- This event has passed.
The Real Black Swann: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen by Les Kurkendaal-Barrett
August 31, 2023 • 8:00 pm - September 24, 2023 • 3:00 pm
$35 – $40
Celebration Theatre and Los Angeles LGBT Center present
The Real Black Swann:
Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen
Written and Performed by Les Kurkendaal-Barrett.
While under anesthetic euphoria, a Black gay artist named Les is visited by the effervescent spirit of William Dorsey Swann, AKA “The Queen”. Surviving antebellum enslavement, Swann rises from the ashes of racial oppression to become the first Queen of Drag and queer activist on record. During their journey, Swann guides a complacent Les through time, popping his Glinda-esque pink bubble of self-preservation, and provokes him to challenge all too familiar modern-day monsters.
Written & Performed by Les Kurkendaal-Barrett
Directed by Tom Trudgeon
Cultural Consultation by Brittney S. Wheeler
Co-Produced by Celebration Theatre & Los Angeles LGBT Center
70 minutes, with no intermission. This performance includes strobe lights. Appropriate for all ages. All sales are final. No late seating.
Black Out Night Performance: Sunday, September 17th at 7pm.
A Black Out Night is the intentional creation of an environment in which an all-Black-identifying audience can experience and discuss an event in the performing arts, film, athletic and cultural spaces – free from the white gaze. There will be a talkback after moderated by Parnell Damone Marcano, Celebration Theatre Board Chair.
ASL Interpreted Performance: Friday, September 22nd at 8pm.