The December 2003 cast of "Glamour, Glory, and Gold" (L-R, top:) Boris Kievsky, Clayton Dean Smith, John Patrick Kelly, Janine Kyanko, Bryan Safi, (seated:) Chris Ross, D'Arcy Drollinger (Nola Noonan), Laverne Cox, (reclining) Joe Preston (Director).

Note from Craig Highberger: the revival of Glamour, Glory, and Gold at La Mama in December 2003 exceeded all my hopes and expectations! The casting, direction, and production staff were all superb. Opening night was a sellout and the performance was hilarious and flawless. There was a standing ovation as the cast and Director Joe Preston took bow after bow in the first production of a Jackie Curtis play in nearly 30 years. As Paul Ambrose said after the show "Jackie would have killed to have a production like this!"

D'Arcy Drollinger	Bryan Safi and Clayton Dean Smith

BACKSTAGE Review by Ron Cohen, Dec. 12, 2003
Presented by and at La MaMa E.T.C., 74A E. Fourth St., NYC, Dec. 4-14.

"The title and subtitle pretty much sum up both the plot and attitude of "Glamour, Glory & Gold: The Life and Legend of Nola Noonan, Goddess & Star." It's a genial recreation of the underground theatre of the '60s and '70s, and if you have an appetite for this kind of freewheeling camp, you should have a good time viewing it. The play was written in 1965 by a precocious 19-year-old Jackie Curtis, born John Holder, who in his time became one of Andy Warhol's drag superstars, as well as making a name for himself as a writer. Curtis died in 1985, and this revival has been directed with obvious affection by his cousin Joe Preston."

"The work traces a familiar trajectory through the annals of camp, detailing the rise of Nola Noonan from waiting tables to burlesque queen to Hollywood stardom and the unavoidable dissipation that comes with it..."

"... as Nola, D'Arcy Drollinger delivers a performance of epic drag dimensions, from the inelegant coquettishness and petulant pout to the snarling asides and sudden burst of macho-tinged fury. There's even a touch of poignancy as Nola reaches her tragic end. Moreover, he looks stunning in the wigs by John DiBartolomeo and his plentiful share of the uncredited costumes, which pretty much account for the production values. Clayton Dean Smith as Nola's longtime sidekick also turns in a slick female impersonation, and, indeed, the entire company of nine takes to its camping chores with infectious enthusiasm."

D'Arcy Drollinger, Craig Highberger, and Melba LaRose who played Nola in the first production of Glamour, Glory, and Gold in 1967. The cast also included Robert DeNiro, Jackie Curtis, and Candy Darling.

Bruce Eyster, Paul Ambrose, and Sasha McCaffrey on Opening Night.

Click here for the earlier press release about the revival and cast bios.