The Edmonton Queen

Wonderful, coming-of-age memoir , do check it out.

My full review here https://lucyhainesca.wordpress.com/2026/08/20/review-the-edmonton-queen/

A walk down memory lane.

I arrived in Edmonton just at the tail end of this tale (sorry, couldn’t help myself) and was blessed to have run into several of the characters who “appear” in this show.

It provided a wistful remembrance of a time when what was most important was looking good, being at the right place at the right time and knowing the right people. I accomplished none of those things, but Gloria Hole certainly did.

This is a 30-year anniversary of the first staging of Edmonton Queen and the first that hasn’t been headlined by its author, Darin Hagin. Lilith Fair, another Edmonton drag icon, does it full justice. She had the audience spellbound throughout.

The show should maybe come with a warning, however. At least one audience member was clearly reliving their past and was reduced to uncontrollable sobs at certain points.

Beautiful performance of a beautiful play. Thank you.

I laughed, I cried, I learned about local queer history, and I was thoroughly captivated by Lilith's ability to tell stories and command the stage. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see this wonderful show!

Her voice and movement kept me absorbed in the story. She slapped me with her perpetual wit. It’s abundantly clear that Lilith Fair has nailed this production just like her prior fringe shows. Privileged to have this gem in Alberta.

The passing of the Crown, and the new queen shines brightly: it's the 30th anniversary of Darrin Hagen's seminal The Edmonton Queen.... (read the 12thnight review)

As an avid drag lover, this story catches your attention from the small town boy to the big city drag queen. Lilith Fair does an amazing job telling this “Mostly True Story” with her signature wit and emotion.

I don’t get how more people aren’t talking about Edmonton Queen!!! A fabulous work of Edmonton and drag history (and I’m not even from here) delivered by a fascinating performer.

Drag subculture can easily feel daunting to an outsider, but The Edmonton Queen instantly tears down that barrier, welcoming you into a razor-sharp, tender show. You don’t need to know all the local names and places taking centre stage to connect with it (though it helps), as Lilith Fair takes you on a ride of impressive, heartfelt storytelling.

Sharing the story of Darrin Hagen, Lilith Fair brought to life the drag scene of the 1980s in Edmonton; the reality of the queer experience in Alberta and living through the AIDS epidemic.

I’ve seen Darrin in several productions, yet I never had the opportunity to see Edmonton Queen until now, when he trusted Lilith to take the torch. What an impressive script for Lilith to not only memorize, but perfect in her expressions, vocal range, and sheer stage presence. This is a must see piece of theatre. Lilith shines in this role and it is clear why Darrin trusted her.

Lilith is a star, and I confidently say that about every role she’s in from The House of Fuck to Pansy Cabaret to Danielle Smith’s Drag Brunch, and countless others. Don’t miss her in this! One day she may finally be accepted to drag race, will blow up, and you will have missed your opportunity.

As queer rights are being attacked in this province and around the world, this play is important. Those brave Queens paved the way for a beautiful queer scene in Edmonton. What a perfect time for this incredible work to come back on stage.

This was cool!!! The main performer, Lilith, was so compelling I really think this is worth seeing even if only for their performance, expecting this to be a performance people talk about for a while

The script was good but honestly I thought it dragged a bit (I think the show ran over but I’m not totally sure I just think it did) so that’s my only kind of negative but I still really think it’s worth seeing!!!! A cool trip through local history and design was awesome too

A “mostly-true” story of the Edmonton queer scene in the ‘80s, hilarious and deeply tragic, an exploration of what it means to live.

This amazing piece written by Darrin Hagen returns for its 30th anniversary staging, starring Zachary Parsons-Lozinski (a.k.a. Lilith Fair) telling the story of the Edmontonian Drag Queens of the eighties and the Flashback gay club. The show stays true to the drag medium by allowing room for some audience interaction, making jokes throughout the show about the audience’s reactions, even breaking character in a way that somehow feels even more sincere.

Surrounded by printed “snapshots” from the eighties is a throne, framed along with the images in an amazingly dynamic lighting design, keeping the world whole – whether in the Flashback nightclub, a K-Days parade, or the world of the stage in front of us.

Though it is a long show, there is not a moment of boredom, and it leaves you longing for even more time. Its fast-paced humor and heartfelt story are bound to linger in your mind. “The Edmonton Queen” is a must-see for queer people, drag fans, and local history buffs alike.

I'm too young to have ever been to Flashback, but this show made me feel like I had.

The Edmonton Queen is funny, camp, deeply local, and deeply moving.

It's carried by the incomparable Lilith Fair, whose stage presence, physicality, and connection with the audience made this well worth the drive to the Roxy.

The clever staging and use of photographs paid off, and left me with some moments that I know I'll still be thinking about long after Fringe is over.

On a related note, I really should start bringing tissues to every Fringe show I go to. Probably safer that way.

Firstly, this play ran 10-15 minutes over the reported runtime, so be aware of that if you have a tight schedule.

That being said, Lilith Fair carries this solo show with ease. She’s funny, she’s charismatic, she’s melodramatic, she’s heartfelt. To be totally honest I don’t prefer Darrin Hagen’s work generally. The writing in this feels overly-long, sometimes dragging and losing interest as is the risk of any wordy storytelling show. I think quite a bit could’ve been cut while still letting us get to know these people and the time period. I wish I could’ve seen a bit more done with the stagecraft of it all. Luckily, the actor’s physicality and facial expressions elevates this above many other storytelling shows that may as well just be a podcast.