Coco Peru, the drag alter ego of Clinton Leupp, made her debut at the new Rrazz Room as part of the owners desire to broaden the scope of performances from the standard cabaret acts to attract an assorted clientele. Peru, as well as acts like the upcoming Varla Jean Merman and Jackie Beat, is at the forefront of the drag performance art circle. Peru is the queen of the monologue, able to spin a series of related vignettes centering around her righteous anger at those who don't recognize her "art" and neatly tie them together into a well-crafted, often hilarious, evening. Interspersed throughout the dialogue were some well-chosen musical numbers with special added lyrics that joined the monologue and accented the comedy. "Nobody Does It Like Me," a song of individuality set the tone of Leupp's examination of her metamorphosis into the Peru character she now inhabits. "I'd Rather Be Different" and "Change the World" become her mantras as she struggles with self-acceptance from others as well as herself.

Peru's Ugly Coco connects with the misfit and outsider in all of us. Her catharsis is our catharsis, even if you never put on a wig and a dress. Peru is comfortable in her chosen skin and that's a good lesson for us all. Early in the show she tells us that she would never be so cheesy as to sing the overdone and overwrought gay anthem from La Cages, so guess what—of course she launches into the disco version of "I Am What I Am." Cheesy, but perfect.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
October 18, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org