Drag Queens at the 801 Cabaret

Authors: Reviewed by Cristina R Nelson

Publish Date: 2007/01/19

Volume: 36, Issue: 1, Pages: 115-116

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Abstract

The musical La Cage aux Folles sketches the perplexity of drag in a culture that privileges heteronormativity “We are what we are and what we are is an illusion” one song proclaims “We love … putting on high heels and causing confusion” Drawing from gender and queer theorists including Meyerowitz 1998 2002 Schacht 2002 and the redoubtable Butler 1990 1993 Rupp and Taylor examine the participants and substance of “The Girly Show” Key West’s 801 Club drag act and their function in “confusing” normative gender and sex categories In the debate between proponents of the biological vs cultural origins of sexuality and gender Rupp and Taylor fall squarely into the latter groupThis volume chronicles the occupational culture of nine 801 Club drag entertainers Rupp and Taylor interviewed these drag queens attended their “The Girly Shows” and chronicled their dressingroom preparations1In addition their astute use of audience member interviews enriches this work

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