Home / Arts and Entertainment / Drag Queens Serve Opera's Darkest Delights
Drag Queens Serve Opera's Darkest Delights
27 Oct
Summary
- Heartbeat's Drag Opera Extravaganza offers a unique Halloween tradition.
- This year's production, 'Queeney Todd,' is the 11th seasonal event.
- The show is held at Judson Memorial Church, significant to LGBTQ+ history.
For opera enthusiasts seeking a unique Halloween tradition, Heartbeat's Drag Opera Extravaganza has returned for its 11th edition. This year's performance, titled 'Queeney Todd,' offers a satirical take on opera and pop culture, following in the footsteps of previous shows like 'Messy Messiah' and 'Slaylem.' The production features an original script, with contributions from librettist Peregrine Teng Heard and artistic director Jacob Ashworth. Dan Schlosberg's arrangements and the team's diverse repertoire choices bring the show to life.
The event is hosted at Judson Memorial Church, a venue with a rich history in New York's LGBTQ+ community and avant-garde art scene. "Queeney Todd" includes themed cocktails such as "Wench 75," and V.I.P. tables that transform into performance spaces as actors leap onto them. The four-person orchestra, including Ashworth and Schlosberg, is costumed in elaborate Victorian drag, complete with smeared lipstick and wigs, enhancing the show's playful and theatrical atmosphere.
