What Is “Drag?”
What Is “Drag?”
Seeing people in unexpected costuming is funny. And for centuries, a source of comedy has come from crossing gender lines. With nearly 30 years of comedy history, we thought it might be interesting to review Mystery Theatre Unlimited's history of drag. (Okay, maybe only marginally interesting.)
First, let’s agree on the definition of drag. You could argue that a male actor dressed in anything typically female counts as “drag.”
In that case, you would have to consider the character of Tooth Fairy from three of our "Slay Ride" shows, who always wears a tutu. But this fairy is anything but feminine; he’s a cigar-chomping, boots-wearing man’s man – other than the required fairy wings and ballet skirt. Tooth Fairy first appeared in the original “Slay Ride” (show #3) in November 1996. The role was originally portrayed by Michael Moran, and later by P.D. Gregg, and most often by Bert Furioli. We think classifying Tooth Fairy as a drag character is an arguable point. At first, we considered it a drag character. But since it is so clearly a masculine character who happens to wear a tutu, we will not consider Tooth fairy a drag role.
Equal Drag Rights for Women
The above definition seems to exclude the possibility of a female actor portraying a male character. That seems unfair, so we will consider female actors portraying male characters as drag roles, too.
What If They Don’t Switch Clothes?
A different challenge is presented in “Mind Over Murder" (show #45). In that story, a mad scientist switches the brains of all the characters in the show, forcing all of the actors to switch characters they are portraying multiple times throughout the show. Naturally, there is some gender-crossing. But since none of the actors change clothes to portray gender switches, we will eliminate this from being considered drag.
Are They Actors or Characters Switching Gender?
We will consider the definition of drag to include actors who portray characters who are the opposite sex as well as male characters who are presented as male, but who, at some time in the show, appear cross-dressed as females. We will do the same for female characters who try to appear as men, too.
Also, when tallying up the number of drag roles, we will count only once each unique character in a given show, but if that same character appears in a different show, we will count that as a separate appearance.
Where Else Do We Draw the Line?
Finally, gender-dubious characters can be noted, but we will disregard these as a consideration for drag. Notable characters in this category would include Dee McCorkle’s portrayal of the sheriff with a five o’clock shadow, Montana Marie, in “Shoot-Out at the Double-U Dude Ranch” (show #8) staged in 1997, the survivalist Red Fox in “DOA in the Y2k” (show #17) from 1999, and the gender-neutral Agent U in “E.a.T” (show #28), which played in 2002. Dee later played her first drag character as Congressman Beauregard Jackson in “Tales from the Script” (show #30), debuting in September 2003. In addition, Renee Zelinski played the bearded cowgirl Calamity Joan in "How the West Was Dumb" (show # 57), debuting in September 2014, and Vera Barton-Maxwell understudied the same role. Again, like the Tooth Fairy character is clearly masculine but wears a tutu and is therefore not drag, clearly female characters with male attributes will be eliminated from consideration as drag. [Gender can certainly get complicated!]
First Real Drag?
Although the company first began productions in July 1996, no one – other than the actors playing Tooth Fairy – appeared in drag until January 1999, in the original pirate show, “Avast Ye Murderous Swabs” (show # 14), when Gino Angelo appeared in Act 2 as Countess Estelle. Since Gino refused to shave his beard, the Countess appeared with a veil over her face. (Sorry, no photo available.) It would not be Gino’s only appearance in drag. He would later originate the role of Mata Hairy, the bearded lady, in “Murder Under the Big Top" (show # 35) in August 2005.
Most Often in Drag?
The clear winner is Ryan Sears with 13 drag appearances. Tied for second place, but fairly far behind are Michael Moran, with 8 drag roles (discounting Michael's appearance as the original Tooth Fairy) and Dustin Heavilin also with 8 drag roles. Next behind is Bert Furioli (since we disregarded his three appearances as Tooth Fairy).
Other Gender-Benders
In fifth place is Butch Maxwell with six drag appearances.
Then there's Renee Zelinski Storm, who turned in three male characters all in one show. When that show was reprised in 2016, Meghan Ross assumed Renee's original roles, instantly bringing her tally up to three male characters. (More photos of both women below).
Gino Angelo, Dee McCorkle Gregg, and Arlene Merryman have each switched gender presentation twice.
The Drag Details
Ryan Sears (13 unique characters or shows):
Mrs. Peacock-a-Doodle-Doo – “The Maltese Ferret” (show #34) – 2006 revival
Allen Woodly as Witch # 2 - "McDeath" (show #40) 2007 [and 2009, 2015 revivals]
Elfish – “Slay Ride 4: Revenge of the Claus” (show #31) – 2008 revival
Elfish – “Slay Ride 3: The Santa Sham Scam” (show #25) – 2009 revival
Mata Hairy – “Murder Under the Big Top” (show # 35) – 2010 revival
Barney Phife (as Clara) – “Mayberry R.I.P.” (show #46) 2010 [and 2013 revival]
Lord Culler Brecknell in a dress - "The Pirates of Poughkeepsie" - 2010 [and 2014 revival]
Grandma – “Once Upon a Crime” (show #24) – 2011 revival
Elfish – “Slay Ride 2: Fright Christmas” (show # 13) – 2012 revival
Lovely Bowell – “Survivor on Killigan's Island” (show # 26) – 2015 revival
Cinderhella – “Happily Never After” (show # 58) – 2015
Elfish – “Slay Ride 6: Santa's Last Christmas” (show # 48) – 2015 revival
Margaret Dripdrysdale – “The Capitol Hillbillies” (show # 33) – 2016 revival
Some of Ryan's credits were single scenes - not entire shows - in drag, such as Lord Brecknell, Allen Woodley and Barney Phife. His number of appearances as Elfish, Santa's female chief of staff, rivals Bert Furioli's numbers of appearances as Tooth Fairy.
He also understudied Mary "Snooty" Kerry – “My Big Fat Reality Wedding” (show # 62) - 2017
Michael Moran (8 unique characters or shows):
Mrs. Peacock-a-Doodle-Doo – “The Maltese Ferret” (show #34) – 2005 & 2012 revivals
Svetlana Tickov – “Indiana Smith & the Restaurant of Doom” (show # 29) 2006 revival
Svetlana Tickov – “Indiana Smith & Raiders of the Lost Sequel” (show # 43) 2009 & 2012 revivals
Belle – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) 2011
Emeril LaGrosse as Paula Deenie – “Who Killed the Top Chef?” (show # 52) – 2012
Aunt Bee – ““Mayberry R.I.P.” (show #46) 2013 revival
Madame Mesmer – “The Calmityville Horror” (show # 55) – 2013
Mrs. Shepherd-Boggs-Zane – “Overture for an Undertaker” (show # 56) – 2014
Michael has only repeated a drag character once in different shows - as Svetlana Tickov.
Dustin would rather wear a dress, make-up and heels than play Santa Claus again.
Since his cheif drag rivals are retired from Mystery Theatre, he is likely to keep gaining on Ryan's coveted status. Bert's placement would rate higher if we counted his three appearances as Tooth Fairy as drag. 
Dustin Heavilin (8 unique characters):
Madame Mesmer – “The Calmityville Horror” (show # 55) – 2013 [understudy]
Jethreene Bovine – “The Capitol Hillbillies” (show # 33) – 2016 revival
Belle – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) – 2016 revival
Mary "Snooty" Kerry – “My Big Fat Reality Wedding” (show # 62) - 2017
The Witch – “The Wizard of Odds” (show # 38) - revival 2022
Scarey Godmother - "Happily Never After" (show # 58) - one performance in 2023
Svetlana Tickov - "Indiana Smith and the Raiders of the Lost Sequel" (show # 43)- revival 2023
Mrs. Shepherd-Boggs-Zane – “Overture for an Undertaker” (show # 56) – 2024 revival
Bert Furioli (7 unique characters or shows):
Svetlana Tickov – “Indiana Smith & the Restaurant of Doom” (show # 29) 2007 revival
Jethrene Bovine – “The Capitol Hillbillies” (show # 33) – 2004 [and 2007 revival]
Wicked Witch - "Wizard of Odds" (show # 38) - 2006 [and 2008 & 2010 revivals]
Fred Hurtz as Belly Dancer - "I Killed Lucy" (show # 39) - 2007 [and 2009 revival]
Harvey Brashman as the Nurse – “McDeath” (show # 40) 2007 [and 2009 revival]
Mrs. Cadaver – “The Calmityville Horror” (show # 55) – 2013
Scary Godmother – “Happily Never After” (show # 58) – 2015
Butch Maxwell (6 unique characters):
Ambassador Gefeltefish – “Space Trek” (show # 22) – 2001 [and 2006 and 2017 revivals]
Jane Haveaway – “The Capitol Hillbillies” (show # 33) – 2004 [and 2007 and 2016 revivals]
David Boney as Witch # 3 – "McDeath" (show #40) 2007 [and 2009, 2015 revivals]
Collin Card as Lady Speed Stick – “Mission: Unpossible” (show # 53) – 2012-13, revival 2023
Elfish – "Slay Ride 5 - CSI: North Pole" (show # 36) - 2014 revival
Olive Boyle – “Dead of the Class" (show # 54) – 2013
Cheryl Burke (4 unique characters):
Lex Luthor - "The Menace of the Super Duper Party Pooper" (show #23) - 2001 (understudy)
Congressman Jackson – “Tales from the Script” (show # 30) – 2004 and 2010 revivals
Cranky the Clown – “Murder Under the Big Top” (show # 35) – 2005 [& 2010 revival]
Ethel Hurtz as a chef – “I Killed Lucy” (show # 39) – 2007 [and 2009 revival] 
Renee Zelinski (3 unique characters in one show):
Larry, the Gentleman Caller – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) – 2011
Young Scrooge – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) – 2011
Ghost of Christmas Future – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) – 2011
Meghan Ross (3 unique characters in one show):
Larry, the Gentleman Caller – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) – 2016 revival
Young Scrooge – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) – 2016 revival
Ghost of Christmas Future – “A Deadly Christmas Carol” (show # 51) – 2016 revival
Dee McCorkle (2 unique characters):
Lex Luthor - "The Menace of the Super Duper Party Pooper" (show #23) - 2001
Congressman Beauregard Jackson – “Tales from the Script” (show #30) – 2003 
Gino Angelo (2 unique characters)
Countess Estelle – “Avast Ye Murderous Swabes” (show # 14) – 1999
Mata Hairy – “Murder Under the Big Top” (show # 35) – 2005 
Arlene Merryman (2 unique characters):
The Wizard (looking like Micahel Jackson) – “The Wizard of Odds” (show # 38) – 2006 [and 2008 & 2010 revivals]
Lucy Retardo as a waiter – “I Killed Lucy” (show # 39) – 2007 [and 2009 revival]