What started as a free holiday drag show at a Plaza Midwood bar has grown into a Charlotte tradition celebrating a decade of original comedy, live music and unapologetically queer entertainment.
Brothers Ryan Stamey and Anthony Stamey Brummett, better known by their drag personas Robyn O’Ladies and Charlotte Douglas, are marking 10 years of “Yule, Y’all!,” their annual holiday variety show featuring original songs, sketch comedy, Christmas classics, parodies and jokes inspired by life in Charlotte.
The siblings began performing drag at Petra’s in Plaza Midwood, drawing on their backgrounds in theater and music. Their early performances included karaoke, cabaret shows and drag trivia before they joined other local queens to launch “Yule, Y’all!” in 2016.
The first production was a free charity show benefiting RAIN, a Charlotte organization serving people affected by HIV. As the show’s popularity grew, the brothers moved the production to Visulite Theatre before eventually finding a home at Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa.
“At the start of our journey, whether it was finding the courage to wear a wig and makeup in public or stepping onto the stage at Petra’s, we were just excited to break out of the mold and be part of a community in a city that was slowly embracing sisters like us,” Ryan said. “Over the years, ‘Yule, Y’all!’ has given us the chance to develop our craft, connect with other local drag queens, and build a holiday tradition for the Charlotte community.”
Unlike traditional drag shows that often feature lip-synced performances, Robyn and Charlotte sing their musical numbers live. Their productions combine original writing, theatrical performances and humor influenced by their Southern upbringing.
That approach extends beyond their holiday show. The brothers also created “Yes, God!,” a campy drag production inspired by their experiences growing up in the Southern church, and “The Devil Made Me Duet,” another original theatrical production. Both have been part of their efforts to bring original, queer-centered entertainment to Charlotte audiences.
The brothers have self-funded “Yule, Y’all!” for the past nine years, writing, producing and performing their own material while building relationships with other local drag artists.
For its 10th anniversary, “Yule, Y’all!” will return to Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., on December 4 and 5, featuring new material alongside audience favorites from previous productions. Charlotte creative agency Black Wednesday is the presenting sponsor.
“If there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s that Christmas gets better when you put a little drag in it,” Anthony said. “We’re always finding new ways to make people laugh, whether that’s through a new character, a ridiculous holiday song or a joke about something only a Charlotte audience would recognize.”
Doors open at 7 p.m., with performances beginning at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $30, with reserved seating available for $40.
For more information, visit https://www.robynandcharlotte.com/ and follow them on Instagram at @robyncharlotteclt.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
