Yura’s Viva Cabaret dazzled a standing-room-only crowd at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre June 29, with Yury Ruzhyev’s spectacular drag performances celebrating a dozen classic divas past and present, both female and male.
Ruzhyev has been slowly making a name for himself and his drag alter ego, Yura, with his unique cabaret performances at parties around Toronto for the last two years. This was the most elaborate show he’s staged in Toronto, aided by a live pianist and a pair of sexy backup dancers.
The early part of the evening saw Yura perform as screen and stage legends, including Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis and James Brown. In the back half of the show, Yura pumped up the energy with contemporary dance-club divas like Lady Gaga, Madonna, Britney Spears, Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner and Cher.
His lightning-fast costume changes, spot-on caricatures, confetti bombs and high-energy dance routines kept the audience cheering for more and laughing along at the well-timed bits of comedy throughout.
Taking his final bow after the nearly two-hour show, Ruzhyev has a message for the audience: “Find a lover. I’ve found mine: the whole theatre community here at Buddies.”
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