Here’s something a married man should think twice about doing: agree to star in a drag show in a run-down bar, and neglect to mention it to his pregnant wife.
Unfortunately, Casey — the central character of Matthew López’s “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” which opened Nov. 4 in a funny, energetic and touching new production by Walnut Creek’s Center Repertory Company — really has no choice.
He’s barely scraping by on what he’s making in his regular gig as an Elvis impersonator in that Florida Panhandle bar. But when the job comes to a sudden end, Casey’s forced to scramble: the rent’s overdue, and he and his wife, Jo, are expecting a baby. In their first scene together, she tells him the pizza he recently ordered left them with insufficient funds to pay the rent.
Then Eddie, the bar’s owner, announces he’s canceling Casey’s Elvis performances in favor of a drag show — one he’s convinced will bring in bigger crowds.
Turns out Eddie’s right. In successive scenes, as Casey nervously steps into new female roles — first as a Parisian chanteuse, finally as the alluring country singer “Georgia McBride” — he receives sage advice from longtime drag queen Miss Tracy Mills (a wry, expertly timed J. A. Valentine), and the new show becomes a hit.
No one’s as surprised as Casey: A role that started as a lark becomes a passion. There’s just one problem. He hasn’t told Jo that he’s made the shift from the male icon Elvis to the alluring, ultra-femme Miss McBride.
Directed by Bay Area actor-director Elizabeth Carter, the production unfolds on Kelly James Tighe’s unit set, encompassing both Casey’s apartment, the bar’s cluttered backstage, and the space where Casey, Tracy and fellow artist Rexy, whose stage name is Miss Anorexia Nervosa, perform. With sound design by Jake Rodriguez, and lighting by Aaron Spivey, the story moves forward on a throbbing score and exuberant, well-calibrated dance numbers.
The cast gives endearing performances throughout. Joe Ayers is especially charismatic as Casey, who moves from his laid-back Elvis scenes to moments of intense emotion as he realizes the personal significance of his new role.
Valentine, in the show’s other standout performance, imbues Tracy with an impressive lifetime of experience — wisdom he endeavors to impart to Casey as both friend and mentor.
Jed Parsario turns in a fine dual performance, first as Casey’s landlord and confidante, later as the troubled Rexy. Sundiata Ayinde confers empathy on the long-suffering Jo, and Alan Coyne makes well-timed comic contributions as the bar owner, Eddie.
“The Legend of Georgia McBride” certainly moves to the far points of humor and dramatic intensity, a stretch that requires serious performances. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s also a story that asks each of us who we really want to be. López’s play makes that clear, and so does Carter’s excellent, thought-provoking production.
Center Repertory Company’s “The Legend of Georgia McBride” continues through Nov. 26 at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets are $45-$70 at (925) 943-7469 or Lesherartscenter.org.