judge of what I project. That said, call me whatever you want, as long as that check clears! What advice would you give to up-and-coming performers? If you want a real career in show business, drag or otherwise, you must maintain a core of pragmatism and a serious work ethic. You’ve got to show up on time and can’t be stoned or drunk, because at a certain point people think, “She’s talented but life is too short” and they stop calling. It’s challenging when you’re a celebrity in a small niche, because it’s easy to think you’re more important than you are. I was raised by my Aunt Lillian, an extremely wise woman and she indoctrinated me at an early age to force myself to be as objective as possible. She warned me against living in a fantasy world and making up lies about myself. She said it made one very vulnerable to exposure and humiliation. It’s cool to think of yourself as an outrageous self- creation, but I’d rather be known as a no-nonsense dependable pro. When I chatted with you earlier this month, you said to be prepared to laugh and cry at your current show, why is that? For the past five years, I’ve been enjoying a new chapter in my career as a cabaret entertainer. It’s been a wonderful surprise
and I’ve learned so much about music and singing. I’ve been working with the marvelous musical director/arranger Tom Judson and he’s very tough on me… All those pesky details regarding tempo and pitch. Whatever happened to the concept of a “yes man?” The thing with cabaret is to project a persona
that is as close to who you are as possible. That takes a certain degree of self-awareness. In my act, I’m Charles Busch and very much as I am in life, but dialed up a notch. These days I sing mostly dramatic songs by the likes of Sondheim, Kurt Weill and Michel Legrand. I think the show is maybe 65 percent music and the other 35 percent is comic story telling. I’ve had a very full life, my dear. I’ve rarely turned down an experience and I’ve got an endless supply of anecdotes. You pay homage to some great female performers. Why did you choose this group of ladies? My cabaret shows are usually a potpourri
of songs I like and stories about my career and youth. Last year however, Tom and I were asked to create a show for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. I’ve been fortunate to have known several fascinating, show biz women in different degrees of friendship. Our showThe Lady at the Mic is about my friendships with a group of extremely talented remarkable ladies who died over the past few years; Elaine Stritch, Mary Cleere Haran, Julie Wilson, Polly Bergen and Joan Rivers. Great gals, all impossible, fascinating, generous, difficult and kind.
It’s cool to think of
yourself as an outrageous self-creation, but I’d
rather be known as a no- nonsense, dependable pro.”
Can you give us a sneak peek into a new script or future project you may be working on? For someone who spends too much time lying on
a sofa, watching reality competition shows, I’ve got a lot going on! I have a new play that looks like it will open in New York in the 2018/19 season. These things take a while and a movie version of one of my plays looks to be making good progress…Well, this week at least, don’t ask me about it next week. Tom [Judson] (Busch’s long-time musical director) and I recently released our first CD,Charles Busch Live from Feinstein’s/54 Below. I never thought I’d have a record out and I’m very proud of it. It’s available on iTunes and
throughbroadwayrecords.com.
The Lady at the MicrunsThursday, March 9 through Saturday, March 11 atSegerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive inCosta Mesa. For tickets and more information, call 714.556.2787 or go
toscfta.org.
Charles Busch will also perform a special benefit engagement ofThe Lady at the Mic, accompanied by Tom Judson, onFriday, March 24, atThe Abbey, 2825 Fifth Avenue inSan Diego. Tickets are $100 for the performance and a pre-show reception; $150 for reception, performance and a post-show meet & greet with Charles Busch. All proceeds benefit theLa Jolla Playhouse’s New Play Development Programs. For tickets and more information, call 858.550.1010 or go
tolajollaplayhouse.org.
MARCH 2017 | RAGE monthly 45
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