Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Originally written under the pen name “Jane Mast,” The Drag is Mae West’s examination of drag culture mixed with drawing room comedy. Funny and flamboyant, the play creates an unusual love triangle topped with a decadent parade and celebration of drag. In the 1920s in New York City, Dr. James Richmond is leading the way on research to cure homosexuality and transexuality. He believes that he can “convert” those who are willing to become morally upright, and pursues this practice with good intentions. However, he has no idea that his son-in-law Rolly--seen by everyone as the epitome of masculinity--is gay. Rolly adeptly lives a double life. On the one hand, he is a successful businessman married to his childhood sweetheart Clair. But unbeknownst to his family, Rolly also has a flamboyant group of friends who all participate in the drag lifestyle; he is even known to host drag parties and parades, and has a deep infatuation with his business partner, Allen Grayson. But Rolly’s charmed life comes to a screeching halt when he is murdered in cold blood, and those left behind are forced to reconcile the reality of who he was with the image they all believed in.
Show Information
- Book
- Mae West
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1927
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Period
- Time & Place
- New York City, 1920s
- Cast Size
- large
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Mature Audiences, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Mature Adult, Young Adult, Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Performance of gender expression, often when men imitate or exaggerate a feminine style.
A type of play developed during the Victorian period that takes place in a drawing room, a room in a home where guests are entertained (such as a living room).
The accepted generic term for the LGBTQ+ theatre movement.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress