Darius Rose (a.k.a. Jackie Cox) Makes Off-Broadway Debut in Make Me Gorgeous! Beginning February 1

Darius Rose—aka Jackie Cox, a Season 12 RuPaul's Drag Race finalist—steps into the Triangle productions! presentation of Make Me Gorgeous!, The True Story of Kenneth "Mr. Madam" Marlowe at Off-Broadway's Playhouse 46 at St. Luke's February 1–25.

Written and directed by Donnie (Donald "Donnie" Horn), Rose succeeds Wicked's Wade McCollum (Wicked), who contributed additional material and played his final performance January 28. (The actor departed the production to appear on Broadway in the upcoming new musical Water for Elephants.)

"It’s always been important to me to share Queer art and history," said Rose, who is making his Off-Broadway debut, in an earlier statement. "But now, given the opportunity to make my Off-Broadway debut starring as an LGBTQ+ trailblazer like Kenneth/Kate Marlowe, it goes well beyond my wildest dreams. Marlowe was an extraordinary figure who pressed beyond the boundaries of gender long before the world at large was engaging in this conversation. This role gives me an opportunity to act, sing, dance, and bring dozens of roles to life, both in and out of a wig. I’m excited to combine my theatre background with my drag and cabaret work to bring Kenneth/Kate to life at Playhouse 46."

Adapted from Donnie’s book Mr. Madam: The Life and Times of Kenneth/Kate Marlowe, the play tells the true story of often-overlooked LGBTQ+ trailblazer Kenneth Marlowe, a private hairdresser to the stars; the madam of a notorious gay prostitution ring in Hollywood; an author; a hustler; a female impersonator; a private in the U.S. Army; a call boy; a Christian missionary; a mortuary cosmetologist; and a newspaper columnist. And, in the final decade of their life, Marlowe lived as a woman, having transitioned to become Kate Marlowe.

“Throughout my career it’s been important to me to tell the stories of real people who have inspired me and who could inspire others. When I discovered Kenneth Marlowe, I knew I had to tell their story,” said Donnie in an earlier statement. “Kenneth/Kate Marlow has been almost-forgotten pioneer of the LGBTQ movement. Unabashed with their life, you could say that they were a trailblazer before there was a trail to be blazed. After writing his story as a book, I am now delighted to be debuting Make Me Gorgeous in New York during Transgender Awareness Week.”

The production also features scenic design by Walt Spangler, lighting design by Jamie Roderick, sound design by Ien DeNio, costume design by Jeffrey Hinshaw, and props by Brendan McCann. Casting is by Daryl Eisenberg/Eisenberg Casting.

Visceral Entertainment is the general manager, Kasson Marroquin is the production stage manager, and Ellie Handel is the assistant stage manager.

Visit GorgeousPlay.com.