Randy Harrison’s the new Emcee in “Cabaret”
Randy Harrison’s the new Emcee in “Cabaret”
The space’s brooding interiors by Jay Jeffers have more than a hint of Weimar glam, which is fitting for the actor who is starring as the Emcee in the touring revival of the Berlin-set musical “Cabaret” at the Golden Gate Theatre.
At the instigation of the Chronicle photographer, he stands on the bar for a few character-worthy portraits.
The 38-year-old actor is best known for his five seasons as Justin Taylor on the groundbreaking Showtime series “Queer as Folk,” which followed a group of gay men in Pittsburgh.
Since the show concluded in 2005, Harrison has acted primarily in theater as well as co-starring with Michael Urie in the 2014 film “Such Good People.”
Was the role of the Emcee a “bucket list” part for you?
Since this revival in 2014, I suddenly realized I’ve aged into it and become right for the role.
What kind of character building did you do for the mysterious part?
The director had all the Kit-Kat Club girls and boys write personal biographies.
[...] I read about how Hal Prince created the character (in the original Broadway production).
The character was actually a little person with jet black hair and white makeup.
Do you think “Cabaret” is reverberating with audiences in a new way?
Even just the class stuff, the disappearing of the American middle class and my character calling out poor people in the song “Money.”
There was a massive impoverishment and then these insanely wealthy pockets.
Have musicals been a longtime love?
Storytelling with music is a really powerful device.
What do you feel the “Queer as Folk” legacy is?
What’s on the horizon after “Cabaret”?
Mothers always know.
City anxiety is appropriate, given the themes of the play.
In the theater we’re like blue-collar workers:
Anyone special in your personal life?
Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.