Marti Cummings

From Farmer to Dazzling Drag Charmer

Marti Cummings Performs Palm Springs

By Tom Tietjen

Ten years ago, Marti Cummings moved from his family’s farm in Maryland to New York City to pursue his passion for musical theater. Soon he was hosting comedy shows all around town, in beautiful dresses and heels.

This spring, he’s taking his act on the road, with a Palm Springs appearance at Toucans Tiki Lounge on Sunday, April 19.  We caught up with Cummings to talk about his new show, his thoughts on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and how his talent to make people laugh helped him escape his childhood bullies.

We’re excited to welcome you back to Palm Springs!

I am thrilled to be back!  It’s been two years since I performed Toucans.

How are west coast queens different from east coast queens?

Obviously, east coast is better! (Laughing) Kidding, kidding! All drag is drag. I think east coast ladies bring a more Broadway theatrical element to drag where west coast give more glamour and fashion.

How hard is it to be a drag queen these days?

Anytime you have to be in spanks with your penis in your butt for hours at a time, it’s hard. I think if you want to make drag your profession, you have to be disciplined and ready for a lot of rejection. Get a thick skin and be ready to work, queen.

Have shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race made it easier?

Drag is incredibly mainstream now, which is amazing to see. I think it is really great that so many people are invested in watching drag and so many others want to experiment with doing drag. What makes it hard is there are so many talented queens out there! It pushes me to work that much harder to stay at the top of my game.

What’s one thing you do in your act that always gets a laugh?

Look at me. I am like the equestrian version of Liza. People just laugh.

What is your biggest hidden talent?

I can eat an entire box of Oreos while watching Netflix in bed.

When did you first realize you were funny?

Elementary school. If you make the bullies laugh, they kind of lose their ammo against you.

Have your parents seen your show? 

I do a monthly show in Philadelphia and they attend every single time I am there. Sometimes they both just kind of shake their heads and groan but they are proud of me for going out there and doing what I love.

What’s your favorite song to perform? 

I love performing anything Liza Minnelli because she is basically the reason Jesus died and rose again; so we can have artists like her dazzle us for decades.

Is there something fans might be surprised to know about Marti Cummings?

I have horrific stage fright.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? 
That would be from Bianca Del Rio.  She said, “Never let them see you sweat”.

Marti performs Toucans Tiki Lounge in Palm Springs on April 19. Find him on Facebook at Marti.g.cummings