December Column - Being in Drag Is NEVER a Drag!

Well...most of the time, dolls! Today when I look into the glass, I'm embarrassed to sing "Look at that face, just look at it..." but am more apt to blurt out "How much is that doggie in the ...?"
Now, now... musn't be so hard on myself...tsk, tsk, tsk...
Who are the ultimate in DRAG artistes? Jim Bailey-where has he gone?, Charles Pierce (passed on; we miss him terribly!) and the new diva in town Peter Mac! Is there such a thing as a woman female impersonator? Of course, Debbie Reynolds! But she has her own versatile act, so mustn't be categorized as one of the boys. And of course, Alex Billings, who does a knockout Hepburn as well - and what a superb actress!! Now getting back to the boys...Bailey - what a singer ... and as Judy Garland, if you closed your eyes, you would swear you were hearing Garland. His Streisand was good too, but not as great as Garland! He nailed her! Some said he was difficult to work with and didn't pay his employees well... but, I never listen to stories and only tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, myself!! So scratch that rumor! Charles Pierce did not sing, but his drop-dead funny impressions of Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, Katharine Hepburn and Mae West were the best ever! What a funny man! Liz Smith said his act was the greatest nightclub act of all time! Charles was a friend of a friend of my friend Don and one Christmas left a voice-mail wishing him a Merry Christmas from Katharine Hepburn. Don just loved his wit. Pierce hardly ever changed a joke in his show, but he was so hysterical, you could listen to a story over and over again and never tire of it. Like Tallulah and Bette as gal pals driving to Palm Springs; Tallu takes a wiz in the road and gets bitten by a snake. Bette seeks out a doctor - SLOWly - and what finally does the doctor say? Well, it was just too horrible for Bette to repeat or even attempt to do, so she simply said to Tallulah ..."The doctor said...you're going to die!"
Then of course Steven Brinberg's musical tribute to Barbra Streisand Simply Barbra should be subtitled Sheer Heaven. This man has an uncanny vocal range like Babs and sounds so like her it's, it's...unreal. He makes Streisand seem like the fag.hag gal.pal every gay man likes to think she'd be...oh,  if only she were his friend. And Brinberg keeps up with La Babs and changes his material constantly, so his act is topical and always funny.
 If you haven't yet seen Peter Mac, hold onto your pants, 'cause this kid's a winner! He can sing and tribute all these ladies with panache. And he's so cute and such a fine singer in or out of drag! He has his very own inimitable style which is sometimes serious, but that's OK; he's also a terrific actor! He's doing a show at Tom Rolla's Gardenia December 14-17 replicating The Judy Garland Christmas Special with lots of guest appearances and surprises.

Jim Bailey above as Garland, Charles Pierce below as Bette Davis (as Baby Jane Hudson)

Steven Brinberg below in Simply Barbra

and the newest: Peter Mac as Judy Garland

So dolls, drag's never a drag; it's always fun. Who should no better than Diva Dona who wishes you the Merriest Christmas and Happy New Year 2012! I'll be back between XMas and New Year's with my resolutions and tips for a happier lifestyle, but in the meantime, don't watch your diet...puleeze! Overeat and drink yourselves silly...into oblivion for that matter...ENJOY!!!!!!

dona

xoxo

My New Christmas Promo

Is it too much?
Of course, I wouldn't be up here, if I wasn't!!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Dolls!

Diva Dona Talks Turkey at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2010.

November Column - 10 Stereotypes of the Most Powerful Women

In response to the article I read in Forbes and on The Huffington Post, all I can do is list the stereotypes, put moi within them all, and let the reader decide for himself.

1. Ice Queen

moi?








2. Single and Lonely

HA!


3. Tough                                    


Look at that face! It could melt butter.

4. Weak

Overdone, you say!

5. Masculine

C'mon # 4 is just a sick joke!

6. Conniving

What about all those wonderful things I do for everyone? Like the time I let Angelina Jolie take my place as a presenter at the GLAAD Media Awards? I let her get my publicity as well as her own.  A totally selfless creature am I! Does that sound conniving to you?

7. Emotional

8. Angry

My Christmas pose. The REAL me!!!!!

9. A Token

What????

Is this what you're referring to?

10. A Cheerleader

Does this look like they see me as a cheerleader or a LEADER?

I ask you fair and square.

See you in December, dolls, when all is once again fun and frolick! Enough of the politics, already! Not for this diva!!

Happy Halloween, Dolls!

Have a witchin', bitchin' Holiday!

October Column ...Ooh, la la...those Cirque Twins

Dolls, the Atherton twins from the UK are two of the headliners
on aerial straps
in the new Cirque du Soleil's Iris.  
I accompanied Don opening night and was happy just to see them standing still on stage, barechested in those cute little Roman war helmuts. Be still my heart!
Ay, que ricos! Let alone what ultra-skilled gymnasts they both are! Iris is miraculous, Hollywood's very own Cirque du Soleil. You have plenty of time to see it, as it's a permanent show for the Kodak Theatre, but you know how fast tix to shows sell around holiday time, so book early!

And what's this I hear about Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith in a recent interview? He doesn't go to drug therapy with her, because the problem didn't run in his family and he doesn't understand? Dolls, this is serious. Get your hubbie to accompany you to these meetings! Don't want to see divorce around the corner for these two, but Dona's hunches tell her something's amiss here! Hate it when I'm right, always such disastrous things occur. Ooowioo!

On a happier note three friends are performing live this week.
Firstly, Patti LuPone will be at Royce Hall, UCLA for one night only Tuesday October 4 with Gypsy in My Soul. She sings better than anyone, including moi! Then if you're in Chi Town this weekend Alexandra Billings is bringing her Katie's Corner to life there for 2 nights only. Anything can happen when she cuts loose on stage as Katie Hepburn. She'll climb a tree, slay a dragon...you name it! And there are always special guests with arts and crafts. Arts and ...what? That's right! Remember Katie's over 100 now, so these little measly things keep her happy!
Here's the address: Stage 773    1225 W. Belmont  Chicago, IL October 7 and 8 only!
 And then, if you're in Vegas, Jeff Trachta is opening for Liza - Minnelli, that is-who else? at the Las Vegas Hilton October 7 and 8 in a brand new show with over 100 characters. He's the best with impersonations! His George Burns had me rolling, so did his theme song from All in the Family as Edith Bunker. Jeff brings the stage to life with his multi-media split-screens and onstage antics! Don't miss him, and if you stop back to say hello to him, give him a big mwah from Dona and a hug from Don!

I leave you with a look at Antonio Banderas at 50. Could he look any better? Now get out and go to therapy with your wife, you little Spanish twit! Ay, caramba! Dios mio! The family that stays together goes to therapy together: that's Dona's prayer for October, dollcakes!
lol

No one could ever possibly replace Antonio Banderas, but...Rod just sent me a new shot from the road and Sound of Music. Of course, he doesn't look like this onstage, but I thought you might like to take a look behind the scenes.

September column - It's Good to be Home

After  a short but fulfilling summer tour, I'm back home again in LA. Yeah! It's good to be home. "Home" - I feel like Diana Ross and singing a chorus from The Wiz! but...I won't! Let me say, dollcakes, doing a night club act is not as easy as it used to be. These old legs of mine got some working out this summer, let me tell you! Youthful looking, yes! Youthful feeling?...get out of here! But the ride's been fun, thank you one and all for coming out and supporting me, and now it's time to be a gossip diva once more!

This stud (above) - Rod - was one of my dancing boys in the show and he is doing a bus and truck tour this fall of Sound of Music, playing Captain Von Trapp. He'll give the discipline thing a whole new meaning! He'll whip those kids into shape!
Seriously folks, I understand that Patti Lupone will be doing Gypsy in My Soul at Royce Hall, UCLA as a benefit for Reprise Theatre Company on October 4. Bless her! She flies around this country doing concerts with the energy of Wonder Woman. I wish I knew her secret. I'm tired after my spin and want to kick back and write for a few months. Do you believe Barbra has a new album of Bergman songs What Matters Most and still sounds fabulous! Right on, Babs! Her sister Ros Kind will be back at Catalina Jazz Club in October. She sings so well! On the movie scene, I understand The Help will be nominated for a slew of awards this year. Can't wait to see it! Viola Davis sure won my heart for her solid performance in Doubt a few years back, so I'm sure she's just great in The Help. And Cher will be making a rare appearance soon on TCM as Robert Osborne's guest hostess when she picks her favorite movies. Based on a preview I saw, she still looks unbelievable! To be honest, dolls, I'm in the Betty White camp. No plastic surgery pour moi! I'll just keep on my diet - now there's a laugh and a half - well, I'll watch videos of me performing this summer, and if that doesn't work to make me want to stay in Jane Fonda shape, I'll start doing the treadmill and ballet every day!
Lots of goodies to report on in October, so stay tuned!
Hasta!
dona
lol

PS If I look aghast, look what a fan sent me below! He thought I'd look cuter as a man! Eek! How do I take this?
I'll just laugh my fool head off!