Meet Chris Newcomer, he's back in Philadelphia for a brief break of parading around the United States with the 16th (feel old?) tour of the Musical Chicago. He took a few minutes out of his crazy schedule to sit down with me and answer a few questions for PhillyGayCalendar.

Bowtie Boy (BB) : So what brings you back to Philly, apart from it being the best city on the East Coast?

CN: Despite the fact that my work is almost never here, I've chosen to make Philadelphia home, and the people are the nicest.

BB: So how many performances of Chicago have you done?

CN: I don't know exactly, but it's somewhere around 225 performances, even more exciting though, They (the Broadway Show) just passed their 18th year running! … and this Sunday night Chicago passes Cats and becomes the 2nd longest running Broadway show of all time!

BB: Brilliant! But what came before Chicago?

CN: Before Chicago I was working on a career in opera (which is what my training is in) and I was waiting tables at the Victor Cafe here in Philly!

BB: I love Victor Café! Their Prince Igor dish is AMAZING! Back to you, who exactly do you play in the show? From what I remember it's a character that people only familiar with the film might not know about?

CN: I play the reporter Mary Sunshine and spend most of the show in full beat convincing the audience I'm a lady. I have a song that's not in the movie that is basically an opera aria. Mary influences the press and sways them in favor of Roxie, also (in my interpretation) she does a LOT of flirting with Billy Flynn.

BB: If I was able to cast you in your dream role… what would it be?

CN: I would love to play Billy Bigelow in Carousel

BB: So what brought you back to the City of Brotherly Love this time?

CN: Apart from my campaign to make out with [STRIKED FROM THE RECORD] I come to Philly because my family, including my nephews, is close by in south Jersey. Most of my close friends are here too! Also, if I don't sing at Tavern on Camac at least once every few months my soul dies a little and Donald Harrison would kill me.

BB: What would you want the boys of Tavern to Know?

CN: I'm a make out monster and single….