One of my personal favorite Alan Cumming roles had him co-starring and co-directing with Jennifer Jason Leigh in the vérité ensemble film The Anniversary Party. He turned in delightfully twisted performance as Saturninus in Titus, the 1999 Italian-American-British fantasy thriller film adaptation of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus.
Much more than just a singer, dancer and actor — you'd need a Homeland Security chart to come up with Alan Cumming's number of threats. He conveys a formidably unique mix of androgyny and charisma. Sexy, dare we say even manly at times, but too debonair and stylish to be completely macho. You just can't pin Comming down with such everyday classifications.
The 50-year-old screen and stage star celebrated for his role as the EmCee in the '90s Broadway revival of Cabaret, will headline a show at the Straz Center's Morsani Hall titled Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs on Sun., Jan. 24, at 7 p.m.
The winner of multiple stage and film awards across continents, can be seen these days in CBS's The Good Wife. Recently, Cumming has authored the painfully honest memoir, Not My Father’s Son, which landed on the New York Times’ Bestseller List this year.
Likewise, in his live show, Cumming will summon painful emotions with sprinkles of with sass and lighter moments. Expect a Stephen Sondheim mash-up anchored by “No One Is Alive While I’m Around,” and other medleys of hits by such current stars as Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Adele. Expect songwriters as far flung as Noel Coward and Rufus Wainright.
A performer in touch with the zeitgeist but schooled in theater/cabaret classics, Cumming should be a great storyteller, and satisfyingly well-rounded during his live show. Cumming's imprimatur of coolness has been further legitimized by an appearance in Jay Z's super-arty-Manhattan video for "Picasso Baby."
Don't forget to bring a hanky, Cumming warns. There will be as many tears as laughs during Cummings' roller coaster of a night.
For tickets and info, click here.
This article appears in Oct 1-7, 2015.