00;00;00;11 - 00;00;16;13

Craig Paul

I've got about 14 costumes in this show and you know, each one more exciting than the last. Sometimes I catch myself in the mirror on my way to the stage, and I think I have no idea who that creature is, but she is beautiful.

00;00;21;24 - 00;01;07;22

Malaika Hollist

Hi. Welcome to Season two of the Arts Axis Florida podcast. I'm your host Malaika Hollist. Each episode we amplify the voices of the diverse art nonprofit organizations in our community. Conversations community and Connection is right here on the Arts Axis Florida podcast. Support for Arts Axis Florida comes from Community Foundation Tampa Bay . Championing philanthropy, encouraging and connecting givers to bring lasting good investing in education and economic mobility.

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Malaika Hollist

Learn more at C F Tampa Bay dot org. That's C FTampa Bay dot org.

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Malaika Hollist

Today we speak with actor Craig Paul, who plays Tracy Knowles in the upcoming play, The Legend of George McBride premiering soon at the Florida Studio Theater. We chat the play, his part and what we can gain from a diverse group of people coming together. We want to warn you there is some explicit language in this episode, but don't worry. Mostly this is a story of one man's journey of self-discovery from an Elvis impersonator turned drag queen extraordinaire.

00;01;50;22 - 00;02;04;28

Malaika Hollist

Hi, Craig. You're going to be in the upcoming play that is being put on by the Florida Studio Theater called The Legend of Georgia McBride. So would you mind just telling us giving us a little summary of the show and who you play?

00;02;06;01 - 00;02;33;07

Craig Paul

Sure. The Legend of George McBride is a tale of a young man named Casey who is trying to make his way as an Elvis impersonator. He we join the action with him at at a very down and out bar in the Florida Panhandle, where despite his amazing jumpsuit and his phenomenal moves and his is his obvious talent, no one's coming to this show.

00;02;33;26 - 00;03;01;24

Craig Paul

And the owner of the bar finally decides that he is canceling the Elvis show and may be closing the bar. But before he does it, there's a last ditch effort to save the bar by hiring a couple of drag queens to put on a drag show. And Casey has just found out that in addition to losing his job, his wife is now pregnant and he's at the end of his rope.

00;03;02;06 - 00;03;35;21

Craig Paul

On the opening night of the drag show, one of the drag queens is too drunk to perform. And Casey, who is at the bar to pick up his jumpsuit, is enlisted into performing as a drag queen, if not against his will. Certainly against his better judgment. And it turns out that he's quite good at it. And through the help of his drag mentor, Miss Tracy Mills, he goes on to become something of a drag queen phenom.

00;03;36;04 - 00;03;50;22

Craig Paul

And all is going well. The money's coming in. Everybody's happy. Casey's huge mistake is that he is unable to bring himself to tell his wife that he is now a drag queen. When she shows up at the bar one night. Hilarity ensues.

00;03;51;15 - 00;03;54;00

Malaika Hollist

Wow. This is there's a lot going on there for Casey.

00;03;54;12 - 00;03;57;22

Craig Paul

Oh, yeah. No, he's he's he's making all kinds of mistakes.

00;03;57;28 - 00;04;03;10

Malaika Hollist

Yeah. So so you play you played Tracy Mills in the show, right?

00;04;03;10 - 00;04;03;29

Craig Paul

Correct

00;04;04;07 - 00;04;15;07

Malaika Hollist

So I would love to know. Can you tell us a little bit more about that relationship? Is it a tough love relationship? Like, how does Tracy help Casey become this drag queen extraordinaire?

00;04;15;18 - 00;04;43;03

Craig Paul

Sure. Well, Tracy Mills has been around the block more than a couple of times. Tracy is a mature drag queen, and she's seen a lot. She's done a lot. And she knows a lot. And she has obvious affection for this puppy. But she is impatient with him and the easy assumptions that he makes about what they're doing and why.

00;04;43;04 - 00;05;19;20

Craig Paul

And there I think it's great that you mentioned tough love because Tracy has to read him the riot act a number of times and explain to him the importance of what they're doing, not just of course, they're there to make a living but it's more than that. It's the ability to to open up parts of your personality that have been stepped on your entire life, whatever your orientation And she is able to help make Casey a better man by helping him find the amazing woman that's within him, too.

00;05;19;29 - 00;05;23;15

Malaika Hollist

So how did you get involved in this play?

00;05;24;29 - 00;05;59;13

Craig Paul

Well, at Florida Studio Theater, I had auditioned for FST a number of times and been called back and called back and called back. And it never quite worked out. And I was beginning to think to myself Well, they like me, but they're obviously never going to hire me. But I think every actor goes through that constantly. I got a call from my friend Carol and Michael, who I met at the Oslo Theater many years ago, and she said, you know, they're doing The Legend of George McBride at Florida Studio Theater and you should audition for the role of Miss Tracy Mills.

00;05;59;19 - 00;06;15;06

Craig Paul

And I said, Thank you. I didn't know those auditions were coming up. I just Kate Alexander, the director, was in in New York, where I'm based. And I just went to the audition and holy moly, here I am.

00;06;15;17 - 00;06;20;17

Malaika Hollist

I love it. What has been your favorite part or is your favorite part about playing Tracy Mills?

00;06;21;26 - 00;06;22;24

Craig Paul

Oh.

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Malaika Hollist

haha

00;06;25;10 - 00;06;47;03

Craig Paul

I, I just I love everything about Tracy Milles I love the fact that Tracy Mills, as far as Tracy is concerned, she is a great lady. She is the Princess Grace of her own fantasy. I love the fact that she she's she's something of a southern belle, whether she is born to that or more likely that is put on.

00;06;48;05 - 00;07;17;03

Craig Paul

She's creating this reality for herself that sustains her and that gives her joy and that makes her feel important and thrilled with life. I also love the fact that she takes no crap from anyone and doesn't put up with bullshit I also love the fact that her taste in clothing is so unbelievably great. I've got about 14 costumes in this show and you know, each one more exciting than the last.

00;07;17;09 - 00;07;26;11

Craig Paul

Sometimes I catch myself in the mirror on my way to the stage, and I think I have no idea who that creature is. But she is beautiful.

00;07;27;05 - 00;07;28;07

Malaika Hollist

She's got it.

00;07;28;16 - 00;07;30;07

Craig Paul

She has got it. And then some

00;07;30;22 - 00;07;35;03

Malaika Hollist

Wow, that's amazing. Sounds like an amazing part to play.

00;07;35;18 - 00;07;38;14

Craig Paul

It's I it's one of the favorite roles I've ever done.

00;07;44;15 - 00;07;45;23

Musical Interlude VOICE

And take me.

00;07;57;02 - 00;08;18;01

Malaika Hollist

When it comes to the play, what do you feel as an actor in it? What do you feel is the strongest theme that you hope the play is able to give to the audience? I know they talk. I know it's a lot about family and creating ties with people who unexpectedly come together, finding your inner self, probably with the character of Casey.

00;08;18;01 - 00;08;21;17

Malaika Hollist

But I'm just curious, what do you feel is one of the strongest themes?

00;08;22;07 - 00;08;46;23

Craig Paul

Well, one of the themes that we do touch on in the show is the the place of drag in the history of gay and lesbian people in America, but also the place of jagged drag in the understanding of gender. The beauty of this play is that these themes are are conveyed through the medicine of laughter. I mean, it's it's a very funny play.

00;08;47;02 - 00;09;16;22

Craig Paul

It's it's wildly, wildly colorful and exciting. But as you're as you're laughing and watching and screaming. Yes. And dancing along with the drag queen, the numbers you are you're finding that the common humanity in these people who have found a safe space to express themselves, which has always been it's been the history of of drag in this country to a great degree the ability of people to to express themselves in an unsafe world.

00;09;17;00 - 00;09;24;26

Malaika Hollist

OK, so then as an actor, why do you love telling these kinds of stories? What what about it brings you the most joy.

00;09;26;29 - 00;09;53;00

Craig Paul

I think the interaction between the audience and the performers particularly in this piece is really exciting as an actor. I've seldom been in a play where the audience is literally screaming back at the stage and clapping and stomping and and dancing in the aisles. It's it's pretty intense. I mean, you don't get that with Ibsen or Chekhov, I can tell you that.

00;09;53;00 - 00;10;12;15

Malaika Hollist

But no, not quite the same material No. When it comes to representing the LGBTQ community and the drag world, what what do you hope that this play's doing best to honor that community? And what is it doing best to teach that community?

00;10;12;29 - 00;10;33;03

Craig Paul

Well, I think I think what's exciting is is showing the humanity of that community. I mean, these people these are this is not a play about saints. These people are not saintly people. They are flawed individuals. They are individuals with issues that they are working through.

00;10;35;03 - 00;10;58;29

Craig Paul

And I think there's nothing more human than that and there's nothing more universal than that. The humanity of these people is is universal. And I think I think that the I think the community has been pigeonholed so many times in so many different ways. You know, you you've had us as you know, predatory villains. And you've had us as, you know, as saintly martyrs.

00;10;58;29 - 00;11;19;10

Craig Paul

And you had us as all these things that that minimize us and in this play, these are really, really fully fleshed out, touching, funny, troubled people. And I think that humanity is it speaks to the US ness of all of us.

00;11;19;20 - 00;11;46;08

Malaika Hollist

Mm hmm. And I think it's nice to have, as you said, that I thought it is nice to have stories of that community that are just based in a very I don't want to use, you know, for a lack of a better word, a normal a normal experience. You know, there they're are there as a normal person going through normal troubles and trials and tribulations that every person has.

00;11;46;20 - 00;11;58;01

Malaika Hollist

And I think it's nice and important to share their stories in that way instead of having as you said, a bill. Nice version of that because that's not the case for every single person.

00;11;59;02 - 00;12;22;28

Craig Paul

Right. Right, right. You know, there's there's also there's there's a wonderful line in the play where one of one of the drag queens Rexes says to Casey, you know, drag is not for sissies. Mm hmm. You know, this is a it's a it's a tough gig. It's a tough job. And it requires tremendous character and strength and fortitude.

00;12;22;28 - 00;12;53;18

Craig Paul

On the part of the people doing it, you know, and it not just because you're tucking your testicles up inside your body cavity. I mean, although that's not easy, and and I I but I think, especially in the history of drag, the act of of gender transgression put you at physical peril in certain situations. And I think these, you know, these these people are to be celebrated for their sheer guts, you know, and their brass ovaries and their brass balls.

00;12;54;16 - 00;13;13;28

Malaika Hollist

Right. To just put themselves out there. Yeah, absolutely. And another theme that I know comes up in this play is the theme of coming together and I'm guessing that's happening throughout the play. Why do you think this is a theme we should all subscribe to? Just in our daily lives.

00;13;14;13 - 00;13;18;09

Craig Paul

Especially now. Well, let's let's begin.

00;13;19;09 - 00;13;20;03

Malaika Hollist

Do we have time?

00;13;20;14 - 00;13;51;19

Craig Paul

I think I mean, I think the idea of one's chosen family is is is pretty key. I think everybody understands the importance of family. And we certainly have a tradition in the arts of of naming that importance and celebrating it. But the idea of one's chosen family in addition to or sadly, in some case, in lieu of one's biological family is pretty potent.

00;13;53;01 - 00;14;19;20

Craig Paul

Some of these people in this play have family support networks that they can rely on. Some do not. Some are out there on their own. And it's a pretty tough it's a pretty tough road. And the idea that you make the decision, you make the choice to let people in and to care about them and to allow them to care about you and to take care of one another is really potent.

00;14;19;20 - 00;15;04;05

Craig Paul

And it's potent emotionally. It's potent economically. And it's it's something that I think more people than we'd like to imagine rely on for the very survival. Also, one of the things I love most about doing this show is like coming out of out of the stage door after the show, you occasionally encounter audience members. And I can't tell you how many times I've I've encountered, you know, you know, lovely, lovely senior ladies who who are literally dancing in the street after the show and they come running up saying this was the most fun I've had and I think I'm going to go home and play with makeup.

00;15;05;05 - 00;15;05;17

Malaika Hollist

Aww, you inspired.

00;15;06;10 - 00;15;31;17

Craig Paul

You know, Yeah, I think I think I think it's hard to watch this show and think to yourself, I think I might want to try on some false eyelashes just to see there is something for everyone in this play. Young people will will come and be thrilled with. You know, the drag element which is so part of our culture and discourse right now.

00;15;33;04 - 00;15;58;16

Craig Paul

There'll be people who come, who love the music. And because each drag queen has her own style. So there's there's country, there's pop, there are my favorite disco standards. I mean, you know, there's there's Gaga and there's, you know, Ariana Grande Day, and there's I mean, just you name it, we're doing it. So they should see that. It's a lot of laughs.

00;15;59;00 - 00;16;02;03

Craig Paul

I'd be shocked if you didn't cry at some point.

00;16;02;16 - 00;16;05;03

Malaika Hollist

One, can people come and see the show?

00;16;06;10 - 00;16;27;16

Craig Paul

Well, they can come see it any number of times. I would suggest they come more than once. You can come see the legend of George McBride at Florida Studio Theater downtown. It's playing from April six through May 22nd. And if they want to come see it, I would recommend them calling the FC box office or they can visit the website or something for everybody.

00;16;28;07 - 00;16;39;29

Malaika Hollist

Well, thank you again for being on the production put up by the Florida Studio Theater of The Legend of Georgia. McBride is coming your way soon, and thank you again for being on the podcast.

00;16;42;01 - 00;17;06;06

Malaika Hollist

How fun is Craig? So fun. We thank the Florida Studio Theater for their outstanding work and putting on a great show that can only enhance our community Make sure you get a ticket to their show at Florida Studio Theater dot org to see the legend of George McBride. Opening April 6th. We hope you enjoyed listening to this episode of the Arts Axis Florida Podcast.

00;17;06;18 - 00;17;35;02

Malaika Hollist

You can find more information on today's guests in the show notes. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram by Searching Arts Axis Florida. Or go to our Web site, Arts Axis Florida dot org to get access to the arts That's Arts A X I S dot org. Our show is a product of WUSF Public Media and made possible by our sponsors Community Foundation Tampa Bay and Gobioff Foundation.

00;17;35;20 - 00;17;44;27

Malaika Hollist

A special thanks to our editor Scott Wachtler and many more who make this show possible. Copyright 2022 WUSF Public Media.

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