So, Scissorhandz. Speak.
Very exciting. Scissorhandz. Well, you know Edward Scissorhands – you’ve seen, know and love it – I’ve been a fan of that film for a long time so when I heard that they were doing this musical in Los Angeles I was all in. When you watch Edward Scissorhands it’s an unabashadely emotional and well-done movie but you’re very sad and it is for me a story about misfits and ‘where do I fit in?’ and I’ve always been a misfit and never had a place where I felt I belonged until I found the LGBTQIA+ community and I feel like that’s why it speaks to so many queer people.
It’s the same as the movie then?
So the Scissorhandz musical is the same story but with a twist on the ending and not only that but it’s uplifting. And we have a non-binary Scissorhandz with Jordan Kybernat. I think it gives everyone what they get from the film but, when you can leave feeling good instead of sad and fulfilled, then it’s a kind of a gamechanger. And obviously the music… everyone knows every song and there’s something beautiful about that. There’s Taylor Swift and Gaga and Alanis Morissette and Leona Lewis, the songs and the tracks go on and on.
No Seduction [the band Michelle was in back in the ’90s]?
[Laughs] No! We want the tickets to sell, we don’t want to repel.
You shut your mouth, Heartbeat is a masterpiece.
That is a good song, you have good taste.
As co-producer, what do you actually have to do?
I’m co-producing it with Lance Bass of N’Sync.
Did you know him before?
Yes, we’ve been friends for a long time. We both come from girl groups. Just kidding. As co-producer I get to be involved in the whole picture – go to rehearsals, see everything. Obviously, I would have loved to be in it but timing and everything but that doesn’t mean I won’t eventually perhaps… But I said I wanted to be involved so they said why don’t you produce? So I’m helping be one of the faces of it and you get to have fun from the sidelines, watching and being involved. The director and the writer, Bradley Bredowick is a very talented friend of mine and I get to give my opinions and just love it.
Do they take notice of your opinions or is it ‘thanks very much, goodbye’?
Probably the latter, but I’ll take it. [Laughs] But I’m just so excited and thrilled and Bradley doesn’t need my opinion because he’s just so talented and brilliant and twisted and he gets what it’s all about and he’s a lover of music and he’s an incredible director and there’s no question of his eye and his talent but knowing we have a subject that we all know and love and making it really gay and really camp and the fact that it’s a safe space and it’s a pop-music parody extravaganza… It’s also perfect for all ages and everyone’s welcome.
[Picture: Handout] Scissorhandz starts at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 23rd January. Tickets from scissorhandzthemusical.com/
- https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/arts/2023/12/22/-scissorhands–a-musical-tribute–at-the-bourbon-room – Corroborates the existence of ‘Scissorhands: A Musical Tribute’ in Los Angeles, the involvement of Jordan Kai Burnett, and the musical’s themes and song selection.
- https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/arts/2023/12/22/-scissorhands–a-musical-tribute–at-the-bourbon-room – Supports the information about the musical’s origins, its run at the Bourbon Room, and the emotional and thematic resonance with the LGBTQIA+ community.
- https://playbill.com/article/scissorhands-a-musical-tribute-will-return-to-los-angeles-for-limited-engagement – Provides details about the musical’s return to Los Angeles, the cast, and the creative team involved, including Bradley Bredeweg as writer and director.
- https://playbill.com/article/scissorhands-a-musical-tribute-will-return-to-los-angeles-for-limited-engagement – Lists the songs featured in the musical, including those by Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Alanis Morissette.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/01/michelle-visage-queer-reimagining-edwards-scissorhands-scissorhandz/ – Details Michelle Visage’s involvement as a co-producer for a queer reimagining of Edward Scissorhands in the UK, titled ‘Scissorhandz: A Musical Reinvented’.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/01/michelle-visage-queer-reimagining-edwards-scissorhands-scissorhandz/ – Describes the UK production as a ‘radical, raucous’ parody pop musical celebrating queer individuality and self-expression.
- https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/arts/2023/12/22/-scissorhands–a-musical-tribute–at-the-bourbon-room – Explains the emotional connection of the musical to misfits and the LGBTQIA+ community, and how it differs from the original film’s ending.
- https://playbill.com/article/scissorhands-a-musical-tribute-will-return-to-los-angeles-for-limited-engagement – Confirms the involvement of Jordan Kai Burnett as Scissorhands and other cast members in the Los Angeles production.
- https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/arts/2023/12/22/-scissorhands–a-musical-tribute–at-the-bourbon-room – Highlights the musical’s evolution and its message of self-acceptance and love.
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