By Jack Firneno
Wire Editor
After 25 years, Miss Pumpkin’s act can finally be called age-appropriate.
“I’ve always wanted to be bawdy Broadway singer,” she said. “I used to be petite, but now that I’m larger, campier and crazier, I can be more believable.”
The blue-eyed, red-haired drag queen has been dressing up, riding around and singing out for a quarter-century, always looking for new ways to get the audience roaring.
Her Mardi Gras Drag Madness at the Bucks County Playhouse is a New Hope institution, an 80-minute show she throws every year to benefit charity. She’ll be taking the stage with eight other drag queens for “huge” opening and closing numbers, solos and duets in between, and plenty of interaction with the audience.
“Some people were crazy enough to buy the cafe seats [up front],” laughed Miss Pumpkin. “Silly people, they’re gonna be the ones that are in for it.”
Of course, those people have a good idea what they’re in for. Miss Pumpkin has been on stage in New Hope regularly ever since she made her debut at the now-defunct Cartwheel.
It was there that Mike Gardner, who’s donned the makeup and costume ever since, thought a drag routine would be fun, and borrowed a wig to try it for himself. He was right, and Miss Pumpkin has been around ever since.
“The applause, the energy you get onstage, there’s nothing better in the world,” she said.
Of course, the act has changed a bit over the years. For starters, Miss Pumpkin isn’t allowed to roller skate onstage anymore. She’s the first to admit she was no good at it, but it was a huge hit during her old Xanadu routine.
That came to an end after she rolled off the stage years ago and crashed — right into her chiropractor, who happened to be in the front row for the performance.
“She just leaned over and said, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow at 11,’” laughed Pumpkin.
But being less mobile hasn’t made the show any less enjoyable. Over the years, Miss Pumpkin has gone on as Cyndi Lauper and Cleopatra to sing the Bangles’ hit “Walk Like an Egyptian.”
Another favorite is a Dolly Parton impression where she uses expertly placed water balloons to complete her costume.
“Anything for a laugh,” she said.
But it’s not just for laughs: Each year’s show has always benefited local charities. Proceeds from this month’s performance will once again benefit New Hope Celebrates, a group that promotes the diversity of the area and various events in town.
Miss Pumpkin has been involved with the group for years, and even led their first parade about a decade ago. Since then, she’s been the last car in the parade — “Like Santa Claus in the Macy’s Day Parade,” she joked — where her ride has been anything from a giant swan to, of course, a pumpkin.
“Every year they expect something crazier,” she noted. “But to know I’m loved in the community is really wonderful.”
It’s also part of why she gives back as much as she can with her charity performances.
And, this year, she’s started a new tradition: a monthly show at John & Peter’s on the last Sunday of each month with proceeds going to nonprofits that often work with the LGBT community.
“It’s a smaller, more intimate space. We have people who come every month, and people that come in off the street when they see it’s a drag show,” said Miss Pumpkin.
Since John & Peter’s is primarily a rock club, she said sometimes people are curious because they don’t expect that kind of show there.
But then again, she noted, “It’s New Hope. You should expect the unexpected.”
Mardi Gras Drag Madness takes place at the Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main St. in New Hope, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30. For information, visit www.bcptheater.org.
