2001

• 5/31/01: Alan and Jennifer appear on today's edition of The Charlie Rose show. Check local listings for times. Also, Joel Seigel's Summer Movie Special appears this Saturday on WABC out of New York. According to his official site, Alan is supposed to make an appearance on that show.

• Alan attended the premiere of Sex and the City last night in NY. Reminder: Alan's guest appearance airs this Sunday June 3rd on HBO.

• 5/30/01: Alan and Jennifer will be on hand Friday June 1 at the DGA theatre in NY for a screening and discussion of The Anniversary Party:
  "MOVING IMAGE AT THE DGA:
  A Pinewood Dialogue with Jennifer Jason Leigh + Alan Cumming
  June 1, 2001
  The DGA Theater is at 110 West 57th Street in Manhattan. Tickets will be $16 for the general public, $8 for Museum members. Please call the Museum at 718-784-4520 Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Advance reservations are strongly recommended."

• Alan and Jennifer will also participate in an online chat on Friday June 1st at 6:00 PM ET. Check msn.com for more information.

• Look for Alan and Jennifer on the cover of RES magazine. The June issue of Out magazine also has an small review of The Anniversary Party as well as one of the pictures from Backstage: Broadway Behind the Curtain.

• Looks like Alan and Jennifer pulled a switcheroo on the morning show programs today. EW reported that they would be on The View today, but no such luck. Maybe they'll be on on June 22 like Alan's official website says. Instead, they appeard on The Early Show today, instead of tomorrow when Jennifer was scheduled to be on. Don't you just love it when these things change unexpectedly?

• 5/25/01: Alan's official site has finally been updated! Highlights include future magazine articles and TV appearances to promote The Anniversary Party. Also, Alan will repeat last year's run as emcee for The Webby Awards on July 19th.

• The 6/1/01 Entertainment Weekly has multiple Alan sitings, including a picture of Alan and Jennifer at Cannes (which Uppin Cumming has had posted for several days here, a reminder of Alan's guest spot on Sex and the City on June 3rd, and news that Alan and Jennifer will appear on The View on Wednesday May 30th.

• Be sure to check the Magazine Archive and Alan TV pages for updates this weekend.

• 5/24/01: Alan and Jennifer will be on the Today Show on NBC on Saturday June 2. On Friday June 8th (opening day of The Anniversary Party), Alan will be on the Conan O'Brien show.

• Alan attended the 10th anniversary party for the Paramount Hotel in NY May 23rd. Don't miss the pictures.

• Today is the US premiere of The Anniversary Party. Good luck to Alan and Jennifer who are attending its premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival.

• 5/22/01: Don't miss Alan, Jennifer and other cast members from The Anniversary Party on E!'s special "E! Goes to Cannes". Check local listings for showtimes.

• The Cannes news item page link listed below has been fixed...

• Popcorn.co.uk reports that Alan said that he will appear in the planned sequel to Spy Kids. The sequel is slotted for 2002, though it seems that Alan's role would be little more than a cameo. Additionally, Spy Kids will be re-released in late summer, including footage that was cut from the first release of the film this past March.

• Alan and Jennifer attended AMFAR's Diamonds are Forever charity event in Cannes.

• Alan has been nominated again for the GQ Man of the Year poll in the category of theatre. Cast your vote of him at the GQ website.

• Speaking of The Anniversary Party, Alan and Jennifer will be on hand for two more state-side premieres. On June 4th, they'll be in NY at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, and on June 5th, they'll be in LA at the Egyptian Theatre.

• Don't miss the Uppin Cumming collection of mini-news items from Cannes.

• Alan is in Cannes! As expected, Alan has jetted across the ocean immediately following the close of D4L to promote The Anniversary Party:
  "Alan Cumming has revealed that he secured the services of Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Kline to help launch his directorial career after some liquid bribery. The pixie-like Scot co-wrote and directed The Anniversary Party with Jennifer Jason Leigh and persuaded some of his Tinseltown chums to appear in the movie for the smallest of fees. Speaking from Cannes, the actor said: ‘Who could possibly believe that you could get a line-up like that for the price of a pint? That’s what friends are for. They even did their own make-up!’ The film is set against the backdrop of a couple’s sixth wedding anniversary party and was made over 19 days in the house of an architect friend of Cumming's."

• Be sure to vote on the Broadway.com audience awards poll for Alan and the other cast members of Design For Living. You can cast your votes until Friday May 18th. Update: Unfortunately, DFL was completely shut out of the Audience Awards.

• On May 2, Alan attended the premiere party for the book Backstage: Broadway Behind the Curtain, which is a collection of photographs of Broadway stars. Be sure to check out the photo section at Broadway.com for pictures from the event.

• MORE Film festival news: Alan will make an appearance at the premiere of The Anniversary Party at the Seattle Film Festival (see earlier news items for details). (thanks to AH)

• Alan has said that he will most likely appear at Broadway Bares again this year, which is scheduled for June 17th. Visit the BC/EFA website for tickets and details.

• Sunday May 13th was the final performance of Design for Living!

• Film Festival News:
  The Anniversary Party premieres at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday May 15th.
  Investigating Sex makes its world premiere at the Seattle Film Festival, as the closing film.
  The Anniversary Party will also appear in the Provincetown Film Festival (June 13-17), where Alan is scheduled to make an appearance.

• Alan and Jennifer Jason Leigh will appear in a new series on the Sundance Channel called "Anatomy of a Scene". It airs the first Sunday in June.

• Much to our dismay, the Alan Cumming Archive is shutting down! This is a huge loss to the online Alan Cumming fan community. Please visit the site and send Dianna the webmistress a note relaying your disappointment.

• The Anniversary Party will open the 27th Seattle International Film Festival on May 24th.

• While in NY, be sure to check out the new Hugo Boss store on 5th Avenue. Alan was among the celebrities who designed the window displays.

• Alan took part in a discussion about life in the world of theater as part of the American Theatre Wings "Working in the Theatre" seminars, held April 26th.

• If your wallet's weighing you down, here's an excellent way to lighten your load:

  "...these and other celebrity doodles and scribbles are being offered up for auction in The Barrow Group's annual 'Celebrity Doodles and Scribbles Benefit Auction' on Monday, May 7 at the Manhattan Penthouse, 80 Fifth Avenue at 14th Street, 17th floor.

  The event celebrates the 15th anniversary of The Barrow Group, an Off-Broadway troupe and school, founded in 1986 and the progenitor of Jon Maran's 1995 Pulitzer Prize finalist "Old Wicked Songs.

  The troupe is currently working on a revival workshop production of Diana Son's Stop Kiss at the West End Theatre beginning May 3.

  Other celebrities who have contributed their artistic whatnots to the auction are Alan Cumming, Julianna Margulies, Julianne Moore, Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, Cherry Jones, and Tony Randall. Julie Andrews is the honorary auction chairperson.

  Proceeds from the auction benefit the Barrow Group's Theatre Outreach Program for Students, the Play Development Program and Reading Series and The Barrow Group School.

  Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction begin at 6:30 PM. A live auction commences at 8 PM. Tickets are $50 and are available through reservations at (212) 253-2001 or at the door. Visa and MasterCard accepted."

• Alan showed up in full Scottish pride (in a kilt!) at the "big gala for the preview of the exhibit of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' clothes that took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art" on April 23rd. (thanks to Barbara)

• Alan is featured in a new book of photographs called Backstage: Broadway behind the Curtain. It can be ordered from the usual on-line book companies (Amazon, Borders, etc.).

• On April 24th, Alan was an awards presenter at the 15th Annual BC/EFA Easter Bonnet Competition.

• "The Roundabout Theatre Company is honoring Stephen Sondheim on Monday, April 30 at a spring gala benefit and dinner that includes a special performance of Sondheim's Follies, which Roundabout is reviving on Broadway. The evening's festivities begin with a special 6:45 PM performance of Follies at the Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St. The gala dinner begins 9:30 PM at Cipriani restaurant, 110 E. 42nd St. Tickets for the spring gala can be obtained be calling Marge Lempert at (212) 719-9393 or send an email to lempert@roundabouthteatre.org" Alan is expected to attend.

• "Alan Cumming is hosting the first National Broadway Theatre Awards on May 21. Alan stepped in after Henry Winkler and John Ritter of Broadway's The Dinner Party backed out of the May 21 awards ceremony after a dispute between Actors' Equity and the League of American Theatres and Producers over this year's NBT Award nominations of non-Equity shows. The League of American Theatres and Producers, the national trade organization for the Broadway industry, created the NBT Awards in February 2001 as a way to honor achievement in touring shows." Cherie Renee Scott has been named as co-host.

• For Canadian fans, Josie and the Pussycats was featured on MuchMusic (which apparently is similar to MTV) during RapidFax last Thursday April 12th (which is coincidentally Uppin Cumming's Webmaster's birthday). Since Alan has a huge role in this movie, he was heavily featured. (thanks to Erin).

• Alan hosted the Lortel Awards, which honor Off-Broadway achievements in theatre: "The awards will be presented and will be honored at a May 7 ceremony at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, located on Christopher St. near Hudson St. Alan Cumming, currently starring in the Roundabout Theatre's revival of 'Design for Living,' will host the show." Brooke Shields served as co-host

• Alan was a presenter at the Drama League Awards on May 11th, which were held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

• Alan attended the premiere of Josie and the Pussycats in Hollywood on Monday April 9th.

• Congrats to Alan and the cast of Spy Kids! It opened as the number 1 film at the box office!

• Alan attended the opening of Stones in His Pockets April 1st in NY.

• Alan attended Entertainment Weekly's Oscar Night party at Elaine's. (thanks to the AC list)

• Alan has recently filmed a role on the HBO series Sex and the City which will air in June after the series season begins again. He will appear in the second episode of the season, playing a gay fashion designer named Oscar.

• Alan appeared on the Rosie O'Donnell Show on Monday March 19th.

• Alan participated in a reading of Gore Vidal's Visit to a Small Planet March 5-9.

• Merchandise for Alan's upcoming Spy Kids has started to hit the shelves at supermarkets. Alan can be seen on the back of Hi-C fruit punch boxes. (thanks to the AC list!)

• Cynthia Rowley's fashion show, which Alan attended, aired on NY's Metro Channel. Alan can be seen in the footage from the show, sitting in the audience. (thanks to Laurel!)

• Two of Alan's movies were nominated for Golden Raspberry Awards. The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas and Get Carter were both nominated, with the Flintstones garnering noms for Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actress, Worst Supporting Actor, and Worst Sequel or Remake, and Get Carter being nominated for Worst Actor. "Winners" will be announced March 24th.

• Alan was scheduled to be a guest at Cynthia Rowley's show February 12th. (thanks to the AC List!)

• Alan appeared at the celebration for the Vagina Monologues held at Madison Square Garden on January 10th. (thanks to the AC List!)

• Alan's Official Website is set to launch this spring, but they currently have a fantastic news section listing all of Alan's upcoming live appearances, TV appearances, and magazine articles. Definitely check it out.

• Alan will appear at the GLAAD Media Awards in NY on April 16th.

• Urbania will be released on tape and DVD on March 13th. The DVD features commentary by Jon Shear, Dan Futterman, and Alan.

• Alan appeared at the Drama League Event honoring Chita Rivera on February 5 at the Pierre Hotel in NY. To see a photo of Alan at the event,go to Broadway.com, look on the main page underneath "The Scene" and click on "Photo Op: Hail Chita Rivera".

• On January 27th, Alan celebrated his 36th birthday! Uppin Cumming wishes him a happy belated birthday and a wonderful year to come!

  
  
  
  
  

  2000

• From Paper Magazine: Tuesday, December 19....."Calling all beautiful men. Shake your thangs at Go-Go!, a party for boys who like girls who are really boys who like boys. Girlina will spin some sexy tunes while Latrice Vetrelle sings up a storm, and the fabulous Alan Cumming will apparently be working the floor."

• On December 18, Alan attended the premiere of State and Main.

• Alan attended the premiere for Vertical Limit on December 3rd.

• From IMDB:
  Jennifer Beals: Wedding Photographer
  Movie couple Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh were so determined to make their debut as joint filmmakers perfect they staged a wedding - but just for the pictures. The wedding scenes in Anniversary Party, The (2001), which Leigh and Cumming co-wrote and co-directed, won't feature in the finished movie, which stars the couple, Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Beals - but the pictures do. Scottish actor Cumming and his girlfriend were able to save some money in staging the wedding - they called on Beals, an amateur photographer, to take the shots of the ceremony - which is referred to throughout the flick.

• DC Museum Opens Julie Taymor Exhibit
  WASHINGTON DC -- The National Museum of Women in the Arts devotes much of its building on New York Avenue to the work of the designer/director of The Lion King with an exhibit running from Nov. 16,2000 - Feb. 4, 2001. Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire showcases her celebrated designs for theatre, opera and film.

  The exhibit will include scene recreations, puppets, masks, costumes, set designs, special effects and theatrical lighting drawing from:

  Tirai
  Way of Snow
  The Green Bird
  The King Stag
  Liberty’s Taken
  The Tempest
  Juan Darien: A Carnival Mass
  Fool’s Fire
  Oedipus Rex
  Titus
  The Lion King

  In connection with the exhibit, the Museum will sponsor films, readings, performances and other activities. Here’s a short schedule of the key events:
  Masquerade: A Cabaret of Women in Musical Theatre, Nov. 24-25
  Screening of Fool’s Fire, Nov. 29
  A panel discussion on The Creative Vision of Julie Taymor, Dec. 11
  Screening of Titus, Dec. 13
  Screening of Titus, Dec. 17
  Screening of Oedipus Rex, Jan. 17
  The Art of Gamelan: Balinese Music and Dance, Jan. 28
  Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors age 60 and above.
  Tickets can be purchased by phone at (877) 700-6692.

• Alan attended the post-premiere party for "Bounce" on November 16th, held at the Hudson Hotel in NY.

• From Reuters: Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen (``American Beauty'') has a sensahuma -- he went along with Johnny Walker Scotch's ``Royal Blue'' hosting the bash at the Hollywood loft by donning all blue himself (as scantily clad bikini'd dancers whirled by). And these pals showed up for the party: Oscar-winner Hilary Swank, Marisa Tomei, Tony-winner ALAN CUMMING, Emmy winner Allison Janney, Ellen DeGeneres, Neve Campbell, etc.

• On November 4th, Alan attended the BAFTA LA Awards honoring Steven Spielberg.

• Alan's official website has premiered!

• Alan was a guest on NPR's Fresh Air program, November 2nd. To order an audio tape of the show and/or the transcript, visit the official website, where you can also hear it online.

• The dates for Design for Living have changed:
  January 16 Rehearsals begin
  February 16 First preview performance
  March 15 Opening Night
  May 6 Closing Performance(though they mentioned the possibility of extension till June)
  Thanks to AH for the info!

• Alan attended the LA premiere of The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre on October 19th.

• Alan has made a book deal with ReganBooks to publish his first novel titled Tommy's Tale:
  "ALAN ABOUT TOWN
  Life really does seem to be a Cabaret, at least for Alan Cumming, the celebrated star of the recent Cabaret revival: The actor has just sold a first novel, called TOMMY'S TALE, to ReganBooks for $125,000, according to industry sources. Cumming's first book looks to be as wild as its author: insider reactions have ranged from 'highly self-indulgent' to 'postmodern ironic hip London drugged-out fantasy' to 'a bi-sexual Bridget Jones' Diary.' A spokesperson for ReganBooks confirmed the acquisition, but said the publisher would have no comment."

• Wondering why you didn't see a review for Get Carter in your newspaper the day it opened? The IMDB tells us why:
  "In a strangely inconsistent move, Warner Bros. has decided to screen the Sylvester Stallone movie, Get Carter (2000), to critics in some cities but not in others. Today's USA Today complained that 'critics have been locked out of the theater.' Joe Morgenstern in the Wall Street Journal remarked that the producers of Get Carter (2000) 'have declined to screen the film for critics, thus providing their own review.' But the Philadelphia Inquirer's movie critic, Steven Rea, reviews it today ('thuddingly dull .... moves along with virtually no rhythm, no suspense, and no spark from the morose goateed star'), and so does Jay Carr in the Boston Globe ('The film mostly just plays dark, wet, and heavy. It's the cinematic equivalent of wet cardboard.').
  Be sure to cast your vote in Uppin Cumming's Get Carter Polls.

• Get Carter had its Hollywood Premiere on Wednesday October 4th, which included a live web cast.

• Congrats to Rob Marshall, who won an American Choreography Award for his work on Annie, held at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA.

• Alan attended the opening night ceremonies for the Vancouver Film Festival.

• Urbania is being shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival September 22nd to October 5th.

• Annie and Alan's hair picked up some Emmy Awards:

  Choreography: ``Annie,'' ABC.
  Hairstyling for a Series: ``Saturday Night Live-Host: Alan Cumming,'' NBC.
  Music Direction: ``Annie,'' ABC.

• Urbania was shown at the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in July, where it was awarded one of the top prizes.

• Titus had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on August 26th.

• Rumour is that the 2000 Webby Awards have aired on TV. If anyone has any specifics, please Email me.

• Urbania was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, September 7-16.

• The Lifetime Cable Network has bought the TV rights to Alan's 1996 movie Emma. No air date has been set yet, but the movie has previously aired only on pay TV.

• In the September issue of Movieline magazine, an article about actor Anson Mount reports that he directed and co-starred in a short film called Nose with Alan. Nose is about an unfunny clown.

• Liz Smith reports that Jennifer Ehle will join Alan in next year's production of Design For Living on Broadway. Ms. Ehle replaces previously mentioned actress Julianne Moore.
  Be sure to vote in Uppin Cumming's Casting Poll.

• Good news for Victor and Barry fans! The promoter for their Australian tour has put up a website. Check out the V&B page for details.

• VIDEO NEWS: Titus was released on video August 15th, and Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas was released on September 26th.

• For all the UK fans: The Tartan Army, a new exhibition, is on display at the National Portrait Gallery, St Martins Place, London, until October 1, 2000. "The Tartan Army is a retrospective of Donald MacLellan's striking portraits. Dougray Scott, Ewan McGregor, Kelly McDonald, Tilda Swinton, Douglas Henshaw, Robert Carlyle and Alan Cumming are all on display. These stunning portraits show just how prominent and respected Scottish actors have become in recent years in the international film world." Admission is free. Let me know if you see the portrait and/or can get a photo of it to share with UppinCumming. UPDATED: The Tartan Army: Photographs by Donald MacLellan is a small display of black and white photographs (22 in total) in the cafe and bookshop galleries showing until 1 October. Unfortunately there is not an accompanying catalogue or postcards. (Thanks to AH).

• Titus played at the Melbourne Film Festival July 31 and August 1, 2000. (thanks to Mett)

• Canada's The Movie Channel has decided to broadcast the uncensored European version of Eyes Wide Shut on seven nights in August, the channel's Feature magazine announced in its August issue. The Canadian telecast apparently marks the first uncensored North American screening of Stanley Kubrick's final film. In a reported bid to garner an R rating in the U.S., Kubrick used special digital effects to hide the genitalia of actors and actresses appearing in a climactic, 65-second orgy scene in the movie. What Roger Ebert called the "Austin Powers version" of the film has also screened on U.S. pay-TV. However, Feature reported, the film's "infamous digitally censored ritual-orgy scene [will be] restored for its showing" on Canadian cable.

• According to the Dallas Observer, a brief clip of Alan's performance in Cabaret is used in the movie Loser. (CONFIRMED! 7/22/00)

• More Emmy News: Saturday Night Live was nominated for Outstanding Hair Style for a Series, mentioning the episode Alan hosted. 3rd Rock From the Sun also had nominations for Sound Mixing and Cinematography for Multi Camera Series, also mentioning the episode on which Alan guest starred. (Thanks to Elena)

• Annie garnered 12 Emmy Award nominations, inlcuding Outstanding Made for TV Movie, Outstanding Direction of a Miniseries, Movie or Special (Rob Marshall) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (Kathy Bates). Awards will be handed out on 9/10/00.

• Alan and Jennifer Jason Leigh were presenters at the Outfest awards ceremony on 7/16/00. Urbania won the award for best American feature.

• Alan will be starring in Crimes of Fashion for director Douglas Keeve. Filming will begin in NY in October.

• Alan attended the 6th Annual Angel Awards hosted by Project Angel Food July 15 in Los Angeles.

• Alan's film Titus was shown 7/24/00 at the Stony Brook Film Festival.

• On Tuesday 6/27/00, Alan appeared at the Hollywood premiere of the Mel Gibson film "The Patriot."

• The Activities Committee of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Present: Annie On June 15th, a distinguished panel of cast members from both the Broadway and TV productions took part in a discussion -- namely Oscar-winner Kathy Bates (Miss Hannigan), multiple Tony-winner Audra McDonald (Grace), Victor Garber (Daddy Warbucks), Alan Cumming (Rooster Hannigan) and the original stage "Annie", Andrea McArdle (who had a cameo in the TV version.) The "Annie" creative team also lent their voice to the proceedings: director/choreographer Rob Marshall, executive producers Neil Meron, Craig Zadan and Chris Montan, composer Charles Strouse, production designer Stephen Hendrickson and writer Irene Mecchi. Tony-winner and comic Martin Short moderated the evening.

• Alan was a presenter at the Fragrance Foundation honoring the American and European 2000 Fragrance Stars of the Year, held at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, on June 8.

• DESIGN FOR LIVING: By Noël Coward, February 2001
  Director Joe Mantello returns to the Roundabout Theater Company, where he helmed Off-Broadway's award-winning production of The Mineola Twins. This Coward comedy takes a trio of decadent artists seeking true love on a romp through London, Paris and New York. Alan and Julianne Moore have been confirmed for two of the three leads. Rehearsals begin January 2001 with a projected February 2001 start date.

• JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS: Universal Pictures' live-action feature based on the comic book series and cartoon of the same name is set to begin filming this summer. Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan, who directed the teen comedy "Can't Hardly Wait," will direct the project from their own script. A summer start is planned. The feature satirizes contemporary pop music and pop culture and revolves around a group of female sleuths/rockers, the Pussycats, headed by Josie (Cook). The three rockers find themselves being used by an evil mogul to brainwash American youth by placing subliminal messages in their songs. Alan plays a talent scout responsible for discovering Josie and the Pussycats. Filming is set to begin in August.
  
  
• THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Alan is currently in Hollywood to film "The Anniversary Party" with Cabaret co-star Jennifer Jason Leigh. Alan co-wrote the screenplay, will co-direct, and will co-star with JJL.
  
  
• INVESTIGATING SEX: UGC Intl. has picked up worldwide rights to Alan Rudolph's ``Investigating Sex,'' an $8 million project starring Nick Nolte and Neve Campbell. The picture is set in the 1920s, when a circle of bohemian men hire two female stenographers to record their sexual explorations. But things soon spiral out of control as repressed passions rise to the surface. Described as a comic story, it will also star Robin Tunney, Dermot Mulroney, Julie Delpy, Til Schweiger, Jeremy Davies, Alan Cumming and Tuesday Weld.

• HBO SERIES: Alan has signed to co-exec produce with Alan Heinberg (''Sex and the City'' and ``Party of Five'') and star in a documentary-style series for HBO about celebrity in America.

• According to an interview at the Celtic Cafe, Alan is hard at work at his own web page. The Uppin Cumming staff excitedly shouts, "At Last!"

• Alan performed at the ceremony honoring Kander & Ebb as they received the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Musical Theatre, Monday June 5, 2000 at the Gramercy Theatre in NY.