MUSIC THEATRE OF CT UNDRESSES “THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE"

Whether you’re a surgeon or a hair dresser, a teacher or a librarian, some times your profession finds you. Earning a living by impersonating The King, Elvis Presley, is not the easiest way to pay the bills, but for young show biz performer, Clint Hromsco’s Casey, it is all he knows how to do. In the world of entertainment, an actor can transform from one character or persona to another with a change in voice, a wig or a costume. With skill and talent, a complete metamorphosis can occur right before the audience’s eyes. When Casey finds his Elvis days are over, he is overwhelmed with financial issues, from unpaid rent to buying a pepperoni pizza on the installment plan. He has a moment of revelation: he must change, his name, his dress, his attitude and his act.

Norwalk’s Music Theatre of Connecticut is inviting you to that moment of Casey’s epiphany in Matthew Lopez’s “The Legend of Georgia McBride” stripping down to its bare essentials until Sunday, March 3. In the hands and other body parts by Hromsco, we see Casey struggle to support his wife Jo, an understanding and newly pregnant Teagan La'shay, with an optimistic outlook and a new wardrobe. With the encouragement and mama mentoring of Miss Tracy Mills, a helpful Russell Saylor, Casey finds himself on stage at a club, Panama City Florida’s Cleo Bar, as a drag queen. Cleo’s is run by Eddie, an enterprising and successfully evolving Scott Mikita.

Enter Georgia McBride and learn that Elvis has, indeed, left the building. With bows to Bette, Liza, Pink and Lady Gaga and others, Casey emerges in full feathers and flamboyant fashion. The drag queens strut triumphantly, with the addition of Rexy, an outspoken and sassy Diva Lamarr, who doubles as Casey and Jo’s accommodating landlord Jason. So what’s the problem with this picture? Casey forgets or neglects to tell Jo of his new career choice. Could he be ashamed of his new enterprise?

While Jo is responsible and realistic, Casey is optimistic and full of potential. With the green light from Eddie, and the encouragement and assistance of Miss Tracy, Casey sees the future through his rose colored glasses. Being kind, wise and dependable, Casey discovers that tolerance and diversity and being open to change and opportunity can be life altering. When he lip syncs a host of great songs, he is just hitting his stride. Kevin Connors directs this peek under the wig and inside the dress of a drag queen, with help from costumes by Diane Vanderkroef, sound by Jon Damast, lighting by RJ Romeo, and set by April M. Bartlett.

For tickets ($45-60, with special seats on stage), call MTC, 509 Westport Avenue, Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or online at musictheatreofct.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Exciting news! MTC is growing with a capital campaign to expand its building. Go to www.musictheatreofct.com/newspace to donate your gift now.

For lessons in makeup, wig styling and drag queen dress, look no further than Casey and Tracy’s dressing room for a behind the curtain peek at a unique area of show business lore. You’re sure to be transformed.