By John Hayden
May 18, 2023
The Parker | www.ParkerPlayhouse.com
Margaret Cho is livid, and rightfully so. So naturally, she’s hitting the road with a new tour, Margaret Cho: Live & Livid. She’s coming to The Parker on May 18, 2023. Cho talked with OutClique about being back in South Florida, her professional resurgence, and all the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community.
“There are so many things going on that are so unjust and so infuriating, I think the only way to deal with them is through laughter and trying to make sense of it through comedy,” she said.
Seriously Funny
In the middle of a career renaissance, Cho should be having the time of her life. And she is. But her excitement and joy are tempered by attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community at all levels from street violence to state-sanctioned discrimination.
OutClique talked with Cho just days after several mass shootings targeting the Asian community. You could hear the grief and anger in her voice. “There’s so much at stake right now in terms of how we are going to stay alive. There are so many shootings. Why do we have to have all these guns? People are getting killed all the time.”
She also railed against attacks on reproductive rights, education, and LGBTQIA+ rights in state houses. Cho expects to work all these topics into her show. “That’s the challenge but I’m up for it. There’s a lot to say in really coming to terms with our own mortality. We’re at a crossroads and we’ve been here for a while. We’re not going to live through this if we don’t do something.”
Also look for Cho to take aim at the state’s governor. “He has ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ so I’m not going to say DeSantis. I like to call him Puss In Boots.”
South Florida Fun
“I love how gay it is! Florida is so gay to me.” Despite Florida’s peculiar politics, she’s still stoked to return to Fort Lauderdale.
“The governor doesn’t typify Florida. To me, South Florida is where Madonna had a house. It’s where all the DJs would come see me when I played South Beach. It’s its own kind of gay universe. It’s fashion, it’s sun, it’s Cuban food, it’s got a great Latino population. It’s a really diverse place and I love that.”
The fact that South Florida, and especially Broward County, is so pro-LGBTQIA+ adds another level to her excitement. “I love it! Even if it is a ‘blue bubble,’ there’s a lot to be said to our community.”
Speaking Her Mind
For thirty years, Cho has made a career by saying what’s on her mind. From her Asian family to sex positivity to politics, nothing is off limits. She’s been a gay icon since she burst onto the scene in the 1990s and has completely leaned into the role.
After so many decades on stage and screen, most stars would be ready to retire or fade away. Not so for Cho. She’s been on a career upswing for years and the past twelve months highlight her journey. She snagged two GLAAD nominations this year, one for Fire Island (Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV), and for her appearance on the Spirit Day episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show (Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode). She believes the awards will amplify her message. “It’s great and I’m really grateful to have those accolades. We have to figure out what we’re gonna do about all of this homophobic rhetoric out there.”
This year she appeared on the Apple TV+ series, Helpsters. The puppet show embodies positive values including compassion, cooperation, and inclusion. Fans who have followed her for years would have expected any collaboration with puppets would involve something more along the lines of Avenue Q, and she agrees. “That would be great!”
But her guest appearance on Helpsters is just what she, and her followers, need right now. “I love Helpsters. They’re so cute and the creatures are so adorable. It’s a lot of fun.”
She also wowed fans during her appearance on the Netflix Is A Joke comedy festival special. Drop Dead Divas is also finding a new fan base from streaming audiences. Cho has also recently popped up on LGBTQIA+ themed shows including The L Word: Generation Q and History of the World: Part II.
Despite the waterfall of recognition, Cho is looking out for her fellow entertainers. “We need to protect our drag queens. That’s important.”
She didn’t expect to have to be defending drag entertainment, but has a guess at why it’s under attack. “Drag queens are a strange target. They’re the most joyful part of our community. Maybe that’s why they’re being attacked. They’re trying to attack us where our joy lives.”
You’ll hear all about that and more when she returns to South Florida, a night she’s truly looking forward to. “I haven’t been there for a long time and I’m looking forward to coming back and seeing everyone.”
