Hilarious, Fiesta-Favorite Cornyation Returns to Empire Theatre

In all its bawdy irreverence, Cornyation acts as something of a common denominator during Fiesta, attracting everyone from young hipsters to old queens and anyone else in need of a good laugh. A tradition that dates back to 1951 — when the inaugural King Anchovy presided over the Court of the Cracked Salad Bowl at the Arneson River Theatre during NIOSA — Cornyation has morphed from a straight-up spoof of the elite Coronation of the Queen of the Order of the Alamo into a broader satire of local politics, public figures and national events that’s raised more than $2 million for HIV/AIDS charities.

Inheriting a fierce throne from James Lawnmower Sales and Service proprietor Jeffrey James, entrepreneur/restaurateur Charlie Biedenharn (Bakery Lorraine, Maybelle’s Donuts) is set to rule over the Court of Frenetic Frantic Kingdoms during three nights of costumed lampoonery. In addition to inevitable donuts and macarons, this year’s Cornyation welcomes new emcees Lara Fischer and Dawn Brooks (taking the torch from the dynamic duo of Elaine Wolff and Rick Frederick), as well as returning favorites (including the beloved drag ensemble The Pointless Sisters and dancers from Ballet San Antonio) and playful jabs at the Main Strip’s proposed rainbow crosswalks, the gas shortage of 2017 and plenty in between.

$15-$45, 7pm & 10pm Wed April 25-Thu April 26, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 226-3333, fiestacornyation.org.
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