In this feature, I'll share a guest with you all each week,
and you tell me in only three words what comes to mind.
In Three Words...
Rex Reed
A funny story I recalled with Rex Reed's passing this week. One of the clan, Preston, about ten years back was out one night getting heavily cruised by Mr Reed, And I wouldn't blame Mr. Reed, because Preston is very easy on the eyes with many redeemable assets. As it was told to me, after some time, Rex came up to him, copped a few feels, and invited him home, to which Preston declined. Of course, being young, Preston had no clue it was. Had I been present I would have thrown myself to the wolf.
When I went to NYC recently, the main reason was to visit the clan, and we all had plans to go see the Broadway show Cats: The Jellicle Ball. New York City on a Saturday night and the excitement was building as show goers queued up all the way down the block, for Broadway's latest sensation.
This revival I found to be a vibrant, queer-centric reimagining of the iconic 1981 musical. Instead of felines at a literal junkyard, the show sets the production in the underground LBTQ ballroom and house scene rooted in New York City. The characters still compete to be chosen for a new life, but they do it through fierce vogueing, runway and dance battles judged by "Old Deuteronomy. The stage is transformed into an underground ballroom. The songs become competition categories where "cats" perform on a runway to win favor with the judges, who rotate each week with different celebrities. The show pays homage to the legendary real life ballroom community. And the cast! It gave a new reason to cheer! For costumes, voguing and even for the laughs. Not to mention, I've never seen any live production with so many trans people, more important than ever. Here's an idea: have more roles for gay/trans/drag! Give them a chance to shine and they will. This production proves it!
I am Tempress plays Grizbella and to the hilt!! She is styled as an older trans woman whose silicone has dropped...and the makeup team actually painted her face crooked so that her mouth drooped. Tony winner Andre DeShirlds ruled as Deuteronomy. He holds one note that lets you know right ways why he's a Broadway legend. It was also nice to see Junior LaBeija, from Paris is Burning who played Gus and Tempress who is from the House of Margiela. It's a huge bonus to see the ballroom community showcased and thrilling the mainstream I say. And DON'T get me started of Sydney James Harcourt who plays Rum Tum Tugger!! That man and his moves gave me the vapors honey!!! Excuse my French, but that man is fucking scorching, sexy as hell. Nina West is friends with him, I must get the tea on him darlings. Another reason I liked the show was to see costumes by Qween Jean, who has gotten raved over her costume designs.
My own critique, the story is told through song. But the music is louder that the cast's vocals. If you can't hear the lyrics, you can't quite follow the plot. The good news? It doesn't matter. Don't over think it. The show is fun, electric and spine tingling to watch. This version of Cats is arguably superior to the standard one, wrote one review. I agree. Go see it if you get to NYC. Now it remains to be seen if it will be hot and crazy or a huge hit...but the nominations say different, and are a good sign, as the show has only been open for a little over a month.
Sad news arrived to hear that beautiful queen Pepperica Swirl has passed on unexpectedly, a queen who designed wigs and costumes for many of us queens. A stunning and talented queen herself, she became known as a fixture in the New York City queer life and theater communities. Pepperica was known for her sharp wit, high camp, and immaculate costuming, not to mention her perfect hip pad business in later years. Other words that come to mind are generous, hilarious, compassionate, and shady in the best possible sense. She made quite a few of my pool gowns too. Always the fun one at a drag show, and she had a little bit of that Anna Nicole Smith vibe going on. Perpperica also had the privilege to attain a post on the college of monarchs of the Imperial Court of New York. She served as Empress XXV and her empress tile was "The Empress of Caftans and Cocktails." If you have never been to a Night of Thousand Gowns...go once! It makes a drag show look amateur. She's survived by her sweet teacher husband, Vincent. Very sad to say goodbye to yet another legend and fun sister this year. She has left a massive mark on the city's drag scene, and a huge hole within the Imperial Court community. Arise for the Empress!
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