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‘Drag Queen’ returns to Oakland
By LORRAINE WARDLE
Every December for the past six years, a certain drag queen arrives at The Oakland Center for the Arts, intent on stealing Christmas, and ends up stealing our hearts instead.
The return of Starlett O’Hara and her drag-queen ensemble is a highly anticipated event for theater fans. “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” has become a staple for the Oakland. Every year, fans new and old flock to the Oakland to experience the latest version of Robert Dennick Joki’s Christmas extravaganza.
Friday marked the sixth anniversary of “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas,” and the production is still going strong. What originally was meant to be a one-night performance has become a Christmas tradition, growing in popularity each year.
Most of the plot remains the same year to year. Starlett O’Hara is a successful drag queen with a personality reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge. After losing her staff on Christmas Eve, Starlett experiences drug- and alcohol-induced visions of Christmases past, present, and future and awakens a changed queen.
Sounds familiar, right? Except in this play, the ghosts are Marilyn Monroe, Lady Gaga and Cher, the script is laced with profanity and hilariously raunchy sexual references, and the Christmas carols are like nothing you’ve ever heard.
Every year, Joki updates his script with timely cultural references such as in the hilarious version of “Jingle Bells” that remembers celebrities who have recently passed away. This year, Joki, with Josh Taylor and Bernadette Lim, also wrote five new, original songs for the production. The songs added both mirth and depth to the production, particularly Joki’s touching solo about winter that showcased his beautiful voice.
Joki is the creative force behind this Christmas masterpiece. He wrote the wickedly funny script with parodies of traditional Christmas carols and popular songs. He also designed the set, costumes, sound and lights.
Joki also stars as Starlett, the selfish and unhappy drag queen. Joki’s Starlett was appropriately over-the-top with amazing singing voice and perfect deadpan delivery.
As drag queen Buffy, Nicole Zayas was tough and funny, with a powerful singing voice. In contrast, Bernadette Lim’s newbie drag queen, Minnie Cooper, was sweet and innocent with a lovely voice. Kelsie Moon and Alyssa Connelly gave entertaining performances as Marilyn Monroe and Lady Gaga.
Murad Shorrab was the hilarious “real” drag queen, Miraj, with a deep voice and commanding stage presence. He also delighted the audience as Starlett’s long-suffering mother and future-Cher, both outrageously funny characters.
“How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” is a fundraiser that benefits the Oakland and the Rust Belt Theater. Each performance is preceded by a wine-and-cheese reception and a silent auction featuring items from local businesses and artists.
“How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” continues Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. with an additional “extra-risqu ” performance next Sunday at midnight. For reservations, call 330-746-0404.