Using Commercial Street as a runway, the country’s top drag performers can be seen strutting their stuff before they take the stage each night in Provincetown. Fans of all ages, have their fun in these impromptu interactions that only occur in the beachside haven that is the capital of drag. On any given night, there can be a half dozen original shows playing to packed houses. 2018 is no exception to the full lineup which will include:
Showgirls
This iconic show is a mashup of a weekly talent show, your favorite queens, celebrity guest stars, and every level of camp. Contestants vie for a $500 CASH prize, and some lucky audience are treated to giveaways from local businesses.
When: Monday nights at 9 pm; Beginning early June – Monday, 9/10/18
Where: A-House, 6 Masonic Place
Miss Richfield, 1981
Known for her unique take on audience participation, and comedic songs and videos, Miss Richfield new show is titled Born Again. Miss Richfield 1981 writes about her new show: In this divided world, I’m finding new religion to bring us all together. Will you join me on my journey this year?
When: June – Labor Day weekend.
Where: Pilgrim House Showroom, Sage Inn, The Landing Bistro & Bar, 336 Commercial St.
Dina Martina
“Divinely funny” – Time Out London | “Painfully funny and demented” – Seattle Times | “The most original drag performer working in America today” – Village Voice
Dina’s show is packed with songs, horrifying stories and … magnificent costumes.
When: Fri, 06/01/18 – Sat, 09/15/18
Where: Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial St.
Jimmy James
Jimmy James is the Real Deal: Singer-songwriter, impressionist, performance artist and award-winning entertainer. His show includes LIVE vocal impressions of classic and contemporary stars: Cher, Elvis, Adele, Stevie Nicks, Lana Del Ray, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross, Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt and others. And he’s sure to perform his hit song Fashinista!
When: June – September 2018.
Where: Pilgrim House Showroom, Sage Inn, The Landing Bistro & Bar, 336 Commercial St.
Illusions
Provincetown’s first ladies of high drag, Tisch DeWilliams and Billie Jean, combine glamour, comedy, and amazing songs in a Las Vegas-style drag revue.
When: Mid-May – Sept.
Where: Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial St.
Ben DeLaCreme
Ben DeLaCreme, a contestant on Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, comes to the Crown & Anchor for a summer run. Ben is known for her solo shows Terminally Delightful and Cosmos, and as co-creator and host of burlesque revues Freedom Fantasia and Homo for the Holidays.
When: Fri, 7/6
Where: Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial St.
Lip-Schtick starring Scarbie
David Scarbie Mitchell stars in his long-running one-man show, Lip-Schtick – One Boy’s Journey to Fabulous and Back! Lip-Schtick is a one man quick-change show, in which David Scarbie Mitchell evolves through seven characters and eleven costume changes without EVER leaving the stage. The audience sees the whole process which is fast paced, set to music and sometimes hysterically “out of control.”
Lip-Schtick is certainly mostly comedy, and includes both lip-sync and live vocals which serve to blur the boundaries of reality as Scarbie changes characters and genders. Some audience members cannot distinguish which songs are sung live or recorded due to Scarbie’s flawless technique and delivery.
Perhaps most noteworthy is that Lip-Schtick has a definitive storyline throughout the show, reminding us how we are all very basically the same at heart in our human experience. This inspirational aspect of the show adds depth and dimension.
When: July – early September, Thu – Sun
Where: UU Meeting House, 236 Commercial St
Varla Jean Merman
Who is Varla Jean Merman?
As Varla Jean, Jeffery Roberson has filled cabarets and concert halls across the world including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, London’s Soho Theatre and LAs Renberg Theatre. Jeffery wrote and starred in the short Improve Your History with Varla Jean: Stonewall, for the launch of the MTV’s television network Logo and was also seen in their One Night Standup: Dragtastic special. Jeffery has starred as Varla in numerous TV and stage roles as well.
“…hysterically funny” – New York Times
“Varla is ready to claim her show-biz birthright on the legitimate stage.” – The New Yorker
“…the singer blurs the line between what is feminine and what is artifice…the mountainous peaks and troughs of her vocal range defied expectations.” – San Francisco Weekly
“…a delirious synthesis of Divine, Karen Finley, and Montserrat Caballé and even those who think drag has had its day swear that this big, beautiful creature is kind of demented genius.” – Time Out New York
Jinkx Monsoon
The Jinkx Monsoon personality is a manifestation of years of practice, a career endeavor that began when Jerick Hoffer was fifteen. “She is definitely a zany, off the wall, irreverent, gorgeous anachronism,” Hoffer adds. “She simply refuses to let her audience sit idol; she is a powerhouse of song and comedy, igniting her audiences in a frenzy of laughter and sexual tension.”
