‘How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas’ at 2 Venues This Year

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Rust Belt Theater Company will present the 17th annual production of its original musical “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” at two venues this year.

The first two performances will take place at Club Switch, 221 Belmont Ave., at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9. For reservations for the Club Switch shows, call 330 507 2358.

The show will move to the Youngstown Playhouse the following weekend for its next four performances. Showtimes at the Playhouse will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 15; 8 p.m. and midnight Dec. 16; and 2 p.m. Dec. 17.

For reservations for the Playhouse shows, go to youngstownplayhouse.org.

All tickets for both shows are $20, general admission.

“The venue you choose to see the show depends on the experience you want,” said Robert Dennick Joki, who directs and stars in the show. “If you want an up-close and personal, dive bar experience, come to Club Switch. If you want a more traditional theater experience, come to the Youngstown Playhouse.”

The show is an off-the-wall retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” It tells the story of Starrlet O’Hara, a tyrant drag queen, who is visited by three ghostly divas on Christmas Eve.

Written and composed by Joki and Josh Taylor, the show is updated each year to lampoon politics, current events and pop culture.

The cast includes Nicole Zayas, Caitlyn Murphy, Vicci Sfikas, Diane Marie, Wesley Miller, Lisa Torrence, Rian Davis, Johnny Herbert, Geri Dewitt, Heather Powell, Audre McDowell, Joey Shilot, Charity Bauer, Janelle Yohman, Keith Stepanic and Joki.

Pictured at top: Robert Dennick Joki as Starrlet O’Hara in “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.