GULFPORT, FLORIDA: Join Tampa Bay’s Favorite Drag Performer (Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Reader’s Pick 2013 and 2017) Matthew McGee for the debut of an all-new show: a country western cabaret lovingly titled Waltzing Matilda. This autobiographical honky tonk revue is more Hee Haw than CMA as Matthew is joined by Tampa Bay’s celebrated music man Michael Raabe (as Clem) for a melodious trip down memory lane featuring songs by some of country music’s biggest stars. Get ready for lots of laughs, big hair and multi-colored fringe as “Miss McGee” two-steps her way into your heart. The show is appropriate for all ages.
Waltzing Matilda will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 7 at Catherine Hickman Theater (5501 27th Ave. South in Gulfport). Tickets are on sale now at Gulfport Beach Bazaar (3115 Beach Blvd.) and Gulfport Casino (5500 Shore Blvd.): $20 general admission (doors 6:30pm); or $25 Early Access (doors 6pm, including hors d’oeuvre reception and preferred seating).
Matthew McGee (as Waltzing Matilda) has most recently starred in this year’s American Stage in the Park’s production of The Producers. He is one of Tampa Bay’s most celebrated performers. He is beloved for his frequent appearances with Scott Daniel in The Scott & Patti Show. Awards include BroadwayWorld.com’s Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical for performances in The Frogs and Mame (freeFall Theatre) and a Theatre Tampa Bay Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical for his performance as Edna Turnblad in last year’s Hairspray (American Stage in the Park). Recently Matthew appeared in the independent films, Small Group and Waiting on Mary. Watch for Matthew this summer in the freeFall Theatre production of The Musical of Musicals the Musical. Instagram: @thematthewmcgee.
Michael Raabe (as Clem) has graced the stages of Busch Gardens, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and numerous regional theaters. He is an in-demand vocalist, accompanist, and music director for many cabaret artists and theaters in Central Florida. He was musical director for the recent, critically-lauded Daddy Long Legs (freeFall Theatre). In 2014/15, he was musical director and provided arrangements for the Off-Broadway hit Disenchanted! Michael is a member of the band “Retrotastic!” His cabaret shows have played to sold-out crowds, including The Pursuit of Snappiness, The Bette Set – A Musical Journey to Midler Earth, Ring-a-Ding-Ding and Too Darn Hot. Gulfport is happy to welcome back Michael – he was one half of the cabaret show Friend of Dorothy with collaborator Sara DelBeato, enjoyed by a sold-out house at the Catherine Hickman Theater in 2016. Michaelraabe.com.
For more information about Waltzing Matilda, contact Daniel Hodge (dan@igc.org). The event is presented by and benefits the LGBQT Resource Center of Gulfport Public Library. The Resource Center provides collections, services and events throughout the year to the local LGBTQ community, its friends and family, and is a project of the non-profit Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library. Find out more about the Resource Center, the Circle of Friends and the Library on the web at www.mygulfport.us/gpl or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GulfportLibraryFL.