FabApp Profile: Emily McNamara
FabApp caught up with Emily McNamara, performer, nightlife celebrity, and the hardest working fag hag in New York City.
Vital Stats
Name: Emily McNamara
Sign: Cancer
Hometown: Larchmont, NY (same as Joan Rivers!)
Years in New York: 9
Current
Neighborhood: Upper
West Side
Fabulous Apple: Singer, dancer, actor, comedian… Did I miss anything?
Emily McNamara: Host? Friend? Fag Hag? Tranny wanna-be? I don’t know.
FA: Well let’s start with the actor part. What have been some of your favorite productions you’ve been in?
EM: I was thrilled when I got to be one of three white people in a regional production of the musical Dreamgirls. That has always been my favorite musical and what are the chances that a White chick gets to be in a production?! I was the luckiest! I was probably on stage for about five minutes total, but I didn’t care. I am also proud of The Awesome 80s Prom which is running Off-Broadway at Webster Hall. I was one of the writers of the show and originated the role of the Swedish Exchange Student, Inga. The experience has been so rewarding. The show was published by Samuel French and is now not only on the six year of it’s New York run, but has had productions all over the globe including Boston, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Korea! Mo’ money for me! Residuals, baby.
FA: Do you get a chance to see many shows on Broadway? Anything you’re particularly excited about seeing this season?
EM: I just saw Le Bete and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Loved both. I’m looking forward to Priscilla Queen of the Desert. It better not disappoint! I have high gay standards.
FA: Being a nightlife personality, I’m sure you’ve gotten to rub elbows with some interesting personalities. Any crazy stories you’d like to share?
EM:
- I have an amazing Janice Dickinson story, but I have to keep it private… for now. Sorry to be a tease. [smiles]
- A couple weeks ago I exchanged silly bandz with Alan Cumming. That was a kiki! He gave me a peace sign, and I gave him a mermaid.
- Over the summer I rode the Fire Island ferry with Wanda Sykes. Live for her.
- I worked with Sandra Bernhard on a film called Dare (DareTheMovie.com) and she was seriously the coolest bitch ever. So grounded, smart, and down to earth.
FA: Now on to the host role. You recently took over Curtain Call at Splash on Musical Mondays at Splash. How has that experience been?
EM: I love it. Splash is the last of the real NYC gay clubs, and there’s nothing else like it anymore. It’s truly an honor for me to be there every week. We get an incredibly diverse crowd that ranges from international tourists to your garden variety fag hags to big musical theater nerds. I’m keeping the “Musical Mondays” tradition alive, and it’s a blast.
FA: You’re the self-proclaimed “premier fag hag of New York.” What do you think your appeal is to gay men?
EM: My collection of sparkle and sequin dresses? My interest in Mariah Carey and Unicorns? My addiction to men and booze? I’m not sure actually. Let’s ask them!
FA: When you’re not performing, where do you like to unwind and hang out?
EM: I try to see as many of my friend’s shows as I can. When I’m not in a performance or watching one, I’m probably home with a block of cheese watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey and eating my feelings.
FA: [Laughs] Maybe we should just stick to your public life. Where can FabApp readers see you perform?
EM:
- Monday Nights hosting “Curtain Call” at Splash
- Tuesday Nights hosting “Tune In Tuesdays” at BarTini Ultralounge
- Friday Nights hosting “Mostly Sondheim” at the Duplex
- Last Sunday of the month in “The Girly Show” at Bar-Tini UltraLounge
- November 14th: performing in “Boylesque” at BarTini UltraLounge
- S-ing D’s in front of Au Bon Pain at Port Authority every other Wednesday at 5am. Just kidding (?)
