Drag Season: Fill THIS Blank

 Well, hello!
2025 is off to an awful start, what with Democracy in its death throes and a country divided more times over than a single pizza in an orphanage.  It's times like these that we must resist the evil authority, fight back and keep fighting.  We must also not lose our marbles or be devoured by the darkness, so it is in that spirit that I was so very delighted to perform in Dennis Hensley's The Mismatch Game on Saturday night!

I enjoyed it so much because it was such a release to enjoy all of the laughter and an impromptu sing-along of Robyn's Dancing On My Own!  I've been involved with this show for over 20 years, much thanks to muh DAB, Dennis Hensley, and I am very grateful.  Not only am I helping raise funds for the LA LGBT Center, keeping my promise to myself that I'll do something on stage at least once a year, getting entertainment while I entertain, but I am also getting a chance to work and be with people I love and admire.  This time I got to work with Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Felix Pire, Tom Lenk and Melissa Peterman.  I met Melissa many years ago while I was hosting and co-producing a show called 15 Minutes of Fem. For the big Finals night, the big guns would be called in to host, that was Melissa, who was starring as Barbara Jean on REBA at the time. Over the years, through my former DAB (Still bestie, but now married), Brett Freedman, Melissa and I saw each other socially now, and then.  

Here we are at a recent birthday celebration

Then I got a call one day that led to a co-star role on REBA in a scene featuring Melissa.  My single line was cut out of the final edit, but you still see me plain as yogurt. That was in 2007 and I hadn't worked with Melissa, though I saw her socially, until this past Saturday night.  I don't know what the difference is between hanging out and working with her, but it makes me feel more legitimate, I guess.  I get that feeling with other Mismatch panelists, big time, but I don't know how or why it sparks differently with Melissa.  Maybe it's because she was a special guest who hadn't done the show since 2008...

Melissa as Rena Z.

Whatever the reason, this weekend's show felt very special to me, especially because of the horrible state of the union.  In addition to how it helped me, we helped the Center by raising $4,100 during the course of the night!  Anyway, here are some pics of the show, to prove I ain't lyin'!

Maybe this hottie in the audience is why it felt special...

Jackie Beat as Bea Arthur

Sherry Vine as Rue McClanahan

Melissa Peterman as Rena Z.

Felix Pire as Antonio Banderas

Tom Lenk as Tilda Swinton

John Carrozza as Greg Evigan

Host, Dennis Hensley

Of course, there were other delicious audience members, who were a delight to see after the show!

Unfortunately, the hunky shirtless audience member left before I could abduct get a picture with him.

So there it is, Mismatch Game February 8, 2025!

Or next show is in June for our Pride edition, so mark your calendars! (Sorry Google, it still exists)

MisDrag Pride-GameCon 2: The $200,00 Mismatch Game

 

Caught by Felix Pire

Drag Season rages on and the Mismatch Game weekend

was a whirlwind adventure that I will treasure for many blog-posts to come!

As you can see from our promo, 

I got to do two nights!

I love doing this show!

The first night, 

I had fun with Reba Areba having landed an endorsement deal with

Halle Pena's Jalapenos.

I made labels and put them over actual products 

and did live tasting of stuff like 

candied jalapenos and a large gummi jalapeno.

It's fun to do the tasting and have the silly reactions to taste (and burn, in this case)

I am grateful I got to play with these fabulous folk...

DENNIS HENSLEY, our Host

DANIELE GAITHER, Wendy Williams

CRAIG TAGGART, Bette Midler

LORY TATOULIAN, Sharon Osbourne

JOHN HILL, Nicole Kidman

FELIX PIRE, Gay Zorro

I love this pre-show shot

caught by Felix Pire

It certainly was a blast to do the show, 

and a lot more comfortable when I ditched my nacho poncho 

and did the rest of the night in my hot bikini.

I was very appreciative of the folks who came to see the show

including, but not limited to...

Aynsley Bubbico & Brett Freedman

David Pevsner

Gregory Franklin

On the second night, because I truly believe there are a few audience members

who come to both shows,

I switched up my Reba Areba game

and went with her going through the night with the attitude of being

the New Nicole Kidman.

A highlight of that, for me, was when she got a phone call

from Baz Lehrman to tell her she has been cast in the role that Nicole turned down in

AZUSA!

An epic musical adventure, 

co-staring Hugh Jackman

as the man helping her make her way from Azuza to West Covina

in mid-day traffic.

The audience seemed to be excited for it.

Anyhow,  here are the second night folk I feel lucky to play with...

JACKIE BEAT, Bea Arthur

JULIE BROWN, Queen Elizabeth II

TOM LENK, Tilda Swinton

MARC SAMUEL, Morgan Freeman

LORY TATOULAIN, Sharon Osbourne, again!

The show started with the Reba Areba AMC spoof

both nights and the audience seemed to appreciate it...

Thanks, Greg Hernandez, for capturing this

It was a lovely night to be on the panel 

Thanks, Greg Hernandez, for capturing this

Virginia Lea Anderson caught the moment comedy legend, Bruce Vilanch, 

was called up as a contestant

And, then, she made it up on stage, herself!

Later, Steve Carrabis caught this moment of me capturing a moment...

Steve caught me capturing the moment Dennis Hensley 

was awarded a plaque for his service and also to commemorate the night

that we reached a fundraising amount of $200,000

for the LA LGBT Center

by doing this show

since 2004

Tegr Michael Powell caught the moment as well.

It also marked the last live show under Jon Imperato,

who is retiring very soon. 

Tegr Michael Powell also caught me helping out

with the final round, because our usual perky assistant, John Carrozza,

was out... prolly picking out an outfit for the AZUSA! premier.

All in all, it was an exciting show with some nice surprises and 

a heck of a lot to celebrate!

And, of course, aside from the fabulous people I got to share a stage with,

there were the fabulous people who came to watch!

Frank DeCaro & Jim Colucci

Ken Kleiber

Howard Skora

Tegr Michael Powell  (and Ken Kleiber)

Phyllis Vieau & Virginia Lea Anderson

Steve Carrabis

Darren Rafel

Devin, Chris & Diego

Bill Pitzonka & Kevin Robinson

Daniel Cohen

Cute Guy who let me touch him.

It was all a wonderful time and I had a blast 

and I want it to happen a heck of a lot more times!

Did I forget to mention that before Saturday's show, 

I was invited by Frank & Jim to participate

in a Pride Eve event for 

INVIZ.TV?

It was an interesting experience for me

because sometimes when I do interview stuff, 

I'm not sure whether to answer as myself or whichever character I am being...

This time, I found a weird middle ground between self & character.

I hope that didn't render my stuff unusable...

In any case it was a great experience

and an honor to help raise funds for 

GLAAD, THE TREVOR PROJECT and PROJECT CONTRAST

You, too, can help these organizations

by popping over to Inviz.tv 

and ordering a Pride Flag

(20 styles to choose from!)

What an eventful 

Drag Season weekend!

with more to come..!