Review: 'The Legend of Georgia McBride' a Timely, Intoxicating Entertainment

Although Burbage Theatre Company's "The Legend of Georgia McBride" is ostensibly a play about drag queens and their larger-than-life personalities, just below the surface there are some keen insights about self-acceptance.

Michael Yussef Greene plays Casey, a down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator at a Florida nightclub called Cleo's. Casey and his fiancée, Jo (Sabrina Youn), have fallen far behind on their rent payments and are facing eviction. Jo is pregnant, a development that delights Casey. Jo asks how they can afford to raise a child; Casey is nonchalant, while Jo is pragmatic.

The club owner, Eddie (Brien Lang), replaces Casey with two sassy entertainers, Miss Tracy Mills (Anthony DeRose) and Rexy (Omar Laguerre-Lewis, also playing Casey's nutty landlord Jason).

When Rexy passes out drunk and is unable to perform, Casey reluctantly steps in as a replacement. Tracy gives Casey an extreme makeover, complete with a flesh-colored body stocking, a wig, and high heels.

Casey chooses the drag name Georgia McBride and, after a rough start, he develops an affinity for his new identity – and he turns out to be a natural: When the curtain rises and Tracy and Georgia strut and sashay among the audience to the tunes of Cher, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, and Faith Hill, the effect is intoxicating.

The only problem is, Casey told Jo he was making money as a bartender; not a drag queen. Greene's Casey is a thoroughly engaging and likable presence as he lives a double life and discovers parts of himself he never knew existed.

DeRose gives a performance of tremendous charisma, spunk, and heart as Tracy. There's a memorable scene when a forlorn Casey shows up at Tracy's front steps so he has a place to sleep. Tracy tells him about the first 20 years of life coming to terms with his sexuality, and then another 20 years dealing with society's prejudice.

Laguerre-Lewis also is powerfully convincing when Rexy recalls a brutal anti-gay assault he endured. "Drag is a protest," Rexy explains to Casey. "It's a raised fist in a sequined glove."

That dialogue carries added resonance in the times we're living in, when drag queens, as well as the entire LGBTQ+ community, faces relentless attacks on our rights and our very humanity.

Director Gia Yarn ("I Hate Hamlet"), working from a clever script by Matthew Lopez, makes the most of the setting – a rather drab dressing room, which Tracy and Georgia beautify as only drag queens can do.

"The Legend of Georgia McBride" features gorgeous gowns, lots of wigs and high heels, and serves as an embrace of our own unique selves. It is also wickedly funny and sometimes sad for what it tells us about how society treats people who are different, and how far we have to go before we reach true acceptance.

"The Legend of Georgia McBride" runs through June 8 at the Burbage Theatre Company, 59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Run time is two hours, including intermission. For tickets, visit www.burbagetheatre.org.