Varla Jean Merman to Emcee our 42nd Annual Reception
April 10, 2025
We are thrilled to announce that actor, singer, and wry political satirist Varla Jean Merman will emcee ALRP’s 42nd Annual Reception on October 23!
The drag persona of Jeffery Roberson, Varla Jean’s fictitious pedigree is that she is the long lost child of the 38-day marriage of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine. She has filled cabarets and concert halls across the world, including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, London’s Soho Theatre, and LA’s Renberg Theatre.
Jeffery wrote and starred in the short improv Your History with Varla Jean: Stonewall; has appeared in the soap opera All My Children, Project Runway, Ugly Betty, and Girls Will Be Girls; and has been a mainstay of the Provincetown summer season for 25 years.
Varla Jean’s 120 performances of Stand By Your Drag in 2023-24 called attention to attacks on drag and anti-LGBTQ legislation, while not losing her signature humor and wit. Her current production, The Errors Tour, is making its way around the country, and she will be performing at Toucans in Palm Springs from April 24 through April 27 with a brand new show that will premier in Provincetown June 14 and run there through September 20.
We hope you will join us on October 23 for ALRP’s annual reception hosted by Varla Jean Merman!
“If Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman had stood in front of the right pair of funhouse mirrors, they might have resembled Ms. Merman and Mr. [Leslie] Jordan in stature as well as comedic talent.”
“…is a flawless female illusionist, and Varla’s fulsome femininity is never in doubt (her sanity is another matter altogether).”
“… nobody puts on a show as well as Varla Jean Merman.”
“...a delirious synthesis of Divine, Karen Finley, and Montserrat Caballé and even those who think drag has had its day swear that this big, beautiful creature is kind of demented genius.”