Local drag celeb Martha Graham Cracker has been tapped to host this year’s “Shut Up & Dance,” the annual ballet benefit for Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance.
The show, staged in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Ballet April 9 at Forrest Theatre, had previously been hosted for more than 20 years by Michaela Majoun of WXPN.
Dito van Reigersberg, who portrays Martha Graham Cracker, said “MANNA will nourish your body and Martha Graham Cracker will nourish your soul. I am honored to be passed the torch by Michaela Majoun.”
Van Reigersberg is a native of Washington, D.C., and co-founder of Pig Iron Theatre Company. He performs as Martha Graham Cracker in a monthly cabaret series at L’Etage and has performed at local venues such at Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Trocadero Theater.
MANNA provides nourishing meals to people in the region who are battling life-threatning illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and diabetes. Last year’s “Shut Up & Dance” show brought in more than $130,000 for the organization, equating to more than 36,000 meals for MANNA clients.
For more information or tickets, visit www.mannapa.org/dance.