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Reviewed by Joe Regan Jr.

 

Joseph Macchia and Tom Gamblin produce a contest series at the Metropolitan Room which is a drag spectacular – all live singing, no lip syncing, and on December 4 at Urban Stages they did so again with a cast headed by ZaZa Peaks entitled “ZaZa Peaks and Her Holliday Balls..um Belles or A Holiday Spectacular.” The music director (when the performers were not performing to music tracks) was the multiple award winner Tracy Stark.  The stars, all in holiday resplendent costumes (several costume changes) and glitter make up, included Ruby Powers, Strawberry Fields, Louvel, Witti Repartee, and Nomi Sas. Everyone was genetically male and most of them sang in their own strong bass baritone voices.

Resplendent in red, Peaks appeared with a bell in one hand, and tore into “Ring Dem Bells,” appropriately ringing that bell at each chorus of the famous Liza number!

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Ruby Powers entered from the rear of the house is a see through short dress singing a Jerry Herman medley which included “It’s Today,” “We Need A Little Christmas,” and “The Best of Times.” He came out later in a Shirley Temple outfit and tapped all over the stage singing “Anything Goes.”SSC_0871

Witti Reparti, who is a Leather man in real life and produced the Leather Pride events, was stunning in a black gown and sang (to musical tracks), special lyrics to “Surabaya Johnny” entitled “Surabaya Santa” about Mrs. Claus’ frustration with Santa going off with all those elves and reindeers. His second song was the great cabaret standard, “Pour Me A Man.”

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Level sang a plaintive “White Christmas” in his strong baritone voice. Strawberry Fields, a stunning red head, did “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and, later, with a puppet named Chester, lip-synched to Steve and Eydie’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” It was the only lip-synching in the show.

 

 

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When ZaZa returned, she announced that her new costume was a hand-me-down from Sue Matsuki! It was a stunning black outfit that later had a tear away skirt. ZaZa did another strong Liza number, “The World Goes Round.”

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Level returned in a one piece blue outfit with a thong back that showcased his beautiful backside and movingly sang “Nature Boy.”

 

 

ZaZa’s finale was probably one of the strongest “I Am What I Am” you’ll ever hear, directed right to everyone in the audience. Although it was the first drag show in Winter Rhythms history the audience loved it.

Winter Rhythms 2015 is a benefit for Urban Stages Outreach which brings performers to schools, hospitals, and children’s groups and continues at Urban Stages for the next two weeks. Go to www.urbanstages.org and use ticket code WR20 for a discount to see any of the future show for only $20.00

Photos: Maryann Lopinto