Varla Jean Merman News

Drag cabaret stalwart, Varla Jean Merman has a special message for fans waiting for news on the summer season in Provincetown.

The bright vibrancy of spring resonates at Joe's Pub. This week our stage features the sophisticated and unique urban pop sound of Toby Lightman; songwriter, composer, and creative director Sye Elaine Spense; the last performances of Ryan Raftery's IVANKA 2020 before he takes it on tour; Albanian singer and multi-instrumentalist Elina Duni; Pianist, composer, and Artistic Director for Cuba's Jazz Plaza Santiago Festival, Roberto Fonseca; and National Lampoon's satire of Coachella and modern music festival culture LEMMINGS: 21ST CENTURY.

Provincetown's Art House theater has announced its upcoming music and comedy lineup. Returning center stage is the Broadway @ series first launched in 2011 by Producing Artistic Director Mark Cortale and Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky, and now in more than a dozen major venues worldwide.

Many of Broadway's top stars are set to take the stage as part of Provincetown Art House's summer 2020 lineup. The lineup will include Kelli O'Hara, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephanie J. Block, Beth Leavel, Liz Callaway, Jenn Colella, Beth Malone, and many more!

Producer Mark Cortale has announced that international chanteuse and drag superstar Varla Jean Merman will premiere her hilarious new comedy show A Star Is Bored in Los Angeles at Largo on Thursday, March 26 at 8:00 PM. After 25 years of giving over 75% of her best at every performance, Varla is well, tired.

This month and beyond artists at Joe's Pub a?" a program and venue of The Public Theater a?" will honor legends and inspirations from across the universe of music. From shows featuring the indelible classic hits of singers like The Rat Pack, Chaka Kahn, and David Bowie to tributes of Dolly Parton and Bette Midler at the beginning of their careers, audiophiles and nostalgists have plenty to look forward to at Joe's Pub.

Today's top stories: Jordan Fisher joins Dear Evan Hansen tonight, and more!

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to drag performer and national treasure Russ King (aka Miss Richfield 1981) about the 1972 album 'Free To Be... You And Me.' They also discuss Varla Jean Merman, Divine, Jinkx Monsoon, Marlo Thomas, Alan Alda, Rehoboth Beach, Cherry Grove, The Triad, Vonda Kay Van Dyke, Virginia Christine, Pixie Aventura, and Hedda Lettuce. Miss Richfield talks about performance mishaps, working with an audience, and what it's like returning to Provincetown year after year. In addition to her hilarious and acclaimed shows, Miss Richfield is also known as the TV spokesperson for the travel company Orbitz.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor, singer, and drag legend Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) about the 1966 cast recording of 'The Mad Show.' They also discuss Coco Peru, Frank DeCaro, Heklina, Joanne Worley, Linda Lavin, 'The First Wives Club,' Carol Burnett, Sandy Duncan, Barbra Streisand, Ann Reinking, Leslie Jordan, Marisol Montalvo, and Charles Busch. Varla talks about performing the role of Mary Sunshine in 'Chicago' on Broadway, and shares stories about working in Provincetown with queens such as Jinkx Monsoon, Peaches Christ, Liza Lott, and BenDeLaCreme. In addition to her hilarious onstage performances, Varla is also known for her work in Richard Day's beloved 2003 comedy film 'Girls Will Be Girls.'

ce. In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to singer and actress Linda Eder about Barbra Streisand's 1965 album 'My Name is Barbra.' They also discuss Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Whitney Houston, Glenn Close, Frank Wildhorn, 'The Scarlet Pimpernel,' Andrew Lloyd Webber, 'Sunset Boulevard,' Eydie Gormé, Michael Bublé, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, 'Annie Get Your Gun,' Vikki Carr, Eileen Farrell, Betty Buckley and 'Hello, Dolly!' Known for her powerhouse vocals that have drawn comparisons to Streisand, Linda has performed in concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall. She has also performed on Broadway, where she originated the role of Lucy in 'Jekyll & Hyde,' for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.

Surprisingly, the lady was not nearly as graphically bawdy as many of her contemporaries. Oh, there's innuendo and winks at naughtiness a-plenty, but there's no profanity and she lets the audience go the final steps into their own dirty minds without pushing them too much. For this rainbow reviewer, that's the mark of a true Pro.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and drag star Cesar Villavicencio (aka Pixie Aventura) about Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits. They also discuss Freddie Mercury, Queen, Chita Rivera, Judy Garland, Bohemian Rhapsody, and RuPaul's Drag Race. Pixie talks about working with an audience, her process of creating unique and highly compelling material, and the importance of bringing about more Latinx representation in media. She also talks about being a 'research queen' and shares some of her inspirations from music, television, and film. Pixie performs nightly to packed audiences at NYC clubs like Barracuda, Hardware, Therapy, and Playhouse.

Check out the Joe's Pub lineup for the tip-top of the year a?" a new Country Music night from Jim, Jenn & Neal; Haitian singer-songwriter BeLO; two of the three Ultramagnetic MCs Kool Keith and CED-GEE; Kittel & Co, Rev Billy, a very fun showcase from DANCE NOW and, as always, a ton more.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning Broadway star Faith Prince about Liza Minnelli's 1972 live album 'Liza with a Z.' They also discuss Tina Landau, Fanny Brice, Funny Girl, Jule Styne, Judy Holliday, Mary Rodgers, Gwen Verdon, 'Fosse/Verdon,' Scott Frankel, Comden and Green, and Marilyn Maye. Faith tells stories of how she landed lead roles in shows like 'Guys and Dolls,' 'Bells Are Ringing,' and 'The First Wives Club,' and shares valuable advice on how to set yourself apart at auditions by bringing your intelligence into the room and onto the stage. She also talks about what it means to be your authentic self and the value of being present as a performer and in life. Faith's fabulous live albums 'Leap of Faith' and 'Total Faith' are available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to three-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello about the soundtrack to the 1973 film adaptation of 'Godspell.' They also discuss Julie Andrews, 'The Sound of Music,' Lesley Ann Warren, Marni Nixon, 'West Side Story,' 'Evita,' Mary Testa, 'Oliver,' 'Gypsy,' Barbra Streisand, Barbara Cook, Comden and Green, 'Falsettos,' 'Kiss Me Kate,' Marin Mazzie, and 'Parade.' They talk about Carolee's secret, closeted soprano past and the fact that she has never taken a voice lesson. Carolee is currently starring as America's coast-to-coast Dolly Levi in the national tour of 'Hello, Dolly!'

Internationally renowned opera star Marisol Montalvo will bring her acclaimed show Mad Scene to Joe's Pub for its New York premiere on January 5, 2020. The show was co-written and directed by Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) and features Grant Wenaus at the piano. For tickets and information, please visit https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/ or call 212 967-7555.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to four-time Tony-winning lighting designer Kevin Adams about the soundtrack to the 1973 film 'Jesus Christ Superstar.' They also discuss 'Hair,' Barry Dennen, Barbra Streisand, Sandra Bernhard, 'Without You I'm Nothing,' Jodie Foster, Madonna, Tommy, Rupert Everett, Michael Mayer, Spike Lee, Jennifer Holliday, Stephen Trask, and John Cameron Mitchell. Kevin shares stories from his career, from working as a gogo dancer, to working on music videos, to collaborating with legendary directors and performers at The Mark Taper Forum, The Public Theater, and on Broadway. Kevin's credits include 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch,' 'Spring Awakening,' 'Passing Strange,' 'Next to Normal,' 'The Cher Show,' and 'SpongeBob SquarePants.'

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning Broadway star Laura Benanti about Tori Amos's 1992 album 'Little Earthquakes.' They also discuss Patti LuPone, Arthur Laurents, Joni Mitchell, Elaine Stritch, Liza Minnelli, Marni Nixon, Lizzo, Brandi Carlile, and Julie Andrews. Laura talks about her starring roles in Broadway hits such as 'The Sound of Music,' 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,' 'Gypsy,' 'She Loves Me,' and 'My Fair Lady.' She shares stories from her career, including her 'up-the-octave' portrayal of Dolly Levi in high school. In addition to the theater, Laura has appeared on TV in 'Supergirl,' 'Nashville,' and 'The Sound of Music Live' opposite Carrie Underwood. She is also a regular on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' and has tickled viewers nationwide with her hilarious portrayal of Melania Trump.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning lyricist and director Scott Wittman about Frank Sinatra's 1966 live album, 'Sinatra at the Sands.' They also discuss Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, Sammy Davis Jr, Edie Beale, Christine Ebersole, Count Basie, Barbara Cook, Dusty Springfield, Ute Lemper, and Bridget Everett. Scott talks about playing 'cocktail lounge' growing up, and how his love for live albums influenced his career in theater and cabaret. Scott has worked on a number of successful Broadway shows such as 'Hairspray,' 'Catch Me If You Can,' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' as well as the TV show 'Smash' and the movie 'Mary Poppins Returns.'

Ricky Graham, every New Orleanians' favorite funny man, and his jolly comical crew are back on the Rivertown Mainstage to bring some different kind of holiday cheer with this Christmas musical that has theatergoers coming back for more!