Cadence

Chill with another cool Indy Drag parody

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

Do you want to see a gay man? / Though it’s more than being gay. /

The musical that you adore / Has become something more / In an Indy Drag way! /

So now they’re doing “Frozen” / And they made it hot! /

This could make you a big Drag fan, / And a Drag King plays the snowman.

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Indy Drag Theatre wraps up its fabulous 2025 season with “Frozen: A Drag Parody Musical” at The District Theatre.

Somehow, a fairy-tale story seems even more magical done in the style of Drag, with its exaggerated makeup, wigs, and outfits, and every actor accustomed to being a completely different person than one might see offstage. As this show is mostly lip-synched to audio of the movie and stage versions of the Disney tale, with appropriate costumes, this is a production for all ages (provided “drag queen story hour” doesn’t upset you).

This tale of royal siblings Elsa and Anna features* Lollypop Lyx and B.B. Rosè as their younger selves, with Natalie Port-Ma’am as Queen Elsa and Meadowlark Lane as Princess Anna.

The story doesn’t deviate from the familiar plot: After a childhood accident, Elsa isolates herself with efforts to control her icy weather-based powers. At her coronation, she gets upset at Anna for impulsively becoming engaged to Prince Hans of the Southern Isles (Taron Closeoff) and without meaning to, brings eternal winter to Arendelle. With Elsa hiding away in in the mountains of the Norway-esque kingdom, Anna seeks to reach her with the help of a helpful ice-seller, Kristoff (Jared Matthew), and his faithful reindeer Sven (Norah Borealis).

Popular local entertainer Maurice Mantini works his magic as the enchanted snowman, Olaf; he also plays the girls’ father, King Agnarr, with Gayle Thyme as Queen Iduna. The cast also features Cadence as Oaken, the “hygge” proprietor of the general store and sauna; Rodick as a rather nimble Duke of Weselton; Desiree ‘Denzel’ Bouvier and Ramon Flowers (aka Pricilla Vaggina) as Pabbie and Bulda of the Nordic “Hidden Folk;” as well as Canila Carpenter, Loralei Diamond, Faith Camire, and Cheri Walker-Owens.

For the performance we attended, Matthew had a prior commitment, so understudy Eli Rose nicely filled in as Kristoff.

The show was directed by Dottie B. Minerva and choreographer April Rosè. Sydnie Blair is stage manager. Imaginative sets were designed by Josh Morrow & Tony, with props by Ailish Forner. Giving the fabulous looks are Maria Fruit with costumes, Celeste Al’Dreams with makeup, and wigs by Oriana Peròn.

The company’s diva-level standards of performance are again maintained. Everyone gives their all, from Natalie’s triumph as the Ice Queen to Norah’s endearing deer. This not only showcases the visual spectacle of Drag culture, but also the compelling gestures and emoting that enraptured cinema fans in the silent-movie era.

Also, it’s so much fun.

Performances of this funky “Frozen” are Thursday through Sundy, Nov. 20-23, at The District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis. Get tickets at indydragtheatre.org.

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*(Note: Out of respect for the art form and its performers, they are identified by their Drag names as given in the show program.)

Omigod you guys(?) – Indy Drag goes to law school

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

(Note: Out of respect for the art form and its performers, they are identified by their Drag names as given in the show program.)

Many of us are familiar with the 2001 film “Legally Blonde,” and perhaps with the 2007 stage musical, however for Indy Drag Theatre, it was a parody tribute to this fun comedy in 2022 that got the company rolling. Now, this clever melding of both movie and Broadway – acted, danced and neatly lip-synched by local Drag Queens and Kings – has returned to The District Theatre.

Also notable as an actor in conventional musicals, Parker Taylor makes a stunning transformation into Honey Bunn, who plays our blonde heroine, Elle Woods. To win back the love of her ex-boyfriend Warner (played by Cadence), she leaves UCLA to enter Harvard Law School. Needless to say, it won’t be easy for her but very funny and entertaining for us. In Boston, Elle gets help from teaching assistant Emmett (Eli Rose) and local beautician Paulette (Sydnie Blair), but no help from Vivienne (Kalinda), who is with Warner now.

Elle finally gets to prove herself as part of a team of interns for Professor Callahan (Kristen N. Peterson), who is defending a famous fitness expert Brooke Wyndham (Vera Vanderwoude St. Clair) charged with murder.

The cast includes Axel Brozie as classmate Enid, and AJ Thoma, Kitt St. Clair, and B.B. Rosè as Elle’s Delta Nu sisters Margot, Serena, and Pilar, who appear as her literal Greek Chorus. Sean Seager is dog-gone cute as anthropomorphic pooch Bruiser, as well as hot UPS man Kyle.

A tip of the wig also to Ilana a la Mode, Madison Avenue, Kami Kamora, RoDick Heffley, Josè Dos Santos, Ellen Vander Missen, DeLuLu De Vant, Justin Sheedy, Sophie Sweany, Tiffany Rae, and CiCi Pasion.

Directed by IDT co-founders Blair St. Clair and April Rosè (who choreographed), stage manager is Natalie Port-Ma’am, with costumes by Alish Forner, makeup by St. Pussifer, wigs by Hair By Blair and sturdy sets by Josh Vander Missen.

While the Queens usually get the attention in these shows, it takes all kinds to make the magic work, and I must note the stellar King performance by Peterson as conniving, cruel creep Callahan.

With its energy, flair, and embrace of all things pink and shiny, this musical meshes perfectly with the Drag Theatre format, providing a wonderful experience all around. Get “Legally Blonde(r)” this Thursday through Sunday, May 15-18, at the District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis. Get tickets at indydistricttheatre.org.

‘Carrie’ even more mind-bending in Drag

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

(Note: Out of respect for the art form and its performers, they are identified by their Drag names as given in the show program.)

Surviving high school is such a drag, right?!

So, it stands to reason that Indy Drag Theatre would take on the hottest Prom ever shown on stage or screen in “Carrie: A Drag Parody Musical.” The drag-world embrace of outsiders and making what could be considered trashy fabulous while leaning into its campiness help make this show the perfect medium for genderfluid expression.

As director Ciara Myst pointed out on opening night, the original Stephen King novel boldly took on topics such as abuse and bullying. In addition, the musical itself had a rocky path from being one of Broadway’s biggest flops in 1988 to a cult classic with a notable revival (after some necessary rewrites by creators Lawrence D. Cohen, Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore) in 2012. The Indy Drag Theatre performs flawless lip-synch to audio from both a stage musical performance and the hit 1976 Brian de Palma film. Dottie B. Minerva is assistant director; costumes are by Kalinda, with makeup by Ms. Myst, and wigs from Hair By Blair. Choreography is by April Rosè.

Our fabulous cast ironically plays it straight in reproducing the stage experience, imbuing the scenes with appropriate drama and suspense. St. Pussifer shines as misunderstood, mistreated Carrie White, with Vera Vanderwoude St. Clair chillingly playing her strict and insanely devout mother Margaret. AJ Thoma is solid as good-natured Sue Snell, while Eli Rose is the noble Tommy Ross. Brentlee Bich is furiously bitchy as vengeance-minded Chris (the girl behind the infamous blood-bucket prank). Skarlett Rose also does well as tragic gym teacher Miss Gardner.

Other performers include Cadence, Axel Rosie, Ce Ce Santos, Abigail Brown, Desiree Bouvier, Jose Dos Santos, William Moser, Jack Offerman, and Elle Rulon.

If you are a fan of drag, the original book or film, or high-heeled spectacles like “Rocky Horror,” you simply must see this edition of “Carrie” – when it finally makes its way back to Indy’s District Theater. Due to its proximity to the Fringe festival, there was only one scheduled weekend of performances. When an unspecified emergency forced a cancellation on Sunday, it was announced that Indy Drag Theatre would try to bring the show back at a later date.

In the meantime, make plans for their next scheduled show, “Shrek,” Nov. 15-24. Get details at indydragtheatre.com.