In her cabaret spectacular 'Girls, Girls, Girls,' running Wednesdays in February at Davenport's Piano Bar, Nightspots columnist Lisa Rock tackles coming out, coming to terms with her inner gay man and the whole marriage debate. It's quite a jam-packed show. Nightspots got the whole back story.
NIGHTSPOTS: HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO PUT THE SHOW TOGETHER?
Lisa Rock: It's a culmination of my entire life. It's my whole life of hearing Broadway music in my head.
NS: SO BROADWAY MUSIC HAS BECOME YOUR THEME MUSIC?
LR: Yes. I feel like Rosie O'Donnell when she said she could always come up with a Broadway tune for any word you mentioned. So I was confused about my identity and my passion for Broadway. Am I a lesbian or am I a gay man?
NS: DOES THIS SHOW ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR YOU?
LR: I don't think it will ever be answered.
NS: WHAT WAS YOUR PROCESS?
LR: I had a list of songs that I wanted to sing that were maybe more male-specific. I open with 'Dames' from 42nd Street because, I don't care what's going on, I want to be surrounded by pretty ladies.
So I went through my whole coming-out process: first memory, first dream, first kiss, all of it. But I thought, where's the right venue. You never see lesbians telling their stories on stage. I'm glad to have found Davenport's.
NS: ARE THERE ANY SONGS THAT STAND OUT FOR YOU?
LR: Not until I started the show did I realize the impact of 'Married' from Cabaret. When I sang it, and I saw my back up dancers, I realized how it could all change with just one word. It really made me see how ridiculous this whole marriage debate is. And I didn't set out to make a political statement.
NS: BUT THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL.
LR: Exactly.
NS: DO YOU WORRY ABOUT DISHING ABOUT OLD GIRLFRIENDS ON STAGE?
LR: No, because everyone who knows me knows that I am open and honest about everything. Although, my last ex ( of thirteen years ) would be absolutely mortified if she saw the show. Good luck to her.
