Is Costa Rica expensive to live in?

Costa Rica isn’t the cheapest country in Central America, but it’s not outrageous either. Daily life costs less than in most major U.S. cities — especially if you adapt to local food and lifestyle. Where it gets pricey is rent in beach towns, imported goods, and electricity if you blast the A/C all day.

What is the average rent in Costa Rica?

Rent depends on location. In San José, a two-bedroom apartment runs $600–$1,200/month. In popular beach towns or suburbs, expect $800–$1,800/month. Rural areas can be as low as $400/month — but you’ll trade off some conveniences.

How much money do I need to live comfortably in Costa Rica?

A single person can live modestly on $1,200–$1,500/month. For more comfort (A/C, private healthcare, imported snacks), budget $2,000–$3,000/month. Couples usually spend $1,500–$2,500+ depending on lifestyle and location.

What’s the cost of food in Costa Rica?

Local produce, coffee, and seafood are affordable (think avocados for $0.50, pineapples for $1, fresh fish at local markets). Imported items, though, are expensive — a jar of peanut butter can be $8 and wine can sting your wallet. Sticking to the local diet saves money and makes you healthier.

Broadway’s Queer Emcees & the Power of Invitation

Waymon Hudson
Oct 19
4 min read

Updated: Nov 19

Alan Cumming in theatrical makeup and suspenders lounges against a dark background, cigarette in hand. His smirk and sharp eyes capture the defiant sensuality of the Emcee from Cabaret — a symbol of queer resistance wrapped in charm and danger.
#CabaretMusical #QueerBroadway #BroadwayEmcee

Some musicals start with a bang. Others start with a spotlight and a wink. And sometimes, that wink changes everything.

Broadway has long had a thing for its emcees — those charismatic ringmasters who don’t just perform in the story but frame it. They break the fourth wall. They tease us, challenge us, flirt with us. They pull us into worlds that exist just beyond society’s reach — smoky clubs, hidden cabarets, spaces where the rules don’t apply.

And often? Those emcees are queer.

💋 The Queer Tradition of Invitation

Neil Patrick Harris in a blond wig, denim jacket, and gold boots perches on a car under stage lights. The image radiates raw charisma and vulnerability — the essence of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, where humor and heartbreak share the same spotlight. #Hedwig #BroadwayMusical #QueerIcon

Think about it:

The Emcee in Cabaret — seductive, dangerous, hilarious, and heartbreakingly aware that the party can’t last forever.
Lola in Kinky Boots — fierce, fabulous, and leading with love while reshaping what masculinity means.
Angel in Rent — the radiant heart of the show, teaching an entire generation that joy is the bravest act of all.
Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch — using humor and pain to demand to be seen.

Broadway Queer Emcees all do the same thing: they welcome us in — not as spectators, but as participants in their revolution. Their stage isn’t just entertainment. It’s sanctuary.

🎭 The Velvet Boot Opens Its Doors

Merc, a muscular, confident man in a dark vest stands before red velvet curtains, softly lit like a 1920s cabaret host. His smile invites the audience in — embodying Merc, the heart and master of ceremonies of Speakeasy: A New Musical. #SpeakeasyMusical #QueerBroadway #MusicalTheatre

That’s exactly what happens in Speakeasy’s opening number, “Come to the Speakeasy.”

The lights go dark. A coded knock echoes. And then — Merc.

He’s not just introducing a scene. He’s conjuring a world.

🎶 There’s a knock to know, a code to keep,

🎶 Where rules fall back and jazz don’t sleep.

With that, we’re in the Velvet Boot — a queer underground speakeasy pulsing with brass, sweat, and joy. Merc struts through the haze like a preacher at a drag mass. He’s glitter and grit, sass and sorrow, a man who’s built a found family under threat of raids and ruin.

The brilliance of the number is how it hides heartbreak beneath its joy. He’s smiling, teasing, snapping his fingers — but every beat says: Come inside. You’re safe here. You’re home.

🎶 Come to the speakeasy —

🎶 No names, no rules, no hate, no shame.

🎶 Where saints and sinners toast the same. 🎶 Come find the music, drown out the blame,

🎶 Just knock three times… forget your name.

🌈 The Power of Broadway Queer Emcees & Invitation

A lively speakeasy scene glows in golden light as Merc stands smiling among joyful patrons of all genders and races. Behind him, a glowing sign reads “Velvet Boot,” symbolizing queer community, chosen family, and celebration amid defiance. #SpeakeasyMusical #QueerHistory #BroadwayCommunity

In a world that tells queer people to hide, to quiet down, to blend in — Merc’s invitation is radical.

When he sings “Come to the speakeasy,” it’s more than a party anthem. It’s a call to communion. It’s defiance disguised as delight.

Like the emcees before him, Merc doesn’t just entertain us. He protects us.He gives the audience permission to exhale, to believe in joy again — even when the world outside would rather silence it.

💔 The Man Behind the Glitter

Merc and Miss Addie stand center stage with fists raised in solidarity, surrounded by the Velvet Boot ensemble in warm, smoky light. The image captures Speakeasy’s spirit of queer strength, unity, and rebellion through art. #QueerMusical #BroadwayRepresentation #Speakeasy

But Speakeasy doesn’t stop at the surface. As the show unfolds, Merc becomes much more than the fabulous ringmaster.

Behind the smile, there’s longing — for Rome, for safety, for a world where love doesn’t require disguise. And yet, he keeps the music playing. Because that’s what queer emcees have always done: kept the show alive when no one else could.

“Come to the Speakeasy” isn’t just a number — it’s a promise. To lead us through the smoke and the pain, into something beautiful. To make joy the loudest rebellion of all.

🎧 Listen to “Come to the Speakeasy”

🎧 Watch the full lyric video here. 📖 Read more Behind Broadway deep dives

📺 Watch all the “Behind Broadway” video episodes: Step into the spotlight behind the spotlight. Behind Broadway is your backstage pass to how musicals really work — from iconic song structures to emotional arcs, queer storytelling, and the hidden craft that makes theater magic. Whether you’re a theater kid, a casual fan, or a future Tony winner in disguise — welcome to the show behind the show.