Mae West, a singer, actress, comedian, and writer, was known more to the public as a sex symbol and free thinker for most of the first half of the 20th century, though she lived until 1980 and continued to write. In 1926, she wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the play, “Sex.” Though it was a box office success, the theater was raided, and she was arrested for corrupting the morals of youth. Her next play, “The Drag,” previewed outside New York but never opened in the city because it was about homosexuality and cross-dressing. She had developed it with her many gay friends as she tried to express the struggles and anxiety felt by a homosexual in America in the 1920’s. Ego Po has brought the play to the Philadelphia stage 98 years later. It is the core of West’s play surrounded by contemporary talk by the actors portraying the roles. West encouraged additions and ad -libbimg in her play. Ego Po’s production has been reworked by Thomas Choinacky and A Z Espinoza.
Twelve actors make up this incredibly talented cast. There are men playing women and women playing men. They are of different races. They are gay and/or cross dressers. It doesn’t make a difference what they are- they are human beings who have the same issues as everyone, but those issues are compounded by their “differences” according to the mainstream. In fact, this season, Ego Po Theater, after dedicating seasons to Crossing Oceans and the Harlem Renaissance, has named its 2024-25 season, “Queer Revolutions.”
There are tons of jokes that the characters crack about themselves and about each other, but there is also a doctor who believes that homosexuality can be “cured” with conversion therapy. There are men, married to women who are both unhappy because these men want to be with men. They struggle to be who they are, though they must hide it to avoid the rampant discrimination that existed. As one says, “I have done nothing wrong.” The term pansy is thrown about- but then we are reminded that besides it being a derogatory reference to gay folks, it is also one of the most resilient flowers.
The costumes by Ilycia Boatwright-Buffaloe are worth the price of admission alone. They are so creative whether it be a simple mustache or smoke from a cigarette to exotic, flamboyant outfits. The range of masculinity and femininity is broad and real. The twelve performers play over twenty roles effectively. While some were stronger than other, it doesn’’t undermine the spirit of what is happening on stage.
West’s original play comprised of three short acts. My main beef with this production was that it consisted of an hour and forty-five minutes without an act break. I needed a break, both to absorb what I saw and to talk with my friend who accompanied me about the story. I needed some clarification about who wanted what and who wanted whom. Also, at times, the clever humor disintegrates into silly jokes. Nevertheless, Ego Po has given us a unique look at an important play by a most iconic figure.
“The Drag” by Mae West with additions by Thomas Choinacky and A Z Espinoza at Ego Po Theater, being performed at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American House, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 267-273-1414, www.egopo.org Thru February 9, 2025
Philadelphia Theater Reviews by Frank Burd 