Miss Manhattan Hangs Out with Michael Witkes aka Pink Pancake
Many drag artists have told me their inspirations, but nobody had ever said Tennessee Williams. But such is the nature of Michael Witkes, the artist also known as Pink Pancake, who describes his drag in part as the intersection between Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski, with additional influences from club kids, The Wizard of Oz, Sex and the City, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Taylor Mac, and more.
The first time I saw Michael perform as Pink Pancake, he was wearing hot pink patent leather knee-high boots, had a pink beard painted in glitter, and yarmulke, performing in front of a video from his bar mitzvah. I was hooked. I had the pleasure of learning we lived in the same neighborhood, running into him on the street, on the subway, and eventually on purpose as we became friends.
Michael later debuted his one-person show “Today You Are A Man!“ at The Tank in January 2024, a tale of redemption and self-discovery in which both Pancake and his younger-self get bar mitzvahed (more here). When I visit him, he shows me a photo of himself as a bar mitzvah, now surrounded by pink tulle.
Michael is also the co-host, with Donald Adler, of the new pop culture podcast You Think?!, “a podcast by two gays that don’t.” The next show Pink Pancake hosts, Pancakke Pride, is on June 4 (tickets here).
Pancake’s work is in part historical and reverent–he has one costume inspired by the AIDS quilt, and another by Tom of Finland; one more is a jacket with a green carnation and the words “The Importance of Being a F*ggot” (asterisk mine) emblazoned on the back that he has yet to wear. Another part is poppy and irreverent–like a dress that’s a giant version of the Post-it Burger leaves for Carrie that says “I’m Sorry, I Can’t, Don’t Hate Me–”. These costumes live in a closet in his home, a long row of clear garment bags oozing color for more involved numbers, and a neat row of tube-like Fashion Nova dresses for the less involved. Many costumes are crafted from his own brain and constructed with the handiwork of local designers.
But some Pink Pancake trimmings live elsewhere–in his drag room. Neatly organized, it is accented with pastel pink and pictures of Jonathan Bailey. Pancake accoutrements pop up throughout the room–prints, ceramics, recipes, and much more. Purses dangle with flair. Wigs swirl upward like frozen yogurt. A headpiece made entirely of toys for ”boys” on one side and “girls” on the other–nestles between them. It feels like being inside a box of candy hearts, and it’s the kind of room Michael always wanted for himself–a photo of himself as a little boy rests on the wall next to a picture of him in Tom of Finland drag. It’s here where Michael becomes Pink Pancake, amongst the jewelry and the nails and the makeup. I feel joy knowing the bar mitzvah version of him will have all of this one day.
