“For the Love of Judy” is a new play featuring music from “Judy at Carnegie Hall,” which Dixon Place is showcasing in their 24th annual HOT! Festival on July 29-31. This autobiographical show, based on the life of creator BT Shea, recounts Shea’s childhood as a gay boy who dreamed of being a singer in the midst of a very dysfunctional household. MargOH! Channing (BT Shea) as Judy Garland and Bistro Award winner and MAC Award Nominee Joshua Lance Dixon as the young BT Shea take the audience on a journey of how Shea found his voice through the dark twists and turns of drag life—and with the help of a lot of sequins, lipstick, a glitter of hope and the music of Judy Garland, ultimately realized his dreams.
After speaking to superstar drag queen MargOH! Channing, I fell instantly in love. I found her to be kind, and genuine with just the right amount of diva making her humorous and brilliant.
How long have you been doing drag?
Going on my 20th year. I started doing drag in 1995 doing Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli impersonations. I’m going on my 20th year, believe it or not. I’ve been performing in New York since early in 2000. I started out doing a public access show called “The MargOH! Channing Show.” I had drag queens on as guests. I did that for a few years. Then after that I took that show and made it a live show. By then I did a lot of cabaret shows, and that was about 2007. It’s been a fun journey.
What inspired you to do drag?
Ever since I was a little kid I always sat around and listened to all the divas. They were my friends.
Do you have another career besides drag?
My first career is I’m a chef and a meeting and event planner most nights. I kind of feel like I have two full time jobs, so actually I’m a chef and meeting planner.
Do you have a favorite that you like to perform in?
I do most of my cabarets at The Duplex. I love the people there. They’ve always been so nice to me. That’s one of my favorite places. The Duplex is home for me. That’s where I started
Who taught you how to paint?
It’s actually my wardrobe director, who goes by the name Berna Breckenridge. She is my best friend. She really taught me how to do my makeup. She still does today.
What do you like best about doing drag?
Just making people laugh. Having people laugh is amazing to me. To be able to do it makes me cry. If I make people laugh, that’s why I do it. If I make people happy for a night or a couple of hours, it just thrills me. Secondly, I think for me personally, is to work with so many great people over the years, so many musicians and other drag queens. I was just in this competition at the Metropolitan Room with 12 other drag queens, and they’re just amazing. There’s just so much talent. You wanna hate some of these people, but they’re so fucking nice. It’s so much fun.
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you in drag?
Falling off a bar stool. I do it quite often. I’m one of those ones who likes to put my heels on the bar stool, and sometimes I forget. Many times people have to catch me or pick me up.
There’s nothing in the world like a queen on a barstool.
Exactly – with ripped pantyhose.
MargOH! Channing stars in “For the Love of Judy,” a new play featuring music from “Judy at Carnegie Hall,” which Dixon Place is showcasing in their 24th annual HOT! Festival on July 29 (7:30 p.m.), July 30 (7:30 p.m.) and July 31 (10 p.m.).
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street
NYC, NY 10002
(212) 219-0736
For tickets:
web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/945363
