Uncensored: Todd McKenney jumps into GPAC in November.
By Cherie Donnellan
NOTORIOUSLY outspoken Todd McKenney is quick to pass judgment on anyone who failed to recognise the homosexuality of his on-stage alter ego.
“If people didn’t realise Peter Allen was gay they’re idiots,” McKenney told the Independent.
“I mean, the man walked around in sequined shirts carrying maracas.”
He recalled a disgruntled male audience member requesting a refund because McKenney’s Allen tribute show The Boy from Oz “mentioned gay issues”.
“He actually wrote a letter saying ‘We are trying to protect our family from that sort of thing’.”
McKenney will star in an “unplugged” version of Songs and Stories of Peter Allen at Geelong Performing Arts Centre on November 16.
“This show is about me paying tribute to him, not me being him,” McKenney said.
“It’s the things we left out of Boy – it entails so many stories his family have told me and about me meeting him.
“It’s a bit more uncensored.”
Proudly gay himself, McKenney considered Allen a “wonderful Australian” regardless of his sexuality.
McKenny hoped audiences recognised him for his other on-stage roles but confided to always enjoying playing Allen.
“He’s never too far from my personal life. I feel like I live with him, metaphorically, a little bit.
“My performance style is similar to his and his material is fun to sing. It’s never a chore.”
McKenney admitted he was typecast as a “razzle dazzle”, although he was unconcerned.
“I have a ballroom dancing background, so I’ve always been very comfortable wearing sequins.”
McKenny dismissed criticism of his judging style during 12 seasons on TV’s Dancing with the Stars.
“I try to be honest,” he said.
“I hate censorships – it’s not entertaining and it’s not constructive.”
McKenney laughed when reminiscing about theatre audience members critiquing his stage performances.
“People hold up score cards during my shows,” he said.
“I’ve had everything from ones to 11s. It’s all fun and tongue in cheek.”
McKenney joked he should score audiences attending his new show.
“Just for a bit more audience interaction,” he laughed.
