Cheyenne Jackson Goes to the Movies

Within the past year or so, San Francisco has become Cheyenne Jackson's home away from home. The handsome star of stage, screen, television, and concerts has been the SF Pride Grand Marshal, starred in the San Francisco Symphony's West Side Story in Concert, brought his cabaret act to Feinstein's -- and now he's back.

In addition to participating in the AIDS Walk on July 20, he'll re-team with the San Francisco Symphony for "Music from the Movies" on Thursday and Friday, July 24 & 25. As one might expect, the inspiration for the new concert was Jackson's lifelong love affair with the movies.

"There's such a vast range of films that I love, the challenge in choosing the songs was to stay true to the style of music that I've been singing, in that 'Mad Men,' Sinatra style, while incorporating songs from different eras," he said in an interview.

For the past six months, Jackson and his musical director Ben Toth (whom he describes as his "heterosexual musical life-partner") have been sifting through the endless variety of music from the movies to craft the concert's repertoire. But Jackson wanted a show that was more than just a series of movie medleys. "I've been touring with concerts for the last year and a half, and it's been very cathartic to get out from behind a character and perform as myself," he said. Having been through many challenges in the past year, including a divorce, he's come to use his own life experiences as the show's thematic threads.

"An audience wants to know you, they want a personal connection with the performer, and to be really genuine, you have to give it to them," he said. "Once you've gone autobiographical in a concert, you can't go back to doing just a Best of Gershwin kind of show."

Some of the films that were most influential in the singing actor's early life have inspired him not only for the upcoming concert, but also in his decision to become an actor.

"I was 12 years old when I saw 'Stand By Me,' and it blew me away. It was the first R-rated film that I saw with my parents, and I was the exact same age as all of the boys in the movie," he said. "I thought, 'These kids are my age. I can do this!'

"I saw the movie 'Annie' before I even knew it had been a stage musical. I was the same age as all the girls in it, and I thought I could be the first boy to play Annie!"

Born in 1975, Jackson has a special place in his heart for films from the late 1980s, such as "Adventures in Babysitting," "Ruthless People," "Clueless," "Big Business," "Working Girl," and especially "The Shawshank Redemption." "Ever since I was 16, I've loved to go to the movies, and I like to go by myself. I don't want to have to talk to anyone or explain anything, just immerse myself in the film."

Like many of us, he earned his gay card at a young age, inspired by classic MGM musicals such as "The Wizard of Oz," "Meet Me in St. Louis," and anything else starring Judy Garland.

"I'm also fascinated by the use of pop music in films, where the music is like another character," he said. " 'Love Actually' comes to mind, and 'Moulin Rouge.' When I first saw that, I wondered, 'How did they get the rights to all those songs?' And for me, 'Amadeus' is the ultimate movie musical -- the most beautiful thing ever."

Of more recent movie music, he said, "There's great music in 'The Hunger Games' soundtracks - all working within that modern but folk sound."

Although he promises plenty of surprises in the upcoming concert, he does admit that it will include a tribute to James Bond music, a movie-musical section, and songs from Broadway musicals that were made into films. The Symphony will also perform the iconic overtures to "Funny Girl" and "Gypsy."

"I'm excited about working with my two special guest stars, [Broadway's Tony Award-winning] Faith Prince, who I adore, and Courtney Act, the Australian diva and star of 'RuPaul's Drag Race.' "

Jackson is also happy to return to his adopted home of San Francisco. "I'm so thankful to sing with the SF Symphony again after West Side Story. It's such a treat, and I'm thrilled that San Francisco has been so great to me."

"Music from the Movies," Cheyenne Jackson and the SF Symphony, Thurs. & Fri., 7/24 & 25 at 7:30 p.m. Davies Symphony Hall, SF. Tickets ($11.25-$33.75): (415) 864-6000 or sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2013-2014/Cheyenne-Jackson-Goes-to-the-Movies.aspx