billbiss

The one and only Cyndi Lauper is on the road again guest starring for the magnificent Rod Stewart. Having interviewed her back in 2003 for At Last, then for the opening year of her True Colors Foundation concert and her album, Bring Ya to the Brink… it once again was a distinct pleasure to talk with “that girl” who always wants to have fun, work hard and love what she is doing.

Showbiss: You must be having fun to reunite with Rod for this 2018 tour. Will you share how this second tour came to be and the experience of being on the road again for this?

Cyndi Lauper: I had a blast from the summer 2017 tour. So when this opportunity came along, I just couldn’t say no. Rod and I have so much fun touring together. We actually have a great deal in common. We both love to perform and can talk about music and fashion forever. He is quite the charming gent too; it’s always so much fun. He has a great band and a great crew… so it’s just a pleasure.

Showbiss: From calypso to disco, from country to jazz and rhythm and blues to the powerful anthems you have… your voice and talent have jumped genres of music over the years. Will you explain your joy of performing and being able to succeed in musical creativity?

Cyndi Lauper: I just love to perform! Everything from blues, country to dance, I just love them all. That’s why I don’t like to stick to one genre. I get inspired by life and great music and when I hear something that makes me excited I want to run into the studio and try it on myself. My next CD will be all new music.

Showbiss: That’s exciting. I won’t deny it and I’m mighty proud to say; I talked with you for your At Last album fifteen years ago, we talked again for the debut of your True Colors tour in 2007 and then again for your album Bring Ya to the Brink. P.s. Do you still have that “Gilda” dress ?

Cyndi Lauper: I keep everything in storage! They are all part of me.

Showbiss: Now, my husband Tom and I are celebrating our tenth-year wedding anniversary in October of this year and next year, we will have been together for 25 years.

What are the latest developments on your True Colors Foundation? Also, now in 2018, your thoughts on the current state of affairs for the LGBT community?

Cyndi Lauper: This is a big year for the True Colors Fund as we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary. We have made so much progress over the past decade towards preventing and ending youth homelessness, particularly for LGBTQ youth, but we still have a long way to go, especially at the state level. So, we just released the State Index on Youth Homelessness, a game-changing report that evaluates all 50 states on how they are responding to the issue and provides a roadmap on how each state can improve their efforts. People can learn more and urge their governor to do a better job at truecolorsfund.org/index.

We are living in very, very challenging times. While the LGBTQ community has made tremendous progress in over the past decade, we still got a lot work to do to make sure we do not go backwards and that we push forward where ever we can. We all need to make sure we are letting our voices be heard, especially on Election Day. If there was ever a time to stand up for what you believe in, today is the day.

Showbiss: “Hot legs… I love ya honey!” My brother had Every Picture Tells a Story and I had the 45 record “Maggie May.” This tour must be the Queens gal meets Buckingham Palace. Though at heart, Rod Stewart is just an old-fashioned rogue. What is one of your happiest memories or funniest one so far touring with Rod?

Cyndi Lauper: I don’t think I can name one. We just have so much fun together. We sing and laugh night after night – there is no one like Rod. This girl can’t ask for a better touring companion.

Showbiss: Lastly for now, I see Sutton Foster in the Sigourney Weaver role for your Working Girl Broadway show and Megan Hilty in the Melanie Griffith role. These characters are both the same age in the film and it would be excellent to see Foster in less of a sweet way, plus Megan’s last solo CD truly shows she can be vulnerable in a big way. Can’t think of the Harrison Ford role but maybe Levi Kreis.

How is your work on this adaptation of the film going for the stage? I hope this rings brightly just as the success of Kinky Boots does.

Cyndi Lauper: We are in the middle of it. I’m sorry but I can’t divulge too much, but the piece is in great shape and I’m excited about it. I’m taking a short break from writing songs to be on the road with Rod, but will be back in the studio this fall and winter. But I am so excited about this show. It’s going to have it all; heart, a message, and uplifting music to make you cry, laugh and dance.

Showbiss: Thank you again Cyndi and enjoy the rest of the summer of 2018!