South Beach glamour and a South Philly cast walk hand in hand down the catwalk this April in The Rivals: A Drag Comedy. This hilarious gender-bending belly buster is modern-day twist on the Richard Brinsley Sheridan classic complete with men sashaying seductively in 18th century dresses. In the tradition of Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical and Oedipus Kings: The Drinking Game, To the Wall Productions brings Philadelphia another fierce farce sure to bring out the diva in even the most manly of men.

When Director Christiana Molldrem was asked why she chose to do the show in drag she had this to say: "The aspects of courting, and the hoops that we jump through to prove that we are eligible and worthwhile human beings is what inspired me to cross-cast the show. Casting women as the male characters and men as the female characters explodes the prejudices that a modern audience will bring to the stereotypes present in the play. A 'low-drag' style complete with lip-synch numbers lends itself to Sheridan's writing and his characters."

Set in 18th century Bath, England, The Rivals: A Drag Comedy is the story of the hopeless romantic Miss Lydia Languish (Jerrell Henderson), the men she loves and the men who want her. The wealthy Lydia is in love with Ensign Beverly (Emily Cheney) as well as the idea of marrying a poor soldier but her aunt, Mrs. Malaprop (John Greenbaum) has a different plan for her future and arranges for Lydia to marry Captain Absolute. What will happen when it is revealed that Captain Absolute and Ensign Beverly are one in the same?

The Rivals: A Drag Comedy
Written by: Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Directed by Christiana Molldrem
Featuring: Lesley Berkowitz, Sarah Bowden, Emily Cheney, Dawn K. Cowle, Dallas Drummond, John Greenbaum, Laura Harcourt, Allison Heishman, Jerrell Henderson, and Anneliese Van Arsdale

April 3*, 5-6, 10, 12 @ 8 p.m.
April 7, 9, 13 @ 7 p.m.
April 12 @ 3 p.m.
*Opening night reception.

Tickets are $15 or $10 for patrons under the age of 25 and can be purchased online at www.tothewallproductions.org or at the door. Drinks will be available for a suggested donation. The Actor's Center of Philadelphia 257 North Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

To The Wall Productions is founded on the belief that theatre should be raw, provocative and entertaining; that Artists and Audiences alike should be able to take artistic risks and not feel constrained by the commercial theatre. Our vision is to create a new generation of theatre audiences where social, economic and generational lines are blurred by producing contemporary works and re-imagined classics.