Review: Uptown Players' GEORGIA MCBRIDE Delivers Delightful Drag

Uptown Players continues its 2017-2018 season with THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE, directed by Bruce R. Coleman. At its heart, this play is a story about being true to yourself even when it is inconvenient to do so.

The show overcomes a slow start to ultimately provide sincere emotion and captivating spectacle. Casey (Kyle Igneczi) is trying to reconcile his dream of being an Elvis impersonator with the reality that he needs money to pay the rent when his wife Jo (Sky Williams) discovers that she is pregnant. Although this initial plot line is too cliche to gain traction on its own, the introduction of two queens of drag (Walter Lee as Tracy and Chris Herrero as Rexy) takes the show from bland to grand.

Igneczi delivers an energetic performance as Casey - carrying the complex character through a unique physical and emotional transformation. Alongside him, Williams is genuine and grounded in her role as the wife who wants her husband to pursue his dreams. But the audience favorites are undoubtedly the queens. Lee, who shines as the mentor of drag Miss Tracey, flawlessly guides the show into a spectacular mixture of dance and drama - all while wearing three-inch heels. Herrero, in their professional debut, positively slays as Miss Rexy - delivering a delightful combination of chaos, sass, and confidence.

A rotating set is utilized perfectly to keep the action moving and create quick transitions between scenes. Plenty of sequins, spandex, and feathers contribute to a very impressive array of costumes - fit for queens, indeed. And the dancing! The last scenes of the show are worth the wait, and will certainly have the audience "all shook up".

In the end, this show balances more drama than "Heartbreak Hotel" with a slew of drag performances that slay. Whether you are searching for an excuse to skip the lame company holiday parties, or you're just looking for a walk on the wild side - consider a trip to the Kalita Humphreys Theater for THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE. Tickets starting at $25. Thursday - Sunday shows run through December 17th. Audience members under 18 years of age not permitted without parent supervision. https://uptownplayers.org/pages/SeasonCurrent.html

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