NEW YORK — Rock stars famously don’t wake up before noon, and the rock stars who perform in Broadway’s big shows every night are sure to stagger up late in the afternoon. Not Boy George.
“I’m not really rock ‘n’ roll, I’m more of a frock ‘n’ roll,” he says with a laugh.
The singer-songwriter and heartthrob of the iconic band Culture Club recently played the role of an impresario in the Tony Award-winning Moulin Rouge until May 12th.
This jukebox musical is a stage adaptation of director Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 2001 film of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. Packed with pop tunes from Katy Perry, the Rolling Stones, and Elton John.
“One of the great things about Moulin Rouge, and it proves my point, is that pop music works in a theater space and theater music works in a pop space,” Boy George said. says.
Boy George appeared on Broadway in 2004 in “Taboo,” and has appeared in “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” and “Time (Heart Clock),” among others. He is a pioneer in fashion and music who has released a series of hit works. ”
In a recent conversation, he spoke to The Associated Press about his return to the Great White Way, his musical inspirations and how he has matured.
AP: Welcome to Broadway. What do you think of it compared to “taboo”?
Boy George: Very different from my last experience. Because, obviously, interrupting a show on Broadway is a whole different story. Walking into this large, loud, colorful show is a completely different experience.
AP: Is singing live with a band much different than participating in a stage show?
Boy George: Not at all, because you’re the boss. You decide what happens. If you want to stop things, change things, or go in a different direction, you can do that. You are in charge. And in this kind of environment, you’re part of a very well-oiled kind of theater machine.
AP: You end up singing a few Culture Club songs “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” and “Karma Chameleon” at the end of each show. Is that fun?
Boy George: If I wanted an honest answer, I would have picked 100 other songs besides those two. Because I don’t necessarily think these songs are the most important thing I’ve ever done.
AP: Is it fun to play an over-the-top nightclub owner?
Boy George: One of the great things about Moulin Rouge is that it’s such a joyful production. I don’t need it, just add something. do you understand? It works without me. But if you can bring something else in there, that’s very exciting.
AP: This show has some old songs and some new songs. Are there many fans who go back to discover the roots of today’s music?
Boy George: There are a lot of kids like me who dig a little deeper. When I was a kid, I could have just kept listening to whatever was on the radio, but I looked into my parents’ record collection. I went to a junk shop and found an album that made me think, “Oh, this looks interesting.” who is this? I had a pioneering spirit to find something. Even now, I get excited when I discover a singer I didn’t know about.
AP: You have tattoos of musicians like Marc Bolan of T. Rex and David Bowie. Does your music include both?
Boy George: I think the best music is a mixture of everything I love. People always say to me, “Oh, that sounds like Bowie.” And I think, “It’s not a coincidence!”
AP: What is it like to create new music for you?
Boy George: You’re always dipping into this treasure trove of ideas. I have a huge creative pantry and depending on my mood I might choose something like Nina Simone. You might find Drake and think, “Oh, that’s interesting.” What would Bowie do with Drake? ” That’s how I think: What would Bowie do with a disco track?
AP: You seem to be constantly releasing new music on Instagram, with your band We Are Brand, and on the Argyle soundtrack.
Boy George: I’m probably the most prolific songwriter I know. I just write every day. I’m not saying that everything is great, but I think that if you keep doing something, you’ll get better at it. When people talk about writer’s block, what exactly do they mean? Because every possible word you could use already exists. where is the block?
AP: What comes first for you, the melody or the words?
Boy George: I often think of very interesting lyrics after hearing a melody. I always believe that if I find what I want to say, I will also find a way to say it.
AP: In your latest memoir, Karma, you write that you’ve become kinder to yourself and others. that’s nice.
Boy George: If you had told me 10, 20 years ago that you could actually change the way you think about things, I would have laughed at you. If it were me, I’d say, “Oh, no, I’m definitely a stubborn and opinionated person.” And, you know, it’s so nice to realize you were wrong.
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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits