Comic entertainer Micah McCain left a thriving career Los Angeles to seek his fame and fortune on Broadway, but bitch has been working his ass off trying to get his first big break on the Great White Way. McCain, whose “Hey Gurl,” a brilliantly witty redub of the opening number from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast became an internet sensation in 2011, has now found a clever way to add those magical words “Broadway credit” to his resume, he’s starring in a comedy-and-song-filled one-man show titled…drum roll… Broadway Credits (May 5, 16 at New York’s Duplex Cabaret Theatre). McCain chatted with Queerty about what to expect from the show, the perils of doing drag in the snow and his dream to one day play the immortal Norma Desmond.
Your show is called Broadway Credits, which begs the obvious question: Do you have any Broadway credits?
I have Off-Off Broadway credits, which are a real thing and Off-Off-way Off Broadway credits, which are not a real thing. I think at this point those are referred to as “regional” credits…and I have tons of those…but as of right now, I do not have Broadway credits on my resume…yet!
When you were in L.A. you often worked as a very highly-regarded drag performer called Bridgette of Madison County. Is she still part of your act?
Right now, Bridgette is on a performance sabbatical. That’s not to say she is dead, ’cause she’s not, it’s just, my feet hurt and I’m sick of shaving and… I’ve never done drag in a place where it snows. Do they make snow boots with a sensible heel? I think Bridgette will always be part of the act though, because Micah was always part of hers.
How does the entertainment community in New York compare to the one you left in L.A.?
On one hand, I think it’s exactly the same, just with a different medium. Actors in New York are working just as hard as Los Angeles actors, if not harder, trying to express themselves creatively while trying to make a living doing what they love. It’s just harder because New York is much more expensive than Los Angeles and actor’s have no way of making the same type of money acting in New York the way they can in L.A., unless they are in a Broadway show on a production contract.
On the other hand, it’s completely different. There’s a community here. Everyone wants and supports everyone to create new shows and opportunities because everyone wants everyone to work. I don’t remember that in L.A. In New York, you can see Audra McDonald walking her dog and exchange waves. You can see Sutton Foster at intermission of a show you both are audience members of and say hello. You can go to the first preview of a Broadway musical and tell Jason Robert Brown, in person, his score is incredible. You can’t do those type of things in Los Angeles. Both industries though, you have to scream and fight your way into. That’s why I’m going back to my one-man-show roots.
Why is it so important for you to make it on Broadway?I’ve been performing my entire life in theater, on television, on radio, in film and on stage. I’ve always performed and I’ve always done it all knowing I had to make my way to the Broadway stage. There is nothing like hearing people laugh or cry or be inspired by your performance. It means you’re connected. I love people and I love connecting and I love sharing moments. Seriously. I perform at my tables when I’m working at a restaurant. It’s just what I do. I think it’s important to me because being a performer on Broadway is both a dream and a goal.
Who are some of the other entertainers you admire and whose careers you hope to emulate?
My friend Dwayne once called me “the gay Bette Midler.” I’ve tried to live up to that every day since. When all else fails, in life and on stage, I always think: What would Bette Midler do? And that’s how I react. I swear it’s the truth. Beth Leavel’s show-stopping performance in The Drowsy Chaperone is something I aspire to and Andrea Martin’s incomparable comedic timing and brilliance on stage never ceases to amaze, inspire and fulfill me. I would like to go to there.
What’s your dream role?
My dream role is any chance to make people laugh while I get to sing my face off. With that said, my first thought was Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard and my second thought was George from Sunday in the Park with George. However I would happily shave to be Mrs. Turnblad in Hairspray and/or Sylvia in Ruthless! Those bitches are funny and those shows are hysterical!
Why did you call your show Broadway Credits?
I’ve been on tons of auditions and callbacks and avails in New York. Some for leads in Broadway shows, others for chorus roles in productions off the Q train in Astoria, but it often comes down to whether or not you have Broadway credits on your resume. So that’s how I came up with the title. Now when I’m asked if I have Broadway credits on my resume, I can say “Yes, I do have Broadway credits on my resume” because technically I will.
What should people expect if they buy tickets to your show?
Really good laughs, great music and a lot of fun. Everything you look for in a Broadway show…it’s just off-off-off Broadway and without the crashing chandelier. But if our chandelier does crash to ground, watch to see how Bette Midler would react.
Watch a trailer for the show below.
