La Cage's Robin De Jesus Shows Off His Hair Meringue and Other Backstage Goodies

Hair meringue? Check. Chutzpah cup? Check. With such an eclectic collection of dressing room treasures (including Shake Weights, which didn’t make the cut), you know we’re visiting a unique Broadway star: Robin De Jesus of La Cage aux Folles. The two-time Tony nominee, who wins laughs as feisty “maid” Jacob in the Tony-winning musical revival, welcomed Broadway.com to the backstage space he shares with A.J. Shively and saucily ticked off a list of his five favorite things.

Photo by Jenny Anderson for Broadway.com


“This is my Chutzpah cup, which was a gift from my mishpucha [family]. They call me ‘the honorary Jew.’”


“I have lots of photos: my family pics, my friends and my In the Heights photo book, which was our off-Broadway gift from the producers. It’s got amazing pictures from rehearsals through previews. It’s sort of my reminder of home.”


“Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue is my hair product of choice. It helps me out a lot, thank god. Have to have that!”


“Here’s my Bullshit button. Anytime something ridiculous happens, A.J. [Shively] and I hit this.” [He demonstrates— and a voice cries out, “Warning, warning, bullshit alert!”]


“My dance belt keeps all the goodies intact during the show. I have a lot of quick changes—a lot of short dresses, a lot of bikinis—and the goodies have to stay put. There are kids in the audience!”