

Today, Michael and I celebrate our 21st anniversary together.  It's also our 12th official wedding anniversary - we kept the same day of the year because I used to be blond and can't remember too many dates :)

I posted  this last year and it still sums up how I feel.  I love you, Michael!

*******************************************************

October 17, 1994, I met Michael Caprio for the first time.

I was on the road with the pre-Broadway tour of the Broadway revival of "Hello, Dolly!" and we were in Minneapolis recording our cast recording. Michael was VP of Publicity and Marketing for the record label. 

"It only takes a moment, for your eyes to meet and then..."

It was one long day of me watching Michael from across the studio, and as I found out later, Michael kept his eye on me, too.  And boy, am I glad.

Twenty-one years, two marriage certificates (one in Toronto, Canada, one in Palm Springs, CA), one cancer journey and six dogs later - here we are.

We actually are very different people. Michael is very social and loves being out in the world; he loves seeing the world and meeting lots of people, and people love him back. I love our friends, but in small doses where I can focus on them and their lives one at a time. I love being home with the dogs in our own little world.

As I mentioned to some friends last night, Michael gets special points as he endures my emotional roller coaster ride with politics during election season.  He's so calm as I yell at the TV during presidential debates.

And somehow, this all works really, really well.

I love being married to Michael. I love our life together.

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary - HAAAAPPY anniversary!

A few pics from the short journey together - so far:

First pic Michael ever sent me after we met, from the set of a photo shoot for the record label he was
VP of publicity for at the time.  Can you say "cute"???

From a Mammoth Ski weekend after a long day of skiing

My favorite pic with Michael

First wedding!  Toronto, October 17th, 2003
Senior Justice Lauren Marshall was very gracious to officiate the marriage for us.

Getting married in Palm Springs, CA, right before 2008 election
Mayor Pro Tem Ginny Foat officiated the marriage for us right before Prop 8 passed.
We are one of the 18K couples who still have our legal married status in CA.

Michael's 40th birthday party.  John Ganun, fabulous photog, came and shot the party.
The picture says a lot about us I think.

Friday Night In San Francisco

I've been attending the annual National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association conference this week in San Francisco.

Lots of seminars, conference sessions and all that jazz, but the best part is meeting up with so many friends from all over the country and from different parts of he media.

This pic of hubby Michael with our friends Reed McDowell and Javi Morgado was how our festive Friday night started out.

It still made me laugh when I woke up this morning.

And then there's the part where I told a photographer that Michael has 500,000 Twitter followers, so the photog kept taking Michael's picture but that's another story... :)

Las Vegas: Chippendales At Cowabunga Bay Water Park Official 2015 Opening

Hubby Michael in front with (from left) Sami, Mikey, Matt, Nathan and Johnny of The Chippendales

I'm still nursing my VERY painful tooth ache thing going on - not enough drugs in the world I'm guessing. More wine!

But hot hubby Michael is with The Chippendales at a public event taking place at Las Vegas' Cowabunga Bay Water Park today.

Let me repeat that - the hunky men of Chippendales getting wet at a water park.

I've asked for lots and lots of photos from the day :)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Curtis, Mikey and Johnny get ready for a ride.
Talk about "wet and wild"... :)

The men of Chippendales celebrate Cowabunga Bay Water Park's official 2015 opening

From L to R: Sami, Johnny, Matt, Mikey, Curtis and Nathan
I mean, seriously...

I don't think the water park is used to guys this big... LOL

Nathan and Sami take a second to chill out

A September day at Gaia Resort and Spa

While I hold down the fort here in the states, hubby Michael is abroad with his client Olivia Newton-John in Australia.

Olivia is currently handling some promotional fund-raising events for the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne.

Between events though, she and Michael have traveled up to Gaia Resort and Spa, her award-winning oasis near Byron Bay. The resort has won countless awards from luxury travel websites and magazines.

Michael shared a few pictures from an average day (gorgeous) at Gaia, complete with a little video and an idea of the gourmet "barefoot Armani" approach to rest and healing at Gaia.

Looks like a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

I've written before about the fab experience that is Gaia here.

View from just about anywhere at Gaia

Breakfast today - poached eggs with fresh salad and goat cheese

Lunch was a pumpkin chicken risotto. OMG!

And who doesn't enjoy a palette cleanser after a meal?

Day off in Las Vegas

Hot hubby gets a day off after hosting fun celebs (Kristen Wiig, Carson Kressley, Sara Bareilles, Kym Johnson) in Vegas this weekend. I know - tough gig...

My husband hard at work

Not only is my husband, Michael Caprio, a top-level publicist with fun clients, but he's also a fab graphic designer.

One of the annual projects he handles each year comes up when his job as PR guru for the world-famous Chippendales intersects with that of art director for the Chipps annual calendar.

Each calendar is shot a year in advance, so as we await the new 2015 calendar (which was shot last summer), Michael is busy today overseeing the photo shoot of the 2016 calendar.

I know, I know - it's a tough job. But someone's got to do it.

The sense of smell

All credit goes to my hubby Michael - when we planted the courtyard in the front of our house, he wanted a really green, lush feel to the space, and he came up with a wall of jasmine. 

In the desert.

When you walk by it smells amazing.  Just the right amount of natural gorgeousness.

Thanks, honey...

Submitted without comment

My husband Michael

Husband takes a break between grilling and 80s music

Michael takes a break between 80s music on Pandora and grilling for dinner.

(this is where some might add inappropriate comments, but I'll leave it alone...)

#letmeguesshashtagblessed

Working at the pool

Even on what is "supposed" to be an afternoon off, relaxing by the pool, Michael is getting work done on his phone.

At least he's in the pool and not in his office.

Decisions at the pool

Michael couldn't decide between margarita or Corona.

So, he didn't.

Dog meme of the day

Sent to me by my husband, Michael.

I assume he's talking about our dogs, but, hmm....

Two cars passing on the highway

Michael has been on LA this week, and now he's headed home to Vegas as I'm now driving in to LA for a video shoot tomorrow.

On the phone with each other we realized we were about to pass on the highway. So we stopped on the side of the road for a quick kiss and pic.  As Jerry Herman wrote "it only takes a moment."

We may be facing different directions some times, but we're still on the same road together :)

Life.

Broadway: A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL with Vanessa Williams

Michael and I with Vanessa Williams after her glowing performance in
A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL on Broadway

Michael and I saw the beautiful new production of A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL last night starring Cicely Tyson, Cuba Gooding Jr. and the FAB Vanessa Williams.

The nominations for awards are pouring in for the production, and the box office is doing hefty business as the theater community welcomes Cicely Tyson back to Broadway for the first time in 30 years.  The production also marks Cuba Gooding Jr's Broadway debut and Vanessa's return to the Broadway stage since her gorgeous performance in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM three years ago.

 

THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL is Horton Foote's masterpiece about memory, mortality and the undeniable, universal yearning for home.

The Wall Street Journal calls TRIP, "is unforgettably excellent. I've never been more deeply moved by a theatrical production of any kind."

The Associated Press says "The casting here is splendid. Not only is Tyson feisty and funny and glowing with inner light; Vanessa Williams is politely savage as her preening daughter-in-law, icy without becoming a dragon. Cuba Gooding Jr. nails the kind man unfortunately caught in the middle of these two women. The care and love all the creators have for this play pours out from the stage."

EW wrote about the show "Tyson gives an awe-inspiring performance. She sings, she dances, she does everything but cartwheels. She's well matched by Vanessa Williams - wickedly funny as her bossy daughter-in-law."

As regular readers of TRR know, I've known Vanessa for years; and I am very proud of Vanessa for her work in the play.   Her role as "Jessie Mae Watts" is deceptively difficult as she sets the tone and environment that incites Cicely Tyson's character to head home to Bountiful. Vanessa drives the entire beginning of the play with constant business and energy.  And she brings the pitch perfect touch of humor to the role, as only Vanessa can.

Make sure you see A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL at the Stephen Sondheim Theater on Broadway.  I loved it, as did the sold-out audience I saw it with.

For more info, visit the show's official website.