Musical comedy comes to Ukiah New Year’s Eve—in drag

UKIAH, CA., 12/30/24 — The Ukiah Players Theatre will present one of its most-loved annual fundraising events this New Year’s Eve: a gender-bending musical revue featuring performers of all ages singing, dancing and performing comic routines while in drag. 

“The “Bring on the Men!” performance began in 2016, shortly after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. Grey Wolfe-Smith, a cast member of the show, was deeply impacted by the tragedy and envisioned the musical as an ode to LGBTQIA+ communities coming together with heterosexual communities. Along with Jenny Peterman, the Ukiah Players Theatre executive director at the time, Wolfe-Smith helped produce a show that not only celebrated queer folks, but also straight allies.  

“What happened was there was a divide where people on social media were saying that straight people wouldn’t get as much attention if there was a shooting like that towards them. I reacted poorly to that, and I became a constant Facebook commenter,” Wolfe-Smith said in an interview. “I was saying divisive things towards straight people. I was saying things that were very angry towards them. Jenny approached me and asked me why I was doing that, and that made me realize I was just adding to the noise.”  

But instead of focusing on anger, Wolfe-Smith and Peterman channeled their passion into action. Both worked as producers of the show, ensuring that the performance would not only celebrate the world of queerness but also showcase how straight people can be a source of support during times of struggle. 

“It’s also about being proud of queerness and heterosexuality. It’s an event to show what connects these groups instead of what divides them,” Wolfe-Smith explained. “It’s creating something that gives power to everyone. The show is a place where people have the opportunity to perform different numbers and songs that they normally wouldn’t. If it’s something that they relate to, they can bring it to the audience.” 

The performance has been held only once since the COVID-19 pandemic, making this just its second run since 2020. The theatre’s artistic director Evan Gaustad said the performance provides a space where people of all sexual identities can feel safe celebrating themselves and the New Year.  

He added that while the show is enjoyed by people of all political leanings and backgrounds, the event also shares a message of solidarity with the queer community. 

“We might as well fly a pride flag over the show because it is in support of all of those people,” Gaustad said. “If someone said that this skews too far in favor of LGBTQIA+ rights, we would tell them that this show has people who are on that spectrum and are putting out a message of love and acceptance. That is the company we are trying to support.”  

According to Gaustad, the performance is one of the most successful fundraising events organized by the troupe. People from all demographics come from the community to enjoy the show, whether they are old, young, Republican or Democrat.  

“The theatre community is largely very supportive of LGBTQIA+, so a lot of people who do this show invite their friends from that community,” he noted. “But for whatever reason, people who also say they might be opposed to it [LGBTQIA+ themes] still find a man dressing up as a woman entertaining.”  

Gaustad said that the show displays a deep and meaningful message but is still a form of entertainment. “Even people who I disagree with on a host of things will see me dress up in a wig and laugh about it and think it’s great,” Gaustad stated.  

The performance is typically well-attended, according to Gaustad. The shows often sell out, and Gaustad is curious to see how many people attend the first New Year’s Eve rendition. 

“Historically there’s been some great runs of the show, but we’ve never had it on New Year’s Eve,” he explained. “There have been years where it’s sold out ahead of time; it’s a very popular show.”  

The New Year’s Eve performance and afterparty, featuring appetizers and sparkling wine to ring in the New Year, are open only to those 21 and older. Performances on Jan. 3 and 4 will be open to those 18 and older. 

For the New Year’s Eve performance, attendees are invited to join the performers after the show to ring in the New Year together. “Everybody will get to stay and dance on the stage afterwards, waiting for the ball to drop,” Gaustad promised. 

The “Bring on the Men!” performance will run Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. and Jan. 3-4 at 7 p.m. at the Ukiah Playhouse, 1041 Low Gap Road. Tickets range from $30 for the regular performance to $50 for the New Year’s Eve performance, with the $50 ticket including food and wine. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ukiahplayerstheatre.org or call the box office at 707-462-9226.