THE INTERSECTION // Ask Dr. Carla

Opens on March 15

Run Time: 60 min.

Doors Open 6:30 p.m.; Performance at 7 p.m. Tickets $25.
Rating: PG-13 / R / Don’t bring your children.
Click here to learn about accessibility at the Tomorrow Theater.

THE EXPERIENCE

Ready to take the leap into therapy? Great! Because you’re in need and Dr. Carla needs your money. Ask Dr. Carla is a hilarious new night of improvisational drag comedy starring Portland’s premier drag clown Carla Rossi—she might not have degrees or qualifications, but she has a full bar, liability waivers, and a couch with your name on it. Joined by her enterprising receptionist Svetlana Trantastic, Carla and Svetty welcome a special celebrity client (this month it’s Portland’s own David Saffert and Jillian Snow as Liberace & Liza!) onto the couch each session so you—and they—don’t have to do all the work. Ask Dr. Carla: it’s like a late night talk show, except it’s unlicensed therapy with unhinged drag queens.

ON STAGE

Anthony Hudson / Carla Rossi:

Anthony Hudson is a Grand Ronde and Siletz artist and writer also known as Portland’s premier drag clown Carla Rossi. Anthony’s performance work, from his award-winning solo show Looking for Tiger Lily to Queer Horror at the Hollywood Theatre, the only LGBTQ horror film and performance series in the country, have earned him national fellowships, international engagements, and sainthood from the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. A 2023 FSG Writer’s Fellowship finalist and 2024 Tin House resident, Anthony’s writing has appeared in American Theatre and Arts and International Affairs, and he is currently adapting Looking for Tiger Lily into a book.
TheCarlaRossi.com / @thecarlarossi

Svetlana Trantastic

Svetlana Trantastic is a story-teller, puppeteer, comedian, snake-oil salesgirl, and psychic. She has been writing and performing short plays, filthy jingles, and comedy sketches in the seedier night clubs of Portland since 2012. Joseph Reed writes for her, created her, buys her wardrobe, and is her. They are one and the same, but she takes all the credit. Both think they are writers, actors, and singing sensations. She has a lot more talent than he does, but she is nothing without him. Neither knows which of them is in charge and they’re both willing to be either gender for work or food. Rumor has it both are on the payroll for American Immersion Theater and at least one of them is a simulation actor at an area teaching hospital.

David Saffert

David Saffert, like Liberace, is a classically trained pianist from Wisconsin. He has been seen on stage in sketch comedy, improv, solo piano concerts, and in his very own music & comedy variety shows. David has worked as a pianist (sans sequins) with such organizations as the Guthrie Theater (MN), Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage and the Interlochen Arts Camp. Some of David’s favorite Liberace tribute highlights have been at 54 Below (NY), Feinstein’s at the Nikko (CA), Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael (IN), eSPACE King Edward (Calgary, AB), The Underground (MN), Portland Center Stage, Schnitzer Concert Hall, The Old Church, Broadway Rose Theatre, CoHo Theatre and All Classical Radio (OR). He appeared as the featured guest on two Under the Vegas Sun television episodes which were filmed at the Liberace Mansion in Las Vegas and is currently advised by Bo Ayars; Liberace’s music director from 1973-1985.

Jillian Snow

Jillian Snow is a singer and actor who graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She has worked predominately in comedy, gracing the stages of Gotham Comedy Club, the Laugh Factory, and Comix NYC as a Liza Minnelli impersonator. After seeing her perform, Michael Musto of the Village Voice said, “This could open up Minnelli to a whole new audience!” Jillian temporarily hung up the Liza wig when she was offered the part of Janis Joplin in the Off-Broadway production of “27 Heaven.” Soon after, her love for portraying those for whom she idolized became a fruitful and fulfilling venture. Eventually, Jillian fled New York so she could get some sleep and found exile in Portland, Oregon. She was recently featured in the U.S. premiere of Liza, Liza, Liza and is often invited to perform portraying not only Liza, but also Bernadette Peters, Marlene Dietrich, Patsy Cline, and Judy Garland. While her sharp comic timing and exaggerated Liza quirks will have audiences doubled over in laughter, it’s when she starts belting out songs that it quickly becomes clear that her talent is no joke.