In a gay mecca like Atlanta, choosing from the diverse homegrown entertainment offerings can sometimes be a herculean task. Even with the uneven economy of the past several years, many venerable bars and nightclubs have managed to keep their doors open when others have come and gone.
In those hotspots, numerous drag troupes still perform to packed houses. And this year, one of those troupes, Stars of the Century, led by the inimitable Niesha Dupree, celebrates is thirteenth anniversary.
Dupree created Stars of the Century in 2000, when it premiered at Traxx Atlanta. It remained there for the next six years. Dupree’s motivation behind the founding of the show was not so much about establishing sole stardom for herself than it was about giving her sisters a place where they could all shine as well. Her goal was especially important when those divas were sometimes given short shrift by club owners.
“It was a time when entertainers needed a show and atmosphere where they were respected and compensated for their hard work and contributions to the art,” Dupree says. “Entertainers were always the ones who used to help bring customers and awareness to new clubs, but when the clubs got off and running, the entertainers were often put on the back burner as an afterthought. So I decided to step out on faith, share my vision with all entertainers who were working at that time, and create my own cast.”
In addition to Dupree, the original Stars of the Century cast included Sophia McIntosh, Dominique Rashad, Stasha Sanchez, Raquell Lord, Necole Luv Dupree, Jasmine Bonet, Tamisha Iman, and the late Basia. And at the beginning, they would need to do it primarily for the love of their art.
“I informed them all there was no start-up money, there were twelve of us and if we made twelve dollars, we each would leave with a dollar. I feel we had to have each other’s backs in order to rise collectively,” Dupree says.
With such a cast of established and talented performers – many of whom have included regional and national pageant titleholders, including from Black Universe, Black America, Black USA, USofA, Renaissance, and many others – the emphasis was on Stars of the Century not being a one-note, typical show. Rather than being a lip-sync showcase, it was a complete extravaganza of monologues, production numbers, and illusions, according to Dupree, “which was a struggle because none of the entertainers wanted to pursue illusions. Now today, they are nationally known for their illusions.”
While the illusions in many drag and female-impersonation shows are frequently characterized by outrageous antics and naughty, blue humor, just as many others have more of a glamorous old-world style where the performers lean more ladylike. Although rudeness and crudeness may almost be de rigueur for the former, the latter is where the Stars of the Century show has focused its energies. However, there was no conscious decision for it to consistently bow to either of those aesthetic conventions all the time.
“It was designed to be a variety show because the community consists of a variety of people. If you want to reach the community, you must have something on the menu for everyone. Every entertainer is not going to be a favorite of everyone; but the variety will help you become more successful in reaching a larger audience,” Dupree says.
Another mark of uniqueness that has long characterized Stars of the Century is its inclusion of a supporting cast of hunky male performers. The muscle-bound man-candy element gives an extra boost of sexy oomph and enhances a level of variety that truly makes Stars of the Century a show with something for everyone, according to its founder.
“When I was first introduced to a professional show at the famous Illusions, it showcased Johnny Thomas, Tony Desario and Ron Sanford as male leads and it has always been my vision to keep their legacy alive,” Dupree says. “It adds to the element of the show and it allows you to touch on so many different avenues of music.”
The original male Stars of the Century cast members included Monte St. James, R’darius Black, and Archie Bonet.
Atlanta is world-renowned for the number and variety of its drag and female-impersonation shows, many of which have been around for years. With so much entertainment for audiences to choose from, the actual choosing can be near-overwhelming. Dupree, however, says that all drag shows have their own stamps of uniqueness and they need to maintain them if they want to stay fresh and relevant. From the beginning, she and the other Stars of the Century have kept their concept of a Vegas-style show with a new drag twist, putting in long hours of rehearsal in order to stay up-to-date with the contemporary elements they incorporate into their performances.
When a show has been going strong as long as Stars of the Century has, one might imagine there would be conflicts, arguments, and differences of opinion. This could be true especially with the frequently strong personalities one might encounter in drag and female-impersonation shows. For the Stars of the Century, though, any flare-ups are only temporary bumps in the road.
“I don’t think they are diva conflicts. Each person is the owner and creator of his or her brand, and may have a different, if any, vision on the direction they want to move in,” Dupree says. “They may lose focus of why they started or let others cause them to find flaws in other to lift themselves up, but once reality steps in, they become a better person and a stronger bond is forged. So yes, we have definitely had our share plus regarding gossip and jealousy, but the family is stronger because we worked through them all.”
That family bond also extends to the tradition of longtime drag superstars who are “mothers” to up-and-coming “daughters” who are trying to establish careers. According to Dupree, the nurturing of a new generation is a legacy and a duty that current performers must claim if they do not want the female-impersonation industry to die.
“Someone gave each and every one of us an opportunity, a lesson, a dress, or a wig. We should now and forever pay it forward,” she says. “I had to get my tubes tied because I have too many offspring!”
Of Atlanta’s current big-name drag superstars who got started in Stars of the Century, most have remained with the cast and are now mothers. Many of them have, in turn, benefited from the maternal wisdom and training by a host of drag legends including Tina DeVore, Charlie Brown, the Lady Chablis, Lena Lust, Shawnna Brooks, and many others.
“Remember, it takes a village,” Dupree says.
Moreover, Atlanta’s drag casts are particularly known for their generous hearts and charitable giving to local non-profit organizations. Stars of the Century is certainly no exception. The cast has worked with AID Atlanta, AIDS Walk Atlanta, NAESM, and the Atlanta Pride Committee. It also coordinates an annual holiday food basket drive benefiting local hospices and homeless shelters.
“We now and always will do our parts to help those in the community who fall on hard times or are faced with the loss of a loved one,” Dupree says. “I think it is our duty to make a difference and a conscious effort to let everyone know that he or she matters.”
But even as heartwarming as all the mother-daughter nurturing and community service efforts are, it’s important to remember what makes Niesha Dupree and the other Stars of the Century so much fun in the first place. They are, first and foremost, entertainers, and their shows are celebrations of life and the art of female impersonation.
That said, audiences should come to a Stars of the Century show expecting a place to party and “let go” for a night.
“They will get laughter, productions, blasts from the pasts, top ten, gospel, and an occasional celebrity pop-in,” Dupree says. “We will always strive to bring you a great show experience but only God knows. He has blessed us for 13 years and we look forward to whatever direction he wants to take us in.”
PHOTO CREDIT:
Krashad Photos/LF Sanchez Editing
Info:
Stars of the Century
Mondays, 11 p.m.
The Jungle
2115 Faulkner Road N.E.
Reservations: 678-596-7044 (Mondays by 2:00 p.m.)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stars-Of-The-Century/314900862627?fref=ts
The post Stars of the Century- Niesha Dupree discusses the show’s 13 years appeared first on David Atlanta.
