Randy Rainbow constantly has to tell people that his name really, truly is Randy Rainbow. What's more remarkable than the name is how he has somehow managed to live up to it.
Since the 2016 presidential election, he has been a virtual rainbow — a splash of hopeful color after a storm — with a wildly popular series of comic videos that have turned music-based political satire into a thing while giving a beleaguered nation something to smile about.
With hundreds of millions of Facebook and YouTube views, the majority coming in the last two years, Rainbow consistently cranks out that rarest of creatures: recurring viral videos.
He combines fake interviews, song parodies and satire while also taking his show on the road; he performs Dec. 8 at the Brown Theatre.
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Some of Rainbow's greatest hits include "A Very Stable Genius," "Desperate Cheeto," "If You Ever Got Impeached," "You're Making Things Up Again, Donald" and "Braggadocious!"
You may have surmised that President Donald Trump is a frequent target. Others who have come under the scrutiny of Rainbow's exquisitely arched eyebrows are Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Vice President Mike Pence and, well, you get the picture — Rainbow has little patience for hard-right conservatism and shysters.
"It's terrible time for the country but it's great for my career, so let's focus on the positive," he said with a caustic wink in his voice.
Rainbow, 36, is a self-described "show queen" who grew up in Florida and immersed himself in musical theater.
Rainbow cites his late grandmother as his primary inspiration, a "combination of Joan Rivers, Elaine Stritch, Betty White and Bea Arthur rolled into one,” he told The New York Times. She staged hysterical arguments with television talking heads and was lightning quick with one-liners.
"That's where I learned my rhythm and that's kind of what I'm doing now," he said. "I'm really just a crazy old lady talking back to her television. "
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Rainbow moved to New York City 15 years ago but was uncomfortable with the oppressive nature of NYC theater auditions. He became part of the scene tangentially, working as a receptionist in a Broadway production office and writing a popular blog about Broadway life. In 2010 he began making videos in his apartment.
Early videos had no musical content but instead used creative editing to fashion conversations and interviews. "Randy Rainbow is Dating Mel Gibson" was his first success, and Rainbow eventually circled back to his training by writing new lyrics to Broadway songs.
Rainbow, who still makes the videos by himself, had little interest in political humor until the 2016 election cycle. He has proven himself cagey at capturing the mood of the nation (or at least more than half of the nation).
"I've never been a news junkie but I am now because that's my job," he said.
"Comedians in general have never had this amount of material thrown at them but it's also ... proven to be even more important to people at this time to have humor about politics," he also said. "I'm grateful for that. The thing that people say to me most is 'Thank you, it's such a relief to have some levity in these times.'"
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Rainbow's go-to moves include a pained smile below eyes that flash equal parts pity and bitchy contempt, superbly crafted lyrics that he sings with a measured bravado, and a host of campy costumes.
Rainbow's tour incorporates banter, video, costumes and a live band. His merchandise tables are filled with his signature pink glasses, lapel pins, T-shirts, Christmas ornaments and "Randy Rainbow for President 2020" pins — although he promises he won't run.
He still can't quite believe that this is his life.
"It's very crazy," he said. "It blows my mind every single day and every time I walk on stage I think, 'How do these people know me? Where did you come from?'
"I was in my room making a video and now I'm in a strange city in a performing arts venue with a sold-out crowd. That is just the magic of the world that we live in, and the magic of social media."
Jeffrey Lee Puckett: 502-582-4160; jpuckett@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @JLeePuckett. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/jeffreyl.
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RANDY RAINBOW IN CONCERT
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8
WHERE: The Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway
COST: Tickets are $35 and $45 and available at kentuckycenter.org, by phone at 502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777, and at the Kentucky Center box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
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