SHEQUIDA’S OPERA FOR DUMMIES
* a five octave comedy *
Off-Broadway hit makes Philadelphia debut as part of the 2003 Philadelphia Fringe Festival
September 8 - 13, 2003

"Not since Josephine Baker danced in bananas has there been such a uniquely radical entertainer... she possess a singing voice of pure divinity that can move men to tears and make women swoon with empathy." -- Pittsburgh City Paper

"A high-pure, operatic voice that boggled the mind" -- New York Post

"File this under too fun to be true! Her five octave vocal range puts Mariah Carey to shame." --The Boston Globe

"His/her five octave voice is very real, and as stunning as any you are going to hear on a concert stage in New York." -- Soap Opera Weekly

Shequida, America’s only Juilliard-trained drag opera diva, brings her vocal prowess and razor-sharp wit to Philadelphia with the premiere of Shequida’s Opera For Dummies: A Five Octave Comedy. A hit Off-Broadway (a GLAAD Media Award nominee for Best Off-Broadway Show) and in cities throughout the U.S. and Europe, this comedy featuring music by Verdi, Handel, and Puccini runs for 6 performances only as part of the 2003 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Performances are Sept. 8 at 8pm; Sept. 9, 11, 12, & 13 at 6:30pm; and Sept. 13 at 12:30pm at The Festival Cabaret at the Hub (205 Race Street). Tickets are $15. For more information call 215-413-1318 or visit www.pafringe.org.

Shequida’s Opera For Dummies is an hour long lesson on the history of opera as presented by a sassy black girl from the hood. This historic journey begins in 1600 and ends with a crowd-pleasing battle between the three reigning divas of the last century: Maria Callas, Kathleen Battle, and Jessye Norman. Along the way Shequida’s comic "lecture-demonstration course" touches on Verismo opera, the influences of opera on contemporary pop and musical theater, and handy vocal techniques for aspiring vocalists. Terrance McNally probably never envisioned a Master Class this funny!

A Caribbean-born beauty with an astonishing five-octave vocal range, Shequida is the recipient of a Back Stage Bistro Award and is an Audelco Award nominee. Her recurring role as bartender Wendi Mercury on One Life to Live earned Shequida the distinction of being the first drag artist on a national soap opera. Shequida has showcased her acclaimed five-octave vocal range in theaters, concert halls, and nightclubs worldwide, and is particularly well-known in Germany and Spain. In 1996, Shequida was the USA Network’s spokesmodel for Latin America and Brazil.

Shequida’s Opera For Dummies: A Five Octave Comedy is produced by Spin Cycle (www.SpinCycleNYC.com). Their producing credits include shows by Joan Rivers, Rufus Wainwright, Betty, Kiki & Herb (including their Philly debut & the Obie Winning Jesus Wept), Karen Finley, Lady Bunny, Anthony Rapp, John Kelly, and the long-running hit The Donkey Show.