Scribbles continues to celebrate its 36th Anniversary by bringing back more encore posts from days gone by.
Today's offerings are two EXCLUSIVE Interviews with performers Shae D. Davidson and Chris Snow.
There's been lots of changes for Chrissy and Shae since these interviews and we're not certain if they're still keeping audiences entertained quite as often as they used to [something I'm hoping each of them will bring us up to date with]
Chris Snow said goodbye to Niagara and moved to Toronto a few years ago. Last we heard, business was "popping" for Chrissy and we hope both our pals are doing great and will enjoy seeing their interviews back in the spotlight.
In-Depth Interview from 2010 - with one of Niagara's Renown Impersonators
SHAE D. DAVIDSON
SHAE D. DAVIDSON
Long Live the King
Drag Queen. The term is often used to describe men in female persona, skilled impersonators whose art creates very convincing “ladies” who entertain us in live shows around the globe. But what happens when it’s the other way around? Women impersonating men. Enter the drag king, a relatively new form of entertainment now enjoying equal acclaim to that of their queen predecessors.
When it comes to drag kings, no one does it better than Niagara’s own Shae D. Davidson. Shae made his stage debut over 10 years ago at Club Rendevouz in St Catharines.
“Before I hit the stage my stomach was in knots and I thought I would throw-up right then and there, but as tragic as it was I had a blast”, Shae told scribbles in an exclusive interview. “My first time on stage I actually had 2 older lesbians come up to me after and ask me why I wanted to be a man (and not so much in a nice way...LOL)”.
“My inspiration actually stemmed from the drag queens I saw as I was sitting in the audience in wonderment. [Female impersonators] Claudia Silva* and Deanna Stevens Dior had a huge part in making me a challenge to gear up and take the stage. My other inspiration is a very special from Winnipeg who spoke to me in great lengths about drag-kinging. I thought why not flip the game right on its rear end?....AND DID!!”
Over the years Shae D. Davidson’s performances have grown to well polished, superbly choreographed numbers that one just can’t take their eyes off. To pull off such an act, takes much preparation. In addition to rehearsing, a good drag king takes extra steps to become a “man” on stage. Some parts need to be flatten while others need to be enhanced. Breasts are taped down, facial hair is often skillfully added and pants inseams need to be “packed” to create the full illusion. When we asked Shae what one of his most embarrassing moments were, he laughed and told us, “The one that most stands out was performing in a Hamilton show wearing boxer shorts and well let's just say ‘Shae Jr.’ fell out and rolled clear across the stage...hahahahahaha”
Mr. Davidson has performed all over Canada and the U.S. He has appeared in Pride events, bars, theatres, halls and Hotel Ball events. His favourite artists to impersonate are Ricky Martin, George Michael, Elvis and his new found passion, Adam Lambert.
Shae tells us, “My most memorable performance by far had to be one where I performed a Josh Groben song with my then partner Josie, as an illuminating angel and told my story to honour my dear friend Rhonda Ellis who passed away from Breast Cancer.....one of the many charities I work so very hard for. Just remembering her was enough to light up the stage and gave me such an amazing rush.”
“The most recent was an event in Dunnville, ON with my great friend and fellow performer Chrissy Snow and the crew of theatre performers known as DCT (Dunnville Community Theatre).....that was an amazing time and benefited their local Optimist Club”
What advise would Shae D. give to others looking to enter the drag king arena? “Hey it's all trial by error.....keep doing it...but only if it's truly FUN you want to gain from it...drama should always be left where it belongs ...on the stage in the lights”.A year or so ago Shae was going to retire. When we asked him what motivated him to return to the stage, Davidson said, “Performing as much as I do really taxes a person's emotions not to mention their pocketbook....but I was reminded by a close friend who was going through some treatments to save his life that my entertainment and contributions do make a huge difference and that made me emotionally sound to keep up there and rock the stage again and again for those that need monies donated year after year.”
“The greatest feeling by far is in knowing I have entertained people while giving back to my community......that is the greatest gift I could ever think of. I have so many awards and banners that I sit and look at and truly am humbled and honoured that they were presented to me and I touched someone's heart.”
In-Depth Interview from 2010 - with one of Niagara's Renown Impersonators
CHRIS SNOW
Every Day's a "Snow Day" for Chrissy
When I approached female impersonator Chris Snow with an interview request and referred to her as a legend, she responded with typical Chrissy wit, “Hmmm, ‘legend?’ Makes it sound like I’m dead!”
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Chris Snow has entertained us for over 21 years now and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Chrissy recalls her first ever show. “I insisted on being announced as Miss Chris Snow. My stage debut was at Gustos during a Ladies Night. It was amazing. My friend Ginny had organized all the Lesbians together and each week they would perform, sing, dance, read poetry etc. She then began to invite some of the Queens to perform, and voila ! - Chrissy began. I remember I performed a Laura Branigan song, I had eerie dark eye makeup, a black catsuit and some weird black headpiece (some things never change LOL ). At one point I sat down on a black lounge chair and dumped a bowl of freezing cold melting ice all over myself. I'm still finding ways to spice up a number to this day.”
And spice it up she does. Every act captivates audiences in a way only Chris Snow can do. Her most popular characters include Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, The Church Lady, Julia Childs, Little Old Ladies of all shapes & sizes, Kate Smith, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Dolly Parton She’s also created her own characters as well including Crystal Powers (a crystal empowered cheerleader) and Fatty Patty.
As former barkeep of The New Vouz, Chrissy had the opportunity to appear in many memorable shows over the years. “One of the things I'm most proud of was my One Woman Snow shows. One 2 hour show, each month for a year, just me on stage. I pulled out all the stops for those shows - it was difficult, satisfying, relentless, and fantastic. I think I re-invented every number I've ever done since 1988- LOL.”
The recognition didn’t come easily. Miss Snow tells us “For many years I was very frustrated that audience members and many performers would ask, "Who are you?". Many of these people had seen me perform before and had met me and been introduced. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I was always changing my look, either by crazy and unusual performances or by creating characters on stage, so there was never a constant ‘Chrissy Snow Look’. This was over the course of [the first] 8 or 9 years. Then all of a sudden it was..."Oh, you're that crazy one, Chris Snow!".
Chrissy’s talent has taken her to many places. She’s performed in Dunnville, St.Catharines, Hamilton, Toronto, London, Halifax, Palm Springs, Boston, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Winnipeg, Iowa, New York, Buffalo, Florida, Las Vegas and Kentucky, to name but a few.
“The thing that motivates me to return to the stage is the music.” Snow reveals. “Drag is my way of interpreting the music and then using that music to express myself. I remember being very young, 7, 8, or 9 years old and listening to all these fantastic female vocalists and never quite understanding why I related to the stories they were telling through their music. I just knew I loved them. Then one night, years later, I saw my first drag show, and bam - it all made sense.”
And who is it that motivates Chrissy to keep returning to the limelight? “My favourite performer is without a doubt, [Toronto impersonator] Miss Conception. She was my inspiration for my One Woman Snows. She and I share the same love of music from the stage & screen. I have a long list of people who constantly give of themselves to help me whenever I need them to do a show or show up just for moral support - I won't start listing them by name, I might forget someone and I wouldn't want anyone to feel left out, because they're all amazing...and you know who you are” [as she points outwardly at YOU]
And who is it that motivates Chrissy to keep returning to the limelight? “My favourite performer is without a doubt, [Toronto impersonator] Miss Conception. She was my inspiration for my One Woman Snows. She and I share the same love of music from the stage & screen. I have a long list of people who constantly give of themselves to help me whenever I need them to do a show or show up just for moral support - I won't start listing them by name, I might forget someone and I wouldn't want anyone to feel left out, because they're all amazing...and you know who you are” [as she points outwardly at YOU]
To the great dismay of many, Chris Snow closed the New Vouz last New Year’s Eve. But that hasn’t stopped the old gal from performing. “ These days I have returned to my theatre roots, and strangely enough, I've been combining drag with my theatre.” she told scribbles. “I recently did a show called Cinderella Waltz where I played Mother MaGee (the astute, oddball, Fairy Drunk Godmother ).What a great part she was - although my 10 or 12 plunges down a well took a toll on my poor knees. Then back on stage after that for the Dunnville Community Theatre Variety Show: From Stage To Screen & Everything In Between. Dunnville got a severe taste of drag kings & queens, but what an amazing time it was. I introduced a bunch of St. Catharines performers to a bunch of Dunnville Community Theatre performers and the combination was a huge success. We raised over $1500 for the Optimist Club & the theatre.”
“Currently I have joined a cast of 6 "ladies" in Scream Queens: The Musical. These 6 B-Movie Horror babes get together to shamelessly self-promote themselves at a Horror Convention through song and dance. It's a hilarious show. I play Nadine, a 50yr old recovering alcoholic who seems to have fallen down her 12 steps”“I think I've always been a person of strong character, sometimes good and sometimes bad, but no matter what I always stick by my principles. It has cost me a lot, but I've also gained a lot as well.”
When asked if she would ever call it quits, Chrissy said “Retire? Who me? I'm not sure if there has ever been a drag queen who has ever successfully retired, but I may take a few breaks here and there. Being a DIVA is sooooo much work LOL”
Her words of advise to those wanting to follow in her high-heels “Drag wannabee's - listen, learn, copy, create, try, be humble, ask questions, aspire and always stay true to yourself.
Chrissy concluded our interview with one of her favourite quotes “People, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world” Babs would be so proud.
