Michael Urie, best-known as the catty fashion editorial assistant Marc St. James of the TV series “Ugly Betty,” is playing some half dozen characters in an acclaimed new play by Jonathan Tolins, “Buyer and Cellar,” which imagines what it would be like for an underemployed actor to work as the sole employee in the full replica shopping mall she has set up in the basement of her estate in Malibu. The play has been nominated for a Drama Desk Award as best solo performance. In an interview at the nominees reception, Urie talks about how he was inspired by Alf’s Dad and Shakespeare to become an actor, and how he approached playing Streisand.

“Buyer and Cellar” is closing May 12th at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, and reopening at Barrow Street Theater June 18 for what is scheduled to be a 10-week run.