Photo: David Hawe
Miss Conception Brings Big Love From Canada
by Steve Desroches
With an economy almost entirely based on tourism, every spring the towns of Cape Cod and the Islands try to read the tea leaves as to how busy the summer tourist season will be. But this year it felt more like reading the maple leaves. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about annexing Canada and making it the 51st state began before he even took office, and then once back in the White House, he slapped tariffs on the United States’ closest ally, peppered with language that Canada was somehow now an adversary. Throughout winter and into the spring the number of Canadians who canceled trips to the region, including here in Provincetown, was substantial and palpable causing anxiety as our neighbors to the north make up a sizable part of the town’s tourist traffic. One Canadian who doubled-down on coming to Provincetown, however, is beloved drag performer Miss Conception, who out of drag is named Kevin Levesque, and who seeks to bridge the artificial chasm between the two countries with a new show about pride, unity, and a bit of a comedic defense of the homeland of Anne Murray.
For over 20 years, Miss Conception has entertained audience all over the world, but is a headliner most notably in her hometown of Toronto and also in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and here in Provincetown. Her shows are flashy, high-energy romps filled with music, laughs, and the multiple, elaborate costume changes for which she is best known. But she’s usually shied away from any mention of current affairs, as when you’re at a Miss Conception show she aims to not only entertain, but give her audiences a bit of respite from an increasingly chaotic and confusing world. And as a Canadian Miss Conception felt like she was living in the satirical 1995 film Canadian Bacon in which an American President picks a fight with Canada to improve his sagging poll numbers. So, one night at her show at the Palm Cabaret in Puerto Vallarta, she let a few jokes fly about her thoughts on all the nonsense of Canada becoming the 51st state.
“The audience flew to their feet and went nuts,” says Levesque. “They started stamping and shouting, ‘No, no, no!’ There’s this roomful of Americans and Canadians connecting over the real affection the two countries do have for each other. I mean, I’ve always loved the United States and we’re Canada for goodness sakes. It makes no sense. But we ended up having a laugh and a good time that night.”
Starting her seventh season in Provincetown, returning to the Art House where she began her first summer on the Cape tip, Miss Conception promises more fun, joy, and laughter, but through the prism of a night of comedy with a message. The anti-LGBTQ backlash that’s gained steam under Trump made Levesque consider using his platform to comfort and refresh audiences beleaguered by the daily barrage of hatefulness and ignorance. So Miss Conception is rolling into town with her new show Make America Gay Again, where she gives a rallying cry to the LGBTQ community and its allies that we all need to stand up for equality. She also acts as an ambassador to say that all is cool between our two countries and we need to ensure it stays that way. Levesque also adds in a little educational thread throughout about LGBTQ history.
“I get a lot of straight allies at my shows, which is great,” says Levesque. “They’ll often bring their kids, usually teenagers. I want them to know about gay history. But I started to notice, too, young gay people who didn’t know about Stonewall, who didn’t know who Harvey Milk or Marsha P. Johnson were. We need to all come together and stand up, now more than ever.”
In Make America Gay Again, Miss Conception, along with the Puerto Vallarta-based costume designer José Luis Casilla, really challenged herself in the show co-written by Jacques Lamarre. With over 20 costumes changes Miss Conception has never had more characters in one show and on top of that several of those switcheroos are done in the quick-change style popular on shows like America’s Got Talent. Miss C gives a rapid rundown of gay icons like Judy Garland, Cher, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and throws in the Statue of Liberty and a glamourous Canadian Mountie, too. With all-live singing she belts out everything from “This Is Me” to “New York, New York” to “You Don’t Own Me” as a reminder of Canadian sovereignty with a rousing rendition of “Blame Canada” from the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, which has taken on a bizarre new relevance in this day and age. And Miss Conception thinks there is no better place to bring a peaceful revolution to overcome hate and chaos than here in Provincetown.
“Provincetown is like that little village in Beauty and the Beast,” says Levesque. “Everyone is so friendly. The community is like one big family. It’s of course special
for drag queens as there’s really no place like it. It attracts the best of the best. But it also shows people how the world can be. It’s a sweet little village with a big heart.”
Miss Conception presents Make America Gay Again at the Art House, 214 Commercial St., now through September 13. For tickets ($35/$45) and specific show dates and times visit rainboweg.com.
