Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Last night, the audience roared with laughter throughout the clever and original show, ‘A Star is Bored,’ at The Palm Cabaret and Bar. The star of the show, Varla Jean Merman, is a character originated and portrayed by Jeffery Roberson, an American actor, singer and drag performer. With 25 years as a drag star, Varla Jean Merman, is a legend in world of drag entertainment.
More than a drag show, seeing Varla Jean perform is a sensational experience to remember! With only 3 more shows to go, you can see ‘A Star is Bored’ on Saturday, February 15; Sunday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 19 at 9:30 pm at The Palm Cabaret in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica.
Varla is what some might call, ‘old school’ drag with a new twist. She does all her own vocals, writes her own original material, and hilariously engages the audience. Her show is filled with Varla Jean’s fantastic improv, along with creative video, fabulous costumes and a unique story line that is threaded throughout the performance.
There is an abundance of good natured laughs that draw in the audience and the audience participation segment is really hysterical! She is brilliant at making fun of herself trying to keep up with the social media phenomenon and you’ll laugh out loud when you find out what P.O.T. stands for!
Accompanying Varla Jean on piano and harmony is musician extraordinaire, Gerald Goode. Not only providing background music for the songs, Gerald’s expert musical timing throughout the performance is very effective in enhancing the audience’s enjoyment of the show. And Brian Johnston delivers some wonderful “shtick” throughout the show as Varla Jean’s personal assistant.
There are entertaining song parodies of 9 to 5, Material Girl, and many other familiar tunes! I would have to say that Varla Jean saves the best for last, with the most side-splitting final number, Liza Minnelli’s Ring Them Bells. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard at any musical number. It’s pure gold!
Throughout the show we learned a little history about drag entertainment and the legends in the biz. It was clear to see what an impact Varla Jean Merman has had on drag. Before RuPaul and all the ladies that have followed, there were Queens like Coco Peru and Varla Jean paving the way at clubs and bars, even before the Cabaret venues took off.
With over two decades of fame in the drag scene, Varla Jean Merman has an impressive resume, starring with legends like Leslie Jordan in NY, appearing in feature films and on stage and guest starring on television shows.
Featured on Bravo’s Project Runway Season 5 as the winning model for the show’s drag challenge, Varla Jean also took on the role of “Mary Sunshine” in the revival of Chicago on Broadway. Winning an Elliot Norton Award for Best Musical Performance in The Phantom of the OPRAH, she has also starred as Mother Superior in SpeakEasy Stage’s production of The Divine Sister by Charles Busch.
As Varla Jean Merman, Jeffery Roberson has filled cabarets and concert halls across the world, including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, London’s Soho Theatre and LA’s Renberg Theatre. Jeffery wrote and starred in the short Improve ‘Your History with Varla Jean: Stonewall,’ for the launch of the MTV’s television network, Logo, and was also seen in their One Night Standup: Dragtastic special.
You can see Varla Jean Merman in ‘A Star is Bored,’ at The Palm Cabaret this Saturday, Sunday and again next Wednesday at 9:30 pm. The Palm Cabaret and Bar is located at Olas Altas 508 in Romantic Zone. Tickets can be purchased at the venue’s box office or online at ThePalmCabaret.com.
You can also catch Varla Jean’s new show this coming summer in Provincetown, MA and on tour in cities like Palm Springs, San Francisco, San Diego, Ft. Lauderdale, and NYC.
“…a deliciously loony sensibility … a voice that suggests a happy collision of Shirley Bassey and Barbara Cook … imagine it in a lounge act of a much younger Ann-Margret as conceived by John Waters and you’ll have an idea of the irresistible insanity in store for you.” – BAY WINDOWS
Open 7 nights a week, The Palm Cabaret and Bar features 3 shows per night, with performances at 5:30 pm, 7:00/7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. For more information and the 2019-2020 season’s complete line-up, visit ThePalmCabaret.com.
The Palm Cabaret and Bar is located at 508 Olas Altas in the heart of the Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone. Tickets to all shows can be purchased at the venue’s box office, which opens daily at 10 am, or online at ThePalmCabaret.com.
For more information, click HERE, call (322) 222-0200, or follow The Palm Cabaret and Bar PVR on Facebook.