Sarasota’s Urbanite Theatre is taking on a serious, yet fabulous, play when “At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen”—written by Chicago playwright Terry Guest—starts Friday, Oct. 29.
“At the Wake” follows two drag queens, played by Donovan Session and Shea Peterson; one of which has recently died due to AIDS complications. But just like the lives of the performers, the newly deceased insists the funeral be a colorful celebration, no black clothes allowed. Plus, Atlanta’s Damian Lockhart makes his Urbanite directing debut.
The production—also the Urbanite debut for Atlanta director Damian Lockhart—is the company’s first since March 2020, and starts off 2021-22’s “Season Eight: Radiance.”
“It's the perfect show to re-open with after what we’ve all been through over the last 18 months. Even as it contemplates death, it's full of life,” Urbanite Co-Artistic Director Brendan Ragan said in a press release. “There’s dancing and audience interaction, and you won’t know whether your tears will be from laughing or crying.”
“At the Wake” shows at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 5. A negative COVID-19 test (PCR within 72 hours or rapid antigen within 24) or proof of vaccination is required to attend. Masks are required regardless of vaxx status. Tickets are $5 for students, $20 for folks under 40, and $36 for those reaching AARP status.
For more information, go to urbanitetheatre.com.
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This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2021.