He's here, he's there, he's everywhere! I talking about Alec Mapa, who is bringing his solo show, America's Gaysian Sweetheart, described as "an uncensored, unbridled evening of hilarity to Joe's Pub on Gay Pride Weekend with shows on June 28 and 29.
Mapa is a GLAAD Award-winning actor, playwright, comedian and journalist. He has been seen on Broadway in Timon of Athens, A Little Hotel on the Side and M. Butterfly and Off-Broadway in A Language of Their Own and Dogeaters. Mapa was awarded the Davidson Valentini GLAAD Award for promoting visibility and working on behalf of GLBT causes. His TV credits include recurring roles as Gabrielle's best friend, Vern, on Desperate Housewives and as the deliciously scoopalicous fashion reporter Suzuki St. Pierre in Ugly Betty. And on film, he has appeared in Bright Lights, Big City, Playing by Heart, and Connie and Carla as well as his upcoming role in the new Adam Sandler feature, You Don't Mess With The Zohan.
This guy is absolutely wild, folks, and if this interview is any indication, you're in for a wild and crazy night in June at this show. So, without further comment, let's get it going…
TJ: Welcome to NY. When was the last time you were in town?
MAPA: I was in town a couple months ago as a presenter at the GLAAD awards. I co presented the Vanguard award to MTV President Brian Graden with Randy Jackson. It was very glam. Randy and I sat at a table right next to Barbara Walters and stared at her like she was a painting. As long as I'm name dropping I got to hang out with my friends Alan Cumming and Tim Gunn and I got to meet Cheyenne Jackson! I'm so queer for him, it's almost stalker-ish.. He said he was a fan and I got so excited I almost threw up.
TJ: OK, America's Gaysian Sweetheart? Where did that come from??
MAPA: I've been an AIDS activist/fundraiser for more than twenty years and more than half my gigs are benefits. I travel across the country for The Human Rights Campaign and I'm on the advisory board for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. So, I literally live out of a suitcase for half the year. One time,I was filming a sitcom in LA and I was rushing out of makeup and hair to catch a plane and my hairdresser said, "Where are you going?" and I said, "I'm going to D.C. to do a fundraiser" and he said "Well you're just America's Gaysian Sweetheart" and I thought, "You know what? I AM goddamnit! "
TJ: How long have you been in development for this show?
MAPA: Gee. I guess all year. I strike proofed my career by doing gay cruises all last year, so this is basically the show I've been doing for drunk gay guys at midnight out in the middle of the ocean. It's filthy fun and perfect if you have short attention span.
TJ: What can audiences expect when they come to see your show?
