‘Varla Jean’ Is Anything but a Drag

Varla Jean Merman is an indisputable force of nature. In “Varla Jean Merman Is All Washed Up” at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre, the flamboyant drag diva displays the dazzling force of a cyclone touching down in a sequin factory.

For those who haven’t been exposed to her fabulousness, Varla Jean is the creation of Jeffery Roberson, who wryly alleges his drag persona is the love child of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine.

The description is apt. Roberson is a strapping 6-footer with shoulders like a linebacker’s and a rich contralto voice that could shatter glass. Yet despite his manly dimensions, Roberson is effortlessly convincing as Varla, a kittenish vamp in the mode of hyper-feminine ‘60s icons such as Joey Heatherton and Lola Falana.

Roberson’s show, co-conceived by director Michael Schiralli, with additional material by Schiralli and Matt Callaway, opens with a video segment of a boozy, pill-popping Varla passed out on a couch with a toy poodle perched on her be-thonged backside. Unemployed and depressed, Varla rallies at the offer of a gig and decides to clean up her life.

Newly sober, or so she insists, the extravagantly begowned and bewigged Varla high-kicks through her cabaret-style set to the able accompaniment of pianist Michael Brill. Just when you thought you couldn’t laugh harder, a surprise guest appears--Ethel Merman herself (Kristine Zbornik), who has returned from the great beyond to give her “daughter” some timely advice.

Hold onto your seats. When these two start belting simultaneously, they could blow you right into next week.

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“Varla Jean Merman Is All Washed Up,” Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Dark today, Saturday and Sunday. Ends Dec. 2. $20-$25. (323) 860-7300. Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.