STAGE WEST: "Velour A Drag Spectacular" at La Jolla Playhouse

Sasha Velour stars in the biographical "Velour A Drag Spectacular."                   Photo by Rich Soublet II

            A few years ago, a journalism student of mine at San Diego State wrote for my class a profile of SDSU alumnus Shane James, better known as drag queen Amber St. James. St. James had recently appeared at Dragstravaganza, an annual show hosted by the school.
            Cut to Sunday night and the opening of “Velour A Drag Extravaganza,” a world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse co-produced with NYC-based Tectonic Theatre Project. Among the supporting cast doing their own drag performances were Ezra Reaves, Moscato Sky and Amber St. James.
            I begin with this not because of its synchronicity. Looking back, when I read the student’s profile of St. James I was pretty baffled by the subject. After seeing Sasha Velour’s show I have to say that though drag theater isn’t to my taste, I understand much better why someone becomes a drag performer and what it means to his, her or their life and identity.
            Velour created this show with Moises Kaufman (who directs) based on Velour’s book “The Big Reveal.” Framing all the kinetic, uber-produced drag numbers are monologue sequences augmented by film clips in which Velour takes us from childhood to the beginning years of an intrepid professional career in drag. Some of this is explained in fun; much of it is heartfelt.
            Maybe I was in the minority on opening night. First and foremost, “Velour A Drag Extravaganza” is a drag show, bigger and more technically sophisticated (sometimes jaw-dropping) than what you’d see in a club. The audience in the Playhouse’s Potiker Theatre resounded with “woooo’s” and “wooo-hoo’s” and shrieks of delight. Some were clad in drag themselves, and at the very least pink boas abounded.
            Sasha Velour is smart and likable and a consummate show-person. Working with the equally smart Kaufman (“The Laramie Project,” “Here There Are Blueberries”), they’ve created a work that, as I said earlier, will appeal largely to fans but that should entertain a general theater audience.
            I won’t attempt to describe the wigs or outfits Velour wears during the evening. Couldn’t possibly do justice to them. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t laud Diego Montoya Studio’s costume design, David Rockwell’s scenic design, lighting by Amanda Zieve, aerial design by Angela Phillips and projection design by Cosette “Ettie” pin.
            Velour’s bio narrative is constructed around a storytelling device that I won’t spoil by explaining. Just go with the flow of the story – of Velour’s grandmother who indulged a little boy dressing up, of a mother who supported Velour through her dying day, of those who helped, doubted or judged Velour over the years.
            Velour has many messages for the audience that can’t reasonably compete with the flash and phantasmagoria of the production numbers. But Velour’s closing performance of “My Way” pulls everything together.
            I wonder what Sinatra would think.
            “Velour A Drag Spectacular!” runs through Sept. 15 at La Jolla Playhouse’s Potiker Theatre.