JESUS DRAG SUPERSTAR

About the Show

When the students of The Paul Green Rock Academy opened for The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret at FringeArts back in December 2019, Martha just knew she had to do something special with them in the future. Well, the future is now. Martha Graham Cracker will join more than 30 elite Paul Green Rock Academy students, including a choral section, for this one-of-a-kind drag tribute to the music of Jesus Christ Superstar. Martha will, naturally, play the role of Jesus. And, of course, Martha and the students will dazzle you with some Martha Graham Cracker favorites.

This show is all ages. 

Photography and video are not allowed during the performance.

About the Artists

Martha Graham Cracker is played by Pig Iron Theater Company co-founder Dito van Reigersberg. She has won numerous awards and has been deemed the “Drag Queen King of Philadelphia” by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Paul Green Rock Academy (PGRA) is the new music school from School of Rock founder Paul Green. Students get real world training in music by preparing for and playing awesome shows like this one. Paul Green Rock Academy students just finished a tour performing as the backing band for legendary singer Jon Anderson of Yes fame.

Johnny Showcase (guest singer) is a Philadelphia legend who also happens to be Martha’s ex-husband. He was seen this year on America’s Got Talent, a fact which he uses to subtly undercut everything Martha does. Example: “The lasagna is fine but not as good as my mother’s. Also, I was on America’s Got Talent. Please pass the salt. This lasagna needs salt.”

Shannon Turner (guest singer) is a Philadelphia actor and cabaret singer. She’s the co-creator of Glitter & Garbage Cabaret, which won Philadelphia Magazine‘s Best of Philly 2019 award.

Foster Longo (guest pianist) is a musician, cabaret and theater artist, drag performer, comedian, educator and DJ. They are a co-founder of Jaffe St. Queer Productions and Glitter & Garbage Cabaret.

Kimberly “Max” Brown, PhD, who started sewing at her grandmother’s knee as soon as she was old enough to hold a needle, has been the costume designer and stylist for Martha Graham Cracker for 14 years, creating original wigs and elaborate costumes and making sure Martha’s makeup is just right. She’s also worked with Opera Philadelphia, Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Pig Iron Theatre Company and other performers like Johnny Showcase and Eliza Hardy Jones. When she’s not doing all of that, Max is the Philadelphia Director of Equity Capacity Building at the VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion as well as an archaeologist.

About FringeArts

FringeArts is Philadelphia’s home for contemporary performance, presenting progressive, world-class art that expands the imagination and boldly defies expectation. Our programming exposes audiences to genre-defying dance, theater, and music performances by accomplished and emerging innovators who push the boundaries of art-making and redefine the artistic landscape worldwide.

FringeArts Staff + Board

FRINGEARTS STAFF

Nick Stuccio, President & Producing Director
Zach Blackwood, Artistic Producer
Zoe McNichols, Associate Producer
April Rose, Fringe Festival Coordinator

Carolyn Schlecker, Senior Adviser Operations
Melissa E. Bridge, Director of Finance
Margaux Cattelona, Finance Associate
Alexa Teves Mani, Office Manager & HR Assistant
Mary Menchel, Client Services Manager
Claire Frisbie, Marketing and Communications Director
Isabella Raposa, Marketing Manager
Amy Kurzban, General Manager
Kelly Orenshaw, Associate Production Manager
Evelyn Swift Shuker, Master Electrician

Joanne Marder, Senior Director of Development
Anna Buller, Development Manager

BOARD

Richard Vague, Chair
Jennifer Bohnenberger, Vice Chair/Secretary
Lisa P. Young, Treasurer

Donald Baines
Juliana Carter
Mark Dichter
Denise DiSimone
Tony P. Forte
David Hoffman
Kevin Kleinschmidt
Kathy Lentini
David Lipson
Tom Lussenhop
Clement D. Pappas
Jake Reardon
Darryl Ridgeway
Michael Solomonov
Stephen Starr
Nick Stuccio
Audrey Claire Taichman
Max Tuttleman
Paul Wright