Mother & Son Reunion: Rose City Mama Talks to Her Danny Boy about Big Gay Musical

[Byron Beck]

GO TELL MAMA: Traci Leigh Taylor is quite the "mom." Just ask her son Daniel Robinson, the star of "Big Gay Musical" one of the most anticipated film's at this year's Portland Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. I've talked with both Danny and his mother before. I even mentioned the film on this site. And Traci has posted on this blog several times about Danny's latest project.

But I thought it might be nice if the two of them could talk to each other and share it on this site. So, in honor of Daniel Robinson's upcoming appearance at the Portland premiere of "Big Gay Musical" here is a conversation between a very proud mom and her very talented son. Enjoy.


Daniel & Mom
By Traci Leigh Taylor

I saw “The Big Gay Musical” in New York three times and loved it, I laughed, I cried. I sat behind five young gay men from different countries. When the movie made them cry they turned to see if I was crying too and I was. After the movie they all gave me a hug.
Traci Leigh Taylor
Daniel’s Mom

My Interview with my Son

Mom: How has doing this movie changed your life?
Daniel: Quite honestly it hasn’t changed my life as much has it has made me -change my direction in my life. It has given me more passion and drive for what I am doing in my life and given me more to aspire to. It has given me self confidence as an artist, a performer, a singer, an actor and as a man. Strangely it has given me more self confidence as a gay male, feeling like I had a voice, an inner voice in the gay community and I could possibility change other people’s lives, not just mine.

What do you want to be doing this time next year?
It doesn’t really matter what I am this time next year as long as I am happy and doing a project that inspires me and others.

What do you like best about living in New York?
The energy.

What do you miss about the Portland area?
My family, the sense of community and the rain. I know it is a strange thing to say the rain but the kind of rain in NY is thick and really wet and in Portland it is like a light mist and you don’t even need an umbrella and you always need an umbrella in NY.

What was it like to have your mother on set when you were filming the movie?
It was great, I was nervous at first but I starting reading to the idea that she was actually here to support me. How great it was to actually have a mother that would be on the set with me which was amazing.

How did it feel the first time you saw yourself in the finished movie?
I was exited and scared it was very intense seeing yourself that big and up close and personal. I found myself judging myself a lot but I learned a lot about my craft and about myself. If anything it was a positive experience.

Would you like to do another movie?
Yes I would. I would like to do anything that would keep me inspired and keep others inspired.

Do you miss being on Broadway?
No I don’t…oh...yes I do, I miss belonging to a show and saying that I’m in a Broadway show but I don’t miss the schedule. I don’t miss the pain in the body. I don’t miss the upkeep of voce’e, the voice. I don’t miss being part of a machine but I do miss the theatrical element of it doing the show and being in front of people eight times a week, but the schedule is grueling.


What do you feel is your best personal attribute that has helped you in your career?
I would say my drive, my determination and my passion. Not being patient, the fact that I am not patience has helped me a lot it has made me go further and faster.

The Big Gay Musical will have only one showing at the PLGFF: 6 pm Sunday, October 4. $9, Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st. Ave. www.plgff.org