PORTLAND, Oregon — The iconic figure of Darcelle, a drag queen who not only made it into the Guinness Book of World Records but also established Portland’s celebrated drag club, is back in the spotlight through the musical ‘Darcelle: That’s No Lady.’
This production highlights the distinct journeys of both Darcelle XV and the man behind the persona, Walter W. Cole.
Playwright Donnie Horn, who is also the executive director and founder of Triangle Productions, felt a deep connection with Cole after knowing him for decades.
Horn recalls their first encounter vividly: “I walked down the street, and someone passed me wearing big, bejeweled glasses and extravagant jewelry, yet dressed in a man’s outfit. It didn’t make sense to me then, so I stopped and introduced myself.”
Cole, who had a family at the time, was initially unaware of his calling in drag.
Horn reflects on how Tina Sandell, a drag queen, opened Cole’s eyes to this new world, leading him through a transformative process.
“It took about a year for him to understand what to do—how to leave his wife, keep the tavern running, and embrace this drag thing,” Horn explained.
This journey brought Cole to meet his partner, Roc Neuhart, known in the drag scene as Roxy.
James Sharinghousen, who plays Roc for the second time in the musical, expressed the honor he feels in portraying such an influential figure in Portland’s queer culture.
Horn faced skepticism when he first proposed the musical to Cole.
He recalls, “I told Walter, ‘I want to do this.’ To which he responded, ‘Yeah, who would ever want to come see it?’”
Yet, Horn firmly believed in the importance of Cole’s story.
Kevin Loomis, who plays both Cole and Darcelle, noted the unique pressure of performing a role based on a living person.
Reflecting on opening night of the previous production, he shared how meaningful it was to perform in front of Cole, who had tears of joy in his eyes.
Loomis emphasizes that this return of the musical is bittersweet, particularly without Cole present in the audience.
Sharinghousen also reflects on the emotional experience from the initial production, particularly because Roc had passed away two years prior.
He stated, “You’re basically bringing the love of their life back to life. It was a privilege, but the pressure was overwhelming.”
The musical is set to return for a limited run from June 5-22 at the Sanctuary at Sandy Plaza, giving fans another opportunity to witness the pivotal moments in Darcelle’s journey.
Horn shared his deep affection for Cole, noting, “I loved him. He was more of a dad than my dad. Finding someone who genuinely cares about you is like gold.”
Walter W. Cole passed away in 2023 at the age of 92.
The revival of the musical aims to ensure that his story and legacy continue to resonate.
Horn hopes that this performance will remind audiences of the rich history of Walter, Roxy, and Tina, as well as their impact on Portland’s culture.
Loomis added, “I hope this keeps his memory alive a bit longer. He was a Portland icon, an Oregon icon, a national icon.”
This heartfelt tribute not only celebrates the legendary drag queen but also reinforces the importance of understanding the journey behind such remarkable figures.
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