It is a homecoming, of sorts, for Jake Chisholm.
The performer with deep Antigonish County roots will take centre stage this weekend with his co-star, Shaun McLean.
Their show – Jake and Shaun’s Big Gay Affair – is set for Saturday, Oct. 20 at St. F.X.’s Immaculata Auditorium.
Showtime is 7 p.m.
Chisholm came up with the idea three years ago, after dressing in drag for Halloween.
“Doing a show came to my mind – I thought it would be really cool,” he said, noting the appeal of providing a live theatre offering.
He decided to send a Facebook message to McLean, who said he “loved the idea.”
“The rest, as they say, is history,” Chisholm added.
He described the show as “rock concert meets theatre.”
Chisholm said the show takes audiences on “an emotional roller coaster.”
“It is neat,” he noted.
As a reflection of that ride, Chisholm explained, after McLean performs a song he wrote about the HIV/Aids epidemic in the 1980s, the pair may dive into a high-energy lip sync performance.
“They are bawling in the crowd,” McLean said of the audience reaction to that particular tune.
That roller coaster may move from ‘highlighting deep emotional periods in history to celebrating individuality.’
According to a show description, it ‘highlights the LGBTQ+ community, in addition to current and historic pop culture moments.
Since 2016, the duo has been selling out theatres with scenes, such as, Judge Trudie, The Dragkins and My Big Fat Pictou County Wedding.
“I describe it as if MAD TV or Saturday Night Live went on Broadway,” McLean said.
He added the show provides “gut-splitting laughter with a tinge of irreverence.”
McLean noted, although the old-school drag lip-syncs remain the show is more than that, including a full band, featuring him and Chisholm in the spotlight as well as big group numbers.
“It is like music videos coming to life,” he said, noting the choreography and live music involved.
The cast and crew, including the duo and band, have more than 25 members.
Chisholm noted the age difference between the pair; he will turn 23 in December, while McLean will be 60 in the same month.
“It is a really cool blend, which works out so well,” he said, adding people enjoy the “magic” they share on the stage.
Chisholm explained McLean, musically and otherwise, has a connection with the 1950s to 1980s, while his comes to the 1990s and beyond.
“People love it,” he said.
As for those audiences, Chisholm noted, they are multi-generational.
“We have a wide range of ages – from 14 to 90,” he said.
The pair noted many people dress up for the show.
“It is about self-expression,” Chisholm said.
While highlighting the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, he added the show is about “happiness and inclusivity,”
“It is about what it means to be human,” Chisholm said.
And, McLean added “it is about having a whole lot of fun.”
Tickets will be available at the door, but they recommend purchasing in advance.
For more information, visit BIGGAYAFFAIR.COM
