For many years, Empress Billie Ann Miller and the Imperial Court of New York (ICNY) presented the Royal Revue, a benefit show showcasing the talents of Court members and friends, at the Ice Palace. On July 21, by decree of reigning Emperor Wen-D Bouvier Pinkhouse, the Royal Revue was revived and was a highlight anew of the Cherry Grove season. The event benefited Pride for Youth on Long Island. Emperor Wen-D and Empress Demi-Tasse shared MC duties and DJ Chuck McTague was responsible for music, sound, and lights.
“The 20th Century Fox Mambo” was Demi’s lively song-and-dance number and Porsche kept the rhythm going by singing “Sway.” Countess Madison Mansfield glittered as she assured us she was “Wishing on a Star.” Princess Royale Sugar B. Real danced as she told us just what it’s like “To Be Real.” Princess Royale Bella dazzled us with “Push the Button.”
Erin Fury, Supervising Social Worker of beneficiary Pride for Youth, a nearly 20-year-old division of Long Island Crisis Center, spoke about the work of her organization, which includes a large transgender youth membership and gives free counseling and HIV and STD testing.
M & Ms Whore D’Oeuvre and Matthew George, channeling Celine Dion and Luciano Pavarotti, offered a romantic—or not—duet, insisting, “I never want to be in love with anyone but you.” In an Ann-Margret number, Empress Robin Kradles sang of a situation with “13 Men and Me the Only Gal Around.”
Grove Girls with Guitars—Emperor Wen-D, Sherri Rase, Lana Kelly and Laura Spadafino, SallyAnn Piacentino, and Martha Pitkin—had a welcome reunion, enchanting us by playing and singing their signature song “What’s Going On?” with Lana as solo vocalist, and harmonizing on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” with Sherri as solo vocalist.
A lavender-haired Empress Farrah Moans closed the show by declaring, “You’ve got to have boobs!” Empress Farrah, who will appear in a twisted fairy tale billed as “Wigsticks,” presented by the Arts Project of Cherry Grove on August 17 at the Community House, won the 50-50 raffle and donated her winnings to Pride for Youth.