Spencer Liff’s Journey Back to New York
After spending a decade in Los Angeles as a resident choreographer for the popular show So You Think You Can Dance, Spencer Liff has returned to New York this summer to take on the dual role of director and choreographer for the Off-Broadway production Drag: The Musical. Liff, 39, now resides in the vibrant neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, living with his best friend Gage Kearns, a 34-year-old high school guidance counselor. This area presents a stark contrast to the Upper West Side, where he spent 17 years of his life.
“It’s loud, really loud,” Liff remarks about his new surroundings. However, the convenience of being close to New World Stages, the venue for Drag, makes it worthwhile. He often checks in with talented performers such as Alaska, known from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Joey McIntyre from the iconic band New Kids on the Block, especially before their weekend matinees.
Interestingly, Liff is not one to experience the dreaded Sunday scaries. Since many Broadway shows observe a Monday off, he enjoys meeting up with friends for drinks at a local gay bar in Hell’s Kitchen following their evening performances.
A DAILY RITUAL
One essential part of Liff’s daily routine is his morning ritual: “The first thing I do every day — and I never miss this — is drink hot lemon water. This practice has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It offers numerous health benefits including aiding digestion, boosting metabolism, and promoting healthy skin. Whenever I travel, I always make it a point to find fresh lemons to maintain this habit.”
A SUNDAY TRADITION
For Liff, Sundays have a special significance. “Since I was around 10 years old, I have sought out flea markets on Sundays. It’s imperative to arrive right when they open to snag the best finds. Throughout my teenage years, I would eagerly explore the flea markets in Chelsea, which have sadly been replaced by luxury high-rises. Now, on the Upper West Side, I frequent the Grand Bazaar. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about the experience of searching for treasures among the eclectic offerings.”
