The multi-talented Bryan Batt, a star of Broadway musicals, hit TV shows, and an author and designer, brings his cabaret show "Batt on a Hot Tin Roof" to the newest cabaret venue at the Hotel Rex, August 15 through 17.
Television viewers will know Batt from his dramatic performance as Sal Romano, the closeted gay advertising man in the hit series "Mad Men." His real life is quite different, having been out and partnered for more than two decades.
Being gay is just one part of his story-filled cabaret show, which Batt premiered in New York City in January, and in Australia last year.
"I'm performing in London right before my San Francisco appearance, with a few days back in New Orleans. I have a week off," he said, before hesitating, with a chuckle, "...I think!"
Of his multi-city tour, Batt recalled, "Tennessee Williams said that there are only three cities; New York, San Francisco and New Orleans." The Louisiana native joked that his slight accent, "comes and goes, depending on where I am and how many martinis I've had."
While in the Big Easy, he stops by the shop he opened with his life and business partner, Tom Cianfichi. One of Batt's books, "Big, Easy Style" visualizes his eclectic taste and reflects the items showcased at Hazelnut, their shop on Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans. Like both books, Batt's shop reflects his close family ties. It's named after his "nutty" grandmother Hazel.
Batt's other book is a memoir, "She Ain't Heavy, She's My Mother," about growing up in the 1970s with his Auntie Mame of a mom. "She was great and very supportive," he said. "There's a lot of her in my show."
And a bit of New Orleans, which, he said, "has such soul, and a sense of history. It's one of few cities that cherish its architecture. I often find beautiful houses in neighborhoods I hadn't explored."
Originally conceived as a few songs at a benefit for local performing artists after Hurricane Katrina, "Batt on a Hot Tin Roof" blends popular music with stories and a few of Batt's lesser known favorite tunes.
Madly, Deeply
Returning to the subject of "Mad Men," Batt pointed out that antigay discrimination portrayed in the early 1960s, "unfortunately was and is commonplace." He said he was proud to devlop such a nuanced character struggling with the closet in a pre-Stonewall era.
"We had no idea when we filmed the pilot in 2006 that it would be this huge hit. I love the people on the show; just to be able to do work at that level. Never before had I felt so supported by the writers and costume designers. No one was gonna make anyone look bad. The scripts were so brilliantly written. We were always complimenting the writers, and they us. It was a lovefest. When you're given scripts like that, you have to work hard to make it work."
After Batt's success on Mad Men, the dramatic departure of his character in the third season gave him a bit of free time, and the dream of his design shop became a reality.
"It was an additional plan, just something we always wanted to do," said Batt. "I had the time and it really just fell into place. We opened up the store, and then I got another Broadway show."
Batt advises that "anyone in the arts should do something else in the real world. Show biz is such an insane business. You're constantly looking for work, constantly having to prove yourself whether they cast you or not. I love designing and the retail aspect of it all. It's a great change of pace."
Not one to rest on his laurels, but Batt has been in some of the biggest musical theatre successes, including "Starlight Express," "Cats" (Munkustrap, a singing dancing cat) and "Beauty and the Beast" (Lumiere, a singing dancing candelabra). Off-Broadway, he created the role of Darius in Paul Rudnick's gay comedy "Jeffrey."
"When I got cast, I wanted to put in my program bio that it was nice was to be playing a human being," he laughed. "They said no."
Batt returned to the role in the film adaptation of "Jeffrey." "They wanted to keep a lot of the original people from the show," said Batt. "Some of the other actors played various roles, but we all had to audition again. I was very lucky."
Lucky or very talented? Batt's resume is a colorful list of hit shows. He performed in "La Cage Aux Folles," the musical based on the French film, about a gay couple (he played Albin), as well as "Seussical the Musical," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and many other shows (see more at www.bryanbatt.com). And yet, despite his decades of stage experience, Batt said he was "petrified" to premiere his solo act.
"I'd never done anything like it other than one song at a benefit," he said. "It was the most thrilling-nerve-wracking experience. It's just you, your stories, and what you have to say. You're really bearing your soul. And if something goes wrong, you have to work with it."
The best advice he received was from Betty Buckley, with whom he performed in the musical adaptation of "Sunset Boulevard." "She said, 'There's no fourth wall, no character. You have to connect to the audience.'"
Bon Temps
Asked about local nightlife, Batt offered his take a typically classy night where les bon temps rouler.
"First it involves a fabulous meal with friends, then sitting on one of those great French quarter balconies, having a cocktail or martini." He added with a chuckle, "Then we look down at the passersby and play, 'Who Would You Do?' "
For dining, Batt mentioned Tableaux, a new acclaimed restaurant opened by a friend. "It has a huge wrap-around balcony overlooking Jackson Square."
For drinks, he likes the trendy and very gay-friendly nightclub SoBu (South of Bourbon), possibly because he was honored to name a drink, "The Georgia O'Keefe; it's pink, like a labia."
Of course the city's known for the large-scale, days-long Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence festivals. But Batt considers even these tourist-invaded events as doable.
"What people don't know about Mardi Gras: It depends on where you stay and how much you want to take in. I can catch the parade and then get away only a few blocks back.
"If you're on the route, though, you're kind of stuck. There's really something for everybody, and a lot of regular folk watch and participate."
Bryan Batt performs at the Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter St. $49-$75. Drinks and dinner available. August 15, 16, & 17 at 8 p.m., and Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. 562 Sutter St. (800) 982-2787. www.societycabaret.com www.BryanBatt.com