‘Drag Queen’ returns with some new songs

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Oakland Center for the Arts and the Rust Belt Theater Company will present the sixth annual production of Robert Dennick Joki’s “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and again Dec. 9 and 10. There will be an extra-risque midnight show Dec. 10.

The production will take place at the Oakland, but proceeds will benefit both theaters.

The plot of the show centers around Starrlet O’Hara, a tyrant drag queen who despises Christmas and everything it stands for.

On Christmas Eve, she is visited by a group of ghostly divas who try to show her the true meaning of the holiday season.

The show originally was written six years ago to help the Oakland Center with its winter utility bills. Since then, it has become a holiday staple and one of the most successful shows in the theater’s history.

“It was meant to be a one-night thing,” said Joki. “We had no idea it was going to become such a huge hit. I never thought I’d still be doing this show six years later.

“It’s become a holiday tradition for performers as well as theater patrons,” he said. “We’ll keep doing this show as long as people keep coming to see it.”

The script is updated each year to parody current events and pop culture. Joki also has teamed up with local musicians Josh Taylor and Bernadette Lim to create five new songs for the production. There also are new characters and new scenes.

As always, each night of the performance will be preceded by a wine-and-cheese reception.

Patrons will be given the opportunity to win items from the silent auction, featuring gift certificates, drag-related items and locally made artwork. The doors will open at 7 p.m. each night.