Review by Rebecca M. Alvin
Have you ever wondered what it would happen if Varla Jean Merman became a mom? No? Well, when she walks out on stage in her show Unlike a Virgin, appearing to be pregnant with child—in her third trimester—the thought will certainly cross your mind. As Varla tells us how she came to be in this predicament, she channels Madonna through songs, such as “Like a Virgin” and “Papa, Don’t Preach.”
But Madonna is not the only mother figure she invokes, as she takes us on a journey into her past that involves Ethel Merman, Ernest Borgnine, and clips from Varla’s breakout performance on a television talent show back in the 1980s. Every step of the way, Varla tempers her outrageous humor with soft-hearted stories of mother figures that have nurtured her throughout her career as well as her own maternal instincts toward others. It culminates in an absolutely hilarious parody of the song “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, which I won’t spoil for you with any details. Suffice to say, the crowd was roaring with laughter.
For the uninitiated, Varla Jean Merman is the creation of Louisiana-born Jeffery Roberson and has been performing in Provincetown for decades. But Roberson’s talents extend to everything from professional opera singing to television and film. So in Varla Jean’s seasoned hands, the audience is well taken care of from start to finish, as she is a pro. As you might expect, there are video interludes during costume changes, as well as lots of flash and glimmer on the stage. And you will marvel at the heights of Varla Jean’s wigs.
Accompanied by her sidekick Brian and her dog (who has an unbelievable stage presence), Varla may have you thinking about your relationship with your own mom—but probably not. Mostly Unlike a Virgin is just what we need in these times, a hilarious show that merges pop-culture references for “the mature gays” in the audience, as well as gut-busting humor as Varla shares ideas for Broadway shows she could star in, and takes a few shots at contemporary politicians and a certain transphobic author, grounding the maternal fantasy in our current reality. Varla is the drag queen with the heart of gold, and the show is absolutely hilarious.
Varla Jean Merman performs in Unlike a Virgin in the Paramount at the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial St., Provincetown, Tuesdays – Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., through September 19. For tickets and information visit onlyatthecrown.com.
