Alan Cumming :: Smart, Silly, Sexy, and Just A Little Bit 'Sappy'

What world has this man not had his fingers in? No grass grows under Alan Cumming's feet -- there isn't time. In fact, I'm betting there is a trail of glorious flames. His credits run from Shakespearian classics such as "Hamlet" and "Macbeth," Noel Coward's "Design For Living" and a murderous lover in Martin Sherman's critically-acclaimed play, "Bent."

Then there are his turns as Dionysus, the Devil, God, the Pope and as Pan for Herb Ritts in Vanity Fair. He's been a Smurf, a teleporting superhero called Nightcrawler, and rocked the role as henchman Boris Grishenko, in the Bond classic "GoldenEye." (Betcha didn't remember that one, now did you?).
He won a Tony award for his performance in "Cabaret," is an Olivier award winner for "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" and has been nominated multiple times for Golden Globe, Emmy and SAG awards for his ongoing role in "The Good Wife." He's a bestselling author, penning a very personal memoir about the violence he faced in, "Not My Father's Son," has had a photo exhibition called "Alan Cumming Snaps!" and an award-winning fragrance named Cumming, and, the most recent, 2nd Cumming. (Makes you want to go right out and get both, now doesn't it?)

His activism and passion for various civil rights and sex education causes is legendary, and has garnered him the respect not only of this writer, but the many others he has affected. There have been some accolades for that as well, from the Trevor Project, PFLAG, LAMBDA Literary, GLAAD Media, The Matthew Shepard Foundation and the Human Rights Campaign Fund, to name a few.

He and hid husband, graphic artist Grant Shaffer, married in 2012 and live in New York with their adopted dog, Jerry. His latest endeavor, "Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs," takes him from the recording studio to his first solo appearance at New York's Carnegie Hall, sharing the stage with Darren Criss, Chita Rivera, the New York City Gay Men's Chorus and a special appearance by Ricki Lake. I'm exhausted just writing this up.

Luckily, Alan has an enormous amount of energy and was kind enough to answer a few questions for The Rage Monthly.

Tell me a little bit about Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs. What made you decide to do the show and album at this point?

It really was a variety of reasons: I'd done my previous show "I Bought A Blue Car Today" on and off for a couple of years then that sort of transitioned into "Alan Cumming Uncut" and then I did the shows with Liza [Minnelli], and so when the Cafe Carlyle asked me to do a two week run last June, I felt it was time for me to get a whole new show together. Also,
I had been listening to a lot of music every night in my dressing room parties (aka Club Cumming) during the Broadway run of "Cabaret," and I realized I wanted to do a show that was more personal and authentic and honest.

I love the album cover by the way... It's an amazing shot. What was the motivation behind shooting it in front of Carlyle Hotel?

Jordan Matter, the photographer, asked me to take part in a project he was doing called "Dancers After Dark," where he shot dancers naked around N.Y.C. at night. I was very flattered! I arranged to do it one evening after my show at the Carlyle. I was supposed to go and do it in the East Village, but I had lots of unexpected guests after the show so I asked Jordan to come uptown, and eventually we decided to just do it in front of the hotel's revolving doors! We managed to get two dancers to come over and brandish the champagne bottle in front of me and we all ran downstairs about 2 a.m., rather tipsy, and got naked on the street! Luckily it was the Upper East Side, so nobody was about at that hour!

I hear Kristin Chenoweth is performing with you at Carnegie Hall. Any "inside scoops?"

The only scoops about Kristin Chenoweth are the ice cream and slushies and gooey candy that she imbibes at all times. It's a miracle she is alive, when you see what she puts into her body. In fact she is a miracle, period. I love her so much and she can make me fall on the floor laughing.

She is one of my favorite interviews I've ever done... What a woman. You two remind me a bit of each other, incredibly talented and impish at heart-Maybe you're both "elves?" Did you have as much fun as it looks like you do?

We laugh like drains. Seriously, hosting the Tonys would have been a hideous experience without her. We've known each other since 1999, when we did the remake of "Annie," and we will make each other laugh forever. My favorite story about her is that she accidentally sent a basket of muffins to Isabelle Stevenson's (the former head of the American Theatre Wing) funeral with a card saying "Congratulations, Isabelle!" She had gotten mixed up and thought Isabelle was being honored! We have promised to send baskets of muffins to whichever one of us dies first.

Based on what I've read, you've said the show takes audiences to an emotionally vulnerable place. How do you prepare yourself for taking that risk each night?

I usually have a martini... And then I just jump off the cliff and open my heart.

Vulnerability is kind of the hallmark of doing cabaret performances... You're out there as Alan Cumming, as opposed to playing a character in a play, isn't it?

Yes. It's incredibly baring and revealing, but the connection you get with an audience being so authentic and honest and pure is electrifying. I have never known anything like it.

How much has your ability to take those risks changed over the course of your working life?

Well, I've always been pretty fearless. I suppose until I did a cabaret show of my own, the only thing I really feared was doing a cabaret show of my own! Now, especially with the intimacy of what I reveal about myself and the intensity of some of the songs, I feel I could do anything! I feel invincible! Just like in that James Bond film I did!

You have managed to make unique and interesting choices throughout your career. Are there particular achievements as an actor (or anything else, for that matter) that you're most proud of?

I suppose there are certain things like "Macbeth," which was so challenging physically and emotionally. My book "Not My Father's Son," which was so much about revealing a whole side of my life that nobody knew about. Both stand out because I was really going into the unknown in some way, getting way, way out of my comfort zone and managing to come through it and surviving and really connecting with the audience. Those moments I am really proud of. But also, I am just proud of being me, being an authentic person and doing a job I really like and hopefully using the voice I have to change the world for the better!

I'm sad to admit that I haven't read your book "Not My Father's Son" in its entirety. I have to say that what I have read is stunning and captures your experience in such a profound, honest way. How much did writing it change your perspective?

The biggest thing for me was realizing how much it helped people who had similar experiences. Because I told my story and showed you can come out of an abusive situation and survive and be happy, that has enabled so many people to deal with issues in their families and confront their demons. That response has been so overwhelming and unexpected.

It would make a compelling base for a play. Have you considered it?

No. It's my story and I told it and now I move on.

Your activism for the LGBT community is profound, thank you for that. What do you see as the next big challenge that we as a group will face, now that we can marry?

Gaining full equality. You can still be fired or lose your home in some parts of America for being queer and until all the laws of the land are changed to reflect the utter equality that every citizen should be entitled to as a right, we still must keep battling. And also, how can you blame someone for being prejudiced if the laws of the land endorse their prejudices?

A little on the lighter side... This is our Love and Relationship issue, so I'm going to ask you a couple sappy questions: What's your secret for a happy marriage?

Communicating. Being able to talk anything through is so important. Laughing with - and at - each other. And, sex. Never underestimate the importance of sex.

What makes your heart melt?

Grant, my husband, is an illustrator. When I go away on a trip I'll open my bags and there will be a little drawing or painting he'll have done of me and him and our dogs and it's just the most beautiful, loving thing. That melts my heart. And sappy songs!

Thanks again, Alan for doing this. I have followed your work for years and adore what you have accomplished... Thanks for your activism, your integrity and for your humor.

Aww, bless you.

"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" takes place at Carnegie Hall on Monday, February 8. For more information, go to alancummingsingssappysongs.com.

His album of the same name is out now.