Throughout the years, I have seen many wonderful shows at the United Solo Festival, the world's largest solo theatre festival.

When Actor, Writer, and Performer Cyrus Deboo wrote to me that his upcoming show, There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus, was going to be part of the 2025 United Solo Festival in NYC, something inside me knew I had to speak with him. His story of coming out and loving Madonna was one I could relate to on a variety of levels.

In this interview, Cyrus answered my call to share:

• What excites him about performing in NYC & The United Solo Festival
• Why audiences should come see There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus
• What he learned about himself from writing this show
•  The freedoms he has living in America
• So much more

Connect with Cyrus: Website, Facebook, Instagram

There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus  will play at the United Solo Festival on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 7pm EST at Theatre Row in NYC! Click here for tickets!

Using dazzling multimedia, iconic dance moves, & over 20+ characters, There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus explores homophobia and the complexities of being a 1st generation Indian-Persian gay man in America with traditional immigrant parents.

Prepare to laugh, relate, and shed a tear as comedian Cyrus Deboo takes you on the rollercoaster ride he experienced as he went from being a hot mess to a hot bitch.

This heartwarming journey of self-discovery celebrates finding authenticity with the help of guardian angels, and his unapologetic passion for Madonna and Taylor Swift.

The show had its world premiere at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in the summer of 2024 and received a Zephyr Zest nomination by the Zephyr Theatre, as well as an Encore performance.

1. This April you will be bringing your show There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus to The United Solo Festival. What excites you about performing this show in NYC, and in The United Solo Festival? I am so honored and excited to bring my show to NYC and the iconic United Solo Festival. I have visited NY and attended the festival as an audience member and it is a dream come true to be chosen to participate!

2. How do you feel The United Solo Festival will help you move this show to your next step? My show covers very personal topics for me that are so pertinent to the times we are currently in. Embracing queer identity, the challenges of growing up in an immigrant family in America, and of course my love for Madonna and Taylor Swift are huge themes.

3. There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus is about your experience as a 1st generation Indian-Persian gay man in America with traditional immigrant parents. What was the hardest part of the show to write? Why was that part so difficult? The hardest parts of the show that my incredible director Jessica Lynn Johnson encouraged me to honestly reveal were painful memories from my childhood, painful memories of realizing not only was my family so different from American families, but I was also so different and alone as a gay kid in my own family. Growing up in the late 70's and 80's when there were no LGBTQ+ support groups or even information about other queer kids. It felt like a curse.

Cyrus Deboo performing in his solo show
There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus
Photo Courtesy of Cyrus Deboo

4. What did you learn about yourself from writing There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus that you didn't know living through it? I learned so much about myself by writing and telling my story! Unveiling painful and even funny memories was so incredible. I was so relieved to get things off my chest and incredibly delighted to have people laugh and relate to those stories I had kept locked inside of me.

Suddenly so many parts of my life and past were brought out on stage and I was floored by how many people came up to me and told me they could relate to my stories. I was so honored that people shared their stories with me as well. It was amazing to have people want to open up to me and share their stories. 

I have been so fortunate to have found a wonderful teacher, co-creator and director in Jessica Lynn Johnson of Soaring Solo Studios. She guided me through the writing process and has supported me every step of the way.

5. There are 100s of shows at The United Solo Festival. What is one reason audiences should come see yours? There are so many incredible shows at United Solo, its an honor to be on the same stage as my fellow performers.

If you care about diversity, if you have ever felt different and alone, like maybe you didn't fit in like others, for any reason, I am sure you will have a great experience watching my show. Hey, and it doesn't hurt if you like Madonna and Taylor Swift songs too!

6. You play 22 characters in There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus. How do you move from character to character within a matter of seconds? Playing over 20 characters can be so fun, exhausting and even confusing at times! Luckily, they were people I knew very well and could inhabit easily. I also was fortunate to work with an amazing solo character coach Heather Dowling of Soaring Solo Studios. Heather has performed in her own award winning solo shows and directed many others.

Cyrus Deboo performing in his solo show
There's Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus
Photo Courtesy of Cyrus Deboo

7. Have you ever gone into the wrong character at the wrong moment? I have never gone into the wrong character at the wrong moment, but I will tell you, sometimes when you really get into a character, they have a mind of their own! I have had the experience when they just wanted to keep talking. Sometimes they even write their own lines and if I ignore them, they show up in my dreams and make sure I listen.

8. In the show you talk about how Madonna and Taylor Swift were your guardian angels throughout your journey. What was it about them or their music that made you gravitate towards them over other gay icons? Growing up in a small town before we had social media, I used to watch music videos on MTV. Madonna exposed me to another world, as I say in the show "It seemed like Madonna lived in a big gay world with all of her backup dancers." I had hope watching Madonna, I knew there was another world outside of my small town in Washington state.  And Taylor, she is so personal in her lyrics, wow! It inspired me to be personal!

9. What kind of freedom does living in America give you that you wouldn't have if you lived in your parents' home countries of Iran or India? As difficult of a time I had with my traditional immigrant parents, I am so grateful they brought our family to America. I would never have been able to come out, discover myself, or marry my husband, Jason, had I been raised in a country halfway around the world. There was a huge cultural disconnect between my parents' upbringing and mine. It was difficult for both of us to navigate.

10. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? I hope people will laugh, relate and enjoy the show. It's so important for ALL stories to be told and to have representation. Even though we may have different backgrounds and upbringings, I truly feel we all want the same in so many ways - to be safe, heard, accepted, understood and to have our families, whether biological or chosen. 

Thank you for your amazing questions and taking the time to interview me!

Cyrus Deboo
Photo Courtesy of Cyrus Deboo

More about Cyrus Deboo:

Cyrus Deboo is an actor, writer, and performer based in Los Angeles, originally from Seattle, Washington.

He began his TV career with recurring roles on The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, and its spin-off Port Charles. Other TV credits include: CSI: Las Vegas, How to Get Away with Murder, and How I Met Your Mother. Cyrus has also been featured in numerous commercials for brands such as Prego, AT&T, Lowe's, and Dell.

Cyrus has trained with renowned acting coach Eric Morris and at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) for Improv.

One evening, as Cyrus was at the theatre, he met a fellow audience member who encouraged him to entertain the thought of writing his own one-man show. As someone with great passion for performance and storytelling, this led Cyrus to Soaring Solo Studios, and his now director; Jessica Lynn Johnson.

And so, Something Is Seriously Wrong With Cyrus was born. The show had its world premiere at The Hollywood Fringe Festival in the summer of 2024 to rave reviews.