Lynch, Vilanch feeling "Loved"

By Gregg Goldstein

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - "The 40-Year-Old-Virgin" co-star Jane Lynch and comedy writer Bruce Vilanch have joined the ensemble cast of the gay-themed coming-of-age independent feature "Tru Loved."

The film centers on Tru (Najarra Townsend), the straight daughter of a lesbian couple (Alexandra Paul, Cynda Williams) who faces challenges when her family moves from San Francisco to a conservative Southern California suburb. Openly lesbian actress Lynch will play Ms. Maple, one of Tru's teachers and the girlfriend of Tru's favorite teacher (Alec Mapa). Openly gay comedian Vilanch will play Daniel, the adopted father of Tru's love interest (Jake Abel).

Jasmine Guy, Matthew Thompson, Marcia Wallace ("The Simpsons") and Nichelle Nichols ("Star Trek") round out the cast of writer-director Stewart Wade's comedy-drama.

Lynch's credits include "Best in Show," "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "The Rocker." Vilanch, the subject of 1999 documentary "Get Bruce," starred on Broadway in "Hairspray."

Wade recently wrote and directed Film and Music Entertainment's gay-themed "Coffee Date," starring Wilson Cruz, Jonathan Silverman, Sally Kirkland and Deborah Gibson.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter