Photo: Andrew Barbato
There she is, the new Miss Bearded Mistress. The annual all-gender pageant, where all contestants must have facial hair, real or fake, chose Provincetown’s new queen, Marissa Miller, a vocal dynamo entertaining all over town. Miller took some time to speak with Provincetown Magazine about winning the crown, her love for Provincetown, and what she has planned for the future.
Provincetown Magazine: Congratulations on winning the Bearded Mistress Pageant! Tell us what your secret weapon was to bring home the crown? What do you hope to achieve during your reign?
Marissa Miller: Oh my goodness, thank you so much! I feel genuinely honored to hold this title. Provincetown has given me so much in such a short time, and I see this crown as both a symbol of that gift and a chance to give back. The fact that it comes from Provincetown Brewing Company makes it even sweeter because they’re a business I deeply admire for the way they uplift and create space for queer people and artists in this community.
As for my secret weapon? Honestly, joy. My brother and my best friend, Andrew, were in town the week of the pageant, and the three of us went full camp-creative-mode together—wigs, numbers, looks, the whole nine yards. We just kept reminding ourselves: if it’s fun for us, the audience will feel it, too. That energy carried us through.
During my reign, I hope to continue creating spaces where women and non-binary folks can shine, because there’s a real hunger for that here. And above all, I want to keep spreading joy in this town that constantly encourages me to be bold, weird, and unapologetically myself.
PM: Your name is all over town! What has your summer schedule been like and what shows are you a part of?
MM: This summer has been such a gift. Full of surprises I didn’t see coming, in the best way. My schedule has been nonstop, and honestly I love it. An object in motion stays in motion, and staying busy has been good for both my creativity and my mental health.
One of the unexpected joys was being offered the job of house manager with Summer of Sass, a nonprofit that relocates LGBTQ+ young adults to Provincetown for the summer. Kristen Becker gave me that opportunity, and now I can confidently keep a house running, grow squash, and fix a dryer vent with my bare hands.
On the performance side, you can catch me in shows like The Golden Mean Girls at the Post Office Café, cohosting Broadway on the Beach with Qya Crystal at the Crown & Anchor, or popping up at piano bars, variety nights, and special collaborations around town.
One of my favorite gigs is singing at Dyke Night at the Post Office Café. Let me tell you, the lesbians show up, and it really proved to me how much Provincetown is craving more spaces for queers to come together.
It’s been a summer of endless opportunity. Winning the Miss Bearded Mistress Pageant and mounting Miss Bearded Mistress Live feels like the sea salt sprinkled atop Kelly Fields’ perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie.
PM: You’ve got the Miss Bearded Mistress Live show coming up at the Crown & Anchor on August 28. What can audiences expect?
MM: A spectacle! Incredible looks, unnecessary vocal gymnastics, and of course, a cornucopia of lace front beards. Andrew and I have poured ourselves into this show, and it feels like the culmination of everything we’ve loved since we first started collaborating as teenagers: high camp, heart, and theatricality turned all the way up.
At its core, this show is a love letter to Provincetown’s drag queens. For the last two summers, I’ve shared dressing rooms with these incredible performers and the tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way put my BFA to shame. The Bearded Mistress Live is my obvious attempt at getting a compliment from Dina Martina.
I’m especially thrilled to be building The Bearded Mistress Live with my co-creator Andrew Barbato. He was backstage with me through the pageant, teasing my hair, oiling my legs, and re-gluing my floor-length beard. Yes, he’s my best friend, but he’s also one of the most extraordinary artists I’ve ever known. He’s a brilliant video editor, wig master, writer, and director. I’m so excited for Provincetown to witness his work!
Yes, I’ve spent the last two summers performing here in town, but I consider The Bearded Mistress Live as my Provincetown debut, my queer little debutante ball. Winning the pageant gave me the permission to create a show that says: here I am, here’s what I’ve learned from this magical town so far, and here’s the kind of performer I want to keep becoming.
PM: How did you come to live in Provincetown? What was your journey here?
MM: I first came to Provincetown about five years ago, and like so many people, I was immediately hooked. At first it was just short visits, but every time I came, I stayed a little longer. Along the way I started connecting with artists in town, which opened doors for me to perform here. One opportunity led to another, and before I knew it, Provincetown wasn’t just a place I visited, it became a community that welcomed me and a home I’m so grateful for.
I’ll be honest, I went through a tougher chapter with my mental health not long ago, and this town has played a big part in my healing. With a good psychiatrist, a meditation practice, a few tarot cards, my incredible family and friends, and Provincetown itself, I’ve been able to find the stability, laughter, and joy to create The Bearded Mistress Live. If anyone reading this is struggling, I just want to say, please ask for help and lean on the people who love you. Taking care of your mental health is so important, and for me, creativity is what keeps my brain healthy. This place is a melting pot of creativity, and being here reminds me how essential collaboration and community really are.
PM: And what has your experience in Provincetown been since you arrived?
MM: My experience here has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve never felt more supported by a community, and that support has given me the freedom to fully be myself. It’s both grounding and inspiring. I truly meant what I said in my Miss Bearded Mistress crowning speech: I want to do right by this town and share my gifts in a way that adds to the beauty and strength of a community that’s given me so much.
PM: How would you describe the live music scene currently in Provincetown?
MM: One of the things I adore about Provincetown is that even in the off-season, you can walk down the street and hear singing floating through the air, and that’s such a gift, because music is healing. This summer, it’s been really exciting seeing Provincetown Brewing Company use their beautiful new stage at the Crown & Anchor to platform local musicians. The talent in this town is astounding, with artists like Josie James, Lily Mae Harrington, and Ben Morren to name just a few. I also love the art of the Provincetown piano bar. I dare you to feel sad while singing along to “Brandy (You’re a fine girl)” in a room full of wealthy gay men.
PM: Once summer passes, what do you have going on during the so-called off-season?
MM: My plan is to ride the high of The Bearded Mistress Live! This fall, I’ll be performing in the world premiere of Jon Richardson’s new musical, Jack of Hearts, at the Provincetown Theater. I’ve been involved with this show for the past year, and it’s such a joy to help bring to life the story of 10 queer people in a bar on the last night of summer 1963 here in Provincetown. I’m also excited about some new offerings with Summer of Sass and the chance to deepen my relationships with the artists and friends I’ve met here.
Ultimately, I plan to carry the glow of this creatively charged summer into the off-season, buy some new sweaters, and diligently brush my beards ever prepared for the duties and surprises that come with being the current reigning Miss Bearded Mistress.
The Miss Bearded Mistress Live is at the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial St.,Provincetown, Thursday, August 28, 9 p.m. Tickets ($25/$35) are available at the box office and online at onlyatthecrown.com. For more information call 508.487.1430.
—Steve Desroches
