Rainbow lights, upbeat music and fabulous performers greeted the Suffolk community Oct. 16 with the Suffolk Annual Drag Show. Featuring Suffolk alumni Crystal Crawford, Lily Rose Valore, Amanda Playwith and Andi Van Dyke, it was an event to remember.
Suffolk Performing Arts partnered with the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, Sexuality and Gender Equity and Suffolk Out Law to continue the tradition of hosting the annual show to showcase local drag performers.
The energy of over 150 students gathered in Sargent
Hall was amplified by the queens and king as they energetically engaged with each person there. Each performer gave three performances that captured their unique personalities and styles.
The show began with Crystal Crawford paying homage to the cult classic Halloween movie, “Hocus Pocus.” Crystal was the first drag queen to perform at Suffolk, and in her performance, she said she “brought drag to Suffolk.”
Next to perform was Lily Rose Valore, known as the “dancing diva.” She gave an electric and engaging performance as she wowed the crowd with her skills.
Following this was Amanda Playwith, who led with confidence in every move she made. Most of her performance was spent dancing and singing through the crowds.
The last performer was Andi Van Dyke, a drag king who performed a parody encapsulating their queer and drag experience.
Crystal Crawford returned to the stage to perform “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and many people in the audience participated in singing along.
Lily Rose Valore returned to the stage in style with a she-wolf costume before transforming and performing another upbeat dance and lip-syncing performance.
Amanda Playwith came back to the stage for a second round and brought the energy as she gave another confident performance.
Andi Van Dyke came back for their second performance.
For their final performances, each person interacted with the audience in a different way. From Crystal’s performance from “Rocky Horror Picture Show” to Amanda’s mashup of “Hey Mickey” and “HOT TO GO,” they all ended the show on a strong note.
Since 2000, Suffolk’s Annual Drag Show has been an engaging and entertaining night for both people in the LGBTQ+ community as well as allies, and this year was no exception.
From Queen and Chappell Roan to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” there was no shortage of energy and excitement from the performers and there was something for everyone to enjoy at the show.
