Meet the Queens of our Inaugural Broadway Drag Brunch!
On February 19, Segerstrom Center hosted a Broadway-themed drag brunch filled with iconic performances, showtunes and more. Get to know some of the drag queens who performed at this exciting new event!
These showstopping queens have performed at some of your favorite venues across Orange County, and they created an extra-special performance perfect for all of our Broadway lovers at the Center! With music from Wicked, Funny Girl, Frozen, Mary Poppins, Moulin Rouge, Beetlejuice, and more, this cast brought the best of Broadway to Samueli Theater for an afternoon that dazzled our audiences.
Here are a few of the fabulous queens who introduced many of our patrons to their very first drag show!
Miss Clair Voyance
How long have you been doing drag?
I have been doing Drag for over 5 years so over half a decade!
Where did you get your inspiration for your drag persona/name?
I am a Disney girl at heart and my name is actually derived from one of the fake tombstones they keep outside this Haunted Mansion in DisneyWorld!
Was there anyone in particular who influenced your style?
My style comes heavily from big and campy iconic women. The grand dames of old Hollywood to the biggest divas on the Broadway stage. Why fit in when you can choose to stand out!
Favorite Broadway showtune?
My favorite Broadway showtune has to be “Defying Gravity” from Wicked! It has everything I love the most: powerful women, belting, stage magic and a message!
Favorite pop culture icons?
Hands down, Elvira Mistress of the Dark!
Favorite number to perform?
My favorite number to perform is “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen! There’s something really special about performing something that everyone knows because the second the audience starts singing along, I’m in heaven! Plus, I get to make my own Disney magic happen right before their eyes!
Big Deelish
How long have you been doing drag?
Well over 20 years…
Where did you get your inspiration for your drag persona/name?
A nickname given to me very early in my career.
Was there anyone in particular who influenced your style?
Elvira, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnette, Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page…
Favorite Broadway showtune?
“Man of La Mancha” by Linda Eder
Favorite pop culture icon?
I AM a pop culture icon.
Favorite number to perform?
Over the years my tastes have varied. But I will always love “My Strongest Suit” from Aida (with SIX costume changes).
Mama St. Merman
How long have you been doing drag?
I have been doing drag for 7 years now. I started drag in 2016 while performing in a production of Pageant the Musical.
Where did you get your inspiration for your drag persona/name?
The name Mama is derived from the character Mama Rose from the musical Gypsy. Merman is taken from the last name of one of my idols: Ethel Merman.
Was there anyone in particular who influenced your style?
My style is definitely inspired by the leading ladies of stage and film. Anything ornate, gaudy, and lavish is my taste!
Favorite Broadway showtune?
“Sunday” from Sunday in the Park with George
Favorite pop culture icons?
Ethel Merman (duh), Roz Russell, Patti LuPone, Bette Midler
Favorite number to perform?
“Hello, Dolly!”
Penny Dreadful
How long have you been doing drag?
I started my drag journey in 2017. I couldn’t let Mama get all the attention.
Where did you get your inspiration for your drag persona/name?
I’m always a little spooky in drag so I took inspiration from the pamphlets sold in Victorian England with scary stories called Penny dreadfuls. That’s the educated answer.
The real answer is that there was a cold TV show with Patti LuPone called Penny Dreadful.
Was there anyone in particular who influenced your style?
Elvira, Lily Munster, The Bride of Frankenstein, all the iconic scream queens.
Favorite Broadway showtune?
“Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy. It’s the perfect finale to the perfect show.
Favorite pop culture icons?
I’m gay so the list would be way too long to write, so I’ll just say Florence and the Machine.
Favorite number to perform?
“Sexy” from Mean Girls. It has such a great message: live every day like Halloween.