Seattle Gay News
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT If you don’t know her yet, it’s probably time you did. BenDeLaCreme is the latest local talent to earn national buzz. The Seattle performer, who appears in drag and burlesque shows throughout the year, is competing on this season’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” – well under way at the moment. But fans in the Emerald City have already been following her work since she moved here from Chicago eight years ago. From Chop Suey to The Triple Door to Century Ballroom, crowds can’t get enough of her witty and well-conceived performances. For the most up-to-date events, go to www.bendelacreme. com for details. By phone, I spoke with the tireless entertainer about her experience on the Logo TV series and her upcoming plans. Here’s what BenDeLaCreme shared with Seattle Gay News. Albert Rodriguez: When you made the decision to audition for “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” what was it based on? BenDeLaCreme: I actually had
not wanted to be on it for a long time. People had been talking to me about it every year, and I was always kind of resistant to it, because it didn’t necessarily seem to be the vehicle for what I was interested in. I think when Sharon Needles went on there, both her and the producers that made the decision to put her on the show, it sort of shifted things and made it clear that “Drag Race” was expanding and was interested in different things than what they were doing in the past. Not that there wasn’t originality to the girls who were on before, but Sharon was a little bit more personality and concept based. So, basically when Sharon was on, that season Jinkx (Monsoon) and I, and Robbie Turner, the three of us (I remember very distinctly) were working on a show that the three of us were going to do together and during one of those first rehearsals we sat around and said, “What’s going on with ‘Drag Race’ these days?” I just remember all of us trying to work it out, and I came to the conclusion that I did not want to audition for it, and Jinkx came to the conclusee Creme page 6
THE LION KING PARAMOUNT THEATRE Through April 6 The Lion King is perhaps the greatest example of movie to stage that can be presented from today’s Broadway – OK, feature length cartoon to stage. The costumes have become legendary and the usage of puppetry and actors to-
gether has changed theatre, opening the doors for many other great musicals. And now The Lion King roars its way back into Seattle. The story is classic Disney with help from the great Bard, Shakespeare. Mufasa is the Lion King of the Jungle, ruling Pride Rock with his Queen Sarabi. Announcing the birth of their son Simba, all the creatures of the jungle come out to pay homage. Except for the young Prince’s uncle Scar. see Lion King page 3
by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer “DIRECTOR’S CHOICE” PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET MCCAW HALL Through March 23 When Pacific Northwest Ballet announces a “Director’s Choice,” it is usually associated with a certain amount of anticipation. What this means is literally that the director of the ballet gets to choose the specific shorter pieces that can be put together for an evening of beautiful dance. This is what Peter Boal (Artistic Director) and Kent Stowell and Francia Russell (Founding Artistic Directors) have put together currently at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. The first selection is titled “Take Five…More or Less” and was choreographed by the legendary Broadway choreographer (and five time Tony Award winner) Susan Stroman. Starting from the idea that even on a break, dancers are still moving their bodies and practicing their arts, this short piece is fun to watch. Using the musical jazz
© Angela Sterling
Joan Marcus. / ©Disney
Phindile Mkhize as “Rafiki” in The Lion King
by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer
Artwork by Chad Sell • chad.t.sell@gmail.com
by Albert Rodriguez SGN A&E Writer
Issue 12, Volume 42, March 21, 2014
Leah Merchant and Andrew Bartee in “Memory Glow”
styles of Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, these artists show us that even in sleep, The Dance becomes integrated into every aspect of a dancer’s life. “Take Five…More or Less” made its debut in 2008. “Kiss” is a different kind of ballet. It’s an aerial ballet with two dancers in harnesses. Start-
ing with a tight embrace, before having a current of air separate them, the two dancers fly out across the stage, but always come back to each other’s arms and kiss. Through the dance these two show us the joys and see Choice page 4