Nolan Nation

I'm super busy right now so I'm trying to sqeeze in what information I can right now.  A lovely person is downloading the episodes of Renegadepress.com that Nolan appeared on and uploading them to Megaupload. So far I have 2 episodes, only watched some of 1 of them. I am hoping to get around to putting these on Youtub and the site around Thanksgiving. I've got so much to do that I don't have time to do it before then. I have some links to share, photos to add, and this and that but I'm really rushing right now. Sorry!

Just wanted to let people know there are good things to come.

I was sent a link to this Nolan fan's blog. It's in Spanish, and I know Nolan has a lot of Spanish-speaking fans so I thought I'd post a link. Most of the blog is dedicated to Nolan. Blog de Yumesita

Here's another review snippet:

"In the middle, of course, is the rebellious, somewhat cynical, talented Birdie, played to the hilt by Nolan Gerard Funk whose "A Lot of Livin' to Do" is the evening's best number." -- David A. Rosenberg, Wilton Villager

Here are some photos from the Only Make Believe 10th Anniversary benefit. It sounds like a really awesome organization. "Only Make Believe is a non-profit organization that creates and performs interactive theatre for children in hospitals and care facilities."

Then there is this Teen Vogue article, which I have a scan of in the gallery but it's much easier to read if you click here.

And the last of the Renegadepress.com videos I have. I'm looking into buying the first season so maybe we'll get to see more of this. Click here to see full size.

I'm very shocked by the negativity of the Bye Bye Birdie reviews, but I'm not so surprised that Nolan is getting so much positive attention. We all knew he would, right? Here are 2 more excerpts:

"Thankfully the adorable Trimm, a real discovery, and Funk, who nails every bit of Birdie, save the day." -- David Gordon, Hofstra Chronicle

"As Birdie, Nolan Gerard Funk is cute, and his Act I songs … "Honestly Sincere'' and "One Last Kiss'' … are highlights of the show." -- Bill Canacci, Asbury Park Press

I was sick recently and pretty much confined to my room for 4 days, but I don't think I missed anything. I came back to the world with a full inbox and new Nolan goodies. Click here to see pics from the Brighton Beach Memoirs Opening Party.

Any my favorite find is this video. Totally adorable. Click here to see the full size.

And the reviews are in!..............and have been for quite some time. I'm just really slow. Ha. Nolan has garnered much of the positive feedback that Birdie has gotten. Not really a surprise, but still very exciting. Here is what people are saying about his performance:

"Conrad (the excellent Nolan Gerard Funk) turns out to be a lug with looks." -- John Lahr, The New Yorker

"Nolan Gerard Funk has the moves down ... his numbers are the highlight of the show." -- Roma Torre, NY1

"Funk is a rosy-cheeked 23-year-old who doesn't look a day over 18." -- Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post

"The hype over BBB has been so awesome – over Nolan's performance in particular – girls have been lining up at the stage door before and after the show's preview performances for autographs, or just to catch a glimpse of him." -- Devra Newberger, JSYK

"He sings on key and appears to be enjoying himself. It’s nice to think that somebody is." -- Ben Brantley, NY Times

"But the true key to this Birdie's appeal is its youthful ensemble.  Nolan Gerard Funk is a convincingly loutish Birdie." --Elysa Gardner, USA Today

"Funk (is) casually unsanitary and effortlessly hilarious as drafted fifties rock-idol Birdie." -- Scott Brown, NY Magazine

"This production is at its best when the kids are center stage, especially in "A Lot of Livin' to Do," led by the hip-swiveling Funk." -- Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News


"Nolan Gerard Funk has some lounge-lizard electricity as Conrad Birdie, the rocker manipulated into a last publicity stunt before he goes into the army." -- Linda Winer, Newsday


"Nolan Gerard Funk, meanwhile, adds a bit of spice to Birdie, who’s usually a remote, vaguely drawn rock-and-roll menace to decent society. Funk makes him distinctly unappetizing – wearing only Jockey shorts, he guzzles beer that runs slobbily down his body — heightening the joke of the mindless adoration of his young fans." -- Robert Feldberg, North Jersey


"Funk ... and his pelvis at least are having a good time, and his infectious rockabilly intro, "Honestly Sincere," is one of the few numbers cooking on more than a low flame." -- David Rooney, Variety


"Mr. Funk, who missed several previews because of tonsillitis, seems more at ease onstage than anybody else." -- Ben Brantley, New York Times

"On the plus side is an enthusiastic performance by Nickelodeon star Nolan Gerard Funk as teenybopper sensation Conrad Birdie, whose imminent, Elvis-like drafting motors the plot, and a supporting cast of actual teenagers to fall over him. The energy level at the newly refurbished Henry Miller’s Theatre rises whenever they’re around, so much so that newcomers to the would-be bouncy confection will wonder why composer Charles Strouse, lyricist Lee Adams, and book writer Michael Stewart didn’t concentrate on them." -- Robert Cashill, Live Design, Seen and Heard

First, I believe congratulations are in order for the Bye Bye Birdie cast. Last night was opening night! I'm sure they put on a great show and will continue to do so.

You may notice things are looking a little different around here! I'm always trying to find ways to make all aspects of the site better. I felt pretty confident about the site's content, but the look and feel of it definitely needed some improvement. The design before was just gloomy and BLAH. I brightened it up a little. I added some modules on the side for easy access to recent photos and videos, etc.

And as always, I have tons of things to add to the site. I've got pics from a shoot (this particular shoot has become my favorite EVER), opening night, some scans, some articles, lots. I haven't had the time to get around to doing a lot with the site lately but later tonight I will probably add all these things. In the meantime, enjoy the pretty new version of Nolan Nation!

So Nolan was on a show called Renegadepress.com....I've only been able to find one full episode. The season 1 DVD is not able to be bought anymore.  BUT, I just found these episode promos! I have 3 of them but I'm having a problem with one of them so only 2 are on the site and Youtube so far. There are also 2 montages that he is in in the videos section. And I found a few pictures from the show. He looks so young! I assume he was 17 when he was on the first season of the show. Click here for the pics, and here for the vids.

Nolan attended the opening night of Wishful Drinking, starring Carrie Fisher (LOVE her). I added lots of pictures from the premiere, and there are probably more to come. I also found some pictures from shoots that I've not seen before. Wondering how they escaped me. I can't imagine how many things are just floating around waiting for me to find them. Anyway, they are beautiful photos. I really like them. Click here to see them. Here is a preview:

Also, I found a really great interview for Birdie from August. Click here to see it. It's a nice reflection of Nolan as an artist, the way he explains how he has shaped Conrad Birdie into kind of his own creation. One of the better interviews I've read. I mean, with Popstar interviews or things like that, you can only delve so deep. You only see what's on the surface. It's articles like this that provide a lot of insight. And I mean no offense to Popstar. I may or may not own a copy or 2.