On Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM, Theatre Exile will host a pay-as-you-wish reading of Long Live the Queen (a her-story of drag). This presentation offers audiences a rare, "front-row" look at a groundbreaking work in progress before its world premiere this summer.
A Genre-Defying "Her-story"
Created by the multifaceted Cookie Diorio—a drag artist, opera singer, and costume designer—Long Live the Queen is a bold reimagining of classical forms. Featuring a libretto by Diorio and an original score by renowned Philadelphia composer Andrea Clearfield, the piece is a "genre-defying cantata" that blends:
- Drag & Cabaret
- Opera & Multimedia Oratorio
- Performance Art
Scored for a drag soloist (tenor), chorus, opera quartet, and chamber orchestra, the work employs a queer lens to explore drag's history as a joyful act of resistance. It directly confronts modern efforts to silence marginalized voices, positioning drag as both a cultural archive and a fierce catalyst for social change.
From Studio to Center Stage
This Studio X-hibition presentation is a vital stepping stone toward the full production's premiere in June 2026. That debut will be a cornerstone of ArtPhilly's citywide festival, which explores the timely theme, "What Now."
"Studio X-hibition gives audiences a front-row seat to the creative process," says the Theatre Exile team. "Experiencing Long Live the Queen at this stage offers a rare chance to see a groundbreaking piece as it evolves."
An Incubator for Excellence
Since its formal launch in 2010, Studio X-hibition has become one of the region's most successful launchpads for new theater. The program boasts an impressive track record:
- 41+ New works supported
- 26 World premieres produced
- Accolades including Barrymore Awards, the Smith Prize, and the Kesselring Honorable Mention.
The program has served as an incubator for national heavyweights, including Pulitzer Prize-winner James Ijames (who developed the early stages of The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington at Exile) and R. Eric Thomas.
Recent successes include the 2025 development of Girl Dolls: The American Musical—a collaboration with The Bearded Ladies Cabaret—set to premiere to Philadelphia audiences this May.
Event Details
- What: Studio X-hibition reading of Long Live the Queen (a her-story of drag)
- Where: Theatre Exile (South Philadelphia)
- When: Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM
- Tickets: Pay-as-you-wish; available via Theatre Exile's official website.
About Theatre Exile: Theatre Exile is a nonprofit theater company dedicated to producing plays that explore the complexities of the human condition. By focusing on new play development and "Philadelphia grit," Exile creates a space where artists and audiences can experiment with provocative, boundary-pushing work.
