By ALEX VAUGHN
Jennifer McClain has been a staple of Wilton Manors cabaret life for over a decade. She sat down with Agenda to discuss the highs and lows of her time on the Drive, and the future.
How long have you been performing in Wilton Manors?
As a cabaret performer, off and on for the last 12 years. Within that time, I hosted karaoke, which is not really performing, but it’s a 5 hour stretch of acting like you are really happy to be there. I love going, but it makes me a horrible person.
What do you enjoy most about performing?
When I do a song or tell a joke that connects with the audience. Maybe they aren’t all paying attention, but there is that one guy who I see who you can tell is connected to what I am singing; it reminds him of something .
What gets you going at Alibi?
Of course, there is my all-spontaneous show at Alibi every Saturday. It’s almost like a piano bar where I do nothing but requests. I love scripted, too, but because I have a vast repertoire, I like to judge by the audience. When I tell a story, God knows they are all true; I don’t need to make anything up with my life! I can just jump into a song.
What is the benefit with working within the gay community?
For me, my favorite type of songs to sing are the show tunes. When I first came down here I figured it was perfect. Traditionally, people who like show tunes tend to be gay or seniors, so I figured I was set. They are open to variety – plus I get to be all glamorous.
How do people react to you in the day?
[Laughs] Well, I saw this kid in gym and he yelled out, “I thought you were a drag queen!” People always check out the hair, due to extensions. I used to not go out without a full face of makeup, but now I’m like, ‘it’s ridiculous to go to the gym in makeup!’
Have you ever been tempted to go further afield?
I have, but I really love Saturday nights at the Alibi; those nights are really fun and great. People ask all the time why I don’t go to straight bars. I say, “you know what, all my friends are here and this is where everyone I know is.” I do work at a resort once a week, but I tend to do the best with the gay community or the senior citizens, because of my musical style and sense of humor. I’ll always go for the double entendre rather than the dick jokes; I’m not comfortable with that … but I’ll imply the heck out of it.
Have you ever wanted to try for a show like American Idol?
No. Yes and no. First of all, I’m not a fan of contests in general – either being a judge or a contestant. There is enough judgement without needing to put yourself out there for the express purpose of being judged. As for American Idol, I have always been above their age limit!
What about America’s Got Talent?
I had a friend who did that show and it’s expensive. You have to get to audition, then you have to take a leave of absence from work and a lot of them tell you what to sing. Contestants are a lot more limited than you would think.
Any plans for cutting a CD?
I actually have one – it was supposed to be one of many. It’s country music; the next one never happened. But I did a quick down and dirty Christmas album. The country went out in 2006; I now give them away – sometimes as tips to removal men! I would like to do one that is truer to what I sing; I love songs that tell stories. I would love to do more of a Broadway standard CD; I just haven’t found the right person to work with yet.
Where would you really like to go in the future?
What I’d really like to do next is a bit of travelling, some out of town engagements, like the RSVP cruises and Atlantis. I don’t think I would like to move … I love it here! My one woman show is in New York, called ‘Lady Swigs the Booze’ with a live accompanist. I just haven’t been able to get up there!
Are there any disadvantages to working within the community?
I’m single.
When you look back over your career here, what’s the highlight?
It wasn’t the theme parks [Laughs] … um … oh my God, how could I forget? I did the New Year’s Eve travel pride as a headline with Coco Peru. That was totally amazing.
Now, what’s the biggest cringe moment?
I am able to laugh at anything I can do personally, so that limits the cringe factor [pause], but I have [laughs]. I am afraid to say it because people will know what I am talking about. This was right after Pridefest. Any time there’s a day celebration the crowd is rowdy!
There was a woman who obviously was drunk, who kept dancing in front of the stage. People tried to make her move. All of a sudden, someone else came in and they made out right in front of me. It was so awkward! I turned lights off, the music stopped and I called for security. It was so bad, I know the guy well and my parents were in the audience. If it had been two guys kissing that would have been fine! [Laughs] It was the first 30 minutes of the show! I have had people participate ‘a bit too much’ but usually later in the show!
Of course there was the drunken lesbian who was flashing me at Bill’s one time … with no bra … and she wasn’t a lipstick lesbian either. I love lesbians.
What social influences do you think affect your popularity, and how do you think your show helps the community?
Facebook. Absolutely. I use it as a marketing tool. I try to always say funny comments. A lot of stuff on my page is exaggerated. I don’t do Jaeger shots at the gym!
My mom and dad bring in their friends, four straight women in their 60’s. I think me being there is bringing more straight people into the gay community, which I like.
So what’s next for Jennifer?
I’m still working on getting back up to New York, planning to go up to Fire Island and Rehoboth Beach. I will be involved in the Broward Bares It in August. I am super excited, because I will have a dance troupe; it will be a full on production.
Jennifer performs every Saturday at Georgie’s Alibi between 8-11ish in the Manchester Room
Jennifer.mcclain@comcast.net or find her on Facebook (she loves it!)