By Kevin Ferrisi –
Summer Orlando began her drag journey in 2011, during her college years, and has been doing it for about 13 to 14 years. Her adventure into the world of drag started in the theater, with a production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a performance that required cross-dressing. This was her first taste of drag. A few years later, she revisited The Rocky Horror Picture Show and played Dr. Frankenfurter in West Hartford with a local theater company. There, a drag queen named Marita Bonita noticed her performance and encouraged her to audition at the Polo Club. She auditioned for one of their theme nights and was immediately booked due to her style and charisma. Despite considering herself an “ugly girl” back then, creating costumes from Party City materials, she believed that everyone had to start somewhere before their eventual glow-up.
Believe it or not, her first drag name was not Summer Orlando, but Summer Snatch. Initially, she believed that a drag queen’s name had to be funny and punny. However, after she stopped performing at the Polo Club and started doing shows in New Haven, she realized that Summer Snatch was not very community-friendly and wasn’t getting her many bookings. She decided to change her name to Summer Orlando. “Summer” was her favorite season, and “Orlando” is actually her real last name. This change held a personal touch for her: it symbolized the happiest place on Earth, Disney World, but also served as a defiant statement to those who doubted her growing up. It was her way of saying look where I am now.
She befriended some local queens in New Haven and started working at Partners Cafe and other local venues, including Gotham Citi and 168 York Street, often performing with Robin Banks, a staple of the New Haven drag scene. As Summer developed her style and identity, she realized she wasn’t getting booked as much as she wanted. Determined to pursue drag full-time, she created her own opportunities, working tirelessly in various jobs, including food service, retail, and as a character performer on a magical Christmas train during the holidays. She approached non-traditional venues and started producing her own parody stage shows, including her pride and joy, Hocus Pocus Live, a tribute to the movie Hocus Pocus. This show, which began at the Chez Est under the support of the old owner Brian, was initially intended as a one-off but grew into a seven-year tradition. With a small budget and a fully lip-synced format at first, she eventually transitioned it into a live performance, making necessary casting changes to accommodate live singing.
Down the line, Summer began taking on bigger projects, one of her most notable accomplishments being in 2017. She produced, directed, and starred in a fully licensed production of The Wizard of Oz. She made history as the first male actor to ever play Dorothy in a licensed production of the show worldwide. This groundbreaking performance took place at the Hole in the Wall Theater in New Britain. The show was a phenomenal success, garnering attention from BroadwayWorld.com, which came up from New York to cover the story. She was featured in newspapers and received a Ruby Slipper Award, a very cool recognition of her achievement. Shortly after, she played Edna in a local community theater production of Hairspray in Milford. Combining her passion for theater and drag, she continued to excel, blending the two art forms seamlessly.
She met her business partner, Barbra Joan Streetsand, during shows with Robin Banks, although they weren’t close at the time. One night at York Street, while enjoying their drinks, Barbra suggested Summer start singing to increase her job opportunities and earnings. Taking this advice to heart, they decided to create their own show. They secured a Sunday evening slot at York Street and launched the Boozy Barbra Broadway Brunch, a night-time brunch show. The two-hour live singing show with costume changes and special guests ran successfully for about a year, even expanding to Trevi Lounge in Fairfield.
Despite some challenges with audiences in New Haven, they received a significant opportunity from TGI Fridays in Orange, Connecticut, to create the TGIF Variety Cabaret Show, which had a generous budget and featured high-profile performers. This free show ran until the pandemic hit. Afterward, they began booking performances at wineries, breweries, and theaters, partnering with the Warner Theater and launching The Judy and Barbra Show, a Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand tribute that, despite a rocky start, eventually found its footing. After touring from Colorado to Chicago, and debuting a holiday show in Fort Lauderdale, their show has been running successfully for over five years.
Her biggest year for her Hocus Pocus Live show came two years ago in 2022, following the show’s immense success and buzz. Summer received an unexpected call from Disney, inviting her to be a look-alike for Bette Midler. While doing a theater residency in Fort Lauderdale, performing various themed shows, she had to leave early from their final performance to fly to Rhode Island. Disney wanted her for a Sanderson look-alike contest, and she shot scenes with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, and several RuPaul’s Drag Race stars; Ginger Minj, Kimora Hall and Cornbread. Disney was so impressed with Summer’s uncanny resemblance to Bette Midler that they decided not to feature her in close-up shots with Midler to avoid confusion. Despite the adjustment, she felt incredibly honored. She appeared in three scenes, including the Sanderson look-alike contest, and was part of a bewitched dancing crowd. The experience was surreal, especially when Bette Midler and the other witches flew overhead on cranes, making it a magical and unforgettable time.
Upon her return and the announcement of her role in the Disney production, Disney granted her permission to market her show as seen in Hocus Pocus 2, an incredible opportunity for her. She was astonished to learn that Kathy Najimy was aware of her show, even recalling their meeting at RuPaul’s Drag Con five years prior. Meeting Bette Midler dressed as Winifred was a highlight; Midler remarked on her striking resemblance, leaving Summer feeling ecstatic. Her life took a whirlwind turn upon her return, with magazine articles, newspaper features, and interviews on NBC News as Winifred, discussing her filming experience and upcoming shows. Summer even hosted movie screenings of Hocus Pocus 2, engaging in Q&A talkbacks about her filming experience. The following year brought even more excitement, with her and her troupe portraying the Sanderson sisters at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury every Saturday, complete with a cabaret-style show. Despite being asked by Disney to be the official Sanderson sisters for the 30th anniversary celebrations in Salem, she regrettably had to decline.
This year, she transformed her Hocus Pocus Live show into a full-length musical, now divided into two acts with an intermission. With five venues lined up in Connecticut, including the prestigious 2,100-seat Broadway-style theater in New London’s The Garde Arts Center, the excitement is palpable. Having signed the contract, she eagerly shares the plans, including the use of flying equipment from the company that flies Wicked on tour. Another exciting venue, the Palace Theater in Waterbury, which will also host a flying show as well. Their first stop, at the Warner Theater in Torrington, where last year’s performance sold out within 24 hours, necessitating an additional show this year. In East Haven, they’ll adapt to a smaller theater, creating an immersive experience with projections and green screen effects for flying sequences. With 17 production numbers featuring classic songs with a Hocus Pocus twist, anticipation for the show’s success is soaring. She’s actively seeking a manager and producer who shares her passion for Hocus Pocus, as she’s eager to collaborate on assembling a US tour.
Her drag queen story time, Once Upon a Queen, has also become a beloved tradition, especially during pride season. Initially conceived in 2020 as a response to the pandemic, she transformed an empty room in her house into a green screen studio, offering free children’s programming on her YouTube channel every Friday at noon. Each episode featured her portraying a different Disney character, imparting valuable life lessons and themes like sharing and self-expression. One notable episode, the Pride episode, delved into the significance of the Pride flag and LGBTQ+ acceptance. The success of her online series inspired her to bring the concept to libraries and pride events, where its inclusive and fairy tale-like nature, devoid of overt drag queen branding, garnered widespread acceptance. Unlike other drag queen story time events, her sessions have never faced protests or threats, a fact that both delights her and saddens her for her fellow queens who haven’t been as fortunate.
Her style of drag, she describes as Connecticut’s former premier theater queen, now rebranding herself as New England’s foremost theater queen, boasts a repertoire of Broadway-quality costumes, a commanding voice, and spot-on celebrity impersonations. Her aesthetic is characterized by campiness, vibrant colors, and family-friendly fun, all underpinned by a commitment to inclusivity and high production values. Known for sparing no expense in her drag pursuits, she jokes about the only thing missing being an appearance on Drag Race, given her dedication and investment in her craft.
After auditioning for RuPaul’s Drag Race and showcasing her comedic chops with a Jinx Monsoon impersonation during Snatch Game, she found herself recognized by the queen herself. Despite not making it onto the show, her audition tape garnered attention, earning her the distinction of being officially debunked as a potential contestant. Years later, she crossed paths with Jinx Monsoon herself, who expressed her admiration and even offered her blessing for future Snatch Game endeavors. Bonding over drinks and conversation, they closed the bar, sharing stories and laughs until the wee hours. It was a surreal moment of validation and connection, even if the rules of the game had changed.
Engaging in drag has been a profound journey of self-discovery, teaching her invaluable lessons about continual growth and evolution. Through drag, she’s embraced the principle of “never stopping learning,” drawing inspiration and insights from fellow performers, makeup techniques, and the intricacies of costume design. While she deeply values supporting skilled professionals in their craft, she’s also embarked on the journey of self-sufficiency, currently honing her sewing skills to bring her creative visions to life. Moreover, drag has provided a platform for learning about the nuances of business management, seeking guidance from seasoned Drag Race alumni on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. In essence, drag has not only enriched her artistic expression but has also served as a catalyst for personal and professional development.
She recently launched her pride collection of t-shirts. Excitedly, she announced the release and shared the link on her Facebook page. The shirts, tie-dye rainbow with her logo, were already receiving positive feedback, and she was thrilled to see orders rolling in, feeling grateful to support local artists through her sales. Alongside this venture, she embarked on hosting her own solo drag bingo at the Waterbury Brass Mill, a surprising turn for her considering it was the very mall she frequented in her youth.
Summer Orlando, alongside her partner Barbra Joan Streetsand, is about to make her Broadway debut at 54 Below in New York City, often referred to as Broadway’s living room with their show The Judy and Barb Show. This iconic music venue has hosted legends like Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, and Liza Minnelli. Remarkably, Judy Garland’s daughter, Lorna, will perform there just a few months before her. The one-night-only show is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. this Saturday. She is thrilled to perform in such a prestigious space and eager to see where this opportunity will lead. Next, they plan to take the show to Michigan, performing at the Planet Ant Theater and then moving on to Detroit the day after Thanksgiving. With some The Wizard of Oz elements in their show, the timing will be perfect, especially with the upcoming Wicked movie release. Excitedly, she looks forward to these performances and the adventures that lie ahead.
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