The Doris Dear Christmas Special "Christmas in New York" at Triad

Doris Dear, famously known as "America's Perfect Housewife," is the dazzling drag persona of Ray DeForest. The journey to becoming Doris began during a pivotal moment when Ray's beloved mother, Taffy, was slipping away due to Alzheimer’s. This deeply personal experience inspired Ray to dive into the world of drag, ultimately giving life to Doris Dear, a glamorous and witty tribute to classic femininity. Doris quickly charmed audiences nationwide with her radiant smile, impeccable fashion sense, and keen attention to detail, earning her the title of "America's Perfect Housewife." Ray DeForest, through Doris, artfully merges a love for all things vintage with a modern flair, creating a unique blend of nostalgia and contemporary entertainment. Doris Dear's performances are a delightful mix of storytelling, humor, and retro glamour that transport audiences to a bygone era of elegance and charm. She fosters an atmosphere of inclusivity and warmth, becoming a cherished figure and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using her platform to champion love, acceptance, and equality. Doris Dear's accomplishments are as impressive as her stage presence. Her series, "Doris Dear's Gurl Talk," became the #1 show on the streaming network BroadwayOnDemand, earning several prestigious awards, including the Telly Award, Communicator Award, and W3 Award. In addition, Doris Dear is a three-time MAC Award winner and a Broadway World Award winner, solidifying her place as a beloved and influential figure in the entertainment world. With her timeless appeal and genuine persona, Doris Dear continues to captivate audiences, spreading joy, laughter, and a touch of retro glamour wherever she goes. Her legacy as "America's Perfect Housewife" endures, inspiring others to embrace their true selves and celebrate individuality.

LESLIE CARRARA-RUDOLPH, is a Daytime Emmy winning performer for Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street. She is a multifaceted entertainer and artist who has dedicated her life to championing the arts through community outreach, workshops, and live shows. Her work has garnered her a Manhattan Association of Cabaret Award nomination for Musical Comedy Performer in 2019. Her shows at have included "What Just Happened", "Moonlight Madness", and "Bizarre Brunch". Other TV and film credits include: "Splash and Bubbles" (2017 Annie Award Nominee), "Nature Cat", "Johnny and The Sprites", "Animal Jam", "ABC’s Muppets Tonight", "A Muppet Christmas", "The Simpsons", and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Her work as the purple fairy has allowed her to perform at The White House, and with both The Jazz and Lincoln Center Orchestra and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Leslie’s original musical "Wake Up Your Weird" enjoyed runs at The O'Neill Puppetry Conference and off-Broadway. Her radio-show-style podcast series, "Lolly’s Radio Playdate" received accolades from NPR. Leslie and her signature character, candy-loving 5-year old Lolly Lardpop, spend their days helping families and communities navigate life creatively by providing joy through the arts to help them make a difference with their own unique voices.

Cooper daSilva: A Rising Star in the Performing Arts Cooper daSilva is a vibrant and talented high school junior whose journey in the performing arts is already making a lasting impression. With a growing repertoire of stage roles, Cooper brings characters to life with passion, precision, and heart. His dedication to his craft shines through in every performance, showcasing a maturity and stage presence well beyond his years. More than just a gifted actor, Cooper’s award-winning, melodic voice has captivated audiences—most memorably during the Doris Dear shows, where his performance brought the house to its feet. His vocal talent, paired with his magnetic stage presence, continues to earn him accolades and admiration. For two consecutive years, Cooper was awarded a scholarship to the Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA) Summer Musical Theater Program—an honor given to students who demonstrate exceptional promise in the field. Building on that achievement, Cooper has since been accepted into LIHSA’s highly regarded two-year Musical Theater Program. He will now spend his junior and senior years immersed in professional training, further developing his skills and passion. Adding a special touch to his artistic journey, Cooper’s Auntie Doris Dear—a beloved figure in the entertainment industry—is thrilled to welcome him back to her celebrated annual Christmas show at The Triad Theatre in NYC. When they share the stage, their connection brings warmth, joy, and a genuine sense of family to audiences during the holiday season. As Cooper daSilva continues to impress with his boundless energy, remarkable talent, and unwavering dedication, there’s no doubt he is a performer on the rise. Keep an eye on this young artist—his journey is just beginning, and the best is yet to come.

Natalie Douglas is a 21st-century vocalist with a strong foundation in the traditional pop vocals of the American Songbook and an equally fierce devotion to the modern jazz, blues, rock & country influences of her childhood. Like her idol, Nina Simone, Natalie is drawn to lyrics that tell compelling stories no matter the genre. Douglas is a two-time Bistro, Nightlife, and fourteen-time MAC Award Winner, whose international performances have taken her from concert halls to theaters to intimate clubs and everything in between. She has produced 80 concerts at her musical home, Birdland Jazz Club in New York City - most notably her TRIBUTES series, celebrating artists she loves, including, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Nicks, Elvis, Dolly Parton, Nat King Cole, Dame Shirley Bassey, Ella Fitzgerald, Roberta Flack, Joni Mitchell, Sammy Davis, Jr., Lena Horne, Barbra Streisand, and Cher. Natalie’s portrait also hangs on the legendary Birdland Jazz Club Wall of Fame. The most recent addition to her four CD catalog is the critically acclaimed 2025 MAC Award-winning album “Back to the Garden,” on Club44 Records"." Her CDs are available on iTunes, Amazon.com, Spotify, and her website: nataliedouglas.com, and all streaming platforms. Natalie is a great favorite of broadcasters, and her music is often featured on NPR and Sirius XM Radio & BBCLondon Radio. As an actor, she has appeared in 18 editions of "The Atrainplays," (a 24-hour birth to performance event) at the Neighborhood Playhouse, The Peter Sharp Theatre and New World Stages and off-Broadway in "The People vs. Mona," by the writers of Pumpboys & Dinettes. She appeared in the horror film, "The Camera’s Eye," ABC’s "Cupid" and can be seen with her gorgeous husband showing off the good education her parents paid for on The Discovery Channel’s "Cash Cab." Most recently, she can be seen in the award-winning documentary, “Sloane: A Jazz Singer,” celebrating another one of her heroes, the late, great Carol Sloane, in domestic & and international film festivals. In addition, Douglas has made her mark as a much sought-after educator and actor – an Expert Instructor for the Jim & Elizabeth Sullivan Foundation, the Eugene O’Neill Cabaret & Performance Conference, and the Mabel Mercer Foundation, where she has been named Education Director. ​ Natalie specializes in diversity workshops and masterclasses for public and private schools and devoting attention to individual study. Natalie is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of USC with a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Theatre, and Women’s Studies and holds a Master’s Degree from UCLA in Psychology and Theatre.

Meg Flather has won two Bistro and three MAC Awards as a performer—including Major Female Artist—, a MAC and BroadwayWorld Award as a songwriter, and the Special Production MAC Award for her show Meg Flather Songs/A Cabaret Sisterhood. Meg’s Hammerstein & Sondheim CAREFULLY TAUGHT won a BroadwayWorld Award for Best Show, and Meg’s solo musical, Hold On Tight . . . a love story was awarded the United Solo Award for Best Storytelling Show. Meg has released ten CDs of her original music and has authored two books: Home Shopping Diva. . . Lessons, Lyrics and Lipstick and Hold On Tight . . . a love story. Meg proudly serves as the North American Brand Ambassador for StriVectin Skincare—promoting the brand on QVC and TSC, Canada.

A popular favorite with audiences and critics alike, look to THOSE GIRLS (Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack & Wendy Russell) for lush, harmonies, fun arrangements, and fresh takes on standards to showtunes to pop and then some! They're four-time MAC Award winners for Best Vocal Group, and were chosen Best Vocal Group 2024 & Best Group Show 2020 by BroadwayWorld.com. Through the MMF, they made their Carnegie Hall debut in 2019, JALC in 2022, 2023 & 2024, and for those with UK friends/fam', they'll be at The Crazy Coqs in London on April 12th, 2026. www.thosegirlssing.com

Augie Haas currently lives in New York City where he is a professional trumpeter, composer, and teacher. Augie has worked with artists including Raye, Harry Connick, Jr., The Maria Schneider Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, The Gil Evans Project, Birdland Big Band, various Broadway shows, and The Radio City Orchestra. Augie is currently a regular member of the orchestra for Aladdin on Broadway. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Augie earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of the Performing Arts. After Chicago, he attended The University of Miami’s Frost School of Music Conservatory for a Masters in Studio Music in Jazz, and a Doctorate in Musical Arts. Beyond music, Augie wrote his first children's book which he also illustrated called Little Augie and His Trumpet. He also has ten albums under his label Playtime Music: The Llama, Doing it Augie Style, Baby Jazz, Endless, Have We Met?, Dream A Little Dream, A 2020 Christmas, The Dreamer - Vol 1: Sleepy Time, The Dreamer - Vol 2: Playtime, and Live at the Speakeasy. Augie also authored and self-published his book Build Your Range for both trumpet and trombone which has been sold worldwide.