Life Can be a Drag or Just an Illusion

(Kim Stacy plays several characters in Priscilla, including the awkward woman.)

I'm experimenting with this entry as I started it on one computer and I want to see if I can insert or combine the information. If not there will be two separate entries.

(Jack Donahue plays Bernadette, the role played by Terrence Stamp in the film.)

(Anthony Vincent Toudjarov plays Felicia)

(Kwame Michael Remy as Miss Understanding)

(Stephen Anthony plays various roles in Prescilla Queen of the Desert)

(Boyce Templin plays Farrah and is a part of the Ensemble)

I had been wanting to write this for quite some time. Currently, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical, is being performed at ZACH. It’s an incredible musical based upon the film of the same name. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays, with two shows on Saturdays until Sunday October 30, 2016. There are still tickets available.

Abe Reybold directs this lavish and colorful production. Of course there are some differences in the musical, but the story remains the same. There’s more music and this time they actually do sing when the get to the top of Ayers Rock.

When I met the film makers at the Seattle International Film Festival we discussed musical rights and getting Terrence Stamp to play the part of Bernadette.

In the ZACH production, Jack Donahue does an incredible job with the role.

There are many events in New Orleans where I can take pictures of people in costumes, mainly during Mardi Gras, Southern Decadence and Halloween.

In 2009 I was introduced to Coca and I decided I would try to photograph the process of the transformation. I shot video and still images and it was quite interesting.

(Coca beginning the transformation process)

These images are from a benefit that was held at the Golden Lantern.

I’ve written about this when I used to write about my travels. In 2005 I went to Louisville, Kentucky to visit a friend and he liked watching drag. I went to one of those competitions and I was blown away. I was never a big fan of drag other than watching people on TV doing it and Jim Baily who considered himself an illusionist.

In 2002, I had gone to a club in Pensacola called Emerald City and I saw something so unusual that I was changing my mind about the art form. Anorexia performed: an alien like creature that was just so theatrical you felt as if you were somewhere else.

(Coca as Lucille Ball in the famous Vita Vita Vegeman commercial)

So, back to Louisville, quite a few of the acts actually sang, there was no lip syncing. Some of the costumes and dancing was so professional. Now that I write this it reminds me of a line from Bernadette, that the art of drag is gone, but everyone is finding their way to be a star thanks to RuPaul. Although Sylvester paved the way.

There was one person that did Tina Turner and there was another number that I don’t recall, but the costume was a leather antebellum gothic look that was just awesome.
Then there was a group that sang Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, they were dressed in black an white like children from the corn, but the lead was Edward Scissor hands and this was just the best thing I had seen in quite some time.

(Rikki Redd performing at a benefit at the Golden Lantern in New Orleans)

More and more those that do drag are bringing out their art just like the entertainers that they impersonate. Of course there can be a thin line between impersonation and drag.

Like all art, it’s not for everyone. Some people don’t understand it and there are others that see too much of themselves on the stage or it’s a secret fantasy to perform.
That’s why Halloween and Mardi Gras gives them the chance to embrace those hidden fantasies.

(Monique Michaels performing at the Golden Lantern for a benefit)

Artography by Dlonzo “It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

If you are in need of an artist/photographer to capture your event from concept to completion contact me, 1960Photo@gmail.com or Photo1960@aol.com

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again to see where the journey leads.

Check out my other blogs for more insight.
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
http://filmlover4pg.blogspot.com
http://artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.
Taking it one day at a time. Keep the faith.

Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).

Check out the links below for some of my videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

(Chanel Haynes-Schwartz, one of the Divas)

Last night was the Champagne Opening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at ZACH Theatre. Whenever I have the opportunity I like to see performances and see how they progress and the changes from Dress Rehearsal to preview to opening and closing night. By closing night the actors are so comfortable in their roles and with each other that the last show is such a high energy filled with lots of emotion. The same is true for opening night even though they are working over those nerves, as if they are performing for the first time.

I wasn't familiar with the musical adaptation based upon the film of the same name. I brought back memories of seeing the film at the Seattle International Film Festival back in 1994. I remember meeting the film makers during a Q&A. Many people were curious as to how they got Terrence Stamp to play the role of Bernadette. I also learned about getting the rights to music for films. There is a scene in the film where the three main characters go to the top of Ayers Rock, but there is no music because they could not get the rights tot he song they wanted to use.
(You would think people would want the free advertisement, but that isn't always the case.)

In the musical version that issue has been resolved. There is music when they get to the top of the Rock.

ZACH's production is directed by Abe Reybold and stars Joshua Denning as Tick, Jack Donahue as Bernadette and Anthony Vincent Toudjarov as Adam/Felicia.

The musical is high energy, full of color with moments that will touch home with most people. Everyone knows some moment when they feel like an outcast.
Everyone in the production is so talented, but there are always standouts for me. I'm always looking through my camera to pick up on the energy of the actors or dancers and that's where my focus goes when I'm taking pictures.

Chanel Haynes-Shwartz, Jack Donahue, Kim Stacy and Hunter Regian are those stand out for me. Hunter Regain was last seen as a dancer in Mary Poppins, but in Priscilla he gets to shine as the young Bernadette in a musical number from Les Girls.

Kim Stacy was scene in James and The Giant Peach as Aunt Sponge. In Priscilla she steals every scene she is in.

Jack Donahue is excellent as Bernadette. Not to make comparisons, but it happens. He plays the role similar to that of Terrence Stamp in the film version.

Then there is Chanel Haynes-Schwartz, who I first met when she did Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies also directed by Abe Reybold. Not only is she a lovely person, she has an incredible voice. Chanel was a part of the gospel group Trinitee 5;7
When the Divas came out, the first thing that came to mind was the Muses from Hercules. Which always bring me back to the idea that artists do think alike and sometimes what we like we incorporate it into what we do. Artists are inspired by many things.

The choreography is by the talented Dominique Kelley who has choreographed several television shows and many entertainers. Dominique choreographed Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies at ZACH.

Allen Robinson, The musical director gives us the music that makes  everyone wants to get up and shake their groove thing.

The show will run Wednesday - Sunday until October 30, 2016. Check the web sight for more information. Zachtheatre.org.

I really enjoyed the production at ZACH and hope that I can see it a few more times.