We all know about the Grinch, but what about his ex-wife?
Philadelphians are about to find out with the return of ‘Mabeline’, a dynamic drag and performance show from The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and the House of Diorio, in partnership with Opera Philadelphia and Voyeur Nightclub.
Cookie Diorio is the brains behind this new world premiere, aptly named ‘The Greenaissance Tour’. Performances are set to open at Voyeur (a popular Center City nightclub located at 1221 St. James Street) on Dec.12 and will run until next Saturday, Dec. 21.
As a release describes, this show features dazzling visuals, dynamic dancers, and surprise guest appearances from Whoville and Philly legends. The character of Mabeline “Grinchester” Diorio (aka Cookie Diorio) specifically hails from Whoville and comes with a background of rapping and other vocal performances.
“Mabeline grew to fame in the city with her tell-all debut single ‘Christmas Tree,’ which spilled the tea on her relationship with ex-husband and mining magnate Louis Grinchester III, better known as Grinch,” the release says. ‘The Greenaissance Tour’ in 2024 will also feature other hits like ‘My Patina’ and ‘Green Light’ and other holiday classics that “you’ve never seen before.”
While Cookie has been in and out of the drag scene since 2002, she began performing regularly in the Philadelphia area as host of the Art Song Repertory Theater Company’s salon series ‘Saturday Afternoon Drinking Songs’ in 2013, a release notes. Since then, she has produced the shows ‘Fire In My Bones: A Gospel Jubilee’, ‘Beauty From Our Sorrows’, ‘Telling Herstories’, ‘Forces of Nature’, ‘Music: The Food of Love and I, Too, Sing America’ and has also been a soloist for events, galas, concerts and on the cabaret stage.
Philadelphians will also recognize The Bearded Ladies Cabaret brand from bigger productions (such as the annual Philadelphia Fringe Festival) and other scaled performances around town.
“Through sharing our original pieces and creating bespoke platforms for performance at home in Philadelphia, nationally, and abroad, we nurture artistic connection for a community of misfits, rabble-rousers, chanteuses and the people who love and need them,” a statement reads from The Bearded Ladies.
Their work has been seen all over Philadelphia including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Eastern State Penitentiary, Opera Philadelphia, the Wilma Theater, FringeArts, and the Delaware River Waterfront. They have also brought their cabaret revolution to Miami, Seattle, Paris, Washington DC, New Zealand, Provincetown, Maryland and Delaware. In New York, their work has been seen at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, La MaMa Etc, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, and the Lincoln Center.
Some of the most notable work from the Cabaret right here in Philly however also comes from their signature programs: The Beardmobile and LATE NIGHT SNACKS.
“We designed the Beardmobile not only to showcase Bearded Ladies artists but also to be a resource for performing arts and social justice organizations,” noted John Jarboe (she/her), Artistic Director of The Beards.
“With [LATE NIGHT SNACKS], The original impulse behind it was both a celebration of Philadelphia and Philadelphia’s cabaret artists. It was also an opportunity to cross-pollinate with an international community of cabaret artists and to also foster an international community of cabaret artists. We would bring performers from New York or Berlin or Paris to Philadelphia and put them on stage with some of our local performers,” added Sally Ollove, Associate Artistic Director of the Cabaret in a previous statement.
‘Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour’, specifically, is directed by Brett Robinson and features Jess Conda as DJ Cindy Lou Who and Lili St. Queer as Horton.
“Whether you love or hate the season, grab your friends, deck yourselves out in green, and get ready to scream for the Real Green Goddess. Let The Greenaissance begin,” Diorio finishes.
Advance pay-what-you-wish ($0-$35) general admission standing room tickets can be purchased at beardedladiescabaret.com. $50 reserved table seat tickets are also available. There will also be pay-what-you-wish tickets available at the door. More information can be found online.
