The evolution of Capsis

Last time Paul Capsis performed at ACON fundraiser Hats Off! he got much closer than expected to his diva co-star.

I think the last time I did it, about eight years ago, I sang with Thelma Houston, the disco queen who sang Don’t Leave Me This Way, Capsis recalls.

It was an incredible experience. It was at the Footbridge Theatre and I remember finding myself at the end of the song on the floor kissing her feet.

I just couldn’t believe I was singing with her. I was on stage going, -˜I don’t believe this is happening. Is this real?’ But it was so real. When I kissed the floor I knew it was real.

There will be no shortage of diva inspiration when Capsis returns to the Hats Off! stage on 11 February. The acclaimed entertainer will join other big show business names, including Nancye Hayes, Caroline O’Connor and Tony Sheldon, in a tribute to legendary composers John Kander and Fred Ebb.

But this time round Capsis will keep his distance from the diva talent as he performs one of Broadway icon Chita Rivera’s most dramatic numbers.

It’s going to be Paul Capsis interpreting this song. I’m not even going to be -˜doing’ Chita Rivera, he says.

I’ll be going for the drama in the song rather than going for the -˜is he doing Chita? is he doing Liza?’. I don’t really look to do that in my work any more.

It is a major shift for a performer who made his name channelling the likes of Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich before branching out into gay film classic Head On and award-winning cabaret shows.

It’s a huge shift. When I started out it was a big element of what I was doing, Capsis says.

Nowadays I don’t need to do that -¦ partly because I’m confident as a singer. I enjoy singing and interpreting songs in my own way.

Not that Capsis’s constellation of divas is ever too far away. He will summon some of his favourite females during four performances at the Vanguard in Newtown this month. And at the Mardi Gras Red Carpet Opening party at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday he will offer his take on late legend Janis Joplin.

I mix those people into everything I do anyway. There are always elements of each of those people inspiring me, Capsis says.

Hats Off! is on Sunday 11 February at Star City Showroom. Book on 1300 796 330 or at www.ticketmaster.com.au. Paul Capsis performs at The Vanguard on 4, 11, 18 and 25 February. Book on 9209 4614 or at www.moshtix.com.au.