by Rebecca M. Alvin
In a place with as many drag shows as Provincetown, we get to see the many faces of the art form and there is truly something for everyone. I can honestly say there is absolutely no one like Dina Martina in town. In fact, it’s almost impossible to describe her to a newbie.
If you’re a regular at Dina’s shows, this latest one, Forgotten But Not Gone, will be just what you expect. The cheery, clown-faced performer comes out in a pink angora sweater with polka dots on it and pantyhose, singing The Pet Shop Boys in her own inimitable style before launching into a show of delightful mispronunciations and misinterpretations of events from her life. Joyful, yet horrifying versions of Supertramp and Paula Abdul songs, “Fever” and other memorably numbers dominate the show, with a break for giving thanks for all the wonderful things going on today.
The night I went there were quite a few people who’d never seen Dina’s show before (she asks for a show of hands), and I don’t think a single one of them was disappointed, although they were likely taken by surprise. This is not your average drag show. But her 1980s references and unique musical interpretations of songs from that era are a specialty, complete with revised lyrics that have you laughing so hard your face actually hurts.
This year’s show seems scaled down a bit —just one costume change and one video interlude. But don’t worry, Dina has not gone minimalist. The show is over-the-top trainwreck-drag that will not disappoint.
Dina Martina hails from Seattle where she fine-tuned her unique dance moves and bizarre, yet somehow wholesome persona. She has been called a “comic genius” by the Atlantic and “The most original drag performer working in America today” by Michael Musto, and has captured the hearts of celebs like John Waters and Jennifer Coolidge. She’s also won The Stranger’s Genius Award for Theater and two Seattle Times Footlight Awards and has been nominated for the Alpert Award in Theater and two GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Off-Off Broadway Theater.
Dina Martina performs Forgotten But Not Gone in the Cabaret Room at the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial St., Provincetown, Wednesdays through Sundays (with some exceptions) at 8:30 p.m. through September 15. For tickets ($34) and information call 508.487.1430 or visit onlyatthecrown.com.
