10 Qs: Alec Varcas

Photo: Roberto Araujo Photography

Two years ago, Fifty Shades of Grey established itself as a dominant force in the literary world. Beating aside the competition, it whipped middle-aged women across the world into a BDSM-inspired frenzy and became the fastest selling paperback of all time. Spawned from a Twilight fan-fiction, it's only fitting that it itself has served as the inspiration for a delightfully taboo Off-Broadway musical, 50 Shades! The Musical Parody.

Housed in the small Elektra Theatre just off Times Square, the intimate setting is very apt for a show of its nature. Audience members are encouraged to loosen up before the lights go down with some signature cocktails -- perhaps a Red Room (Cosmo) or a Ties That Bind (Sex on the Beach) -- and then treat their "inner goddess" to a riding crop, set of handcuffs or even a lipstick-vibrator, all for sale at intermission. It's a 69-minute show dripping in sexual innuendo and replete with killer vocals and clever writing. Those familiar with the novels will be shocked to realize that the story can be made so much dirtier, but a knowledge of E. L. James' work isn't necessary to enjoy the live show. In the words of Anastasia Steele (Amber Petty): "This is real life; this isn't a book. If it was, it would be terrible."

In a seamless cast, one actor, Alec Varcas, stands out for his form-fitting pleather pants, muscle-straining leather harness, and untiring smile. A trained dancer, seasoned actor, and somtimes-underwear model, Varcas plays Elliot, the younger brother of Christian Grey (Jack Boice). I sat down with Varcas on a brisk New York afternoon to ask our 10 most burning questions. Between sips of tea and fits of infectious laughter, we chatted about workout routines, romance, and the ways in which life imitates his BDSM art.

Out: You play Elliot Grey in the musical parody. What was your experience with Fifty Shades before you were cast?

Alec Varcas: Before I was cast? Nothing. All I knew about it was that my mom had read all three books. I told her that I had an audition for it and she was like, "OH MY GOSH you'd be perfect for it!" Then I got it and realized I had no idea what I was getting myself into -- a book about S&M, that's all I knew. When we started rehearsals I skimmed through the first book and read some of the parts that Elliot was in ... it was, good.

The show unfolds as three middle-aged women make their way through the novel as part of their book club. Do you see your mother reflected in these characters?

[Laughs] Kind of, yeah. I remember I'd walk in and see her on her iPad and I'd ask, "What are you doing?" and she'd respond "Nothingggg." Then I'd be like, "You're reading Fifty Shades aren't you" and she'd say "Maybeee." She was always trying to be so secretive about it but I knew what she was doing.

Your costume. [He laughs] Are those skin-tight pleather pants as hard to get into as they seem?

They're not actually that terrible to get into, but they're bad to get out of. If you're sweating, they stick. There have been a few times, especially when I'm covering somebody [else's character], that I've had to take them on and off a few times and by the end I'm like "WHOOOO, gotta squeeze, SQUEEZE outta these!"

In the show I saw, by the second act, there were some rowdy members in the audience. There was definitely a group of women taking shots at the bar next to me during intermission. Is that a typical night?

Oh for sure. We've had some very boisterous people. We love when people are into the show. It's a type of show where the audience's reaction really gives us energy. It's a comedy from the moment the show starts to the moment the show ends, so we like hearing people laugh -- not necessary yelling back at us, that gets a little distracting -- but when we know they're having a good time that makes the show so much more fun for us.

We do encourage people to loosen up and drink during intermission. We've had a few issues where people were being a little too rowdy but, for the most part, it's been pretty good.

Given the content of the show, have you been inspired to incorporate some BDSM into your own life?

Unfortunately not. I mean, I guess it has piqued an interest. It must be fun -- maybe I should get handcuffs? They are selling them -- handcuffs and whips -- so I know where to get them and I think we might get a discount. [Laughs]

We have had some audience members who are very into BDSM and they tell us about it, which helps us understand it more. Sometimes they really love [the show] and sometimes they say they don't like how the show sort of made fun of it. But we tell them, "We're not making fun of [BDSM]; we're making fun of the book!"

Alec Varcas (left) and Casey Rogers | Photo: Matthew Murphy

So there was never talk of method acting in preparation for your roles?

No! I mean, not for me -- maybe for other people. I haven't really talked to anybody about trying it. I definitely know more about it now. When we first read through the "Red Room" song, I was like, "Is it weird that I don't know what half of these are?" I had to look things up, which is always awkward with my roommate over my shoulder. But I'm definitely way more knowledgeable now.

Now, a fun question we like to ask people: What would you say your spirit animal is?

Ooh, that's good. My spirit animal... I would say a dog, probably. Dogs are playful, they like having fun, curling up and cuddling, which is totally my personality. I like making people laugh and having a good time but, in the end, I'm totally the guy who just goes home, relaxes, and has some hot chocolate.

You're obviously in very good shape, which is also a key aspect of your character. What's your typical daily routine?

I go to the gym about six days a week. I try to take Saturdays off. Now we have three shows on Saturdays, which is a lot. I used to try to go before that but then I realized that by the last show I was crawling around on stage I was so dead. I'll go to the gym for as long as I feel I need, which sometimes can be an hour and a half, and sometimes three hours. It's therapeutic for me at this point.

I also have a fitness blog. Basically, it started because I had so many people asking me fitness questions. "What do you do for abs?" That's what people always ask me. I try to keep it up do date with new exercises. I've also been interviewing other models, fitness professionals, and athletes to see what they do. It's been great, and it has really opened the door with my writing, actually.

The show has been getting great reviews and you guys seem to be having so much fun. What has your overall experience been?

It's been, honestly, so much more than I expected. I knew the show was going to be fun because I have fun with any show I've ever done. It's a Fifty Shades parody, so I thought it was going to be a small show. It still isn't a huge production, but we've had people tell us they've seen it four or five times! And the reviews have been amazing -- people are loving it. It seems like we just keep getting more and more momentum, and while so many great shows close all the time, we've just been extended again to April. The fact that we can even consider hitting a year with this show, let alone going past it, is just mind blowing to me. I'm so appreciative to have been a part of the original cast that set this up in New York.

Final question. The show is all about women looking for passion in a book about people looking for love. Between fitness, acting, and modeling, do you find time for romance?

Technically I have time for it! [Laughs] I mean, do I have time for it? Yes. Do I have romance in my life? Not really. I've been on a couple dates since moving here. I'd say I'm not your average New York City gay guy, though. I don't go out much, I don't drink really. I'm the type that likes to watch a movie. I like to go out to eat and get home early and then just hang out. I'm totally a homebody introvert. I have met people similar to me, I don't want to say that doesn't exist, but I think it's a little hard here to find someone like that -- or maybe they're all hiding in their apartments!

So, I'm still single, still sort of ready to mingle. I'm just letting it go. I'm not pushing to be in a relationship or anything. If it happens, it happens.