These are the best of times for Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer is in the pink these days, and not just because he does yoga with his daughter, actress Spencer Grammer. "Welcome to flamingo passion," he says when entering his vividly painted dressing room at the Longacre Theatre, where he stars in a revival of "La Cage Aux Folles," which opened last Sunday.

Equally colorful for the Emmy-winning actor is his wardrobe as Georges, the masculine half of "La Cage's" gay couple, outfits that you'd be unlikely to find Grammer's TV alter ego, Seattle shrink Frasier Crane, wearing.

Newsday's Daniel Bubbeo recently chatted with Grammer, 55, about why he's having a gay-old time doing "La Cage," and whether his next gig could be in Washington, D.C.

What attracted you to this show?

I'm an actor, we like to try different things. It's an iconic piece. I think the music is breathtaking, and the book is terrific. It's actable, there are real scenes. It has dynamic issues. And it's a love story. It's a true love story. It might even be seen as a traditional fondness for relationships.

Even though the couple is gay?

Ever since the 1960s, the way I look at the world, the way it's evolving, is that gay, straight, mixed-race, whatever you want to call it, is acceptable as long as the love is real. And the respect you have for one another is indicative of what would be considered a sacred relationship.

You've done musicals before, but this is the first time on Broadway. How is it singing and dancing after such a long time?

I'm not a dancer. (Laughs.) I'm jumping around on one leg. The dancing's been fine. It's not a big challenge. They've focused the choreography to fit my needs. . . . I've always liked singing. I started out singing. I got interested in the performing arts in the chorus. I was in some church groups when I was a kid. . . . Arguably, I'm an OK singer, I'm not as good a singer as I am an actor.

Looking at your recent work in TV, it's been difficult for you to find another "Frasier."

I wasn't even really looking for another "Frasier." The truth is, I think it would be a mistake to do another "Frasier." I think the audience is looking for another "Frasier."

Well, I didn't mean finding the same part, but rather finding something as good as "Frasier."

I think the first thing is that it has to be different. We got a lot of flack from "Back to You" at first, because people said, "Oh, gosh, he's a womanizer. Oh, he doesn't like kids." And actually we got quite a bit of mail on that. With "Hank," we didn't hit the show. Honestly, we would have had to do some pretty drastic changes to get "Hank" on track. It would have needed time, and there is no time in television now. I think the kernel of the idea was probably sound, the execution was lacking.

This show certainly seems quite different from "Frasier." He certainly wears more flamboyant clothes.

And he's actually a lot more confident of who he is. Playing Georges, he's a very interesting fellow. He is secure. He loves his wife, his partner, his man, who is all those things. . . . This guy's confident. I like that about him. He knows he's good-looking. I've never played a part who did.

I think Frasier thought he was good-looking.

Frasier thought he could be. There were certain angles Frasier liked, but he was so tortured by his own lack of self-esteem and arguably a very poor track record with women. Which is what made him lovable. He still got out and tried every day. . . . Frasier did a lot better with women than anybody thought was possible.

Is there any truth to the rumors that you're looking at a career in politics?

It's something I've talked about for a long time. I've always had an interest in trying to serve the country in some way. When I'm no longer useful as an actor - that may never be - it was always in my mind for my next-to-last chapter maybe to do some public service. Maybe serve in the Senate, whatever. I love the system, I love the framework of our Constitution.

I've heard you say that there's a possibility later in the run that you and Douglas Hodge might switch roles?

We've discussed me stepping into Albain. We'd have to wrestle with the logistics of it.

How do you think you'd look as a woman?

Oh, I'd look fabulous. (Laughs.) It's really not so important to look that good. It's about feeling good. I don't think I'll make a striking woman, but I'll make a striking something.