OUTscene (RE-view) Portland's own Darcelle and Poison perform a Staged Reading of Steel DRAGnolias!

by MK Scott
OUTscene Editor

I was delighted to get a personal invite from Portland's Gay Theater pioneer, Don Horn. I have known Don for nearly 20 years and we reconnected at Darcelle's 80th Birthday bash this past November.

I was reminded that this was just a Staged reading and not a Full performance. All the performers (Including Darcelle) performed OUT of Drag but still wore the key accessories that made them the characters.

Steel DRAGnolias is a gender-bending tale of friendship, love, loss and wigs set in steamy Chinquapin, Louisiana. Six southern "ladies" come together to trade advice and hairspray in this parody of one of the classics of the American stage.

With the cattiness and bitchfests, I felt like a little cockroach listening in. Michael Stone played two roles, Shelby,  who dealt with the 'terrible' disorder of SBS (Sudden Bitch syndrome) and the newly created twin brother of Sheldon.

Others in the cast included, Poison Waters as Truvy who's catch phrase was "Child"; Kam Sisco as (the always 19 yr old,) Annelle; Timm Mcbride as Clariee (I am so rich); Gary Cash as M'Lynn (She wants a boob job)and Darcelle as (the Sharp tongued) Ouise.

Don announced after the performance, that he hopes to a Full Production with Drag in the coming year.