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Lights! Camera! Outrageous! Superstar female impersonator Craig Russell and the birth of drag on the international stage.
Craig Russell was an internationally admired entertainer and actor, known for his outrageous impersonations of some of Hollywood's greatest female celebrities: Mae West, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Carol Channing, and Judy Garland, to name a few. Lori Russell Eadie, a shy theatre lover, was Craig's No. 1 fan and, eventually, his wife.
Together they were fun, fabulous, and eschewed convention. But behind the curtains, Craig and Lori's lives were troubled by their mental health, drug addiction, sexual assault, and abuse.
Through nearly one hundred interviews and extensive research, Outrageous Misfits reveals the life and legacy of one of the world's most popular female impersonators and his biggest fan.
Craig Russell was an internationally admired entertainer and actor, known for his outrageous impersonations of some of Hollywood's greatest female celebrities: Mae West, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Carol Channing, and Judy Garland, to name a few. Lori Russell Eadie, a shy theatre lover, was Craig's No. 1 fan and, eventually, his wife.
Together they were fun, fabulous, and eschewed convention. But behind the curtains, Craig and Lori's lives were troubled by their mental health, drug addiction, sexual assault, and abuse.
Through nearly one hundred interviews and extensive research, Outrageous Misfits reveals the life and legacy of one of the world's most popular female impersonators and his biggest fan.
Price: $22.99
Pages: 360
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Imprint: Dundurn Press
Publication Date:
17 November 2020
Trim Size: 9.00 X 6.00 in
ISBN: 9781459746978
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / LGBT, Biography: arts & entertainment, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts
Brian Bradley's stellar work of biographic journalism brings the outsized public figure down to an intimate realm, enhancing our appreciation of a most enchanting madman.
Brian Bradley writes with the love of a fan and the meticulous research of a skilled journalist.
Often heartwarming, more often heartbreaking, Brian Bradley’s close-to-the-bone, meticulously researched biography offers both startling revelations and astute analysis of two uniquely self-destructive individuals who truly live up to his title. Outrageous Misfits is a riveting, relentlessly entertaining read.
The story of female impersonator Craig Russell and his wife, Lori Russell Eadie, is a story of obsession and belonging, as delightful as it is heartbreaking. With extensive interviews, research, and access to private journals, Brian Bradley brings us behind the scenes for a compelling look at fame and identity. From Mae West's Hollywood home to backstage at Carnegie Hall, with stops at Toronto’s most fabulous stages, and the difficult moments away from the spotlights, this is a fascinating slice of Toronto history, brought to life with incredible warmth and skill.
— Katie Daubs, Toronto Star journalist and author of The Missing Millionaire
[Handled] with the utmost respect and care ... Outrageous Misfits gives the "king of queens" and his "number one" the credit they deserve."
Outrageous Misfits is also the story of Toronto's gay scene from the 1970s to present day ... The book's many evocative black-and-white photos are a bonus.
Outrageous Misfits is an engrossing read about a time gone by, with rich details on Provincetown, which set the trajectory for today's drag queen phenomenon, as well as an intimate portrait of two true characters who found each other and became partners in a madcap life.
Outrageous Misfits is a brave attempt at exploring a man and a career that we will tragically never get to fully understand or know the truth of.
Brian Bradley writes with the love of a fan and the meticulous research of a skilled journalist.
Often heartwarming, more often heartbreaking, Brian Bradley’s close-to-the-bone, meticulously researched biography offers both startling revelations and astute analysis of two uniquely self-destructive individuals who truly live up to his title. Outrageous Misfits is a riveting, relentlessly entertaining read.
The story of female impersonator Craig Russell and his wife, Lori Russell Eadie, is a story of obsession and belonging, as delightful as it is heartbreaking. With extensive interviews, research, and access to private journals, Brian Bradley brings us behind the scenes for a compelling look at fame and identity. From Mae West's Hollywood home to backstage at Carnegie Hall, with stops at Toronto’s most fabulous stages, and the difficult moments away from the spotlights, this is a fascinating slice of Toronto history, brought to life with incredible warmth and skill.
— Katie Daubs, Toronto Star journalist and author of The Missing Millionaire
[Handled] with the utmost respect and care ... Outrageous Misfits gives the "king of queens" and his "number one" the credit they deserve."
Outrageous Misfits is also the story of Toronto's gay scene from the 1970s to present day ... The book's many evocative black-and-white photos are a bonus.
Outrageous Misfits is an engrossing read about a time gone by, with rich details on Provincetown, which set the trajectory for today's drag queen phenomenon, as well as an intimate portrait of two true characters who found each other and became partners in a madcap life.
Outrageous Misfits is a brave attempt at exploring a man and a career that we will tragically never get to fully understand or know the truth of.
Brian Bradley is a writer, journalist, and biographer and works at the Toronto Star. He has researched the lives of Craig Russell and Lori Russell Eadie for over a decade. Brian lives in Hamilton, Ontario.
Author’s Note
Preface
1. All of Me
2. Real Men
3. Frankie and John
4. Quiet Please, There’s a Lady Onstage
5. Starman
6. Outrageous
7. Fever
8. Hello, Dolly
9. It Ain’t Easy
10. You Made Me Love You
11. Don’t Rain on My Parade
12. Too Outrageous
13. Lili Marlene
14. The Music of the Night
15. Courage, Madame
16. What’ll I Do
17. Over the Rainbow
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Image Credits
Index
Preface
1. All of Me
2. Real Men
3. Frankie and John
4. Quiet Please, There’s a Lady Onstage
5. Starman
6. Outrageous
7. Fever
8. Hello, Dolly
9. It Ain’t Easy
10. You Made Me Love You
11. Don’t Rain on My Parade
12. Too Outrageous
13. Lili Marlene
14. The Music of the Night
15. Courage, Madame
16. What’ll I Do
17. Over the Rainbow
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Image Credits
Index