Where Classical Music Meets Drag and Gets a Makeover

A powerful work about identity, resilience, and the courage to be seen.

Long Live The Queen, a her-story of drag is a genre-defying cantata created by drag artist, opera singer, and costume designer Cookie Diorioand composer Andrea Clearfield.

The Queen, 4 Soloists, Choir, Chamber Ensemble, Cabaret, and Drag take the stage

Experience the music, magic and emotion of Long Live the Queen through these excerpts. 

Part 1: Prologue
Part II: I Need Love
Part 1: With Every Step Aria
Part II: Joy Is Not Safe

An Unforgettable World Premiere!

Long Live the Queen had its World Premiere at the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia on June 18, 19, and 20, 2026 as part of the Art Philly What Now Semi-quincentennial celebration. It was a huge collaboration featuring the voices of the ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir, Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Transcendent Choir of Philadelphia, Singing City, and the musicians of Orchestra 2001.

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“Long Live the Queen was spectacular!  A rich and humanizing portrayal of both the outer and inner lives of a drag artist."

- Lex Simakas (he/him) Composer, Pianist, Producer, Audio Engineer

  • “Wow! What a masterwork, and how fun!! 

    The collaboration with Cookie was great, and having the choirs and orchestra made it an amazing event!! I loved it!”

    — Dori Middleman

  • “Kudos to Andrea and Cookie for your talented creation!

    The world needs to know about Long Live the Queen, it is a phenomenal masterpiece! The words and music moved me to tears. This was not just a performance, it was a full journey into the lives of all who were involved in creating this epic experience!”

    — Nina Sherak

  • I was captivated from beginning to end.

    The ensemble, the choral writing, the quartet singers, and Cookie's extraordinary vocal performance all came together in such a powerful way. There were so many remarkable moments that I already know I need to see it again.”

    —Suzette Ortiz, Pianist, Composer, Educator, Choral Director, Certified Music Practitioner

  • Wow! It was stunning!

    We loved it so much! What a fantastic collaboration,  the forms you are working in really suit each other. Thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. It was so smart, so wide ranging, loved the message, spectacular performances! Great job all around! Congratulations!!!

    -Megan Bridge, dancer, choreographer, dance educator

  • We had such a wonderful experience last night!

    Cookie is an absolutely extraordinary performer, and the choir was great and very expressive. Your music was so imaginative and the whole piece built beautifully to an ending that surpassed the personal herstory of Cookie/drag and expanded to the universal. A hard feat to achieve.

    - Linda Reichert

  • What a night!

    Long Live the Queen conveys such meaning and emotion. We thoroughly enjoyed it: its presentation, Cookie’s performance, strongly supported by the other soloists, chorus and orchestra.  We have not yet stopped talking about all aspects of experiencing this premiere performance.

    - Ron and Karyl Maenza

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