Jimmy James is bringing his award-winning, multimedia show from New York City to The Pilgrim House in Provincetown, MA, this summer, celebrating his 35th Anniversary in show business. The show promises to showcase the classic impressions that made Jimmy James legendary: CHER • ELVIS • BARBRA STREISAND • BETTE DAVIS • JUDY GARLAND • BILLIE HOLIDAY • EARTHA KITT • LIZA MINNELLI • STEVIE NICKS • TINA TURNER • DIANA ROSS • PATSY CLINE • LIONEL RICHIE • MARILYN MONROE • LANA DEL REY • ADELE • JANIS JOPLIN and more.
- Has it really been 35 years for you in show biz?
Oh, God help me! How did that happen? And I’m only 39? In February 1983, I quit my retail jobs (or was I fired?). The economy was so shitty, especially in San Antonio, Texas, where I’m from, that I made up my mind I was going to jump into the world of female impersonation and I was hoping Marilyn Monroe would get me outta Dodge to see the world—she did! From the beginning, I decided the first part of my show would be the Marilyn act. The second part was to be the Voices—impressions. Eventually, I made it on to “The Phil Donahue Show,” thanks to Ruby Rims, in May 1987 and that changed everything! Soon, I was sold out at every show at Don’t Tell Mama. Then more TV appearances on “Joan Rivers,” “Geraldo,” “Sally Jesse Raphael” and so many more. I had a lot of fun on “The Joe Franklin Show.” We had a good chemistry and he was very smart and witty. The exposure on TV was great! I traveled for years, playing packed clubs. My dream of becoming a nightclub performer came true.
- You’re the winner of 2 MAC Awards?
I won in 1987 for my show at Don’t Tell Mama and again in 2007, when I played a club in Chelsea called Helen’s with my multimedia show Divas Are Forever! I had the fantastic Ricky Ritzel on piano and I incorporated video presentations of my “Marilyn Years” (I had previously retired from performing as MM in 1997). I also had video of me on the screen as Judy Garland in drag, so that I could do a self-duet of Judy and Barbra: “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again.” As far as I know, NOBODY was doing multimedia cabaret in New York then. We packed them in and it was a great time in my career. I did so many of my voice impressions: Cher, Eartha Kitt, Patsy Cline, Bette Davis, Diana Ross with Lionel Richie, Madonna and more. Ricky Ritzel is the best! I hope someday I can work with him again!
- You’ve performed for some big stars and VIPs.
Ya, I have. I try not to freak out. I’m just a “simple gurl” from San Antonio, Texas and when I see these giant stars, who then learn my name, I choke with anxiety. I performed for Miss Whoopi Goldberg who told me she’s a fan of mine! Scream!!! I’ve performed for Elton John! He kissed me on the lips afterwards! Scream!!! I’ve also performed for Cuba Gooding, Jr., Gloria Allred, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Neil Sedaka, RuPaul, George Burns, Eartha Kitt (and opened for her), Patti Labelle, Cyndi Lauper, Boy George and so many more. I’m NOT name-dropping; if you knew me, you’d know I’m just freaked out that this has happened for me in my career! Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think this kid, born on a dirt road in Laredo, Texas, raised in San Antonio, would ever get to perform for these people—many of them my idols! I’m so grateful.
- Tell us about your show in P-town this year.
I’m doing a revival and revamp of my MAC Award-winning show, Divas Are Forever! I’m so excited to be going back to P-town after a long absence, because I moved to Los Angeles and wanted to stay there. It had been eight years since I played P-town, where I got my start in 1986 at The Pilgrim House. Last year, The Pilgrim House got new owners who insisted I come back home. I was truly terrified, because it had been so long since I played there and I thought nobody would care about me anymore. Well thankfully, I was WRONG! It was the sweetest homecoming! I got so much love from the visitors and townies that I would cry or get choked up at the end of my shows. It’s very sweet to have been around this long and to get that love. You’d have thought I was Marilyn Maye! BTW, she came to my show last summer with Bob Mackie. John Waters came too! And Billie Jean King! Scream!!!! I’m very grateful.
- We hear you’re also a dance music Diva!
Gemini warning! Apart from cabaret, I also love dance music. I have two careers because Geminis aren’t happy with only one! The song I wrote, “Fashionista” (from my album Jamestown) went to the top of the Billboard Dance Charts. The song has over 30 million views on YouTube from fan-made videos, world-wide. It’s also a big hit with teenagers, cheerleaders, dance troupes, fashion shows, etc. and has been licensed for film and television. It recently caused a big controversy when a cheerleading group outside Chicago used the line from the song, “no one ugly allowed” as their title. The song was written to be ironic. I didn’t listen to Madonna when I heard her say, “Nobody gets irony in a song.” Truth is, it feels nice to have something that is my own. With voice impressions, you never own anything. When you write a song, you OWN it! For the rest of your life. I get royalties for just lying in bed—just like the good ol’ days. Hahaaaaaa……
- What does Jimmy James do outside of Cabaret or performing?
I LOVE documentaries! I devour them on Netflix or wherever. I love autobiographies or biographies of people in show biz. I love coffee and chillin’ at a Starbucks, or any nice coffee house. I love having morning coffee watching “The View.” I’ve been so blessed, as corny as it may sound and I wanna give back, especially to the poor. I don’t like human suffering. I still love discovering new dance music. I like audio books. I listened to the audio book of the making of Hamilton on Broadway. God, that is hard, hard work—the collective talent it takes to make something like that happen! Beyond my comprehension! If anyone wants to take me to Hamiltonwrite to me—Jimmy@JimmyJames.com Hahaahahaaaaaaaa!!! I’m available after my summer run in P-town. LOL! I love NY!
Divas Are Forever opens on June 29th, running through September 3. Shows are at 10 PM. Reservations at 508-487-6424 or at www.pilgrimhoseptown.com
