A DRAG MUSICAL FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Light-hearted spoof of the pageant scene is silly, smart and full of surprises
Once upon a time televised beauty pageants like Miss America, featuring young women in spike heels and bathing suits, were part of the cultural landscape. These days they may be best known for contestants’ complaints of bullying and abuse.
Pageant, a gently entertaining musical spoof of the genre, takes us back to that era. Set in 1989, the competition for the title of Miss Glamouresse is unapologetically tacky and unabashedly commercial.
MC Frankie Cavalier maintains a corny, flirtatious, G-rated patter as he puts the six charming contestants through their paces. They compete in evening gown, talent and swimsuit segments, and as “spokesmodels” for Glamouresse products.
“They’re natural-born females, made in the USA,” Frankie and the girls sing in the opening number.
But all those females are actually men in drag.
In this Vancouver premiere from the Something Extra Collective, Kelly-Ruth Mercier, the only woman onstage, plays the only man. In a white tux with padded belly, slicked-back hair and moustache, Mercier’s funny Frankie nicely paces the 90-minute show, putting the charm back in smarm.
Big Simon Paterson is bighaired Kitty-Bob Ames, Miss Texas, who also wears a regional crown as Miss Petroleum BiProducts. For the talent segment she performs an impressive cowgirl cheerleader tap routine.
Blonde curls, a pretty face and slim figure aren’t the only virtues of Miss Deep South, Laurinda Summerford (Max Hall). She spokesmodels Glamouresse’s combination powder puff and vacuum, and sings her glorious Salute to Dixie with two hand-puppets in three-part harmony.
Ruth-Ann Ruth (Graeme Thompson), another southern belle, holds the title of Miss Bible Belt. Her hobbies include prayer and fasting. But this pious little lady can also show her talent in worldly ways, offering practical Christian financial advice in the rousing gospel number, “I’m Bankin’ on Jesus.”
Bonnie Louise Cutlett (Ryan Purdy), Miss Great Plains, knows she belongs to the land. Ditzy Miss West Coast, Karma Quinn (Kenneth Tynan), explores her past lives in an interpretive dance. The contest’s nod to diversity is accordion-playing hairdressing student Miss Industrial Northeast, Consuela Manuella Rafaella Lopez (Javier Ricardo Sotres Porres).
Director Christopher Shyer Johnston keeps his cast disciplined and in character, avoiding the mugging and audience-nudging that often mars this kind of show. Tracy Cake provides an array of delightful costumes and wigs. Ken Overbey’s choreography won’t make you forget Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, but the dancing is delightful. So too musical director Amy Gartner’s three-piece band.
Compared with 1991, when this play was first produced, seeing men in skimpy drag nowadays is hardly shocking or even novel. And except when Miss Texas gobbles down Glamouresse’s edible lipstick, “the purtiest protein you’ll ever eat,” nothing here is sexually suggestive.
The family-friendly nature of the show was illustrated the night I saw it by the MC’s choice of a 12-year-old as one of the audience members who decided the winner. I totally disagreed with their decision, and was thrilled to see Miss Bible Belt, who didn’t win, pouting at the injustice of it all.