Robi Hager has already had quite the career starring in a variety of Broadway’s biggest shows (“Spring Awakening,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Dr. Zhivago” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” just to name a few) but the musical whiz is now bringing his talents online, and everyone can stream his beloved campy drag-filled extravaganza, “Basic Witches” this weekend.
“Basic Witches,” co-written by Hager and lyricist John Egan, will be streamed via Facebook Live this Saturday evening, and according to the release, proceeds will directly benefit performers currently out of work due to the COVID-19 crisis, which has closed many theaters and other performance venues.
“Basic Witches” first premiered in the City of Brotherly Love in 2018, and many were immediately hooked on the catchy songs peppered in with the hilariously quirky storyline. Hager is well known in the city for his acting abilities in other productions as well as having appeared on a few stages in Philadelphia, including at the Arden Theatre in “Ragtime,” “Next To Normal,” “Parade” and “Fun Home” and at the 11th Hour Theatre Company in “Altar Boyz,” “Children of Eden” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”
“I am excited to be streaming our 2018 production of ‘Basic Witches,’” said Hager in the release. “We are doing this not only to bring back a show that Philly audiences enjoyed, but also to assist in financially supporting the incredible artists involved who are currently without work. My hope is that this show reaches a wider audience with the possibility of it getting produced again on a live stage.”
The musical is as entertaining as it sounds following the story of four famous witches who compete to be crowned Supreme Witch of Halloween Hills. The witches are thrown off of their game however, when a new mystical witch flies onto the scene and threatens to steal their thunder. Performed solely by drag queens and queer artists, “Basic Witches” showcases the colorful expressions we all hold inside and how freeing it can be to be unafraid to break the rules in a world where rules aren’t meant to be broken.
The stream this Saturday evening will feature Bobby Goodrich (also known by his drag persona, Cleo Phatra), Miss Elaine, Vincent Celeiro, AJ Jackson, Eric Jaffe, Sav Souza, Brennen Malone and Lorenzo Ballesteros.
This animated and vivacious musical showcase will not only help artists in need during this precarious time, but it will also offer a way for people to maybe take a pause and just enjoy a few hours of complete entertainment. Just because the world seems to have stopped doesn’t mean that our artistic curiosity has to stop with it.
According to the release, the stream of “Basic Witches” will be presented on Saturday, April 11, starting at 8 p.m. EST on the show’s Facebook page (facebook.com/basicwitchesmusical). Donations can be made directly to the show’s Venmo account, @BasicWitches, or email contact@basicwitchesmusical.com for other donation options. Philadelphians can also find out more about the show by visiting its website, basicwitchesmusical.com.
