Thread review, mnfringe show 2: Mae West’s The Drag; sleek and slimmed down adaptation of a naughty period farce with very modern drag queens, what’s not to like? - 5 stars
This is one of those instances when writing a review where I have to stop myself, because I’m trying too hard to find things wrong with a show, because my inner snob is whispering, “This can’t be a 5 star show, you have to deduct points for something.” But honestly, there’s nothing wrong with The Feral Theater Company’s Fringe-length adaptation of Mae West’s play “The Drag.” It’s exactly what it wants to be, which is true to the spirit of West’s original, while keeping things clipping along at a brisk pace (sparing us long, old-fashioned scenes full of exposition that aren’t necessary for a modern audience to follow the plot), getting to the good stuff, and leaving room for three abbreviated drag performances to boot. I had been worried it might be too creaky and old if it cleaved to closely to the original, or lose the charm of West’s sense of humor by making it too modern. But Braden Joseph’s adaptation and direction here strike just the right balance between the two. You feel like you’re watching a classic Hollywood screwball comedy, and at the same time, you’re enjoying the very modern sensibility about gender and sexuality that, of course, you’d expect out of Mae West, even a hundred years ago. (Would Ms. West have enjoyed drag queen The Duchess performing in a sequined evening gown to a big band version of Britney Spears “Toxic”? Probably. The audience sure did.)
“You’ve always been better at decorating than I have.”
Oh, the audience. The performance I attended definitely had some friends/fans/regulars in the crowd of the acts of the three drag performers involved. They were an added layer to the entertainment, hooting and hollering like they were at a bachelorette party (and for all I know, they were). They gasped when someone shouted the word “faggot!” (though, to be fair, so did most of the rest of the audience). They also leaned right in on the sentimental moments with audible “Awww’s.” If your audience does not include such a contingent, your enjoyment mileage may vary. As it was, these ladies definitely added to the queer joy of the opening performance.
“I just love engineers.”
Rolly (Mitch Vosejpka) and Clair (Abby Wagner) are married, but not exactly happily. They were best friends since childhood so when Clair’s dad the doctor (Brand Willey) and Rolly’s dad the well-to-do judge (Jeremy Williams) suggested their children get married, they complied. But Clair yearns for something more (not another man, perhaps not any man, is she lesbian or just asexual? the play never confirms a single answer) Her aunt Barbara (Taylor Ruder) is concerned enough to plot a trip to Europe to clear the poor girl’s head. Rolly had to give up a happy relationship with David (Basil Jenkins) in order to maintain the good family name. That doesn’t mean that the local contractor Grayson (Zach Sain) doesn’t still catch Rolly’s eye. But will those feelings be mutual, or is Rolly heading for scandal that could tarnish the family’s reputation? Grayson isn’t the only way Rolly is living life on the edge. The family butler Rosco (Jordan Girard) and their mutual friends The Doll (Dee Jackson) and The Duchess (Chad Burke) are unfurling a fabulous party while Clair is out of the house - or so they think. Hijinks, and unexpected new friendships, ensue amidst twists and turns I won’t spoil here.
“I need this party or I shall go mad!”
The acting style fits the arch period dialogue, and the production is very much in on the joke with the audience in a way that draws spectators in rather than putting them off. It’s a neat trick, and not everyone could pull such a thing off. But these actors are well suited to this story, and fully committed to providing some gay pride and hope in a conservative time, and much like those trans women at Stonewall, the show’s drag queens (with an unexpected den mother reveal) are leading the charge.
“They’re with a version of you that doesn’t exist.”
Mae West’s The Drag is fun, silly, and takes itself just seriously enough that one can’t entirely dismiss it as fluff. The show has something important to say. but it isn’t afraid to have a good time saying it. I feared, given the time period the script came from, that we’d be assaulted by a lot of “homosexual suffering as entertainment.” But, in a pleasant surprise, it’s just entertaining, and the homosexuals refuse to suffer for long.
“Are you going to do anything to make the world a better place?”
If you’re looking for a good time, Mae West, as always, is happy to provide. This time, in the form of The Feral Theater Company’s production of her play, “The Drag.”
5 Stars - Very Highly Recommended
Here's some handy links to coverage of shows I've seen in the Fringe this year getting 5 and 4.5 Stars (Very Highly Recommended), 4 and 3.5 Stars (Highly Recommended) as well as the shows ranking 3 stars or less; also links to this year's Top 10 list and Top 11-20 list, also a full list of all returning favorites to this year's Fringe, plus a link to ALL the 2024 Minnesota Fringe Festival coverage.
While I have your attention, please VOTE :)
Minnesota is currently in the early voting period
for our Congressional and local primaries (I had the U.S. Senate,
Congress, and the Minneapolis school board on my ballot) - final day to
vote in the primary is Tuesday, August 13th, but you don't have to wait
until Fringe is over, go vote right now :)
Early voting for the Presidential Election itself in Minnesota starts on Friday, September 20th.
We're lucky to have a lot of time to get our voices heard, so cast your
vote, and then make sure everyone you know and love is registered and
gets to the polls to vote. Election Day, your final date to vote, is Tuesday, November 5th.
As a queer playwright and theater maker, I want a government that's compassionate and competent enough to keep us all safe and healthy, keep theaters open and running, and personally, I'd just like to be legal myself and keep the weirdos out of government and out of my personal business (and the things I post on this blog, for instance). We all have our reasons, so let's make sure we get the leaders we need and deserve, and get our friends, family and co-workers to raise their voices, too.
Find where to vote and what's on your ballot (with links to candidate websites) and other resources at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.
For other resources on how to register, volunteer or donate, locally or nationally, check out Vote Save America.
Vote. Raise your voice. We're not going back.
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