By Megan Fitzgerald, PhD, Associate Professor
In Key West the last thing anyone needs to worry about is waiting for the other shoe to drop—because there’s truly just one. On New Year’s Eve, as the countdown to midnight begins, La te da’s Randy Roberts will take center shoe as the 8-foot-long red glittered heel drops from the balcony at Bourbon St. Pub.
The New Year’s Eve festivities kick off with Roberts’ full show at 8 pm in the Crystal Room at La te da, seating is limited so advance ticket purchase is recommended. Then a free show featuring live entertainment on Bourbon St. Pub’s Duval Street stage follows at 9 pm and the shoe drop at midnight.
Roberts, who calls himself the luckiest performer in the world, has become a Key West must-see, with his show running for 26 years at La te da. Roberts will be the third person to step into the shoe, following Sushi’s 25-year tenure and Christopher Peterson last year. OutClique had the chance to chat with Roberts as he prepares to fill one really big shoe.
Megan Fitzgerald: How did you find out that you were chosen for the shoe drop?
Randy Roberts: I was having dinner with friends in London, England on October 1, and I got a Facebook message from Patrick Gallineaux, who will co-emcee the shoe drop show with Bria Ansara., asking if I was interested. He also works with the Bourbon St. Pub owner Joe Schroeder.
Megan Fitzgerald: Wow!
Randy Roberts: Yeah, right before dessert. It made for a good dessert. I’m also really grateful to Christopher Rounds of La te da for letting us move my show earlier to accommodate the shoe drop.
Megan Fitzgerald: How has living in Key West influenced your work and artistic expression?
Randy Roberts: I think the diversity of people that come here. The acceptance in Key West. It has a very village towny feel to it, but it’s also very open. When I got here, in the eighties, and then when I came back in 1998 it was not uncommon to go to dinner at someone’s house, and on your right was the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Across the table was a Pulitzer prize-winning author, and next to them was the bar-back from the restaurant down the street. Everybody was accepted. So, you were made to feel comfortable, to do what you do best and try things out as long as you were authentic with it. So, Key West allowed me to try and thrive and grow. I also got here at the right time with the right thing. My show was what they were looking for when I got here. And they’ve gone along on the ride with me. Saturday night at my show, I had a couple come to me and say, we’ve been together 25 years, and we saw your show 25 years ago—here.
Megan Fitzgerald: What words would you use to describe New Year’s Eve in Key West?
Randy Roberts: Out of control at times, festive and raucous!
Megan Fitzgerald: How does the shoe drop reflect the vibe of Key West?
Randy Roberts: Well, everything looks better with a good shoe! And I think there’s also a little bit of the Wizard of Oz, because it is a ruby slipper. It’s a big red shoe. So, you’re over the rainbow when you’re in Key West.
Megan Fitzgerald: Why do you think events like the shoe drop are important for Key West?
Randy Roberts: These events bring everyone together. It doesn’t matter—race, creed, color, sexual orientation, political affiliation. People come there to watch a drag queen get lowered in a big old shoe in Key West, Florida. Where else does that happen?
Author: Megan Fitzgerald, PhD, Associate Professor
