"Queer Eye" Culture Maven Is New Carmen Ghia in The Producers

By Kenneth Jones
November 1, 2005

Jai Rodriguez, star of the TV makeover show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" — a show that celebrates gay culture's personalities and stereotypes — steps into Broadway's The Producers Nov. 1 to play Carmen Ghia, a baroque gay culture stereotype if ever there was one.

Rodriguez, who gives culture and etiquette advice on Bravo's "Queer Eye," will play the housemate and associate of Broadway director Roger DeBris (played by Tony Award winner Gary Beach) in the stage smash created by Mel Brooks. "Keep It Gay" is one of the couple's signature numbers.

"I am Carmen Ghia...Roger Debris' common law assistant," the character explains, with an unsubtle lisp.

John Treacy Egan plays producer Max Bialystock opposite Hunter Foster's Leo Bloom at the St. James Theatre, with Bill Nolte as Franz Liebkind and Angie Schworer as Ulla.

Rodriguez returns to Broadway where he performed the role of Angel in Rent. He also starred in Off-Broadway's Zanna, Don't! (which spawned a cast album), performed in Lincoln Center Theater's Spinning Into Butter and appeared in the acclaimed concert benefit version of Hair (also on recording). For his work on "Queer Eye," he received a 2004 Emmy Award as creative consultant/host.

Rodriguez will also appear in the upcoming film version of The Producers, as Sabu, an apparently Indian houseboy in the DeBris-Ghia household.