Glamorous drag performers and yassified lyrics? You’ve never been to a Messiah sing-a-long like this!

Join Philly’s opera singing drag performers, Balena Canto & Violet Caballero, as they sashay through Handel’s classic alongside the combined choral forces of Fishtown’s Chill Choir, members of the New Jersey Gay Mens Chorus, and YOU!

Physical and digital copies of our newly updated score will be available for audience members who would like to join our heavenly host of singing angels, though spectators are welcome, too!

Following the performance on December 20th, there will be a raffle drawing to support GALAEI– a Philly organization that provides services, support and advocacy for all Queer, Trans, Indigenous and People of Color (QTBIPOC) communities. Learn more about GALAEI and their work here!

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the show via Cash or Venmo. If you’d like to purchase tickets in advance, please email us at primaticensemble@gmail.com. Check back soon for more information about our raffle prizes!

Pay What You Can Concessions will be available and can be consumed throughout the performance.

Audience members will also have the opportunity to mingle more and to connect with our artists after the show.

Drag Messiah will be sung in English. The new text is conceived and written by Matthew Maisano.

Semi-staged production, with projections and piano accompaniment.

Cast & Crew

Balena Canto, performer
Violet Caballero, performer
Elise Mark, director of Chill Choir
Sarah Michal, conductor & director of New Jersey Gay Mens Chorus

Co-produced in collaboration with The Perch Music & Arts Workshop, Chill Choir, and members of the New Jersey Gay Mens Chorus.

What: Drag Messiah

Where: The Perch Music & Arts Workshop, 2321 Emerald St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

When: December 19 & 20 @ 7:30pm (Doors at 7:00pm)

Estimated run time: 1 hrs and 40 minutes

Tickets: General Admission tickets are Pay What You Can, as we believe in equitable access to the arts. We have suggested $25/person for General Admission at this event, however please pay (or not) based upon your individual means.

Content Warning: This production includes sexual themes and innuendo.

Accessibility: The Perch is not currently ADA compliant. The performance will take place in the Black Box space at the Perch. The space is ground level and has no stairs. The ground level restroom has a two step climb to access, and there is a second floor restroom only accessible by a flight of stairs. Both restrooms are small. If you have specific accessibility questions or requests, please email us at prismaticensemble@gmail.com

Parking:  There is street parking available, though the neighborhood is a busy one and finding parking can sometimes be difficult. We recommend using public transit or ride-sharing if that’s an option for you. Nearby public transit options include buses (5, 39, and 89) and the York-Dauphin stop on the L (Market-Frankford line). If planning on driving, we recommend budgeting an extra 15 minutes to look for parking before your intended arrival time.