FABULOUS FUN AT MTC's The legend of georgia mcbride
By Kiersten Bjork (March 1, 2024)
The Legend of Georgia McBride at Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) is a fabulously fun yet moving evening of first-rate theatre. With everything from a full-out drag show to poignant relationship drama, The Legend of Georgia McBride by acclaimed playwright Matthew López is an entertaining ride from start to finish. The production is directed by Kevin Connors, Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder of MTC, with fight and intimacy choreography by Dan O’Driscoll. The Legend of Georgia McBride hits all the right notes – from Elvis to Liza – and still manages to hit home on a wonderful message amidst the epic lip syncing that had the audience cheering.
The play is set in a struggling, backwater Florida bar, where Elvis Presley impersonator Casey finds himself out of cash and out of options when he’s fired from his Elvis gig. When the only option to keep a job and support his growing family is to strap on a pair of heels and step out on stage as part of a drag show, Casey does just that – and thus, Georgia McBride is born. Featuring stunning (and hilarious!) drag queens and a moving story, this heartfelt piece is a must-see.
The Legend of Georgia McBride at Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) is a fabulously fun yet moving evening of first-rate theatre. With everything from a full-out drag show to poignant relationship drama, The Legend of Georgia McBride by acclaimed playwright Matthew López is an entertaining ride from start to finish. The production is directed by Kevin Connors, Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder of MTC, with fight and intimacy choreography by Dan O’Driscoll. The Legend of Georgia McBride hits all the right notes – from Elvis to Liza – and still manages to hit home on a wonderful message amidst the epic lip syncing that had the audience cheering.
The play is set in a struggling, backwater Florida bar, where Elvis Presley impersonator Casey finds himself out of cash and out of options when he’s fired from his Elvis gig. When the only option to keep a job and support his growing family is to strap on a pair of heels and step out on stage as part of a drag show, Casey does just that – and thus, Georgia McBride is born. Featuring stunning (and hilarious!) drag queens and a moving story, this heartfelt piece is a must-see.
Diva Lamarr and Clint Hromsco in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride (Alex Mongillo)
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Russell Saylor and Diva Lamarr in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride (Alex Mongillo)
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Clint Hromsco is wonderful in the role of Casey. Casey is sweet, with his heart in the right place despite the mistakes that he makes along the way, and Hromsco plays him with an infectious charm. We root for him from start to finish, and Hromsco really showcases Casey’s arc well. His numbers as Georgia are fabulous, mixing humor and entertainment with fierce moves. He has a great voice, and I really enjoyed his performance.
Likewise, I was extremely impressed by Russell Saylor as Miss Tracy Mills. Saylor is absolutely fantastic as this character – powerful delivery of dialogue, brilliant drag numbers, an overall wonderfully chaotic persona that fills the stage every time he enters – and he is one of the highlights of the show. Mills brings energy, but also a lot of heart to the story, and Saylor really nailed every aspect of the role.
Strutting alongside the other queens is Diva Lamarr as Rexy. Lamarr also doubles as Casey’s friend and landlord, Jason. Lamarr is absolutely hilarious as Rexy, but they also bring a fierce passion and strength to the role, particularly in their monologue to Casey about what drag truly is. This scene is perfection. Lamarr had the audience holding their breath, and more than a few audience members got a bit emotional at the culmination of that speech. Lamarr delivers it with such exquisite emotion and depth – it was a really moving moment to witness. The vast difference between Rexy and Jason allows Lamarr to showcase their skill and range as a performer – it was quite fun to see both roles played by the same actor – and I enjoyed watching them throughout.
Likewise, I was extremely impressed by Russell Saylor as Miss Tracy Mills. Saylor is absolutely fantastic as this character – powerful delivery of dialogue, brilliant drag numbers, an overall wonderfully chaotic persona that fills the stage every time he enters – and he is one of the highlights of the show. Mills brings energy, but also a lot of heart to the story, and Saylor really nailed every aspect of the role.
Strutting alongside the other queens is Diva Lamarr as Rexy. Lamarr also doubles as Casey’s friend and landlord, Jason. Lamarr is absolutely hilarious as Rexy, but they also bring a fierce passion and strength to the role, particularly in their monologue to Casey about what drag truly is. This scene is perfection. Lamarr had the audience holding their breath, and more than a few audience members got a bit emotional at the culmination of that speech. Lamarr delivers it with such exquisite emotion and depth – it was a really moving moment to witness. The vast difference between Rexy and Jason allows Lamarr to showcase their skill and range as a performer – it was quite fun to see both roles played by the same actor – and I enjoyed watching them throughout.
Clint Hromsco and Teagan La’Shay in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride
(Alex Mongillo) |
Russell Saylor, Scott Mikita, and Clint Hromsco in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride
(Alex Mongillo) |
Eddie, bar-owner and cousin of Miss Tracy Mills, is played by Scott Mikita. Mikita is a great comedic performer! Eddie has some wonderfully dry and deadpan lines, especially early on in the show, and Mikita had the audience in stitches. Eddie’s transformation over the course of the show is very well played, and it was clear that Mikita was an audience favorite.
Teagan La’Shay rounds out the cast as Casey’s wife, Jo. Jo is a worrier – determined yet anxious – and La’Shay digs into the role with passion. She really brings out Jo’s hopes and fears, each conversation with Casey as intense and important as the last. The struggles that Jo is facing are portrayed with truth and vulnerability, creating a really intriguing performance all around.
Teagan La’Shay rounds out the cast as Casey’s wife, Jo. Jo is a worrier – determined yet anxious – and La’Shay digs into the role with passion. She really brings out Jo’s hopes and fears, each conversation with Casey as intense and important as the last. The struggles that Jo is facing are portrayed with truth and vulnerability, creating a really intriguing performance all around.
Diva Lamarr in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride (Alex Mongillo)
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Scott Mikita in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride (Alex Mongillo)
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Scenic and prop design by April M Bartlett is simple yet effective. The stage at the bar occupies the focus at center stage, while Casey and Joe’s apartment lives stage left and the dressing room at the bar lives stage right. I loved the set decoration in the apartment and the bar, and particularly enjoyed the blue rain curtain employed in the second act.
Lighting designer RJ Romeo creates a fun look for a show centered around drag numbers – lots of interesting colors and looks. I did wish that there was a bit more light hitting the actors far stage left and right in the scenes that took place in the apartment and dressing room. Any time a performer was on the far edges of those playing spaces, they were visibly darker than the rest of the room.
Costumes by designer Diane Vanderkroef are fantastic! As you would expect, there are so many gorgeous looks for the drag queens over the course of the show, and everything from the shoes to the dresses to the wigs are beautiful. The costumes for Miss Tracy Mills were particularly striking and a personal favorite.
Sound design by Jon Damast is well done. This is a play that features a ton of music, and the balance and mix throughout are great.
Lighting designer RJ Romeo creates a fun look for a show centered around drag numbers – lots of interesting colors and looks. I did wish that there was a bit more light hitting the actors far stage left and right in the scenes that took place in the apartment and dressing room. Any time a performer was on the far edges of those playing spaces, they were visibly darker than the rest of the room.
Costumes by designer Diane Vanderkroef are fantastic! As you would expect, there are so many gorgeous looks for the drag queens over the course of the show, and everything from the shoes to the dresses to the wigs are beautiful. The costumes for Miss Tracy Mills were particularly striking and a personal favorite.
Sound design by Jon Damast is well done. This is a play that features a ton of music, and the balance and mix throughout are great.
Clint Hromsco in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride (Alex Mongillo)
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Russell Saylor in MTC’s The Legend of Georgia McBride (Alex Mongillo)
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The Legend of Georgia McBride is a show that balances hilarity and intense emotion. Amidst the electric numbers is also a much deeper story, and that is why it resonated so much with me when I saw it. MTC’s production is flashy and fun, yet it also highlights the key story being told. Don’t miss your chance to experience this talented company telling an important story. Catch The Legend of Georgia McBride at MTC before it closes on March 3!
The Legend of Georgia McBride runs February 16-March 3 at MTC in Norwalk, CT. Tickets are available online at www.MusicTheatreofCT.com or by calling (203) 454-3883.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
The Legend of Georgia McBride runs February 16-March 3 at MTC in Norwalk, CT. Tickets are available online at www.MusicTheatreofCT.com or by calling (203) 454-3883.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.