On April 7, 2025 Victor Jackson will take the stage at 54 Below for a highly anticipated one-night-only performance, April Showers. This electric evening promises to be nothing short of transformative, as Jackson invites the audience to experience the depth of his musical journey. With his unparalleled vocal talent and infectious energy, he will offer a raw and honest look into the evolution of his artistry. It’s a night of fearless storytelling, blending his musical theater roots with soul-stirring contemporary music, and a deep dive into the dreams, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped his career.
As he prepares to take the stage, Jackson, a seasoned performer with a career spanning over two decades, is brimming with excitement. This performance isn’t just another stop on his musical journey; it’s a chance to share his most authentic self with an intimate audience, offering them a rare glimpse into both his past and his future. For Jackson, this is a full-circle moment—a celebration of everything that has brought him to this point, and a bold declaration of where he’s headed.
“This night means so much to me,” Jackson says, his voice filled with passion as he reflects on the significance of April Showers. “It’s not just about the music. It’s about telling a story, my story, and sharing that with people who get to feel it with me. This show is my soul on display—it’s my heart, my vulnerability, and my strength, all wrapped up in one performance. It’s about the rain and the storms in life, but also about the joy of dancing through them.”
A Conversation with Victor Jackson: Storytelling Through Music
In a candid and heartfelt interview, Jackson opens up about the creative process behind April Showers, what makes this performance so special, and the deeply personal themes that run through his music. He discusses his inspirations, challenges, and how he navigates his artistic journey as a Black queer artist in the modern music industry.
GLAAD: Victor, you’ve had such a diverse career in both musical theater and contemporary music. What has it been like to merge these two worlds for April Showers?
Victor: It’s honestly been an incredibly liberating experience. I’ve always seen the world of Broadway and my music as two sides of the same coin. But in this show, I get to push the boundaries of what that means. Musical theater taught me how to tell a story—every note, every pause, every inflection matters. My original music, on the other hand, comes from a place of raw personal experience. The magic is when those two elements collide. I get to bring my theater background into the room, while also honoring the freedom of original expression. That balance, that fusion—it’s what makes April Showers unique.
GLAAD: You’ve mentioned that storytelling is at the heart of your artistry. Can you tell us a bit more about how you approach storytelling in both your music and performances?
Victor: Storytelling is everything to me. It’s not just about singing a song; it’s about making you feel the song. Whether I’m on stage in a theater production or performing my own music, I want the audience to walk away having experienced something. I want them to connect with the emotion behind the words. That’s something that’s always been ingrained in me from my training at Tri-Cities High School, where we learned to use our bodies and voices to communicate deeply. My songs like “He Belongs to the City” and “Date Night”—those are stories. I want to take people somewhere with my music. It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about creating moments of truth.
GLAAD: You’ve spoken a lot about the significance of April Showers as a personal journey. What can audiences expect from this performance that they might not have seen in your past shows?
Victor: This show is going to be so much more personal. I’ve had moments of vulnerability in my previous performances, but April Showers is different. It’s a deeper dive. I’m not just singing songs; I’m sharing pieces of myself that I’ve never shared before. I’m giving them a glimpse into the moments that have shaped me, the highs, the lows, the storms I’ve weathered. It’s not just a concert—it’s a conversation, an exchange of energy. The beauty of live music is that the audience and the artist create something together in real-time, and that’s what I’m most excited about.
GLAAD: You’ve had some incredible collaborations in your career. How has working with artists like Kandi Burruss and Alex Newell influenced your work and performance style?
Victor: Kandi and Alex are both powerhouses, but in very different ways. With Kandi, it’s all about trust—there’s this deep understanding between us, and that connection allows us to elevate our work. We both come from a place of storytelling, so when we collaborate, we’re able to create something that feels organic and real. With Alex, it’s a whole different kind of magic. Alex is a diva in the truest sense—there’s so much confidence, power, and authenticity in everything they do. Working with them has taught me to lean into my own diva moments, to embrace that unapologetic power that comes from being fully yourself. Both of them have been huge influences on me, not just as collaborators, but as artists I admire deeply.
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GLAAD: You’ve also mentioned the concept of “dancing in the rain” as a metaphor for life’s challenges. How does that idea play into April Showers?
Victor: That’s really the heart of this show. Life isn’t always easy, and we can’t control the storms that come our way, but we do have a choice in how we respond. The metaphor of dancing in the rain is about resilience, about embracing life’s challenges rather than running from them. In my journey, I’ve learned that even when the storms feel overwhelming, there’s power in leaning into them, in dancing through them, because on the other side, you grow stronger, more vibrant, and more alive. That’s the message I want people to take away from April Showers—that no matter what life throws at you, you have the strength to dance your way through it.
GLAAD: After such a long career and a significant body of work, what’s next for you? Is April Showers a definitive moment in your journey?
Victor: I don’t know, honestly. This could very well be my last show. And I say that not in an ominous way, but in a reflective way. I’ve done so much, and this show feels like a culmination of everything I’ve set out to do as an artist. But that doesn’t mean I’m done. If anything, it’s just the closing of one chapter before the next one begins. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that whatever comes next, I want it to be meaningful, just like this show. For now, I’m focused on making this night one that will live with people long after the last note is sung.
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As Victor Jackson prepares for his return to the stage at 54 Below, April Showers promises to be more than a performance—it’s a moment of reflection, renewal, and transformation. This special evening invites the audience to witness a powerful, unfiltered exploration of Jackson’s journey as an artist, full of raw honesty and emotional depth. Each song will carry the weight of his experiences, allowing the audience to join him on a voyage through the moments that have shaped him, both joyous and painful. It’s a celebration of overcoming challenges and finding beauty in life’s imperfections. Far from a mere concert, April Showers is a dialogue—a shared space where Jackson’s vulnerability meets the audience’s empathy. It will be an evening that transcends the typical theater experience, creating an unspoken bond between artist and crowd. Through his performance, Jackson will reveal not just the artist, but the person behind the music, giving those who are present an unforgettable glimpse into the soul of a performer who continues to grow, evolve, and find strength through adversity. This night will stay with you long after the music fades, resonating with the transformative power of storytelling through song.
Tickets are available now for this unforgettable evening at 54 Below. Doors open at 9:00 PM, with the show starting at 9:30 PM. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience—buy your tickets here!
