newsmakers

newsmakers

Katy Perry wears ‘Forward’ dress

MILWAUKEE

Pop star Katy Perry sported a skin-tight minidress with President Barack Obama’s campaign slogan “Forward” emblazoned across it at the president’s rally in Milwaukee.

Perry came on stage at Saturday’s event initially wearing a red, white and blue dress and holding a microphone shaped like the Statue of Liberty’s torch.

But after her first song, a cover of Al Green’s soul hit “Let’s Stay Together,” she tossed aside the dress to reveal the bright-blue minidress.

Obama’s slogan “Forward” also is Wisconsin’s state motto.

Perry paused midway through her set to make a pitch for donations to victims of superstorm Sandy.

Obama’s rally with Perry comes before he’s set to be in Madison on Monday with rocker Bruce Springsteen.

Stage right: Theater fest serves GOP fare

PHILADELPHIA

A festival opening this month in Philadelphia is giving new meaning to the phrase “political theater.”

The Republican Theater Festival will take place Nov. 12-14.

Theater director and local playwright Cara Blouin came up with the idea. She says she was frustrated with what she saw as a liberal bias in the performing arts.

Blouin sent out a call to the theater community in July for submissions of plays that represent ideas related to social or fiscal conservatism.

Ten were chosen for the three-day festival.

Blouin said many of the plays are personal meditations on what it feels like when nobody appreciates your values.

Associated Press