REVIEW Drag show fundraiser is wildly entertaining

The host, Starrlet O'Hara, answered questions about drag queens.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- If you weren't at the Oakland Center on Saturday night, then you missed one wild and crazy show. The sold-out fundraiser "Fundraising ... is a DRAG" filled the theater with wall to-wall-people, all there to be entertained by a local drag queen group, "The Royal Procession," and at the same time helping to financially support the Oakland.
This talented group of performers kept the audience screaming with laughter for nearly three hours, as they sang, titillated and paraded around in the most outlandish costumes. Throughout the evening, the audience lavished the queens with tips, standing in lines in the center aisle to drop a dollar in their bosoms.
The event was hosted by Starrlet O'Hara, who opened the show, dressed in a large orange velveteen dress and enormous platinum-blond wig that could rival Dolly Parton's any day, singing "My Strongest Suit." O'Hara played host all evening, introducing her five friends, all hailing from the Youngtown to Pittsburgh area.
Next, Maxine Factor entered, in feminine lace, singing about the rain on her taffeta dress, switching abruptly to "Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun." Then, Marsha Mellow strutted down the center aisle in a leather minidress, fishnets and tall boots, as she sang "Do the Twist" and "Boots."
Unique styles
Each queen had her own particular style. For instance, Ahrin Starr was the show-tune girl, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Judy Garland as she sang "Over the Rainbow," then later, as the Wicked Witch, singing "Defying Gravity." The petite and slender Paradise Munroe was the sexy pop star, dressed in tight leotard and other provocative garb, as she sang and danced across the stage. Punk star Veruka VonDoom, tall and slender, sultry and sensual, entered wearing a long, black gown, and was the only queen who didn't wear a wig. She later wore a see-through skirt made of plastic wrap and duct tape. All of the performers lip-synced to recorded lyrics except O'Hara, who sang in a beautiful, rich voice.
Risqu & eacute; but educational
As might be expected, these queens kept the audience roaring, with plenty of naughty humor, bosom touching (their own and each other's), and lots of innuendoes. But, as O'Hara pointed out, they also want to educate the public on drag queens as an art form. Throughout the course of the evening, O'Hara answered written questions that people had e-mailed them. First, she differentiated between transvestite, transsexual, female impersonators and drag queens. (Drag queens are primarily entertainers, with little regard to sexual preference.) Other questions were: What is the most challenging aspect of being a drag queen? (Finding big enough shoes.) Is it hard to find a date? (Yes.)
And, speaking of shoes, most of these "ladies" were really big and tall. Add to that the 3-inch platform shoes, and they towered over the other people.
At intermission, winners were drawn for many prizes in the silent auction. The show ended with an enthusiastic standing ovation. The crowd found the performers warm and friendly at the reception afterward, eager to answer questions and pose for photos.
Available for other fundraisers
"The Royal Procession" is available for your event or fundraiser. They have done fundraisers for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations at local universities, as well as other organizations, such as Angels for Animals, Toys for Tots, and the Multiple Dystrophy Association.
XFor more information, or to contact the group, log on to http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile & amp;friendid=69857204,or e-mail: YTownDragShow@aol.com.