Name: Micah Bucey: performer, singer, minister of the arts at Judson Memorial Church, and co-creator/star of The Gay Agenda running at Ars Nova this month, interviewed by New York Editor, JJ Keyes
Home: New York
Hails from: Hudson, Ohio
Relationship Status: Co-habitating with Aidan O’Shea
Favorite City: I decided New York was my favorite city years before I ever even visited for the first time. That still hasn’t changed. I’ve been here for twelve years and it still amazes me.
What is The Gay Agenda at Ars Nova?
I like to call us your semi-favorite-two-man-musical-post-punk-band. The idea is that punk rock is so commonplace now that the actual way to be truly “punk” these days is to go to the completely opposite end of the spectrum and take over the world using musical theatre show tunes. So basically, my partner Nicholas and I concoct catchy little ditties about important things presented as ridiculous things. The next phase of our master plan is our six-show run at Ars Nova this month. They’ve entrusted us with their stage, so we’ve promised to turn everyone gay.
How did you meet your Gay Agenda partner in crime?
Nicholas Williams and I were introduced by a very smart mutual friend in some seedy bar on the Lower East Side. To this date, she has still never come to see us perform.
You are performing two shows this time around, THE GREAT BIG BROADWAY SHOW! and SONGSTYLES OF THE QUEER AND FAMOUS! Is there completely different material in both shows?
Yep, COMPLETELY different material in both shows. In the first show, we think we’re on Broadway. In the second show, we think we’re pop stars. We have one of more known songs in both shows to help bridge the story arc, but other than that, it’s all different. EEK!
Amy embarrassing stage moments?
In high school, I fell into an orchestra pit while attempting some major choreography. So our shows feature a bit less dancing and the stage is usually a bit closer to the floor.
Ars Nova is close to so many great Hells Kitchen bars and restaurants. Where should we grab a snack before the show?
I’m totally cheap, so I love to go to Renaissance Diner on 9th Avenue (which has the most gigantic menu EVER) or 44 X 10. For that you’ll need to put on a collared shirt, I’d guess. They’re a bit more fancy. And get a snack at Ars Nova. It is full service. They serve drinks and food. There are cookies!
Where do you boys go after the show?
Nicholas likes to drink, so he would probably be better at this. What do I say? A gay bar? Just put any bar in here. Chances are, I’ve never been there and Nicholas is a regular.
New Yorkers are GAGA over cupcakes these days. What do you think: Billys, Magnolia or Cupcake Café?
Actually, speaking of sweet and basic, my favorite cupcakes are at Sugar Sweet Sunshine on the Lower East Side. They actually taste homemade. Is that kosher to say? I love those girls and their little cupcakes.
Speaking of Gaga…you’re a fan, right?
OF COURSE. I was at her Radio City Music Hall debut with my ex-girlfriend. That’s sort of like coming full-circle, right?
Are you going to see her this July at Madison Square Garden?
Not this time around. I love her, but after the relative intimacy of Radio City, I can’t imagine seeing her in that cavern. It would be like having a perfect and intimate one-night stand and then only being able to peer at him from across the room from then on. GaGa and I had our special night. I can’t share her with a hangar full of people.
I think she would like your show. Will you save a seat for her for when she reads this?
She has a seat in the front row WHENEVER she wants to come! Oh, and Miss GaGa: I’ve made lots of promises at Judson Memorial Church that I’ll get you to perform in their beautiful building. Let’s make both things happen. I know you’ve got the energy, girl.
You’re a Brooklyn boy, aren’t you? What part of Brooklyn are you in?
Aidan and I live in Prospect Heights. Nicholas lives in Fort Greene, so he’s just ten minutes away if I get some idea in the middle of the night and need to run over to make him pound it out on the piano with me.
Hey, when I lived in Brooklyn I always used to go to Excelsior in Park Slope. How is it these days?
Oh, my gosh. I used to go to Excelsior all the time. Then I just sort of stopped. I do remember everyone always being nice. And the jukebox was to die for. I don’t drink anymore, but I do love Joyce Bakeshop and Milk Bar on Vanderbilt Avenue. Sweets are my vice of choice.
I find a lot of out-of-towners like to check out the Brooklyn Bridge but never really venture into Brooklyn proper. Do you have any suggestions for someone looking to pop their Brooklyn cherry?
Come to Prospect Heights and Fort Greene. We’ve got Prospect Park, which blows Central Park out of the water; we’ve got BAM, which has better theatre than Manhattan; and we’ve got people who will actually smile at you if you stop them on the street!
Check out JJ Keyes’ full GayCities guide to the Big Apple
