BROADWAY Role lets 'Queer Eye' guy dress up

Jai Rodriguez returns to his career-launching role of Angel in 'Rent.'
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
As the resident culture whiz on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," Jai Rodriguez helps clueless men make small talk, pick mood music and appreciate the fine arts.
Sort of a real-life Henry Higgins, but hipper and homosexual.
It's a far cry from what Rodriguez really excels at -- acting, dancing and singing.
And he's back in "Rent" to prove it. Through Saturday he's playing the role that launched his career two years ago, Angel the HIV-positive transvestite.
"It's my [chance] to say to America, 'Hey, you've been wondering what I do, this is what I do,"' says Rodriguez, 25. "'Come check me out. I'll be wearing a dress."'
Rodriguez, who grew up on Long Island, first played Angel in the Canadian production of the Tony-winning musical. He was 17, and fresh from high school. He played the part on Broadway in 2002, before moving on to the title role in the off-Broadway musical "Zanna, Don't!"
"We're like the gay Beatles," says Rodriguez, referring to himself and his Fab Five cohorts. "Being anonymous is a thing of the past."
There are perks associated with coming back to Broadway after becoming a celebrity. "I'm making more money," he says. "And I'm getting better billing. I didn't have those luxuries before."
Keeping busy
He didn't have a personal assistant, either. He had to hire one in January to organize his busy life.
"My life completely snowballed because of 'Queer Eye,"' says Rodriguez, who is also working on an album of original music. "I didn't have time to buy detergent."
While his assistant -- a 25-year-old straight neighbor -- shops for Tide, Rodriguez shoulders the anxiety of being on Broadway. This week, he's off from "Queer Eye." Next week, he's doing double duty.
"It's a lot of pressure," says Rodriguez, whose familiarity with the role allowed him to return with minimal rehearsal.
"I was good when I left 'Rent,'" he says. "But that was a year and a half ago. I feel nervous. I feel like I have to win over the cast."
Rodriguez also seems a little insecure about his day job.
"I feel like I'm validating my place on 'Queer Eye,"' he says. "I'm often accused of being useless. I get parodied a lot."
But "Rent" producer Jeffrey Seller thinks the energetic actor fills a need on the TV show. "Jai brings youth and innocence to 'Queer Eye,'" he says. He's like Mary Ann on 'Gilligan's Island.'"
Rodriguez admits he never wanted to become a makeover maven in the first place. "I'm a New York City actor," he says. In addition to musicals, he appeared in "Spinning Into Butter," a play at Lincoln Center.
"In five years," he says, "if the makeover show passes like the boy-band craze did, and I find myself working on Theater Row -- whether I'm making $5,000 or $500 a week -- I'll be happy."
He says he'd also be glad to play Link Larkin in "Hairspray" or Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors."
"There are roles out there I'd love to do," he says. "I don't need to wear a dress."