Drag Queens have been ruling the land for long enough. In fact, while the feminine counterparts to the masculine performers known as Drag Kings are better known, female performers dressing in male attire have been around for hundreds of years. Originally called “breeches roles,” the tradition dates at least as far back as the 1700s, when actress and playwright Susanna Centlivre gained popularity “en travesti” on the stage. Annie Hindle was the first popular male impersonator in the US, performing in New York in 1867—and marrying her dresser, Annie Ryan the year before. Today’s Drag King culture is staggeringly larger, of course, and not all Kings identify as lesbians or female—or even as male. It’s a multicultural world out there, but the one thing that remains the same is that Drag Kings strike a fascinating and sexy pose of gender illuminated and celebrated. Check out this monthly King show, hosted by award-winning male illusionist Landon Cider, because seeing is definitely believing.
Mon., Dec. 22, 8 p.m., 2014
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