A Conversation with Doris Dear

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Doris Dear

The trees are being decorated, the lights are being strung, presents are being wrapped. That can mean only one thing: it’s the Christmas Season and time for another edition of the Doris Dear Christmas Special. Doris returns to NYC’s Triad Theater December 16-18 at 7 pm and, as always, will host a group of her talented friends to sing in the season.

Doris is a multiple MAC Award winning singer, entertainer, comedienne, and actress. “Americas Perfect Housewife” has been seen on countless stages around the globe and in movies and TV shows such as The Carrie Diaries, Boardwalk Empire, Men in Black 3, The Normal Heart,” and more.

We had the chance to speak with Doris about her upcoming special.

Cabaret Scenes You have been hailed as “America’s Perfect Housewife.” Is it a burden to carry such a distinction?
Doris Dear Hi! Thank you for chatting with me today! My mother Taffy was the original “Perfect Housewife.” She taught me so much about life and how to make it special. When I was dubbed “America’s Perfect Housewife.” I realized I had a lot to live up to. When I am on stage, I am honoring my family, so living up to that title is a major part of what I do. Never a burden, always a joy! 

CS You advertising is very whimsical. Who transformed you into an illustration?
DD Thanks! My original color illustrations (2 of them) were done by an amazing artist Tess Fowler. She has worked in the comic book industry for some time as well as has created some wonderful album covers for major recording artists. We got to know each other and she totally got my aesthetic. She wanted to do this for me and she created 2 wonderful depictions of Doris in her habitat…The Rumpus Room!

CS You are a very busy person and, like all entertainers, love the experience of performing before a live audience. How did you stay creative during the lockdown?
DD I am always creating. I love the process of creativity and how it enriches my life. I love the process whether it be writing a new show or helping to produce commercial and non-profit theater. I sat back and let the idea of lockdown settle in. I watched what other artists were doing. I decided to go back to my hosting days. I spent about 10 years on national TV hosting shows for HGTV, Food Network, and more. I took my “brand” of “Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk” and created a “lifestyle talk show” that really encompasses all that I love. I created my set inside my home, hired my amazing DP (director of photography), Alex Pearlman, and my musical director Blake Allen, and created a place for friends to drop by, share a cocktail, and tell stories about being an artist! Blake wrote an amazing theme song for me and did all the incidental music (available on iTunes and most other music streaming services) and Alex and I went out and shot the opening sequence in Times Square. We were a team and I simply adored working with them to create something I am very proud of. PS… Season 3 is running now!!!

CS Your show, Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk, which has been honored with a Silver Telly Award, can be seen streaming on Broadway on Demand. With so many shows to choose from, how do you keep yours fresh and interesting to keep the audience coming back for more?
DD It’s never easy keeping up!!! LOL. Obviously Doris Dear is of a “certain” time, but I always try to write my material to make sure people know she is really a modern girl as well. My thought process is always trying to keep her set in today with a wink to the past. People seem to enjoy the nostalgic feeling of her and as one teenager came up to me and said after a show “You the auntie I always wanted to have!”

CS Let’s talk about The Doris Dear Christmas Special. Were you influenced by Christmas specials on TV? If so, which ones and why?
DD Well, I’m 63 years old! Yes darlings, I know I don’t look it … that’s what good lighting and makeup is for! LOL. I grew up watching those great holiday variety specials in the 60’s and 70’s on TV with my family. My parents, Taffy and Duke, loved the Andy Williams, Perry Como, and Dinah Shore shows. There was always this sense of tradition and nostalgia with those shows and they always had a sense of humor to them as well. When I decided to do a holiday show I immediately wanted to “salute” those shows and that feeling of being together and celebrating. I wanted my audience to feel like they were actually in my Rumpus Room having a cocktail with me and enjoying the holidays as friends and family. 

CS We’ve all suffered from the lack of live entertainment. Now that it’s back, what does it mean to you to be able to celebrate the holidays live and in person?
DD Last year we did a “virtual” live stream of the show from the Triad Theater. It was nerve racking following all the Covid protocols. I had Covid tests done for each artist that performed and had a “covid specialist,” otherwise known as my husband Jim, present making sure everything was wiped down between artists and social distancing requirements were met. It was successful running on Broadway on Demand’s streaming channel, but this year I am so relieved we can be live and in person! This is truly a “comeback” for the show. My team of Blake Allen, musical director, and Lina Koutrakos, director, really came together this year. We have a larger band than normal with amazing musicians and the artists that are performing with truly blow people away! 

CS This year’s edition celebrates Christmas through the decades. What holiday cheer can we expect?
DD So much cheer!!! We start in the early 1900s and sing our way to the present. We worked hard to find songs that maybe everyone wouldn’t expect. There are some of the “usual suspect” songs but we found some great pieces representing the different decades. There are a few that are hilarious as well!  

CS It wouldn’t be a special without special guest stars. Who will be joining you this year?
DD Every time I do my holiday show, I truly am floored and in awe of the artists that want to come and perform with me. This year is no exception. Singer/songwriter Regina Zona will bring her glorious sound to represent the 1920s. The 1930s is represented by a newcomer to my shows, jazz artist Vanisha Arleen Gould. “Those Girls” are a big part of the show this year and they’re doing some wonderful vocal work throughout the show as well as representing the 1950s. Broadway leading lady Haley Swindal will bring her Broadway belt to us representing the 1980s. The 1990s brings us Broadway performer Darius Harper singing a surprise number that will make everyone say “What’s This!?”! Meg Flather stops by to bring a truly magical moment to the show from the 2000s. My director, Lina Koutrakos, will rock the house with her song representing the 2010s. Another newcomer, Eliza Bonet, will be singing a beautiful song written by musical director Blake Allen. Filling in the spaces of course is Doris Dear and it is all held together by the Blake Allen Holiday Orchestra! 

CS What do you want the audience’s take away to be?
DD I want my audience to settle in, order up a cocktail, and feel like they are in the Rumpus Room with friends. As a reviewer once said “As I walked into the sparkling holiday lights of New York City, I knew that the world was going to be OK as long as Doris Dear had a say!” — Nick Appice, Downtown Magazine

Doris Dear is at the Triad Theater from December 16-18 at 7 pm. The Triad is located at 158 W. 72nd St., New York, NY 10023. Visit triadnyc.com for ticket information.