Murray Hill is the biggest thing to come out of Brooklyn for a while. The cabar-lebrity is known for splitting sides with his own brand of gender-bending, post-modern take on the classic comedy greats. Fresh from appearing in vogue.com and Amy Schemer’s new podcast this trans-tactic performer, with the help of Alan Cumming, brings his first ever show to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Cabaret as whole is having a big surge in interest lately. Even the Real Housewives have now gotten involved. Why do you think that’s the case? Why are people increasingly drawn to cabaret performers in 2018?
You know what, people just want to have a good time. It’s a shitshow out there. I don’t think I’m really a cabaret guy myself…but a guy who tells jokes, does some crowd work, wears tight suits (not by choice), and sings. People are drawn to anything right that that’ll give them a break! Also, the housewife I did the cabaret show with, went to rehab after closing night… so it’s not for everyone!
We’re seeing a lot of exciting talent come out of Brooklyn. What does it have that Manhattan doesn’t?
Cheaper rent! Well, not so much any more. The scene I came up in was in the Lower East Side, that’s where everything off the rails was happening. It was my version of Las Vegas. Clubs and shows up and down Avenue A, all night long, every night. Gentrification and rising rents caused clubs to close and people to move out into Brooklyn. Brooklyn is cooking–comedy, music, drag and great pizza.
Your show’s called About to Break! Tell us about it! What can people expect?
People can expect a good time, to be entertained, and can hang out with me–showbiz style. I want people to laugh, forget about their troubles and the pending world collapse at least for an hour. Each night will be different because I love shtick-ing with the audience no one’ll know what to expect!
We see a large amount of trans people burst out onto the performance scene to great success. Is there something about the trans experience that lends itself to performance?
Showbiz. I’ve been around the block a few times, and it’s just thrilling to see all kinds of people and stories get air time now. I know for me, living life on the outskirts from an early age, I had to perform to survive. I crack this joke sometimes: ‘If I had all these friends growing up, I wouldn’t be wearing men’s suits for a living.’ Insert a rimshot here.
This is your first Fringe, do you know what to expect?
The Fringe has quite the lore! I’ve been hearing stories for years and years from pals who’ve performed there. I think it’s gonna be all Showbiz Hustle, seeing a ton of shows, and hanging out with all the whacky performers. A bunch of pals will be there: Miss Behave, Briefs, Ali McGregor, Lady Rizzo, and more. It’s gonna be a summer camp for the misfits!
Have you ever tried a deep-fried Mars bar? It’s quite the Scottish delicacy.
Holy shit! No! Where can I get one? My doctor told me to stay away from fried foods, but he didn’t say anything about international fried candy bars!
It gets awfully competitive over at the Fringe, it can feel like the Hunger Games of theatre. Do you think you’ll stand out up there?
I might be the only short Italian guy walking around in the rain and heat with a full tuxedo!
As a parting shot, transgender actors were quite the hot button issue a few weeks ago. If you could ask one thing to part-nabbing Scarlet Jo, what would it be?
Why did you do Home Alone 3?
Murray Hill: About To Break is at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at 9.15pm, 1st to 27th of August (not the 13th) at the Gilded Balloon.
To get your hands and some tickets CLICK HERE.
