‘The Legend of Georgia McBride’ at Ophelia’s Jump

OC Theatre Guild
7 hours ago
3 min read

When Elvis leaves the stage, an unexpected journey of identity, family and self-discovery begins.

Jacob Wilson. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Casagran

By Anne Reid

"The Legend of Georgia McBride" combines broad comedy with themes of identity, family and belonging in a story that explores both performance and personal transformation. According to Ophelia's Jump founder Beatrice Casagran, the production appealed to the company not only because of its humor but because of the humanity at the center of the story.

Casagran said audience feedback helped shape the company's season selection process after the play emerged as a favorite among productions under consideration.

"It came in first," Casagran said of audience voting conducted following last season. "It tells a story that has a lot of pathos and heart."

That balance between comedy and emotional depth has helped make Matthew López's play resonate with audiences since its debut. While drag performance serves as the backdrop, the story focuses on relationships, self-discovery and the challenges of navigating change.

Jonathan Miller. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Casagran

"The Legend of Georgia McBride" follows Casey, a struggling Elvis impersonator whose career ambitions seem increasingly uncertain. Performing in a small Florida bar, Casey commits fully to his performances despite increasingly sparse audiences and little financial success.

Outside the spotlight, Casey and his wife, Jo, face financial pressures of their own. They struggle to keep up with bills and rent payments while trying to establish a future together.

Their circumstances become more complicated when Jo reveals that she is pregnant. Casey suddenly finds himself balancing his desire to succeed as a performer with the reality of becoming a husband and future father responsible for supporting a family.

The situation changes further when the owner of the bar decides Casey's Elvis performances are no longer attracting enough customers. Hoping to increase business, the owner replaces Casey's act with a drag show featuring cousin Bobby, known onstage as Miss Tracy Mills, and Tracy's fellow performer Rexy, also known as Miss Anorexia Nervosa.

Casey reluctantly accepts a position working behind the bar, believing his time as a performer may have come to an end.

From left, Jonathan Miller and Jeff Sable. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Casagran

But circumstances shift unexpectedly when Rexy becomes unable to perform one evening. Casey initially believes he can save the show by returning to his familiar Elvis persona but instead finds himself stepping into a completely different role.

Appearing onstage as Edith Piaf, Casey enters unfamiliar territory and discovers unexpected abilities as a performer. What begins as an attempt to help rescue the show gradually develops into something larger.

Under Miss Tracy's guidance, Casey begins performing as Georgia McBride. As Georgia becomes increasingly popular with audiences, the once-struggling bar begins attracting larger crowds and Casey finally starts earning enough money to relieve some of the financial stress he and Jo have been experiencing.

As Georgia's success grows, however, Casey also finds himself confronting questions involving identity, expectations and personal relationships. At the same time, he attempts to keep his new work hidden from Jo, creating additional tension at home.

Casagran said the play examines more than drag performance alone.

"It deals with aspects of queerness and relationships between people of different genders and sexual orientations," Casagran said. "But it also deals with people on a human level. You get to know them and love them."

From left, Jacob Wilson, Gabriel Reign Raphael and Jonathan Miller. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Casagran

She said the production also examines the idea of performance beyond what audiences see onstage. "It's about performance, being a performer and being kind," Casagran said.

Directed by Caitlin Lopez, associate artistic director, the production features five actors portraying multiple roles throughout the show. The production includes lip-sync performances, choreography and onstage transformations performed in view of the audience.

While comedy remains central to the production, the story also explores questions surrounding acceptance, personal identity and the ways individuals adapt to unexpected circumstances. Through Casey's journey, "The Legend of Georgia McBride" examines how people can discover new perspectives about themselves and those around them.

Combining humor with emotional depth, "The Legend of Georgia McBride" presents a story about reinvention, connection and the unexpected paths people sometimes take in defining who they are.