The Vintage Theatre production serves up a lot of laughs in a stellar show helmed by Troy Lakey
The Legend of Georgia McBride,‘ currently on stage at Vintage Theatre, is a great way to spend the evening by offering over two hours of hilariously incredible performances and spectacular lip-synching. With a highly polished cast assembled by director Troy Lakey and a slightly campy script by Matthew (‘The Inheritance’) Lopez, it sends sidesplitting shock waves through the audience while also delivering great tunes such as “Jolene” by Dolly Parton and “It’s Raining Men” by the Weather Girls — and plenty more.
The story starts with Elvis impersonator Casey (Matthew Combs), who is faced with an abrupt about-face when he learns that the bar he has recently rocked as Elvis will now feature female impersonators – drag queens – as alternative entertainment. The club owner, Eddie (Matt Hindmarch), has enlisted his drag-performer cousin Miss Tracy Mills (Stuart Sanks) to bring her friend Anorexia Nervosa — aka Rexy (Clark Jones), to headline in his Panama City Beach bar. Granted, it’s a long shot, but Casey’s Elvis act hasn’t been drawing the crowds needed to support the bar or he and his wife, Jo (Atlas Drake).
(L-R) Matthew Combs, Stuart Sanks and Atlas Drake in ‘The Legend of Georgia McBride’ | Photo: RDGPhotography
Elvis goes drag
When Rexy bows out for “health” reasons, another performer is needed to fill her high heels. Left without any options, Eddie enlists Casey as Rexy’s stand-in for the night.
Will he, or won’t he?
He does – and for the remainder of the evening, Casey takes his first steps into the world of drag queendom. There’s only one complication: Jo is pregnant, and Casey hasn’t quite mentioned to her that he is no longer an Elvis impersonator. He’s now Miss Georgia McBride — the newest drag sensation in Panama City Beach.
As Casey, Combs has an abundance of boyish charm. The character rises to the occasion when called upon to fill in for the night and eventually gets comfortable with his newfound stardom. Seeing him conquer high heels for the first time is great fun.
Sanks is perfect as Miss Tracy Mills. But that’s not a surprise, given that Sanks and his real-life alter ego perform drag throughout Colorado. He has all the right moves and gives killer line readings, eliciting the audience’s hard-core belly laughs.
Matthew Combs, Clark Jones and Stuart Sanks | Photo: RDGPhotography
In the dual role of Rexy and Jason, Jones is hysterical as the tipsy Rexy and equally dumbfounded as Jason when he hears what Casey is now doing for a living. As Eddie, the bar owner growing rich from the success of the drag shows, Hindmarch strikes the right balance between crankiness and lovability. Drake, as Jo, presents the perfect foil for Casey, and doesn’t give him an inch of slack when she confronts him backstage while wearing a dress.
Troy Lakey directed this production with a loving touch, allowing the array of characters to shine uniquely. He has also infused overwhelming joy into the script, never being mean-spirited or derogatory. Having something for everyone, Lakey is responsible for its universal appeal.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the costumes, especially those of the drag performers. They are the creations of Cole Emarine and amplify the performances with sparkle and pizazz. Designed by Ryan Walkoviak, the unique set doubles as Casey and Jo’s apartment and backstage at the bar. Assistant director and choreographer Johnathan Underwood has given the “ladies” all the right moves.
The Legend of Georgia McBride originally premiered at the Denver Center in 2014, and its return makes for a wholly entertaining and laugh-filled evening you won’t want to miss. The show plays through March 24.
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