Entertainment

Lots of stage Perez-ence

‘Ihave a lot of things to prove. One, that I don’t suck.”

Perez Hilton is making his New York musical stage debut with low expectations. The West Coast blogger, whose popular Web site snarkily comments on celebrity news, is relocating to New York to take center stage in off-Broadway’s “Newsical: The Musical” beginning Saturday.

The show satirizes current events, and has been retooled for Hilton, who will sing and dance through an array of (fingers crossed) humorous songs lampooning celebrities, Mitt Romney and Hilton himself.

“The opening number was inspired by a conversation I had with [composer/lyricist] Rick Crom, where I said one of the mottos was that if Rosie O’Donnell can be on Broadway, then so can I,” Hilton says. “That’s literally the first thing I sing in the show.”

The song called “Celebrity Casting/So Can I” also contains the line “Broadway can be anything from artful to burlesque/ So if I’m not Pacino, I’m John Stamos-esque.”

The recently slimmed-down blogger, who revealed his 70-pound weight loss in April, says he’s always loved musicals and jumped at the chance when the producer invited him, no audition necessary. Hilton has a drama degree from NYU, but he’s been rehearsing with a vocal coach because, he admits, his voice is “not that amazing.”

“But I don’t think it needs to be,” he says. “I’m supposed to be the funny guy. We make fun of how well can I sing, how well can I dance. The show, like me, is not afraid to make fun of itself. It’s not trying to be ‘Once.’ It’s just fun, fun, fun. It’s kind of like my Web site with music.”

One new song called “Chick-Fil-A” is about “gay marriage, bigots and silliness, too,” Hilton says. His favorite lyric: “The way to bigots’ hearts is through their enormously overfed stomachs.”

Hilton, real name Mario Lavandeira, launched his blog in 2005 and soon developed a rep for cut-ting, nasty commentary. He doodled obscene objects on paparazzi photos and gave A-listers cheeky nicknames, such as “Kiki Drunkst” for Kirsten Dunst. His infamy hit its height in 2010 when he allegedly got into an altercation at an awards show with the Black Eyed Peas entourage and called will.i.am a slur.

While in New York, Hilton, 34, is living in the Theater District, and he says the city has changed even since he graduated from NYU in 2002. One thing he might not have to worry about is chance meetings with Gotham-based celebrities that he’s trashed on his site.

“In the past, I used to have more of those awkward run-ins,” he says. “Since 2010, I’m more mindful of the energy I’m putting out there and trying to be more positive. Nowadays, most run-ins tend to be positive.”

Another song, “I Don’t Say Things Like That Anymore,” addresses Hilton’s attitude adjustment. “I don’t say things like that anymore,” he sings. “I’ve grown up and I’ve seen the light/ No I won’t say things like that anymore/ Cuz Jennifer Aniston can probably take me in a fight.”

The fill-in star is signed up through Oct. 7, and if the show crashes and burns, Hilton will be zen about it. He and his staff will still operate his five sites.

“If nobody comes, if nobody enjoys it, if I get awful reviews, I’m prepared for the worst,” he says. “I’ll still be happy if it doesn’t pan out like I would have liked, just because it’s already been a great experience.”

Should the show launch Hilton as the newest stage star, he says he’s got his eye on Broadway.

“I think there’s room for me in ‘The Book of Mormon’ or ‘Rock of Ages,’” he says. “I don’t think I could do ‘Newsies.’”