Ray DeForest is using his talent for good this month.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Eltingville native Ray DeForest will perform this month as a lively, vibrant character Doris Dear, inspired by the life and light his own mother left behind.
DeForest, an actor best known for his work in "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "A Limited Time Offer in the Life of J.A. Golden," shows off his musical talent at the Triad Theater on December 19, 20 and 21.
A portion of show proceeds will benefit the the New York City chapter of The Alzheimer's Association, providing research and resources for those who live with or have loved ones with Alzheimer's and dementia. Taffy, DeForest's mother, passed away from Alzheimer's in 2016.
"With this year's show being performed over three evenings, I felt it was time to give back," DeForest said. "Life had been good to me so it seems only right that I try to help someone who is maybe not as lucky as I have been in life."
Not your typical 'drag show'
For the past three years, DeForest puts on the "Doris Dear Christmas Special" consisting of high-tempo musical numbers and Christmas ballets. DeForest changes into blonde wig and swipes on some bright lipstick, lashes and elaborate outfits to complete the Doris Dear look -- emulated after his mother's 50s style.
"This is a very positive show," said DeForest. "This isn't isn't a typical drag show. We keep it PG and it's just a happy show to go to."
Throughout the show, Doris Dear takes the audience through her life growing up on Staten Island, the life lessons she's learned from her parents -- Taffy and Duke -- and how she remains America's "perfect housewife" with a 50s and 60s flair.
'I want people to leave with a smile on their face'
BTW: DeForest goes by he/him/his off stage, her/she/hers on. To the actor, they are two separate entities.
"When I lost both of my parents, I realized what a profound effect they had on me," DeForest said. "I realized how lucky I was to have parents that were always there for me. To deal with the loss, I did what I know best... tell stories. I used Doris Dear to do that."
The performance is meant to create a safe space for the audience using comedy and music. DeForest will be joined on stage by Lisa Yeager and girl group "Those Girls.'
"I want people to leave with a smile on their face," DeForest said. "I want them to spend the 75 minutes with me and feel warm and fuzzy ... like they've been embraced by Doris Dear and felt like they were safe and taken care of."
DeForest never forgot about Staten Island
Despite DeForest's big city success, the actor credits who he is to where he's been and where he's from.
"Even after leaving the Island and venturing out to other parts of the world, Staten Island always stayed with me," DeForest said. "It was the perfect place to grow up. I remember everything from the small neighborhoods where everyone knew each other and took care of each other, to small locally owned shops where you could sit and have a soda and read a comic book. It truly was a post war mid century modern haven where everyone felt they had 'made it'."
How to grab your tickets.
The Doris Dear Christmas Special takes to The Triad Theater -- located at 158 West 72nd Street -- December 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.
Seating reservations for upcoming performances are required. For more information, visit TheTriadNYC.com.
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