'DRAG: The Musical's' Nick Adams Loves Doing Queer Roles

EDGE: Let's talk about "Drag: The Musical."

Nick Adams: I got a call to see if I'd be interested in recording a studio album of a new musical. I fell in love with the score first and knew it was something I'd be interested in. I flew to LA for a couple days, recorded this album, and it's been sort of a reverse trajectory with the show. They did music first, released this album and then asked me to come back to do a staged reading. It was followed by two small sold out runs. It seemed like it could be a hit, but because I've been in so many new works that never make it here, I had no expectations surrounding it. So many shows get some momentum and money behind them, you think it's going to be your next big hit, a bit of white knuckling, then poof it disappears. I decided I was just going to keep on doing it because it's fun.

EDGE: Sounds like it was a good decision.

Nick Adams: I absolutely love doing the show every day. Even on our day off I can't wait to come to work again, which is not always the case. It's exhausting and it's a lot of effort, the makeup and everything, but I love every single person in this building. They're so much fun to be around. The cast is unbelievable. Everybody really cares about this and is giving 110% to really bring it to life. That's always not the case.

EDGE: What is the show about?

Nick Adams: It's the story of two rival drag queens who open drag clubs across the street from each other. My character falls into financial disarray because she's horrible with money. They put on great shows, they sell out, but she hasn't paid her bills or her taxes. She puts all her money back into the drag and the show. I have to call my brother, an accountant, to help me. He brings his son with him and he's trying to figure out his identity. The world of drag kind of opens his eyes to his inner uniqueness.

The other club is also in a pickle and we need to unite to save ourselves. There's also a lot of sub plots. I guess I'd describe it as "Rocky Horror" and "Rock of Ages" in a blender with Mel Brooks and John Waters comedy. And there's a big heart in the center of it. There's something for everybody. Drag is a universal form of entertainment. There's joy, comedy, visuals. This show's got so many things an audience member could enjoy. And it's unapologetically big and queer. I love that about it.

EDGE: And now Liza Minnelli is involved in it.

Nick Adams: She is one of our lead producers. She joined a couple of weeks ago. I don't want to give too much away, but she's kind of in the show every night. You've got to come to see it.

EDGE: What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror when in drag?

Nick Adams: It's so transformative. To me there's nothing more theatrical. You really become a different person. It's not just putting on a costume or different shoes that make you stand a different way. I feel like a different human being. In "Chicago," I was the standby for Mary Sunshine. That was my first time in drag in a Broadway show. Getting into drag was like "Whoa, I don't even recognize myself." Then I did "La Cage" with Kelsey Grammer and then "Priscilla." When I was in full drag it's the most empowering, liberating, freeing thing. It's like an alter ego, superhero, powerful being that lives in us and we give ourselves the permission to let it come out. When I put all this makeup on it's more like a fantasy that comes alive. I don't recognize Nick in there.

EDGE: Do you see beautiful in there?

Nick Adams: I kind of laugh because I think I look like Dee Snider from Twisted Sister in drag. I don't necessarily think it's a beautiful woman, but I think it's a beautiful drag queen. I honestly recognize more beauty in me in drag than as a guy when I look in the mirror. It doesn't feel like me, so I'm not looking at every insecurity I have.

EDGE: You're pretty well-known for your muscular physique. Have you always been into fitness?

Nick Adams: I was a gymnast and a dancer. I like being active. My parents were both runners so our household was definitely active. But I was stick skinny all through high school. I look malnourished in photos. In college my teachers said I could be a leading man if I looked like one. That was the approach back then. You had to look like a strapping leading man. I think how they talk about body type and masculinity is much different now. But then, I started going to the gym and eating more.

I went away to do summer stock in St. Louis and I really worked out. I came back and everyone was like "oh." The teachers said this was what they were talking about, so I just kind of kept at it. When I came to New York it only could help. It's sort of been a blessing and a curse, part of the package with me. I've been lucky that there's been many projects I've been a part of where it hasn't been at the forefront. I'm not just getting work because I have muscles. There was a thing with Mario Lopez when he joined "A Chorus Line." It became a tabloid scandal because they changed my costume to cover me up a little bit. All of New York was "the body, the body, the body." It took on a life of its own.

In many ways I am just like that skinny kid in high school that I still see. He's there, he's still present. They never go away. I've learned to accept that and be more welcoming and encouraging as opposed to trying to shove it away.

EDGE: What would you say if you could go back to that skinny little kid in Gary, PA and give him some advice?

Nick Adams: Try to love yourself a little more. You're going to have a great life. Don't be concerned about what people are going to think of you, you're going to fit in. And give yourself a little more love and grace.

For more information and how to get tickets, visit the "DRAG: The Musical" website.

For more on Nick Adams, And check out these pics from his Instagram page.