Temperamentals Star Michael Urie on His Ugly Betty End and Bright Stage Future

Back when he was another bright-eyed hopeful training at the famed Juilliard School, Michael Urie had one “impossible dream”: to land a leading role on a successful TV series filmed in New York City. He got his wish with ABC’s Ugly Betty, the comedy starring America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams set in the snarky world of a high-fashion magazine called Mode. What Urie never dreamed is that he’d end up juggling his dream gig with a leading role off-Broadway, a test of endurance the actor’s been pulling off as star of The Temperamentals for much of the past year. Part history lesson, part forbidden love story, the hot-button play—a summer 2009 hit that recently transferred to New World Stages, where it opens February 28—features Urie (who officially came out in June 2009) as real-life fashion designer Rudi Gernreich, a man whose love affair with communist Harry Hay (Thomas Jay Ryan) in pre-Stonewall America broke a myriad of taboos. Shortly before previews began, Ugly Betty was cancelled, ending Urie’s five-season run as adorable gay assistant Marc. St. James, but he's plenty busy with his stage success. Urie recently gave Broadway.com the skinny on his duo of high-fashion roles, being pigeonholed as a “gay leading man” and why he’s not surprised Betty got the ax.

What made you say, “I want to do this play?”
It's beautifully written, a wonderful role. I first read the play almost six years ago, and made it a point to hold onto the character at all costs.

Did you know anything about Rudi Gernreich going into this project?
No, and I didn't know about the Mattachine Society [the early gay activism society founded by Gernreich's lover, Harry Hay] either. It was a huge history lesson for me.

How have you and Thomas Jay Ryan built the chemistry we see between Rudy and Harry onstage?
It was pretty easy. Tom's a genius. Anytime I don't know what to do or can't wrap my head around a moment, I just look into his eyes and an impulse comes out of me.

Between Ugly Betty and now playing a designer on stage, have you overdosed on fashion?
Let's just say I don't need to play a character who works in fashion again for a long time! I've loved getting to know the world through these two roles, but I'm a fish out of water. I'm never more stressed out than when I'm getting ready for an event—especially a fashion event.

What has been the most significant lesson you’ve taken away from being part of this play so far?
Having done the play in two previous incarnations, it's already the most performances I've ever done of one piece, and now we're doing more. So I'd say stamina and consistency have been vital lessons learned.

Have you been surprised by the staying power of The Temperamentals?
No, I knew it was good. I had a feeling it would have the same impact on audiences that it had on me when I first read it.

This play has made OUT magazine’s 100 List and was nominated for a GLAAD award, but is certainly not the first show to deal with gay themes. What makes The Temperamentals stand out?
It's a history lesson. It's not your usual "coming out story," and it's not the usual activism story—it’s unique unto itself. The men in this story were truly pioneers.

How did you juggle filming Ugly Betty with Temperamentals performances? Weren’t you exhausted?
Yes! There were nights when I arrived at the theater three minutes before [curtain]! It was crazy and very tough. Being back in rehearsals while shooting [has been] much harder, because the play's two hours, and rehearsal can be looong.

Between Ugly Betty and this play, are you ever concerned with being pigeonholed as the “gay leading man?”
Too late! A casting director once told me you have to be typecast before you can be cast. I was pigeonholed the minute Ugly Betty was a hit, but if I hadn't been on the show I wouldn’t be doing things like this interview. So, while it might prohibit me from playing Stanley Kowalski, I'm working and doing great parts.

What kind of role would really push you as an actor?
There are lots of roles that would push me—so many Chekhov roles that are super hard, and lots of Shakespeare I'd love to sink my teeth into. There's no kind of part I wouldn't at least consider playing, except porn –which I wouldn't do!

You’ve become something of a sex symbol—are you comfortable with that? And how do you keep your perspective in what can be such a looks-based industry?
Am I on Punk’d? A sex symbol?! Wow! It is a looks-based industry and that can be tough, but luckily the roles I play aren't always looks-based. Often the roles defined as "hot" are boring, and I don't wanna play 'em anyway.

You’ve played your own sexuality close to the vest in the past. Why did you choose to do that?
It's always a gamble when making your private life public. [That goes] for anyone, and whether it's a sexual orientation issue or something else. Actors need to maintain some kind of mystery.

Were any of your concerns about owning your sexuality with the media warranted?
Sure—I’ve taken a little flack for owning it, but mostly [it’s] been met with wonderful support. Time will tell though.

Do you feel the issues raised in The Temperamentals still exist today? What obstacles, besides the obvious marriage equality and "don’t ask, don’t tell," do members of the GLBTQ community have to contend with in 2010?
We've come a long way, but there are still battles to fight. I think a further step towards equality (other than the issues you mention) is humor. "Gay" jokes are still an accepted part of society, and they somehow suggest a negative connotation. Like when something is stupid, it's "gay." That doesn't make sense to me.

Patti LuPone played your mother on Ugly Betty. What was it like working with her?
I've learned a lot over the years from watching her. Even from my early days at Juilliard I've always looked at her career as inspirational. She's been able to navigate the different mediums so successfully, and she's good in all of them.

Patti’s one of many amazing costars on your resume. Have you ever been starstruck by anyone?
I was nervous all day the day Bernadette Peters came to the set. She was a real idol of mine as a teenager, and continues to be someone I'd drop everyone to see. She was amazing and lovely, and we've become friends [since]. It was at her concert that I became starstruck climbing over Martin Short to get to my seat. [He’s] another idol of mine and I was flabbergasted when he knew my name!

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve gotten about working in show biz?
"Say yes to everything," which I believe came from Kathleen McNenny, who taught a "business of acting" type class at Juilliard. I think that's great advice to any actor starting out, because while all jobs won't lead to others, you'll never be sure which will and which won't.

Spill on your recent Fienstein’s cabaret with Ugly Betty co-star Becki Newton, Becki and Michael IS Broadway? How did that get hatched?
Since we've been on TV, Beck and I have been consistently asked to make appearances and sing songs at these cabaret-type shows and benefits. We've always found them more fun together than apart. So, in looking back at our crazy repertoire of silly cabaret appearances, we decided we should just put on our own show. Thus, Becki and Michael IS Broadway was born. Working with Becki is so effortless, and our warped senses of humor fit perfectly together. It's been the greatest joy to create. My old school buddy Lance Horne is our musical director and he fits right in.

Were you surprised by the cancellation of Ugly Betty?
Not surprised—our numbers weren't strong this season. The demand for ratings on a network show is so huge—if we were on a cable network, we'd still be kicking ass. We all hoped for another year. It would've been great to explore Betty's life post-braces for a while! But I think we're going out on top creatively, and that's better than crumbling in every way.

Is there any part of not being on a regular TV series you’re looking forward to?
For the last four years it's been virtually impossible to make plans, as the work schedule is ever-changing. It'll be nice to know better what my week is like.

What would your ideal next step be?
I think it's time to throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and see what sticks. There are lots of theater projects I could get behind, and there are also TV characters I'd be interested in playing. I'd love to be my own boss, directing and producing. Mostly I want to continue to make a living doing what I love, and have fun while I'm doing it. I'm very lucky to have a career.

See Michael Urie in The Temperamentals at New World Stages.