Cheyenne Jackson is making his return to The 5th Avenue Theatre on May 20th to headline The 5th Avenue Follies – A Night at The 5th – 13th Annual Gala. You may still be able to get a ticket here. This gala benefits all of the great programs we enjoy from The 5th Avenue Theatre. You can also make a donation if you are not able to attend. Sign up soon! We hope to see you there.
Earle Dutton: Could you tell us a bit about the show you are bringing to the Follies?
Cheyenne Jackson: I’m bringing my favorite songs from my recent concerts and my album that comes out June 3rd, which is music I’ve been touring around the country for the last two years. Also, there are maybe a couple surprises thrown in there, since it is after all, a coming home of sorts.
ED: What is your favorite song to perform live right now?
CJ: I have a big arrangement of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse’s “Feeling Good” that I just can’t get enough of.
ED: How would you describe your voice and musical style?
CJ: My very first music teacher told me that I was born in the wrong era. My voice is very old fashioned and my musical tastes reflect that. That isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy popular music, on the contrary, but my natural tastes tend to favor much more old fashioned, melody-driven fare.
ED: Are you working on any new music or a new album?
CJ: Yes it’s called “Renaissance” and is out next month. What follows is how the record company describes it… they put it much better than I could… “Reviving an oft-forgotten period in America that witnessed both the last gasp of Hollywood’s glamorous golden age and the rise of Las Vegas’s swinging Rat Pack, Jackson paints a multi-hued portrait of mid-century masculinity in song. Featuring a 22-piece orchestra and a guest appearance by Tony Award-winner Jane Krakowski, Renaissance includes songs in a wide variety of popular styles of the era – including jazz, bolero, rockabilly and soul – such as ‘Angel Eyes,’ ‘Bésame Mucho,’ ‘Somethin Stupid’ and ‘A Change Is Gonna Come.’ Hailed as ‘passionate, impeccable and groundbreaking’ by The New York Times and ‘dazzlingly entertaining’ by Variety, Jackson has enjoyed one of the most diverse careers in entertainment as a star of theater, film, television and the concert hall. ‘Jackson has got it all and he shows it all’ (Daily News) on this tour-de-force recording by a master entertainer at the height of his powers.”
Photo courtesy of Cheyenne Jackson
ED: How did you feel when you found out you were joining the cast of AHS?
CJ: Intrigued, nervous and excited.
ED: What was it like working with Lady Gaga?
CJ: Fun, collaborative and musical.
ED: Are you excited about any other upcoming roles?
CJ: Yes, I just finished a film called “Hello Again” based on Michael John Lachiusa’s musical. It’s the first musical movie I’ve done and my leading lady is Audra McDonald. We have a love scene that, well, you are going to have to see to believe. Martha Plimpton, Rumer Willis, T.R. Knight, are also in it. Cool cast.
ED: Who do you dream of collaborating with musically?
CJ: Elton John, Michael Buble, Diana Krall, and always and forever, George Michael.
ED: How do you feel being referred to as a gay or LGBTQ icon?
CJ: There are worse things to be referred to as.
ED: Do you have a message for LGBTQ youth?
CJ: Find your tribe. If your family doesn’t support you, find your own. Love yourself. Love each other.
The event is May 20th. You may still be able to get a ticket here. Don’t miss The 5th Avenue Follies – A Night at The 5th – 13th Annual Gala. Oh, don’t forget that Cheyenne Jackson is performing live!
