For nearly a decade, Michael Buckley has offered up pop culture commentary on his YouTube web series, What The Buck. Now, in his next endeavor, Buckley is dishing out a different set of opinions. He will star as the male lead in a new cast of Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, which opens off-Broadway on July 2nd.
In Sex Tips, Buckley plays the titular gay man, who provides advice for a woman (played here by Anneliese van der Pol, best known for her role in That’s So Raven). The play, which unfolds as a raunchy comedy, opened at New York’s 777 Theatre in 2014. Buckley’s version will run for four shows, on July 2nd, 3rd, 10th, and 11th. Once it wraps up in New York, Sex Tips will head to Provincetown, Massachusetts, spending a week in the beach town famous for its LGBT culture.
For Buckley, Sex Tips is a return to a stage career that served as his passion before he started making vlogs on YouTube. We asked him a few questions about his upcoming role:
Tubefilter: What made you decide you want to get more involved in theater?
Michael Buckley: My first love was the stage. I did theater my whole life during school, through college and beyond. I always loved it but then as a grown up with a full time job, I was too busy. Then as a YouTuber, I was offered things here and there but nothing was the right fit. I have always wanted to return to doing theatre and this was the perfect opportunity.
TF: How did you land this particular role?
MB: They had seen me on YouTube and emailed my agent. I read the script and it said “DAN – a gay man” and I thought “I got this!” I feel very lucky that this happened. I never had the courage to go on auditions and endure all the constant rejections that actors endure so this is definitely a lucky break for me!
TF: Who are you using as inspiration as you prepare for the role?
MB: Meryl Streep. Always. Beyonce. Always. Uhm. No one to be honest, maybe a little Lisa Kudrow! Yeah that is probably my inspiration! That said. I have not rehearsed yet. So once I start rehearsing, I might have some new inspirations! Patti LuPone? I really hope at some point I stop the show and scream “START TAKING PICTURES!!!!!”.
TF: How do you think your career on YouTube has set you up for this next step?
MB: Wow. My first thought is not really because live performing is so different than first person talking to a camera. But YouTube has really prepared me for everything. The attention, the lack of attention, the success, the failures. All moments in my YouTube career have helped shape me and give me a very thick skin! Also this is a fast talking comedic show, so in a way I have been practicing this for the past 10 years!
TF: What do you ultimately hope to accomplish through Sex Tips?
MB: Great question. For me, I really needed this right now. I am 10 years into my YouTube career and I was itchy to try something new, to challenge myself in a different way. I really hope this leads to more live performing, either more theatre or one man shows I have been writing for years. I really look forward to people coming to the show and meeting people who watch my videos outside the atmosphere of YouTube conventions. I am very excited about the whole experience! And spending time in NYC and getting to the show for a week in Provincetown is just icing on the cake!
Tickets for the show are available from the Sex Tips website.
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