The concept of the Boy Next Door is an archaic notion that goes back to the days of Judy Garland, Mystery Date board game and Archie Andrews from the comics. It implies wholesomeness and charm without pushing the "sexy" quotient too far. He would be the vanilla date who doesn't over step. The one you could bring home to meet the parents. But then also, the one most likely to be your buddy and friend instead of the one to sneak off into the backseat with.
Michael Urie would be That Guy for me. Not oozing the sexuality of a Jake Gyllenhaal or the leading man image of a Chris Evans. But I defy anyone to deny that he is aging like a fine wine and comes up aces in everything he sets out to conquer.
I was first amused by him in Ugly Betty as the eccentric Marc St. James. He had incredible chemistry with Vanessa Williams and Becki Newton. He was witty, had an impeccable fashion sense and spitfire comic timing. I am 20 years older than him, but I assume he became somewhat of a role model for young teens that were itching to see where they registered in terms of their sexuality.
I became aware that he was next seen on Broadway in the revival of How To Succeed In Business in a supporting role. I thought maybe it was "star" turn until I realized the stage was where he had really planted his roots. Being a Julliard grad gives him strong pedigree. He succeeds in any genre he takes on. He was riveting in both the revival of Torch Song Trilogy as well as the title role in Hamlet with the Shakespeare Theater Co. I was gobsmacked watching his backstage antics where he recited Hamlet dressing room speeches in costume & character as Arnold from Torch Song. A maniacal mash-up. During the pandemic, I was also astounding when he recreated his role in Buyer and Cellar, a one man show about tending to Barbra Streisand's menagerie of collectables. He dazzled in a live stream filmed entirely in his own studio apartment. Filmed exclusively by his amazing partner Ryan, it was a highlight of that very dark time.
He continues to push boundaries on stage in new works and also demands change in our social norms of what is "normal" for an openly gay male. Single All the Way on Netflix may not have been groundbreaking material. But it was a sincere story that was authentically told. Watching it a second time this holiday season a year later, I was still as smitten with him.
These are all his accolades as a performer. But back to that Boy Next Door quality he possesses... Rather than vanilla, he comes full scale in all the colors of the rainbow. He is genuine, articulate, has great humor and boundless enthusiasm. I admire so much how he and his partner Ryan Spahn celebrate each other's work, collaborate together, and then at other times are just present for the other. Today Ryan had a post with pics of them "eventing." That is a true relationship. I am constantly amazed that the two of them almost always respond to a comment I have made on their social media. It shows that they both listen and are hardly swept up in the paparazzi of the great work they both continue to do. Michael speaks with wisdom and candor. And as for that "sexy"? This fabulous feature in this month's Photobook checks that box off the list as well. Still an impeccable fashion sense. Photos by Ben Cope.
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