Norah Borealis

Chill with another cool Indy Drag parody

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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.)

Drag Theatre lets its ‘Freak Flag Fly’

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.)

In the gay community, “fairy” stings as a pejorative, but Indy Drag Theatre celebrates Fairy Tales in style with its production of “Shrek” at the District Theatre. This parody/homage melds the Oscar-winning 2001 film with the Tony-winning 2008 musical (incorporating more elements of the 1990 children’s book) with bits of sassy attitude (RuPaul’s voice does pop in) appropriate to the milieu.

With all audio lip-synched the story is unchanged, so what sells the show are the non-stop visuals – costumes and props by Ailish Forner, makeup by Ciara Myst, wigs from Hair by Blair, with choreography by Kitt St. Clair, and directed by Maddie Deeken with Beelzebabe – and comic yet compelling performances by Miss Kay-Ottic as Shrek, DeLulu Devant as Donkey, and Luna Magick as Lord Farquaad. Princess Fiona is nicely portrayed by Kalinda, with Cici Pasion and Madison Avenue as her younger versions, and Axel Rosie as “love’s true form.” Natalie PortMan puts the drag in Dragon with her performance as the fire-breathing beauty. Our Shrek and Fiona have chemistry (and not just gastric), while Donkey and Farquaad are each major scene-stealers.

Also notable is Alicia Brooke as Pinocchio and Robin Hood. Various other creatures are embodied effectively by Eli Rose, Johnnee Crash, Brentlee Bich, Norah Borealis, Milo Xpat Tayshuns, Rodick Heffley, Freddie Fatale, Senator Gale Lagations, Ava Morningstar, Aqua Marie, and Gorge Bush.

While fun and familiar, this production is also a loud and proud celebration of our differences, and how together we can find in that freakiness a common bond.

Good news: This time we have the review up in time for you to see the show! Seats sell fast, so get tickets at indydistricttheatre.org for performances 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-24 at 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis.