TWASblog – All Eyes on Culture!

Soulpepper Theatre, Distillery District, Toronto

October 24 – November 12, 2023

Reviewed by Lise Watson

Being in the audience on opening night of Sandra Caldwell’s The Guide to Being Fabulous was a thrilling feast for the senses.  And it was an honour to be surrounded by the glamourous and sparkly local Black LGBT+ community.

Sandra’s remarkable autobiographical play challenges us to imagine her life of breaking down barriers as a young transgender Black woman, while at the same time living in constant fear of being exposed.  Sandra transitioned from male to female in her twenties but as a singer/dancer/actor, best known for her roles in Cheetah Girls, Little Men, and The Book of Negroes, she kept this hidden for most of her career.  It wasn’t until 2017 when she performed in the lead role of Charm, a play based on the life of Black transgender community activist and icon, Gloria Elliot, that Sandra embraced ‘realness’ completely and came out publicly.

Born in Washington DC in 1952, she ran away to the streets of New York when she was only thirteen. She slowly rose from a street-smart survivor to the forefront of the infamous Stonewall uprising in Greenwich Village in the late 60s, the New York Ballroom scene (the Black and Latino drag queen subculture), including Club 82, and on to the Moulin Rouge, then back to North America. In Canada, Sandra was a Simpsons catalogue model for a time, something long-time residents of Toronto may find nostalgic. Along the way, Sandra did some prison stints in Montreal and New York, but never let anything hinder her journey. She has been performing on stage, in film and television for decades, keeping her true identity hidden all the while. Sandra Caldwell is a courageous and splendidly talented creative force who evokes understanding and compassion.

As Sandra tells her poignant and inspiring life story on stage, she is joined by Miss Niki Nikita and Tiffany Deriveau, who perform Sandra’s life in action and dance, and by walking the on-stage runway.  Nikita and Deriveau mesmerize as they bring the flamboyance of the Ballroom scene to life.  Masterfully directed by Weyni Mengesha, the brilliant staging complete with compelling background graphics, lighting and music create an unforgettable experience.  For those unfamiliar with Black trans culture, The Guide to Being Fabulous is a delicious introduction.  For everyone else, it’s a joyous celebration of a fabulous life indeed.

Book & Lyrics: Sandra Caldwell

Director: Weyni Mengesha

Music: Sandra Caldwell & James Dower

Additional Music & Lyrics: John Alcorn

Additional Dialogue: Marilyn Jaye Lewis

Live Musical performances:  Michael Shand (musical director), Wilson Laurencin, Kobèna Acquaah-Harrison and Jen Benton

photos: dahlia katz