INTERVIEW: ‘Make Me Gorgeous!’ continues off-Broadway run with Darius Rose
Photo: Darius Rose, aka Jackie Cox, stars in Make Me Gorgeous! Photo courtesy of Maria Baranova / Provided by Keith Sherman and Associates with permission.
The new show Make Me Gorgeous!, currently starring Darius Rose (aka Jackie Cox, a drag performer known for RuPaul’s Drag Race), continues its New York premiere engagement at Playhouse 46 in Midtown Manhattan. For the past few weeks, Rose has been bringing to life Kenneth “Mr. Madam” Marlowe’s story as a private hairdresser to the stars, Hollywood madam, author and female impersonator, among other professional roles, according to press notes. In the final decade of the ex-madam’s life, Marlowe transitioned to become Kate Marlowe, making them a true LGBTQ+ trailblazer.
Rose has been having a blast with the show and learning a lot of important information about mid-century Queer culture and the various details of Marlowe’s life. As a performer, Rose is best known for their drag alter-ego Jackie Cox, who was a top contestant on season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, according to their official biography. They are a constant presence on the cabaret scene and have toured a successful one-person show, JackieVision. There have been many theater credits over the years as well, including parts in Grease, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Big River, among other shows.
Recently Rose exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox and gave insights into their role in Make Me Gorgeous!, which is written and directed by Donald “Donnie” Horn, via his triangle productions! company. Horn also wrote a book about Marlowe, which the show is based on. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Were you familiar with Marlowe’s story before this project?
I was not! This play was my first introduction, but after seeing it, I read Donnie’s book and have since been fully engrossed in Kenneth/Kate’s world. What a fascinating life!
Why do you think Marlowe’s story is important to tell audiences in 2024?
The most important thing Marlowe’s story reminds us is that Queer people and artists have always been part of American culture. To know there were popular drag clubs in the 1940s and 1950s helps us feel that we, as Queer artists today, have a place in history. And for the rest of the world, it’s further validation that we belong in this society.
How has it been working with Donald “Donnie” Horn?
Donnie and I had such a fun, fast and furious process to put me into the show. I was only able to have eight proper rehearsals before we did tech, and so we worked quickly but also used the time to dive into the material and shine a few different metaphorical lights on some of the parts of the story that resonated with me.
For those who don’t know, tell me more about Jackie Cox.
Jackie Cox is my drag persona I’ve been performing as since 2010. She was born, if you will, just a couple blocks away at the off-Broadway theater complex New World Stages at the drag competition So You Think You Can Drag?, and I’ve been so lucky to have been able to continue to grow and learn and change as a drag performer ever since.
How much of a game-changer was RuPaul’s Drag Race for you?
Huge! I had been skinny building my drag career up to doing my own solo cabaret shows in NYC and LA, but Drag Race had opened so many more doors and opportunities, from my recurring role on Days of Our Lives to my recently completed 16 city, 20 show, holiday tour with my drag sister Jan Sport.
What’s next for you after this engagement?
I have an upcoming sci-fi short film called Identiteaze, which will premiere this year, that I can’t wait fit everyone to see, and a few other things I can’t announce quite yet. Stay tuned to my social media to find out! @jackiecoxnyc
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Make Me Gorgeous!, starring Darius Rose, continues performances at Playhouse 46 in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.
