Cheyenne Jackson brings Broadway swagger to Folly Theatre

Photo Courtesy of Cheyenne Jackson

When Cheyenne Jackson steps onto a stage, the lights don’t just shine—they sparkle. This June, Kansas City gets a front-row seat to that star power as the Emmy- and Grammy-nominated actor and singer graces the historic Folly Theater for a one-night-only performance to celebrate Pride Month on Friday, June 13.

Known for his powerhouse Broadway vocals and magnetic charm, Jackson is the kind of performer who turns a concert into a full-blown experience. Whether he’s belting out Sondheim or crooning a Sinatra classic, he’s got the rare ability to make an entire room feel like it’s sharing an inside joke—and a standing ovation. 

On June 13, KC audiences will see the storyteller up close, unplugged, and unfiltered. His show Signs of Life promises to be a reflective and humorous evening that celebrates relationships, fatherhood, and the fleeting nature of time.

From scene-stealing turns in 30 Rock, American Horror Story, and Julie and the Phantoms, Jackson’s mile-long IMDB page proves his range has range. Heck, he’s left his mark on everything from Modern Family to Glee.

During our ping-pong interview, Jackson was quick to quip on everything from Lady Gaga to turning the big 5-0 this year. Oh, and he’s even singing the National Anthem at the Royals game the day before his KC show. Talk about a Renaissance man. 

The Pitch: Out of the bazillion things you’re known for, what’s the one thing most people want to talk about? Is everyone different?

Cheyenne Jackson: Everybody’s different because I do so many weird things and so many varied things. I can tell if somebody’s walking towards me if they’re, like, an American Horror Story person. Or, if they’re 15 or younger, it’s usually The Descendants—this Disney movie I did. But yeah, it really runs the gamut. Some people now only know me from Call Me Cat, and then there’s my favorite pocket of people who know me from concerts and Broadway stuff.

Photo Courtesy of Cheyenne Jackson

I’m putting you on the spot. If your Broadway career were a jukebox musical, what three songs would be on the soundtrack?

Well, this is kind of in the forefront of my mind right now, because I’m working on my first solo show at Carnegie Hall. So, I would say, “Don’t Walk Away” from Xanadu. I would say something from All Shook Up, but not the title song. Let’s say “C’mon Everybody!” And then the third one’s tough. Oh, you know, I would say “Old Devil Moon” from Finian’s Rainbow. Those three! You‘ve got rock and roll, old jazz, and then some Xanadu. 

I feel like you relish playing the villain occasionally—like on Julie and the Phantoms.

I love it. I would much rather play the bad guy or the villain than the hero. It’s much more interesting. People are not just good or bad, so I love to find the humor and the humanity. I used to be afraid of playing bad guys—I think just because growing up in my town and feeling so other. I just wanted everyone to like me, like me, like me. Please, like me.

It’s because I’ve had this disease to please for so long. And then, I think doing American Horror Story and seeing how depraved things can be, and you can separate so much. And I didn’t go to school for acting, so I just learned on the job. So, if ever there’s a role that’s darker, I’m just much more drawn to that. Also, I think it’s way more fun. What’s more fun than that? There are no rules. 

From a reader: What percent of the choreography of Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” have you learned?

Photo Courtesy of Cheyenne Jackson

Uh, zero. But I continue to love her. And just yesterday, when I was doing the dishes, I watched her on Stern, and she did like a slow version of “Abracadabra.” A-ma-zing. She is such a marvel to me. I was just talking about this with somebody else, like she doesn’t have to go as hard as she does. If you watch the “Disease” video, or, of course, “Abracadabra” on SNL, or anything, it’s just, it’s every fucking thing—Every movement is just so on. I just love her so much, but, no, I don’t learn the dances and stuff. 

You have a big boy birthday coming up, so I want to know, what are your plans? And more importantly, is Lady Gaga involved? 

I don’t think so. She’s gonna be on tour. I don’t know what we’re doing yet. Jason keeps asking me, like, you got to give me a list. I’m actually not a big birthday person, and I’m definitely not a big party person. I don’t like a lot of attention on me. Shocking, but true. 

In fact, Jason—for my 40th—threw me a surprise 40th birthday, and it’s one of my biggest regrets. That I was so uncomfortable with so many people there, and so many people loving me that I couldn’t enjoy it. I was anxious. I’ve grown a lot, though, in 10 years. I have social anxiety and things, but I’ve grown a lot, and I have a lot more tools. And I’m ready to be loved on my 50th. 

I think we’ll probably go to some restaurant, or maybe we’ll have it at the house. But I want to have my really core group of people, and my core group of people is pretty small. 

One of my favorite things you do is your annual runway walk with your kiddos. How much longer can we expect that? Please say eternity.

Well, until they will not. They do not have a choice. Ethan’s getting very bro-y. He’s all about soccer and he’s all about tennis. And he calls me bro. It’s really funny. But I’ve told him, in no way, are you getting out of that—ever. You can do anything you want, but you’re walking down that runway. Yeah, that’s a staple.

What do ya know about Kansas City? I hope to God you eat your way through this town.

Photo Courtesy of Cheyenne Jackson

Please. I’m gonna eat my way through the city. But I can’t pretend that I do know a lot about KC, or even much at all. I’m coming in a day early because I’m going to sing the National Anthem at the Royals game, and I’m excited about that. 

Hey, props on your sobriety journey and being so candid about it. You’ve been really transparent, so kudos. 

Well, I don’t know about that, but I appreciate it. It’s funny, I’m listening right now to Sandyland. Sandy Bernhard is a pal, and I listen to her show. If your readers don’t listen to it, they should, because she’s just so amazing. But she gave me some advice the other day because I struggle with how much to share of my life. 

I know that my journey, my experience, can help other people, but also it does sometimes put pressure on me. I kind of go back and forth talking about it. And she was like, ‘Honey, you don’t have to share every single thing. It’s your life. You’ve already shared about it.’ So, I’m happy that people know that about me and feel a way about it. But it’s this push-pull that I constantly have with how much do I talk about? But it helps me, too. 

Interview gently edited for content and clarity.

For more information on Cheyenne Jackson’s Folly Theatre show on Friday, June 13, visit the venue’s website.