Nathan Lee Graham is the type of actor with the rare ability to both blend into an ensemble and shine as a solo performer when necessary. His career spans decades, but the actor-singer and Grammy Award winner looks timeless on both stage and screen. He knows he’s been lucky in this game called “show business.”
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have people who want to work with me,” says recently during a phone interview with SOULE. “Hopefully I have a modicum of talent and I’m not an asshole.”
Graham will be playing Willie in Max Vernon’s off-Broadway production of “The View Upstairs” at the Lynn Redgrave Theater at Culture Project, 45 Bleeker Street (@Lafayette).Max Vernon, wrote the book, music and lyrics for The View wrote the role of Willie for Graham. It is not the first time he has originated a role.
Vernon, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for The View also created the role of Willie for Graham. It is not the first time he has originated a role.
“With Willie, I’m originating my 13th role,” Graham says. ”It’s incredible!”
That may sound like a lot, but then you really have to look at Graham’s trajectory. The virtuoso has climbed up the slippery rung of celebrity by playing across mediums in films like Zoolander, Sweet Home Alabama, and Hitch, then crossing over easily to the Broadway production of “Priscella Queen Of The Desert.”
When asked about what originating a role means for an actor, Graham explains. “It gives you the license to create something from the beginning in your own way and that alone is golden for an artist. It allows you to pool from different references and it creates a template for those who come after you.”
According to the website “The View Upstairs” is:
A new musical that pulls you inside the Upstairs Lounge, a vibrant ‘70s bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. This forgotten community comes to life in all it’s gritty, glam rock glory when a young fashion designer from 2017 buys the abandoned space, setting off an exhilarating journey of seduction and self-exploration that spans two generations of queer history. Inspired by one of the most significant yet-all-but-ignored attacks against the LGBTQ community. The View Upstairs examines what has been gained and lost in the fight for equality, and how the past can help guide us all through an uncertain future.
Graham, who makes no bones about being an “out” actor is excited for the future of LGBTQ roles and projects but says there is still work to be done. The actor made the harrowing decision to pursue gay roles even though there was a big threat that he might be typecast and lose out on opportunities. But his integrity was met with some ironic twists.
“I’ve been fighting since day one,” Graham says. “I couldn’t get a gay role until 2000 because they thought I wasn’t gay enough. You need gay characters that are full actualized I’ve made it a mission to seek out the gay roles to raise my hand and say I’ll do that.”
“If we are in a golden age of the LGBTQ artist it’s because we’ve been laying the groundwork and now people are just seeing it.”
Rounding out the cast are Jeremy Pope, Frenchie Davis, April Ortiz and Taylor Frey among others. Previews for The View Upstairs run until February 27 with an opening night set for February 28th. For tickets click here.