‘Drag Queen’ returns with ‘celebrity’ friends

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

“How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” will return for its ninth year when Rust Belt Theater Company stages the original holiday comedy this weekend and next.

Show times for the risque musical are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 12 and 13 at the Calvin Center auditorium, 755 Mahoning Ave., in Spring Commons, near downtown. An extra-risque performance will be presented at midnight Dec. 13.

The show is an off-the-wall retelling of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” As the name indicates, it centers around tyrannical drag queen Starrlet O’Hara, played by Robert Dennick Joki, who also wrote and directs the musical. Starrlet is visited by three ghostly divas on Christmas Eve.

As always, new scenes, characters, costumes and songs, composed by Joki and Josh Taylor, have been added to the show to take advantage of the misadventures of celebrities.

“I update the show each year to lampoon politics and pop culture,” said Joki. “The events of this year provided plenty of inspiration, both nationally and locally.”

Celebrity impersonations are also a staple of “Drag Queen,” and this year’s version includes an extra dose.

The cast, the largest ever, includes Nicole Zayas, Madison Gulfo, Alyssa Connelly, Marisa Zamary, Beth Farrow, Kage Coven, Hunter Thomas, Andrew Labedz, Bernadette Lim, David Cirelli, Katie Morris, Michael Deutschlander, Siobhan Hnida, Eric Lewis, Nick Lyras, Cassie Wirtz, Celena Coven, Rachel Clifford and Joki.

Each performance of “Drag Queen” will include a complimentary wine and cheese reception, at which guests can bid on gift certificates and local artwork in a silent auction.

Tickets are $15 ($10 for students and seniors). For reservations, call 330-507-2358.

This year’s production also will help raise funds for several local charities, including the Dorothy Day House, Silver Lining Cancer Fund, Purple Cat, Artists of the Rust Belt and the YACTA Scholarship Fund.

Rust Belt Theater Company, which specializes in original works or adaptations, will reveal its 2015 season at Friday’s opening night performance. The theater’s season follows the calendar year, and not the traditional September to May format.

Joki said the 2015 season will include more local playwrights and two new musicals.