Tallulah’s Cabaret (in Buddies in Bad Times Theatre)

I became a fan of Tallulah’s Cabaret when I was in the primarily lesbian cast of an offbeat production of The Vagina Monologues. There was actually a bar in Toronto where there were drag king performances of Backstreet Boys ballads? Amazing! How had no one told me about this before? Tallulah’s is the best place in town to celebrate life when you or your best friend just comes out of the closet. It doesn’t feature the too toned, touristy, leather clad, gender segregated crowd typical of Church Street. Instead, it’s a mix of slightly awkward, self-consciously experimental youngsters who range across the shades of the sexuality rainbow. Guys wear bowling shoes, Diesel tees, sweatbands and skinny jeans. Girls wear glittery leg warmers, striped ties and crinolines. Everyone in between wears wigs or moustaches. All are endearingly enthusiastic about the music that mashes up electro, hip hop, alternative and gay disco anthems. Last time I was there a five foot tall guy was break dancing in tighty whities. Let me reiterate. Amazing! How had no one told me about this before?