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A bit of news…: Writing a #biography of Craig (Eadie) Russell and his wife Lori Russell Eadie has been an honour, and it will be a thrill to share it. Thank you to @dundurnpress for joining me in that effort. https://quillandquire.com/omni/daily-deals-bio-of-female-impressionist-craig-russell-and-his-wife-to-dundurn/">https://quillandquire.com/omni/dail...
In researching Craig and Lori, I was able to learn so much about #LGBTQ2SIA+ history in Toronto, #gayculture, #drag, #film history in Canada, #TIFF, #theatre, Toronto& #39;s #music scene, censorship in #film, #HIV/ #AIDS. I touched on much of this, wish I could have gone deeper…
I also got to learn about the entertainers/artists Craig and Lori adored, who also directly and indirectly shaped their lives: Mae West, Judy Garland, @BetteMider, Peter Allen, Michel Tremblay, Marcel Marceau and Lindsay Kemp. They all have a place in this narrative.
Craig and Lori were incredibly talented, wonderful and known for being outrageous, but they had challenges + experiences few knew or talked about - mental illness, trauma, sexual assault, drug addiction and alcohol dependency.
I believe there are lessons to be learned where we struggle. I& #39;ve identified theirs as means to explain Craig and Lori& #39;s outrageous personas, behaviours and actions, some of which were thought to be miscalculated efforts at entertainment. https://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/once-upon-a-city-archives/2017/10/19/when-torontos-best-known-female-impressionist-married-his-no-1-fan.html">https://www.thestar.com/yourtoron...
I& #39;ve also looked deeply at #drag, something we rightly celebrate today. But what drives the queen? There often is more to it than sensational celebration. There isn& #39;t always respect or self love. What happens after spending your life in persona? https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2017/06/24/craig-russell-brought-fame-to-torontos-gay-village-the-drag-queens-are-trying-to-keep-the-sparkle-alive.html">https://www.thestar.com/news/insi...
Craig and Lori were #OutrageousMisfits - square pegs in a world of round holes, who had big dreams and shunned conformity, but couldn& #39;t have been more human with their simple needs of kindness, understanding and love, all of which they struggled to find and feel.
#Update: #OutrageousMisfits will by released by @dundurnpress on May 23, 2020. #LGBTQ2S #theatre #film #drag #CraigRussell #LoriRussellEadie https://www.dundurn.com/books/Outrageous-Misfits">https://www.dundurn.com/books/Out...
Time to update this #thread! #OutrageousMisfits has an updated release date of October 24, 2020. It will be available at major and independent book retailers + online. Can& #39;t wait to share #CraigRussell and #LoriRussellEadie& #39;s story! @dundurnpress https://www.dundurn.com/books/Outrageous-Misfits">https://www.dundurn.com/books/Out...
