A new adaptation on a controversial classic.

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” - Mae West

Written by the infamous sex icon of stage and screen, Mae West’s The Drag, once hailed as outrageous and morally offensive, explores sexual and moral taboos to reveal both the pleasures and the cost of living a secret life. Closeted socialite, Rolly Kingsbury, navigates his suspicious wife, her therapist father who specializes in gay conversion, and his rowdy drag queen friends. Come for the drag ball and stay for this flamboyant and fiercely funny social satire. This production will be a new adaptation, putting it into the modern dialogue about Queer issues and the legislative actions being taken against queer people throughout the US.

Included in all EgoPo Subscriptions and Memberships

The Drag sponsored by Dr. Joel and Mrs. Bobbie Porter

Opening Night Sponsored by Joyce Spindler

Play contains violence, sexual situations and death

Bring your new and used clothing to a performance of The Drag and help us in helping provide vital access to those in need. We will accept clothes of all sizes and all genders. Be sure everything is freshly cleaned or laundered. We ask that donations be packaged in some way (i.e. bags, boxes) and are removed from hangers and dry cleaning bags.

Formerly known as Career Wardrobe, The Wardrobe is a nonprofit social enterprise open to all, dedicated to outfitting people for life or work. For those facing barriers to employment and independence, not having the right clothing can hinder advancement.

We are accepting donations on behalf of

Venue

Christ Church Neighborhood House

20 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Parking/Public Transportation

Free street parking (2 hours) and paid off-site garage spaces are available. Ride-share transportation, Indego Bikes, or public transportation are encouraged.

 

Creative Team

  • Rebecca Wright (She/Her)

    Director

  • AZ Espinoza (They/He)

    Playwright

  • Thomas Choinacky (They/He)

    Playwright

  • Randi Alexis Hickey (She/Her)

    Stage Manager/Intimacy Captain

  • Chris Haig (He/Him)

    Scenic Designer

  • Ilycia Buffaloe (She/Her)

    Costume Designer

  • Krista Smith (She/They)

    Lighting Designer

  • Adiah Hicks (She/Her)

    Sound Designer

  • Shane Dreher (He/Him)

    Props Designer

  • Paule Turner, Duchess (They/He/She)

    Choreographer

  • K. O'Rourke (She/They)

    Intimacy Coordinator

  • Asher Vaglica (He/They)

    Asst. Stage Manager

  • Xander Setchko he/they

    Asst. Lighting Designer & Follow Spot Operator

Cast

  • Eli Lynn (They/Them)

    Rolly

  • Vanessa (V) Sterling* (They/She/He)

    Grayson

  • doug greene (He/Him)

    David

  • Jameka Monet Wilson (They/She)

    Clair

  • Anna Faye Lieberman (She/They)

    Doctor

  • Donovan Lockett (She/Her)

    Judge

  • Pax Ressler* (They/She)

    Clem

  • Max Vasapoli (He/Any)

    Barbara/Kate

  • Dallas Austin Jimmar (They/He)

    Duchess

  • Joyous Whitfield (They/Them)

    Taxi Driver

  • Lexi Thammavong (They/She)

    Winnie/Marion/Inspector

  • Chris Davis (He/Him)

    Jessie/Parsons

About Mae West

Mary Jane "Mae" West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright whose career spanned over seven decades. West’s plays dealt with what today would be called "adult subject matter" with tryst plots and sexual innuendos. Her productions were not easy to bring to the stage for many reasons, primarily the constant changes needed to get the dialogue and plot lines more in line with the moral codes of the day. Of course, all this only brought more publicity to her productions and resulted in packed performances.  

“She was an original: the ultimate bosomy, blonde sex symbol whose style—silken walk, suggestive less of sex than of the meshing of superbly machined parts—was often imitated, but never equaled…She was above all, Mae West.”

- Ted O. Thackrey and Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times