Mr. Broadway—unstuffed!
The other week, I had lots of fun at my first Broadway Beauty Pageant, proceeds from which went to the Ali Forney Center (and those kids can really use it right about now).
As a follow-up, here's my Q&A with your Mr. Broadway 2011, Michael Cusumano of the long-running hit Chicago.
Boy Culture: You have a strong background in ballet. What's the difference between dancing ballet and dancing on Broadway?
Michael Cusumano: Ballet is unbelievable dedication and very specific. It's a huge part of your life because you take class six days a week and usually rehearse every day up to six hours. It has its beauty and its dark sides. There can be lots of mind games and I found a lot of times you are treated like you're 12 years old. I do love the beauty and the passion it takes. For me, personally, Broadway is more fun and well-rounded. I can have more of a life outside of work doing theater.
Unlike Miss America, a scholarship contest, the Broadway Beauty Pageant isn't scared of pretty
BC: How are the five contestants for the Broadway Beauty Pageant rounded up?
MC: My friend Marty Thomas, who is a past winner, asked most or all us. So glad he did :)
BC: Did you ever think you'd win?
MC: I have to say I didn't think about winning much at all. I just wanted to represent myself and Chicago well and put on a good show. Just about five minutes before the crowning, yes, I had thoughts of, "Oh, my it would be fun to win," lol. But I didn't think I would win. It was anybody's crown. I mean, those boys are ridiculously talented and hot.
Winning was a feather in his cap
BC: Your Black Swan parody as Russian stalkerina "Olga Vaghinava" was brilliant! How long did that take to prep?
MC: Im a bit of a procrastinator so I didn't prep much. Wrote and choreographed my talent and started practicing the week before. I have done "Olga" before and I figured it was good timing with the movie and Natalie Portman's Oscar. Just seemed fun to come up with something that related "Olga" to the movie. I didn't work on it very long—crammed the hard work into five days.
The competition: James Tabeek, Brandon Rubendall, Raymond J. Lee & Matt Anctil
BC: It was funny when you were asked if you knew the other contestants and you replied, "We've all made love." But did you know each other? MC: I did know all the other guys before. A couple better than the others. I knew we would have fun because they are all crazy and funny and weird. You have to be to put yourself through a beauty pageant, eh?
BC: What were rehearsals like?
MC: We had two rehearsals for the opening number, so about four hours to learn it. Then review of it that same day. Lee Roy [Reams] rocked. He was fun and friendly in rehearsal. He sounded amazing and was totally unpredictable, which I love.
BC: Where did you get your swimsuit and the bizarre lycra bodysuit that accompanied it?
MC: My friend Christophe from La Cage lent me my Speedo :) Okay, so I modeled for a dance catalog like 10 years ago and that blue unitard was one of the costumes :) I've had it in my drawer for years. I pull it out on special occassions. Last summer, I brought it to a pool party and had our Velma (Amra-Faye Wright) wear it and she decided to dive into the pool not realizing she would come out of the water in the deep end with it wet and stuck to her face and be gasping for air. It was awful...but so funny.
Not your father's two-piece bathing suit
BC: Now that you've won, you can tell the truth—was anybody stuffing their swimsuit?
MC: There was no stuffing. We all have been blessed down there :) Well...I know I have, haha
BC: The Broadway Beauty Pageant judges this year were Bruce Vilanch, Rachel Dratch and Carson Kressley and the hostess was Tovah Feldshuh—how was it meeting them after you won?
MC: The judges were beyond sweet and friendly. All of them were so encouraging to us. They were hysterical on and off stage. Tovah was so cool and inspiring. I enjoyed her humor and tender moments. It was an honor to be on the same stage with all of them.
Cusumano's performance in the pageant was on point, and on pointe
BC: I read that you left school at 15 to pursue ballet. Wasn't that terrifying? Was your family supportive? (Pictured at age 18 at left.)
MC: When you have a passion for something, mine being ballet, it's your life. Ballet was my life and at 15, when I was offered a contract with American Ballet Theatre, I just had to do it. It was a dream. My parents were supportive. It was scary, yes—it's a huge company of about 100 people and they were all much older than me. I was very naïve, but it's what I wanted since I was six years old.
BC: What's your proudest moment in your career so far?
MC: I am very proud of winning the bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, at 14 years old. Every performance for me is memorable in some way, but something that stands out for me is when I had a little featured part in The Taming of the Shrew at the Met Opera with American Ballet Theatre. It was a character role and I really went nuts with it and went way over the top. I had the whole opera house laughing at me it was amazing.
Working with Michelle Williams (and meeting Kelly Rowland) looks like sheer heaven!
My, oh, Mya, doesn't Michael (center) look like he means business?
Not asking and not telling with Chicago visitor Lt. Dan Choi
BC: Chicago's my favorite show on Broadway—what's it like working on such a huge, established show?
MC: I love Chicago. I respect the show and appreciate going to work every day. I've been there four years. It's been running a long time, but the energy off- and onstage is so loving and exciting that every show feels new and fresh. We are insane backstage...there really needs to be a reality show of what goes on. Funny, funny, sexy, crazy people. I'm truly blessed to be a part of that.
Who says ballerinas only eat ice cubes?
BC: How do you stay in pageant-winning shape?
MC: Umm...I don't really diet much. I'd like to say I eat healthy, but that's not all the time. I do fresh veggie juices when I can. I belong to a gym, but I'm there like twice a month, lol. Got to get my ass there before the summer!
Cusumano in the upcoming indie film Go Go Crazy, about a go-go boy contest
BC: Are you single or taken?
MC: I am single. :)
BC: Any other words about your experience winning the Broadway Beauty Pageant?
MC: I just want to say that I feel lucky to have been a part of a fun, warm, love-filled night. It's so cool that we could just have a good time, put on a show with crazy-talented guys and celebrities and raise money for a beautiful cause. The people who work at the Ali Forney Center are angels. They are so passionate and giving. They have huge hearts. I admire everyone who is involved for donating time and money to the cause. They are heroes!
Ummmmm, he is single? Here is hoping i run into him soon. What a cutie pie!
Congrats Michael, sounds like the crown went to the right person. Stay sweet.
Posted by: Flint | March 31, 2011 at 03:28 PM
He sounds very down to earth. I wish I can have a metabolism and smoking hot body like his lol but I am guessing all the energy he puts in to his daily performance in Chicago has something to do with it.
Posted by: Robert | April 01, 2011 at 05:44 AM
His armpits are just beautiful. Did you take that photo, Matthew?
Posted by: Dino | April 02, 2011 at 12:46 PM