You’ll Have A Gay Old Time

Rufus Wainwright is back at Carnegie Hall, only not with Judy Garland this time. His Christmas show includes his mother, his aunt and his sister. He spoke with Nicki Gostin:

Whose idea is the show?
Definitely my mom's idea, 100 percent. In fact, it's really the Kate McGarrigle Christmas Show.

Is it a way for the family to get extra money for presents?
Oh, no! It's a way to give a Christmas present without having to go shopping. One other thing about the show: there is a charity aspect, for cancer. My mom's been struggling with that for a couple of years, so we're raising money for all the great care she's got in Canada.

Don ' t they have nationalized health care?
They do, but they still need money.

You ' ve lived in Canada and the U.S. Which has the better healthcare system?
At the end of the day, if it's free it's better. There are a lot of obstacles but eventually you get what you need if you fight really hard. That's better than being completely wiped out.

Is it weird working with Mom?
No, I've worked with my mom all my life. That being said, yes, it's completely weird.