Orillia audiences came out loud and proud this weekend in support of Mariposa Arts Theatre’s second annual Queer Cabaret.
Three sold-out shows made it clear that Orillians were ready to embrace this new-to-Orillia experience, and the screams, clapping, and whistling at each show spoke to the appreciation the audience had for each talented performer.
“Our Queer Cabaret this year ended up a lot bigger than last year. We had more performers come out and audition, and more performers in the show,” said Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT) board president and Queer Cabaret director, Stevie Baker.
“It’s amazing to see the growth in the show, and then to sell out three performances compared to one last year ... that’s not a baby step from last year, that’s a really big leap,” she concluded.
Performers in this year’s Queer Cabaret included Amy Rae; Kieren Day as Aria Reddy (accompanied by Heather Dennis and Maddie McClocklin); A'Slayna Von Hunt; Champagne Top'Her; Josh Halbot; Randy Nichol (accompanied by Blair Bailey); Rodaysha Red Ashes; Sandra Coones; and Thee Themme. Almost all the performers are from the Simcoe County and Muskoka area, with Thee Themme being from Toronto.
Halbot is no stranger to MAT audiences, having performed in Chicago, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and The Play That Goes Wrong, in recent years. For his performance, Halbot sang three songs from the punk rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Before singing, he shared his feelings about his favourite musical, noting it is a seminal work about queer identity, and sex and gender.
The drag queens at the cabaret were outstanding and varied, from the statuesque and beauty queen-like Champagne Top’Her to the drag clown Rodaysha Red Ashes to the vampy burlesque show of A’Slayna Von Hunt.
Kieren Day made his debut as Aria Reddy and stole the show, along with his backup dancers, with incredible choreography and dance moves, in addition to fantastic costuming. Sandra Coones made an excellent Boy George with her version of Karma Chameleon.
Thee Themme, representing the nonbinary and neurodivergent population, twirled their way across the stage and into the audience’s hearts, while recently returned Orillia tenor Randy Nichol thrilled everyone with two phenomenal musical numbers.
Amy Rae, a multiple-disabled, queer, and nonbinary poet and spoken word artist, made the audience both laugh and cry with their beautifully worded poetry.
“What a show!” exclaimed one audience member upon leaving. “Those performers were the best I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot!” said another.
Baker was happy with the audience reaction and the obvious enjoyment of the show.
“Some of the audience were here last year, but some of them were new. And that's really exciting because everything is a surprise. You know, I'm sure we have people in the audience who have never seen a drag performer, or a show that is themed for queer people in this way," Baker explained.
She concluded, “I think this is a beautiful way to celebrate our queer community, to build up our community and just invite our allies in as well. We are building something important for our children, our youth, and everyone in our community.”
