By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by Tim Fuller
The full cast in costume to present "The Legend of Georgia McBride."
First of all, “The Legend of Georgia McBride” by Matthew Lopez is a whole lot of hip-shaking fun with drag queens. But more than that, the Arizona Theatre Company's production directed by Meredith McDonough is an equally rambunctious and heartfelt celebration of life, especially family life – and a wonderful reminder that joyful humor has the power to unite us all.
For sure, it is impossible to be angry at anyone when you are laughing so hard. Also, “Georgia McBride” premiered in 2014 before gender issues became as politicized as they are today.
In the program notes, company artistic director Matt August writes “We at ATC recognize the vital importance of doing this play NOW, in the face of the anti-diversity and anti-drag sentiment that is sweeping the country.”
This particular music-filled journey of discovery begins in Panama City, a coastal town on the panhandle of Florida known in some circles as The Redneck Riviera. Casey (Kevin Kantor) definitely has a gritty low budget determination to survive no matter what. He's an Elvis impersonator at Cleo's Bar, and has the white jumpsuit to prove it.
But business isn't so good at Cleo's. Eddie (James Pickering) the club owner wants to pump up some excitement with a different act. His cousin Miss Tracy Mills (Courter Simmons) suggests a drag show. After all, she knows this business from the bottom up.
Only, there's no room here for Elvis. Then with his future already looking bleak, Casey discovers his wife Jo (Renea S. Brown) is pregnant. What's a poor boy to do? With a deep breath, Casey takes a stab at going drag. Miss Tracy is more than happy to teach him the ropes...or rather, the wigs!
“What state were you born in? What's the name of the first girl you kissed? That's your drag name,” commands Miss Tracy. Quicker than you can say “These tights are too tight,” the legend of Georgia McBride is born.
Their drag revue is an instant hit in Panama City. As the shows, the sets and the costumes get bigger and bigger, ATC keeps pulling out more stops, releasing more brakes, riding more insistent disco beats until, without ever looking back, leaps with a big plunge straight into all that glitz!
Backstage, Miss Tracy is also urging Casey to keep digging down inside himself, getting deeper in touch with his female side, feeling that surge of feminine power.
"The only limits are the limits of our imagination,” Miss Tracy keeps insisting.
Completing the cast are towering, broad shouldered and delicate Rexy (Armand Fields), along with ensemble members Marshall Glass and Max Murray.
The wildly fanciful costume designs by Patrick Holt and expansive scenic designs by Collette Pollard don't waste a drop of that imagination. Equally rich are the original music and sound design by Lindsay Jones, the original lighting design by Paul Toben; coupled with the adapted lighting design by Victoria Bain and David Shocket. Their extra effort deserves extra credit.
My favorite part was seeing how deftly Rexy can maneuver on roller skates. That and the swirling mirror balls combined with waves of wafting soap bubbles filling the stage in the grand finale that brought the hand-clapping audience to its feet.
"The Legend of Georgia McBride,” running approximately 100 minutes without intermission, continues through June 24 with 7:30 p.m. evening performances, 2 p.m. matinees, in the downtown Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tickets are $25-$85. For details and reservations, atc.org or phone 833-ATC-SEAT.
COVID protocol does not require masks but they are being encouraged.
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