Randy Harrison News

Perhaps Kander and Ebb's best musical, apart from Chicago, Cabaret has it all: a fine book, deliciously diverse characters, dynamite music and a subtext that will not quit. The subtext being: either compromise or get out if you value your life, the latter, to be sure, the wiser. This is Berlin, circa 1929/30, before Hitler, just as Nazi pressure hits the fan. Now a national tour based on Roundabout Theatre's 2014 revival docks at Segestrom for a mere 2 weeks with a glorious cast headed by Randy Harrison in a big, broad and devilishly fun performance as the Emcee.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony-winning masterpiece CABARET, starring Randy Harrison (Queer as Folk) as the Emcee, heads to Segerstrom Center August 9 - 21.

CABARET, the musical masterpiece, returns direct from Broadway!

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - the monthly gathering of the International Order of Sodomites, the centuries-old organization which sets the mythic Gay Agenda - will come to an end at the conclusion of its upcoming season.

SPARKLE & CIRCULATE with JUSTIN SAYRE - the official monthly podcast of the International Order of Sodomites - has posted its new episode, which features an interview with vocalist and songwriter Carol Lipnik. Called "an ethereal vocal phenomenon' by The New York Times, Lipnik tells Justin about her latest album "Almost Back to Normal," her Sundaynight residency at the downtown NYC club Pangea, and her influences from Mothra to Laura Nyro. She and Justin wax rhapsodic about Tennessee Williams, the 13th Century poet Rumi and B-movies of the 50s. Plus, Justin offers some simple tips on staying cool, calm and collected during the summer. SPARKLE & CIRCULATE was recently named among the "10 Comedy Podcasts You Should Listen To" by Backstage. All episodes are available on iTunes HERE.  

Actor Randy Harrison is touring with Cabaret as the Emcee and will be at the Pantages performing the show July 19 - August 7. In our chat he discusses the role and what Cabaret means to him. Describe the experience of playing the emcee in Cabaret. What makes this role such a coveted one?

Perhaps Kander and Ebb's best musical, apart from Chicago, Cabaret has it all: a fine book, deliciously diverse characters, dynamite music and a subtext that will not quit. The subtext being: either compromise or get out if you value your life, the latter, to be sure, the wiser. This is Berlin, circa 1929/30, before Hitler, just as Nazi pressure hits the fan. Now a national tour based on Roundabout Theatre's 2013 revival docks at the Pantages for a mere 3 weeks with a glorious cast headed by Randy Harrison in a big, broad and devilishly fun performance as the Emcee.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony-winning masterpiece CABARET, starring Randy Harrison (Queer as Folk) as the Emcee, heads to Segerstrom Center August 9 - 21.

SPARKLE & CIRCULATE with JUSTIN SAYRE - the official monthly podcast of the International Order of Sodomites - has posted its new episode, which features an interview with Robert W. Richards.

"Night Of A Thousand Judys"  a special presentation of The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show known for a signature blend of outrageous comedy, politics, culture and everything in between was presented at Merkin Hall last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

Erin Markey, Josh Sharp, April Kidwell, Michael Cyril Creighton and Phillip Taratula will join the cast of the sixth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre. The event will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan) on Monday, June 6.

Yes, Summer in Orange County, California is often marked with escalating temperatures, the Laguna Beach Arts festival, and heavy beach traffic, but you can still escape the heat by jumping into an air-conditioned theater... where O.C. theaters are still buzzing with excitement (except those that have ended their season). Everywhere from Costa Mesa and Fullerton to Santa Ana and Irvine (and even our county-line neighbors in La Mirada and Long Beach), there are lots of stage goodies to fill your live theater cravings.

Barrett Foa and Marissa Mulder will join Annie Golden, Lillias White, Alice Ripley, Nathan Lee Graham, Vivian Reed, Lady Rizo,Gay Marshall, Carol Lipnik, Rob Maitner, Gabrielle Stravelli, T. Oliver Reid and Nadia Quinn & Ahna O'Reilly with the Playbillies to headline the sixth annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre.

I can't be the only theatregoer who found the tour of CABARET chilling. During an election year where fear mongering and racial intolerance are sitting center ring, the story of pre-Holocaust Germany seems especially relevant and cautionary. But that doesn't mean the musical, which just arrived at the Winspear Opear House, isn't equally thrilling and heartfelt.

Acclaimed performer, writer and activist JUSTIN SAYRE - hailed as one the "Funniest People in Brooklyn" by Brooklyn Magazine and among "LA's 16 Most Talented LGBT Comics" by Frontiers Magazine - has released his debut comedy album The Gay Agenda today, Friday, May 27 in digital formats.

THE MEETING* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to Joe's Pub at The Public Theater to conclude its Spring 2016 season on Sunday, May 22 at 7:00 PM. The May show will honor the beloved late superstar Prince, with music director Tracy Stark leading a four-piece band and special musical guests Tony DeSare, Bridget Barkan, Michael Cavadias, Mark Aaron James and Ali Grieb.

Lillias White, Annie Golden, T. Oliver Reid, Lady Rizo, Vivian Reed, and Nadia Quinn & Ahna O'Reilly with the Playbillies will join the previously announced headliners Alice Ripley, Nathan Lee Graham, Gay Marshall, Carol Lipnik, Rob Maitner and Gabrielle Stravelli for the sixth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre. The event will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan) on Monday, June 6.

On Monday, I had the pleasure of speaking with actor Randy Harrison, who's currently on tour as the Master of Ceremonies in CABARET. Randy talked candidly about working in the entertainment industry as an out member of the LGBT community, crazy touring audience interactions, and why he's happy to bounce around the country in various regional theatre gigs. Check out our conversation below:

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return  to OASIS (298 Eleventh Street, San Francisco CA) on Saturday, May 28 at 7:00 PM after three packed shows last year. The Meeting* has been called "delicious and delightfully droll" by The New York Post and "hilarious and sardonic" by The Village Voice. A story for Slate.com called the evening "so deliciously icy that it left me shivering with fear and delight." The New York run of The Meeting* - currently running monthly at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater - has been sold out since the New York Times "Arts & Leisure" piece ran last September. Tickets are $20 and are available at SFOasis.com.

Alice Ripley, Nathan Lee Graham, Gay Marshall, Carol Lipnik, Rob Maitner and Gabrielle Stravelli have joined the cast of the sixth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre. The event will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan) on Monday, June 6.