The Story Behind: Life On Planets ‘Curious Palace’ and ‘Denali’
11 years ago
United States Varla Jean Merman, portrayed by Jeffery Roberson, is an acclaimed drag performer known for her comedic stage shows, film appearances, and television roles.
The gay-themed television network commissioned Merman to write and star in an animated educational short film about the Stonewall riots of 1969.
Jeffery Roberson, known by his drag persona Varla Jean Merman, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended the School of Music at Louisiana State University, which laid the foundation for his career as a performer. Varla Jean Merman’s fictitious background claims Ethel Merman as her mother and Ernest Borgnine as her father, a detail that reflects the character’s comedic and theatrical essence. Roberson has built a career performing extensively in live cabaret, showcasing his ability to sing and entertain audiences with a blend of humor and artistic expression.
Over the years, Varla Jean Merman has achieved significant milestones in film, television, and live performance. Notably, she starred in the 2003 independent film “Girls Will Be Girls,” a role for which she received critical recognition, including a Best Actor Grand Jury Award at Outfest in 2003 and “Best Actress” honors at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival and the Aspen HBO Film Festival in the same year. Her filmography also includes a co-starring role in the 1997 film “Franchesca Page.” On television, Merman was featured in the HBO original documentary “Dragtime” and had recurring roles on the soap opera “All My Children” as the character “Rosemary Chicken.” She also appeared on an episode of “Project Runway” in 2008, where an outfit created for her became the winning design.
Varla Jean Merman’s live performances are a fixture in venues such as Provincetown, Massachusetts, New Orleans, New York City, San Francisco, and London. She has also performed at prestigious international venues including the Sydney Opera House in Australia and Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2011, she starred alongside Leslie Jordan in the Off-Broadway musical “Lucky Guy.” Her work extends to educational initiatives, as seen when the gay-themed television network Logo commissioned her to write and star in an animated short film about the Stonewall riots. In 2012, Merman took on the role of Madam Flora in an Off-Broadway production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera “The Medium,” and in 2013, she played the title role in “Mildred Fierce” for The Gold Dust Orphans.
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