If you still think a church wouldn’t sponsor a drag cabaret and talent show, you’ve been missing out on the splashy-absurd annual follies at Fourth Universalist Society on the ever-surprising Upper West Side. This annual gender-confounding extravaganza, staged by LGBT church members and their community and friends, is back by popular demand. This year’s all-new revue, titled “Transformations,” will “come out” in this beautiful landmark space on Saturday, February 9, at 7 p.m.
Director Allen Wrede has assembled a stellar cast of singers, dancers, lip-syncers and comedians, most of them wearing enough sequins and jewelry to set off a metal detector – and that’s just the men. On the pants-wearing side, a singing comedienne will spin tales of Old Brooklyn. As a special treat, crowned royalty from the Imperial Court of New York will grace the stage with their titled glamour, including Angela Mercy and Farrah Moans. The fast-paced acts are silly and naughty and, thanks to the talented mistress of ceremonies Grand Duchess Anastasia Sazlova, fading diva of the Russian tearooms, it’s totally family-friendly.
The gala evening is a joint benefit for a good cause supported by both the Court and the LGBT chapter of Interweave, the Unitarian-Universalist “queer caucus.” So besides all the song and dance and feathers you can eat, this is a church group, and your amusement will also serve a higher purpose. Suggested donation is $10-25, depending on income. A bar and snacks will be available. All proceeds benefit Trinity Place, a Manhattan shelter for homeless LGBT youth.
Fourth Universalist Society
160 Central Park West
(76th St.) 4thu.org