Dueling Drag Divas Chi Chi Rones and Joanna at The Red Room Cabaret Gary R. Beck - Beck's Best
January 17, 2016

Emmy award winner Chi Chi Rones [fifth season here] and New York Times acclaimed female impressionist Joanna [tenth season for her] are proud to be returning to Puerto Vallarta and this venue. Together on stage, they battle as celebrities including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Judy Garland[s], Caitlyn Jenner, Madonna and Donna Summer. Thought you knew these superstars? Wrong. These ladies are a terrific comic duo, bouncing off each other.

The show jump-started with "All That Drag [Jazz]," a perfect description of exactly what lie in store this evening. The stage was blinding glitter from head to heel. Buckle up for a wild ride and laugh all the way out the door at the conclusion. The two shared the stage and each had the spotlight to herself, while the other made a fast costume change, sporting new dresses, heels, jewelry and wigs. Joanna especially enjoyed climbing the stairs to visit "the other people." "Arrived late?"

"Double O Bassey" was a fabulous skit where Shirley Bassey feels all James Bond theme songs should be sung by her and proceeds to sing many such past tunes, in her style. "Nobody Sings Bond Better" she declares in song. Hilarious in one word. Three lucky guys were called to the stage for a drag face-off, wearing wigs and lip-synching, which is something the two divas do not. All of their vocals are live.

During a break, Paul Fracassi entered the stage singing a fantastic 4 Seasons/Frankie Valli medley, featuring some of the songs he performs in one of his two shows here, "Walk Like a Man". Those attendees who had not heard his gorgeous voice complete with falsetto learned his show must be dded to the calendar. He has a second show "Legends of the 50's and 60's", featuring classics from men of that era, another engaging night from a true Canadian star.

Back came the Dueling Divas, taking on a lost Donna Summer, no longer a top star but most likely a waitress at some café. She had so much and now a laughable former icon.

Joanna and Chi Chi perform their shows all over the world to sold-out houses and one can see why. They are super-talented in their genre and watching them go at it like cats with menacing claws is an entertaining delight. The show is a well-coordinated, well-rehearsed back and forth between the two divas. When one thinks they know the song starting, the lyrics change in an entirely different direction, many times with them biting and mocking the other one whose character reacts with her own retorts, all cleverly written.

To close this entertaining journey of a night, Billie Holiday is interpreted wonderfully, then young and old Judy Garland finishes the show, with a cocktail in hand. The audience rose immediately showing their appreciation that the divas are back once more and not to be missed.

The Dueling Drag Divas will be performing on Sundays and Wednesdays at 9:30 pm in the Red Room Cabaret of Act II Entertainment through March 20, 2016.

Tickets are available at Act II Entertainment Box Office which opens daily at 11:00 am, telephone is (322) 222-1512. You may also purchase tickets online at Vallarta Tickets.

The Red Room Cabaret of Act II Entertainment is located upstairs on the corner of Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes in Old Town Vallarta.