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A bit of news…: Writing a #biography of Craig (Eadie) Russell and his wife Lori Russell Eadie has been an honour, and it will be a thrill to share it. Thank you to @dundurnpress for joining me in that effort. https://quillandquire.com/omni/daily-deals-bio-of-female-impressionist-craig-russell-and-his-wife-to-dundurn/
In researching Craig and Lori, I was able to learn so much about #LGBTQ2SIA+ history in Toronto, #gayculture, #drag, #film history in Canada, #TIFF, #theatre, Toronto's #music scene, censorship in #film, #HIV/ #AIDS. I touched on much of this, wish I could have gone deeper…
I also got to learn about the entertainers/artists Craig and Lori adored, who also directly and indirectly shaped their lives: Mae West, Judy Garland, @BetteMider, Peter Allen, Michel Tremblay, Marcel Marceau and Lindsay Kemp. They all have a place in this narrative.
Craig and Lori were incredibly talented, wonderful and known for being outrageous, but they had challenges + experiences few knew or talked about - mental illness, trauma, sexual assault, drug addiction and alcohol dependency.
I believe there are lessons to be learned where we struggle. I've identified theirs as means to explain Craig and Lori's outrageous personas, behaviours and actions, some of which were thought to be miscalculated efforts at entertainment. https://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/once-upon-a-city-archives/2017/10/19/when-torontos-best-known-female-impressionist-married-his-no-1-fan.html
I've also looked deeply at #drag, something we rightly celebrate today. But what drives the queen? There often is more to it than sensational celebration. There isn't always respect or self love. What happens after spending your life in persona? https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2017/06/24/craig-russell-brought-fame-to-torontos-gay-village-the-drag-queens-are-trying-to-keep-the-sparkle-alive.html
Craig and Lori were #OutrageousMisfits - square pegs in a world of round holes, who had big dreams and shunned conformity, but couldn't have been more human with their simple needs of kindness, understanding and love, all of which they struggled to find and feel.
#Update: #OutrageousMisfits will by released by @dundurnpress on May 23, 2020. #LGBTQ2S #theatre #film #drag #CraigRussell #LoriRussellEadie https://www.dundurn.com/books/Outrageous-Misfits
Time to update this #thread! #OutrageousMisfits has an updated release date of October 24, 2020. It will be available at major and independent book retailers + online. Can't wait to share #CraigRussell and #LoriRussellEadie's story! @dundurnpress https://www.dundurn.com/books/Outrageous-Misfits
