Divas & Drag An Opera Theatre’s Annual Show is Pure Joy at 825 Arts in St. Paul

Divas & Drag is a mashup of Opera, Drag and Burlesque which is a recipe for campy fun. It’s queer as hell and just as hot. While some amazing vocalist wow you with their singing from Opera Librettos Drag queens and kings lipsync along, usually either putting on a comic act or stripping. Hosted in the style of a 1960’s variety show by Dick von Dyke & Queenie von Curves, the bridging scenes are just as fun as the performances themselves. It’s hard to express just how entertaining and inclusive this production is. As Von Dyke says, “Drag culture is about family”, and the feeling of belonging one has sitting in the audience is palpable. Here there is no judgement, here there is simply joy and acceptance. I’ve been a fan of An Opera Theatre (AOT) since my earliest days as a blogger when Executive Director Kelly Turpin invited me to their World Aids Day Program at Lush. Ever since Turpin has been my go to for advice and guidance on Opera, an artform she loves and that my appreciation for has grown, thanks in no small part to AOT’s productions. If Opera isn’t your thing, or you don’t think it’s your thing, this is the perfect show for you to gain an appreciation. it isn’t 3 hours of people singing in a language you don’t understand. It’s snippets of jaw dropping vocalists accompanied by actions you don’t need projected subtitles to understand.

There are so many moments that were fantastic it’s hard to give you a taste without feeling like I’m spoiling something. But to set the tone by way of one of the more atypical scenes, and this was absolutely a favorite for me, was Del The Funky Homosexual and Queenie von Curves acting out and lypsycnching to the soundtrack from the Looney Tunes cartoon What’s Opera, Doc? That’s the classic “Kill da Wabbit!” animated short, and it’s pulled off wonderfully. Another favorite is when Justin Anthony Spenner performs with Andre 1000. Spenner’s powerful Baritone voice in contrast with their lively and fluid comedic performance finds much hilarity in the paradox between the removed coolness of Andre 1000 and his hyperness. Corissa Bussian gives a heartbreakingly effective performance in one of the shows few non comedic pieces that is simply beautiful as Queenie von Curves appears to emerge from a cocoon. The show lasts around two hours that’s including a 15 minute intermission in which you can purchase more beverages from the bar hosted by Can Can Wonderland. They have adult beverages but also a nice selection of Mocktails and NA choices, which I very much appreciated. The other thing you’ll want to bring with you is $1 bills, no you won’t be putting them in anyone g-string, but you’ll wad them up and either throw them to the stage or put them in the tip bucket when it comes around. Which might sound strange, but it’s really fun to applaud with $1 as one of my companions said.

Divas & Drag runs through September 23rd at 825 Arts in St. Paul, for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://anoperatheatre.org/

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