The breakdown of Pageant, the musical comedy beauty contest, is simple.
Six contestants from across our vast country are competing for the title of Miss Glamouresse (Glamouresse being a cosmetics company). Miss Deep South, Miss West Coast, Miss Great Plains, Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northeast, and Miss Texas compete in evening gowns, talent, swim-wear and spokes-modeling, plus the finalists answer actual calls from the Glamouresse Beauty Crisis Hotline.
Added bonus? Select audience judges get to pick the winner of the pageant, which adds more suspense than you might think. That’s right, Pageant is a pageant. Judges selected from the audience actually vote and determine the winner at each performance. So bring a friend, shake off what ails you, and delight in the pageantry.
As an added twist … the female contestants are all played by men.
Written by two-time Tony nominee Bill Russell (Side Show) and Frank Kelly, Pageant puts a high-heeled drag spin on the competitive pageant scene. Pageant, which features music by Albert Evans, is directed by SRT favorite Russell Garrett who appeared as Miss Texas in the original Off-Broadway run.
“When we performed the show in New York I was struck by how it was embraced by the entire spectrum of ages and experiences,” said Garrett. “Everyone from children to grandmothers were having a good time and pinching our cheeks and laughing when they would see us leave the theatre after the show. There is no specific and categorized audience for the show – it can be enjoyed by all.”
Pageant is rated PG-13.
“I think what surprises an audience is how sweet the whole thing is even as the show is making them laugh,” Garrett added. “It’s not vicious humor, we really approach it as a loving spoof and want the audience to really root for the girls and look forward to seeing who wins.”
Tickets for Pageant can be purchased online at www.SierraRep.org, or by phone at (209) 532-3120, or by visiting the Box Office (Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the East Sonora Theatre, 13891 Mono Way in Sonora.
Performances at the East Sonora Theatre continue through Aug. 19. Performance times are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $32 to $47. Discounts for seniors, children, and students (18 and over with student ID) are available for all performances. Special discounts for groups of 20 or more are also available.
There will be a ‘Post-Show Talkback’ on Friday, Aug. 10, enjoy the Talkback series with members of the cast following this performance, free with the purchase of a ticket for that evening’s performance.
Sierra Repertory Theatre is a professional non-profit theater in California’s Sierra Nevada Foothills. Sierra Repertory Theatre is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information about Sierra Repertory Theatre and upcoming shows, visit www.SierraRep.org or call the box office at (209) 532-3120. Follow Sierra Repertory Theatre on Instagram at @SierraRep; and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SierraRep.
