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The Wright Stuff

Chris Azzopardi

Rufus Wainwright likes it huge. Sound, that is. But when he makes a return visit locally at 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, the crooner will go for the simplistic: Just him, the piano – and, well, his charming sense of humor. From Berlin, en route to London, Wainwright, who recently announced the July '09 England premiere of his cherished "Prima Donna" opera, spoke to BTL about his sexy stems, why he's all for the financial crisis and his thing for the University of Michigan football team.

How does it feel to know that you've got the entire stage to do whatever the heck you want?
Well, I've been doing that – actually I started out with that type of show, so I'm very acquainted with the perimeters of a stage. But with that being said, ya know, there's a lot for me to reap after making so many albums and performing in so many different types of venues that it's kind of like farming or something. I can – it's a full plate (laughs) that's being served of material, so it's exciting to be able to be at this stage and offer that.

The last time I saw you was in Ann Arbor. I went with a friend of mine and we couldn't get over your legs. When you changed into your Judy Garland get-up at the end to sing "Get Happy," you showed off some of the best legs I've ever seen on a man.
Awww, thank you. I have to. Mainly because my sister (Martha Wainwright) has such great legs and we're presently in a leg-off, so I have serious competition.

How do you top a performance like that? I remember the crowd was so into it.
Well, you don't, basically. I mean that's partly why I'm doing this show, which is much more – it's still funny and I'm still myself and I tend to be humorous and everything – but it is a whole other mystique. It's more about really getting down to the business in terms of the songs and music and finding the essence of what is Rufus.

You've been to Royal Oak before, and I know you've been to Ann Arbor several times. Any good finds you look forward to revisiting when you're here?
Well, I know the people who own The Ark and it's always nice to see them, 'cause they've been friends of my family – the Siglins – for years; for, god, over 20 years – over 30 years, maybe even. So it's always nice to see them and then – it's a big football town, right?

Yep, Ann Arbor is. You'll be performing closer to Detroit, though.
Oh, darnit. Well, I'm hoping the whole football team comes.

If the release of your last album and your participation in the Human Rights Campaign 'Rock to Win' are any indication, you seem like a pretty political guy. What are your thoughts on the upcoming election?
Well, ya know, I have to say, honestly – and some people might be horrified by this – but I really do feel that, um, the economic crisis is probably the best thing that could happen to us (laughs), for many reasons. And one of them is that it'll definitely bring in the Democrats, ya know, it's much better territory for the Democrats. It counters the McCain crap. But then also, on a more substantial level, I mean I think it is time that people spend less and become less consumer animals and we do have to, ya know, learn how to be more thrifty and more conscious of our fellow man as opposed to our pocketbooks. I think it's – I don't know – I think it's appropriate, and also it makes America much less frightening if we – it'll force us to have to do deal with our own house, and that's what has to happen.

I know you've been busy with the opera, but what are your plans for a follow up to 2007's 'Release the Stars'?
Well, in keeping with this sort of toned-down, barebones affair that is my present show, I would actually love to make a solo piano voice record. And, ah, just because I've made so many huge records over the years that I think people would appreciate it. But, that being said, I do intend to make more pop records down the line. With all the kind of orchestrating and, um, magnifying that I'm doing on the opera and the theater stage, it'll be necessary for me to kind of get back to basics in terms of my own songwriting and just to sort of counter the weight.

Halloween is coming up and obviously you like dressing up. What are your plans this year?
Well, Joern (Weisbrodt) – my boyfriend – and I we want to dress up as Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand from 'A Star is Born' … and guess who I'm gonna be? (laughs)

Just a wild guess: Barbra
You got it!

Rufus Wainwright
8 p.m. Oct. 18
Royal Oak Music Theatre
http://www.royaloakmusictheatre.com

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