Ginger Minj Presents

Big Gay Cabaret

Ring out the news! Two of Chicago’s most famous and best-loved LGBTQIA+ cabaret performers are performing for only two nights at the Mercury Theater in their monthly Big Gay Cabaret series. This time, the shows are practically sellouts, with two performances scheduled, not in the more intimate Venus Cabaret venue but, due to popular demand, in the mainstage theater. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the lovely, cleverly comic, multi-gifted Alexandra Billings and Honey West. These two hilarious storytellers and talented songsters appear together in a wonderful cabaret show, presented by Ginger Minj, from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

The two friends, a pair of divine divas, are back together again, entertaining crowds of adoring Chicago fans on Southport Avenue. Opening the show together with “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” a delightful duet from BYE BYE BIRDIE, Alex and Honey display their strong chemistry with each other. Instantly the two performers have the audience in the palm of their hands. Sharing the Mercury Theater stage singing even more wonderful show tunes, beautifully harmonized and sung in their own inimitable style, the show segues into two solo performances. 

First Honey West takes the stage while Alexandra retires backstage for a rest. Ms. West recently drew audience and critical acclaim as Madam Armfeldt in Theo Ubique’s stunning production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. She also starred in Mercury Theater’s hilarious production of CLUE, playing two very different roles; and earlier was nominated for a Jeff Award for her portrayal of Bernadette in their production of PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT. Honey is and always has been an extremely likable and very versatile trans actress. Here she dazzles the audience with more great solo numbers, while sharing humorous banter with both the audience and her accompanist. Ms. West has one of the strongest, most beautifully trained singing voices ever heard on any stage, and she gently caresses every song she sings. Honey West really proves she’s a superstar. However, the actress stands out when she recreates her most recent role in a magnificent rendition of Sondheim’s “Liaisons.”

Actress, singer, author, teacher and activist, Alexandra Billings seems to have done it all. A native of Schaumburg, Ms. Billings recounts her early days when she started out in some of Chicago’s most iconic gay clubs. No one could’ve guessed that this naive 19-year-old suburbanite, who began her career stripping to “Flashdance” in a drag bar, would eventually star on Broadway as Madame Morrible in WICKED. Alexandra’s been seen on the Amazon TV series, “The Peripheral” as well as in the award-winning “Transparent.” Currently Ms. Billings is a recurring guest star on television’s “The Connors,” the reality show, “Never Have I Ever” and many other programs and films. In this cabaret performance, Alex sings a variety of truly great songs, but Ms. Billing’s finest moment is her passionate delivery of Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run.”

Honey West warmly returns to the stage for a couple more duets with Alexandra Billings. There the two ladies dazzle the audience with songs from CABARET, CHICAGO and other hits from the Broadway Songbook. The talented pair conclude their show with a quirky kind of musical competition. This final performance is entertaining while being absolutely hilarious. Each performer portrays a role from Stephen Schwartz’s GODSPELL, singing “All For the Best.” In singing this patter song perfectly, while increasing the tempo, the performance evolves into uncontrollable laughter. The duet is, like the entire evening, a performance filled with sidesplitting humor, delicious musicality and lots and lots of love and mutual respect.                

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 9 & 10 at 8:00 by Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-360-7365 or by going to www.BigGayCabaret.com or www.info@mercurytheaterchicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.