Recently in Noah's Arc Category

There was a time when "Noah's Arc" star Darryl Stephens did not want to talk about being gay. But that has changed some and in the current issue of Instinct - he';s the current cover guy - he talks about why he has chosen to be relatively low-key about his sexuality.

"I think people who don't work in the industry don't understand that actors really get one body and one face. And we kind of get one chance," he said. "What the public sees is pretty much our entire livelihood. If you step up and say, ' I want you to see me, an actor who gets paid to be other people, as only this one type of person,' it just doesn't make sense - particularly to a young actor who is looking for work. What I was honestly doing at the beginning was biding my time and hoping that I would be allowed to play a variety of roles, so when the time came to answer the question I could say, 'Yes I'm gay but I was able to play this and able to play that, and people believed it and responded to it."

"I'm still private about my personal life but my being gay certainly does not have to be any big mystery or secret," he also said. "I'm not ashamed of it, it;s not something I'm hiding."

There's more Noah's Arc-related news today.

Darryl Stephens, who plays the title role, is on the cover of the new issue of Instinct Magazine and talks about how loyal fans of the Logo series were deeply upset when the show was canceled after just two seasons.

"Oh, people were furious when they found out the show was canceled. People who liked the show show were so touched by it," Stephens says. "They were so moved and responded with such raw emotion. It made me realize we really were doing something right, and it showed me that the show was bigger than me. Bigger than me as a gay man. Bigger than me as a black man."

Luckily, this October 24 sees the theatrical release of "Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom." Darryl is more confident and seasoned than ever: "I'm still private about my personal life, but my being gay certainly does not have to be any big mystery or secret. Maybe in the
next few roles I get I'll learn how to settle into myself. I think that's kind of what I'm doing as a person: looking to settle into myself and be comfortable with who I am."

You gotta figure fans of the "Noah's Arc" TV series were gonna love the long-awaited feature film almost no matter what it was about. The great news is this: the movie is terrific and worth the wait. I walked out of last night's screening at Raleigh Studios with a smile because I liked it so much, liked spending time with Noah, Wade, Alex, Ricky and Chance again.

Only a cast already this comfortable with their characters and with each other could come up with that kind of chemistry and those kinds of performances in the movie that was shot in just 15 days.

I gotta start out by giving a rave to Rodney Chester (Alex) who is just a comic delight throughout the movie and gives his character the kind of larger-than-life personality that translates well onto the big screen. He has such great energy and timing but also dials it down just right in his two more dramatic scenes. Rodney has great material as his character takes it upon himself to become the wedding planner from hell for Noah (Darryl Stephens) and Wade's (Jensen Atwood) wedding at Martha's Vinyard. (The series is set in LA, but at the time the movie was shot, marriage was not yet legal in California - it is legal is Mass.).

At the end of the second season, the couple had split up and then Wade was in a bad car accident. We learn that Noah nursed him back to health and they got back together, Stephens and Atwood are sweet together, as always. Now, their characters are getting married and the core group of friends have traveled across the country to attend.

The movie covers the days leading up to the wedding where there are all kinds of revelations that take place amongst the group. I won't spill all the details but just know that every character has some major drama and relationship trouble including Chance (Doug Spearman) and Eddie (Jonathan Julian), and the slutty Ricky (Christian Vincent). I like that we peel the onion on Ricky some and learn why he is the tramp that he is.

There are some familiar faces and some new ones too. including Brandon (Gary Leroi Gray) who kind of has the Meg Tilly role if this were "The Big Chill." He's the outsider invited by one of the insiders, in this case Ricky who didn't want to be at a wedding alone for the weekend even though he isn't that into Brandon who is 19 and just coming out.

The character is in one of the movie's best-written scenes. It's at Wade's bachelor party and the kid is asking about gay relationships and male and female roles. Atwood is so good in this scene - the best he;s ever been - as he talks about Noah's feminine attributes and what he goes through inside each time he introduces his love to someone new. What do they think? What does it say about him? Wade has had some drinks and is being dead honest and it feels that way.

I love that scene.

Jason Steed's character of Baby Gat, who was after Noah in the series, is back at it in the movie and I guess is supposed to be comic relief. I found him completely annoying in almost every scene. The only good thing his character did was bring Noah's boss, Brandy (Jennia Fredrique) to the wedding and her scenes with Rodney Chester are high points.

And finally, two very talented ladies grace the movie briefly, but wonderfully. Tony winner Tonya Pinkins plays Wade's mother and in her few scenes, brings all she can to the role of a mother trying to understand. Then there is a cameo from the Pheobe Snow, the great singer who we haven't seen enough of in a few decades. She looks and sounds great and makes the soundtrack to this film (if there is one yet) a must have.

The movie was co-written and directed by Patrik-Ian Polk and hits theaters on October 24. Go to the movie's website NoahsArcMovie.com for more information.

Here is a promo video:

Usually, the production notes you are handed before a movie screening are pretty useless except for helping you to get the spellings of names correct etc. But the material for "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom" is so filled with good tidbits that I will probably have an item from it just about every day until the movie comes out in Oct. 24.

What really caught my eye was a section detailing the involvement of legendary singer Phoebe Snow in the project. If you haven't heard of her, go to her website PhoebeSnow.com and find out. She's best known for the song "Poetry Man" but is so much more than that classic song including the beautiful "Something Real" which she sings in the movie.

Director and co-writer Patrik-Ian Polk says in the notes that when he was writing the movie, he knew he wanted to have a wedding singer in the movie's final scene and the first person he thought of was Phoebe Snow.

At around the same time, Miss Snow discovered the "Noah's Arc" TV series on Logo as she was grieving over the most devastating of losses: the death of a child.

She says: "My daughter passed away in 2007. She was the love of my life. Without her, I was worried about my own survival. For some reason, watching 'Noah's Arc' drew me back into the material world. I decided I had to find the guy who created it. He saved my life. I wanted to thank him and I went on a mission to find him."

Not too long after, Phoebe found herself invited to Polk's birthday party and they later bonded over lunch. She was just returning to performing and agreed to appear in the movie.

Said Polk: "It was kind of surreal and strange. I mean, she's the legendary Phoebe Snow - I have her music on my iPod!... She wrote us a great song and performed one of her signature songs as well. We couldn't have asked for more."

Here is a video of Phoebe singing her classic, "Poetry Man"

If you ask me, the best looking duo on the red carpet at yesterday's Video Music Awards were dreamy Jensen Atwood and Darryl Stephens of "Noah's Arc." They are hot, hot, hot! I gabbed with them about the "Noah's Arc" movie out next month (Oct. 24). Here are some of the highlights of our conversation:

Q. Tell me, are you guys together as a couple in this film?
Darryl: He was saying we weren't supposed to talk about it but if he's in the film we have to be together.
Jensen: At the end lf the second season, I was laying on the side of the road with blood spewing out of my mouth.
Darryl: He's back.
Q. Are you back as a ghost or what?
Jensen: Darryl was telling me that the info is already out there. We were trying to be hush-hush about it.
Darryl: I'm pretty sure we know that Noah is getting married.
Jensen: But Wade is in the movie.
Darryl: Noah is set to get married in this film and Wade appears in this film as well.
Jensen: Yeah! There ya go! Well said.
Q: Does California legalizing gay marriage effect the film?
Darryl: When we shot the film, gay marriage was not legal in California so the film is set at Martha's Vinyard. We completed the film then the Supreme Court made it legal and we are hoping to (defeat) Proposition 8 in November by making this film the biggest blockbuster anyone has ever seen.
Q. There were so many people upset when the series got cancelled. Do you think this might mean more movies or a return of the series if the movie does really well?
Jensen: Hopefully "Noah's Arc" can go on forever and ever. Hopefully the movie does well and they get excited about it and maybe bring the series back.
Q. Hope so. Darryl, what did you think of Jensen's calendar?
Darryl: Hot! Hot!
Q. OK, back to the movie. Anything else you want to tease the fans with?
Darryl: It kind of takes things to the next level. It's really about the love relationships and all the friendships of the characters. Everyone's relationships get pushed to the next level in the film.
Jensen: Everything you loved about "Noah's Arc" the series, you'll love ten-fold over in the movie.
Q. This is kind of like the reunion similar to the "Sex and the City" movie.
Jensen: Yeah! In a black, gay way, yes, you're right.
Q. What about the next season of "Dante's Cove"Jensen? We're waiting for it.
Jensen: They want me to be a part of the next season, I'm still waiting for word as far as when we are going to start shooting. I can't wait to get back to Hawaii though.

What a bit of fab news that dropped into my email box just a few minutes ago. We've all missed the heck out of "Noah's Arc" and can't for the life of us understand how LOGO cancelled its best show. But when the plug was pulled, we were promised a feature film and finally, it is here. Sexy Darryl Stephens and Jensen Atwood (pictured) are back for "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom." Other original cast members Rodney Chester, Doug Spearman and Christian Vincent also headline.

Here's the synopsis: When Noah (Stephens), a young screenwriter from Los Angeles, agrees to marry his partner Wade (Atwood) in a small ceremony on Martha's Vineyard, he invites his three closest friends, Alex (Chester), Ricky (Vincent) and Chance (Spearman) to travel cross-country with them for a weekend of revelry. What he gets instead is a weekend of revelations where secrets and lies are exposed, hearts are challenged and friendships are turned upside down."

I'm awfully excited to see that Tony winner Tonya Pinkins - a major talent - is in the cast and that there is a special appearance by legendary singer-songwriter Phoebe Snow who I have always loved, loved, loved!

Also in the film: Gregory Kieth (Mista Nice Guy), Jonathan Julian ("In Justice"), Jason Steed ("The Bill"), Gary LeRoi Gray (Bring It On: All or Nothing).

Sounds terrific!!!

Jensen Atwood is one of the sexiest actors around and he has broken through as an actor by playing gay or bisexual roles in two hot shows: Logo's "Noah's Arc," currently being made into a feature film; and Here!TV's "Dante's Cove" which he really spiced up last season.

Via his MySpace page, Jensen has just released the cover of his 2009 Calendar. It's available June 3 and can be pre-ordered at: www. menoferos. He hasn't released any of the inside shots yet that I know of but I'm figuring we'll be getting the kind of beefcake shots (at left is a publicity still from "Dante's) that we've come to expect from this stunningly beautiful man.

Queerty blog found an interesting interview at gay South African site Mamba with Noah's Arc lead Darryl Stephens and I found it via AfterEtton.com. Stephens claims in the interview that he's through playing gays for a while (he says it's a "moratorium"), and then goes on to explain why he and his cast do not discuss their sexualities publicly:
"The one thing I can say is that the straight actors on this show [Noah’s Arc] are not saying "we’re straight, playing gay". In the same way that the gay actors aren’t saying "we’re gay". No-one [on the show] is talking about their personal lives. We sat down – all the actors sat down – and said that the straight actors are not going to get all the press because they’re being “so brave” in playing gay."
In addition to the title character on "Arc," Stephens plays gay in the current release "Boy Culture" and had a role in the comedy "Not Just Another Gay Movie."
Stephens later notes that he's of course up for a movie version of Arc, adding, "Noah is a great character for me. A lot of people relate to him – he’s a gift. I won’t give up playing this character."

When actor Darryl Stephens and I chatted earlier this week, I mentioned that I had seen him in a small role on ABC's breakout hit "Ugly Betty" awhile back. It was one of those blink-and-you-might-miss-him appearances and nothing like his role on Logo's "Noah's Arc" where he is the title character.
But even having a small role on a network TV show had its perks: "I love 'Ugly Betty,' I love that show. It was great to be on that set, it was a great experience. It was also interesting to be a day player and have a trailer four times the size of mine on 'Noah's!'"
Stephens is one of the leads in "Boy Culture," out next month, will star in a "Noah's Arc" feature film, and had a fun part in the comedy "Another Gay Movie" last fall.

Was interviewed Darryl Stephens this morning for a freelance piece on his upcoming movie "Boy Culture" but wanted to ask him some "Noah's Arc" related questions for the readers of "Out In Hollywood."
The actor, who plays the title role in the popular LOGO drama, is looking forward to getting started on it but could offer any plot points: “it's been announced and we're all working on deals now. I have no idea where the story is going to go. They are picking up where the second season left off. The network is very excited about it. I'm honestly excited to see how they tell the story in the structure of a feature film.”
It will be Logo's first big-screen effort and is set for release in 2008. Currently in development, the film will leave the door open for sequels, additional television seasons and specials.
“I don't know how to anticipate the response," Stephens says. "At this point, hopefully it will be a treat for the fans. There will be enough new stuff and new characters and enough exciting situations taking place that fans will really be able to sink their teeth into."
"Noah’s Arc" premiered on Logo in October 2005, just months after the launch of the network and season two premiered in August 2006. The show follows the lives and loves of four African-American gay men looking for love and signs of intelligent life in Los Angeles: Noah (Darryl Stephens), Chance (Doug Spearman), Alex (Rodney Chester) and Ricky (Christian Vincent). Jensen Atwood plays Wade, Noah's on-again, off-again boyfriend.

Wow! I did niot see this coming at all. For fans of "Noah's Arc," Logo's flagship series about four African-American gay friends in Los Angeles, we have been waiting for word on the show's third season and things seemed to be up in the air. Even cast members had no idea.
This morning comes word that "Noah's Arc" will be made into a theatrical film set for release in 2008! It will be Logo's first big-screen effort.Currently in development, the film is expected to pick up after the show’s second season cliffhanger finale and will leave the door open for sequels, additional television seasons and specials.
Brian Graden, the openly gay president of Logo says: “Noah’s Arc has one of the most intensely loyal fan bases in television and we’re thrilled to harness the power of film to let Patrik-Ian Polk continue the story he has so skillfully woven. “Noah’s Arc" has so many dimensions and possibilities, so advancing to the feature film format is an exciting way to motivate our loyal fans and engage an even wider audience.�?
"Noah’s Arc" premiered on Logo in October 2005, just months after the launch of the network and season two premiered in August 2006.  The show follows the lives and loves of four African-American gay men looking for love and signs of intelligent life in Los Angeles: Noah (Darryl Stephens), Chance (Doug Spearman), Alex (Rodney Chester) and Ricky (Christian Vincent).
Says Polk. “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this little independent show in movie theatres!  Hats off to MTV Networks and Logo for believing in us enough to take Noah to that next level.�?

Personally, I.Can't. Wait.

Two of the stars of Logo's "Noah's Arc" were on hand at the "Wedding Wars" premiere last week and it has taken me this long to put together a posting. I am one busy gay dude. I still have about five interviews from the Ribbon of Hope Celebration the week before with "Dante's Creek" stars and others so some treats are in store.
So, first, highlights from my chats with the talented and very sweet Darryl Stephens (Noah) and Jensen Atwood (Wade) who play star-crossed lovers who may or may not find lasting happiness together.
"I hope they never get back together because that's what people want to see and we should disappoint them as often as we can!" Stephens (left) said, only half-joking. "We could be like Bruce Willis and Cybil Sheperd in "Moonlighting."
But whatever happens, Stephens thinks it's great that "Arc" and other shows are featuring gay characters and storylines without much controsversy.
"It's interesting the way it's becoming normal finally for Americans to see gay people on television which is great," he said. "Remember when you couldn't see black people on television? Let's get over it and include the culture. America is so diverse and there's so much going on. Let's have that reflected in the media and on television. It's about time."
For Atwood, "Arc" has given him an opportunity to play something else other than roles many black actors get cast in: a pimp in "Medium," a gang member in "Heist" and most recently, a gang member named "Snoop" on an episode of NBC's "Las Vegas" who "gets to rough Josh Dxxx up a bit."
He's grateful for the work but wants more parts like Wade on "Arc" which casts him as a screenwriter.
"A full-blown, emotional character, not just angry black guy," Atwood said. "It's definitely given me a foundation in the business. People can see my work and they can see what I do. But as far as Hollywood knocking down my door or Hollywood throwing me any parts, I'm still auditioning as I always have."
He also hopes to release a CD by the end of next year that he says is R&B, hip hop flavor. He is writing some of the songs and has recorded two of them already. "Hopefully my fans are my fans and they'll follow my career and anything that I put out they'll watch or listen to."
As for Stephens, he says both actors are awaiting word on the future of the series: "Hopefully there will be a season three of 'Noah's Arc.' It has not been announced yet, we're still waiting to hear. I believe we're supposed to know by Christmas. We shall see."
Stephens had a small role on a recent episode of ABC's "Ugly Betty" and has had a string of strong performances in recent gay indie films including "Another Gay Movie" and "Boy Culture." I saw him in both and he was terrific in each movie.

No one can tell Darryl Stephens that portraying a gay man in movies and on television is professionally limiting. The actor, the title character in the hit Logo series "Noah's Arc," is not only beginning his second season on the show (the first came out on DVD this month), but he's also one of the main stars of film festival hit "Boy Culture" which will hit theaters this fall and appears in the current theatrical comedy "Another Gay Movie."

But in an interview posted today on AfterElton.com, Stephens is modest about his current hot streak.

"The only reason I'm in "Boy Culture" is that the director of "Noah's Arc" [Patrik-Ian Polk] knows Q. Allan Brocka," he said. "Allan was trying to cast that role black and couldn't find anyone. He mentioned that to Patrik, who said that he thought he had someone who would be really good, [although] Patrik was a little hesitant to hand me over. It just so happened that the line producer on "Boy Culture" was co-producing "Another Gay Movie," and she called me about an assistant director that she was interested in hiring that I worked with on the pilot. In our conversation she asked me if I had been in to read for Todd [Stephens, director of Another Gay Movie], and I said, “Who's Todd? I don't know anything about this.�? She said, “Come in and read for this role.�? It was completely about who I knew and who happened to mention me in conversation."

On being a gay, African-American performer: "I don't discuss my sexuality with the press. For me, it's a matter of you can see the work and make your own assumptions. But because of the stage I'm at in my career, I don't see any relevance in talking about my personal life."

On being considered a rising star:"It's almost surreal. [Laughs.] I drive a beat-up car in L.A. I'm not living a glamorous life at all. I've got my friends who I am very close to. In Los Angeles, Logo isn't that big — all the cable companies aren't carrying it yet. I feel like in Los Angeles, I still have some degree of anonymity. When I come to places like Philly or New York, where people are a lot more hip to the show, I feel like, “Wow! I am actually making an impact.�?

Since I had only seen a few episodes on LOGO, was happy to get the entire box set of "Noah's Arc" on DVD the other day. It reminded me of "Sex in the City" which always seemed to be about four single gay men anyway, especially the sexually prolific Samantha. But "Noah's" is REALLY about four gay men, all African American, living in LA. We follow the daily lives of Noah, Alex, Ricky, and Chance through their relationships with their friends and lovers.

The title character of Noah (Darryl Stephens) is a struggling screenwriter who is in a new relationship with hunky Wade (Jensen Altwood), also a screenwriter. Ricky (Christian Vincent) owner a trendy clothing store on Melrose, is the Samantha of the group and Vincent is utterly terrific in the part. College professor Chance (Doug Spearman), recently married to a man with a young daughter, is the most straight-laced character which makes some of his attempts at being cool. Alex (Rodney Chester) is a campy HIV counselor who provides much of the comic relief. He is bold and sassy compared to Altwood's Noah who, quite frankly, was kinda dull at times. The character was not as flighty nor as fond of a series of unnattactive hairstyles in the original pilot which is also included in this DVD set.

BTW, a year ago, I bumped into a guy working the valet at an Outfest after-party on Melrose who looked just like Altwood. I said, "Hey! You look just like a guy on 'Noah's Arc!" He smiled and said, "That IS me." He was still making ends meet but I think the success of the show has probably changed that by now. Altwood told me he is straight but is comfortable playing a gay man on screen. No, he doesn't secretly enjoy the onscreen kisses with other men but he does do it convincingly. Hey, it's a living.

Anyway, I'm happy to see "Noah's Arc" about to begin its second season. Just a few summers ago, it was a show made on a shoestring that could only be seen online and the producers were hoping to gain enough attention to keep the show going. Looks like they have succeeded.