Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Ritz Bartender Gives the Scoop on 'Kinky Boots' and 'Macbeth'

 Bartender Michael Bailey tells us what his customers think of "Kinky Boots."
Backstage Bartender — 'Kinky Boots' and 'Macbeth'
View Full Caption

HELL'S KITCHEN — Michael Bailey can tell you about almost any play in town — but that doesn't mean he's seen them all.

As a bartender at The Ritz Bar and Lounge for the past six years, the 36-year-old neighborhood resident pours for Restaurant Row's post-theater clientele. Bailey told us that the predominantly gay crowd at the bar isn't shy about sharing its thoughts about the latest productions on Broadway. As this week's Backstage Bartender, Bailey tells DNAinfo New York about the rave reviews for "Kinky Boots," as well as an enduring hatred of Shakespeare.

Q: So “Kinky Boots” is awesome?
A: That’s really the one I’ve been hearing the most about. It’s the most under-expected but better-performing show that people are seeing. I see people before and they’re like, "Well, we don’t expect much. It’s ‘Kinky Boots,' " and then they come back after and they’re like, “It was amazing, we loved it.” They rave about it. 

What is it they’re loving about it?
They don’t really go into detail. I think honestly they love the gay content. That’s probably why they’re going anyway. But it’s both the gay content and the music. Oh I do ask — they say Cyndi Lauper did a great job, which I was like “Oh, OK girl!” I only know [she was involved] because I watch her TV show on We.

Any negative comments about it?
I haven’t heard anything negative about "Kinky Boots" — and these are queens, they’ll let you know.

How about “Macbeth”?
I heard one thing about "Macbeth." Honestly, because [star Alan Cumming] is gay, I don’t know if their comments are swayed, you know, if there’s some preferential treatment going on. But they said he did a great job. I’m like: "It’s 'Macbeth,' how can you enjoy it?" What are we, in ninth-grade literature class? Horrible. It brings flashbacks of Ms. Crabtree from English coming at me. I’m like no, I can’t do it ever. I don’t care what gay guy is doing it. Just saying.