Set in the vibrant world of Louisville’s queer nightlife, The Little Mer-Gay is a hilarious and heartfelt drag parody that reimagines The Little Mermaid through a fabulously queer lens. At the heart of the story is Areola, a rising star drag queen at Aquatica, a legendary gay bar and bathhouse. Charming audiences with her electrifying performances, Areola thrives under the guidance of her Drag Mother, Queen Trisome, the no-nonsense ruler of the Mer-Gays. King Trisome is fiercely protective of Aquatica’s inclusive culture, believing that the toxic masculinity of “Bro-Gays” poses a threat to their
Despite Trisome’s warnings, Areola finds herself drawn to Bromeo, a straight-passing “Bro-Gay” who visits Aquatica out of curiosity. Bromeo struggles with internalized homophobia and the pressure to conform to his hyper-masculine friend group, known collectively as The Bros. While The Bros ridicule drag culture and insist on projecting their straight-passing personas, Bromeo is captivated by Areola’s authenticity and boldness, igniting an unlikely connection between them.
As Areola pursues her feelings for Bromeo, she faces skepticism and concern from her fellow Mer-Gays: the wise and caring Crustacia, the witty and sharp Malapropria, the bold and outspoken Thessalonia, the opinionated and spirited Angioplasti, and the playful and upbeat Fluffer. Each of these queens brings their own unique perspective, cautioning Areola against sacrificing her identity for someone who may not fully accept her. They remind her of the importance of staying true to the values that have shaped their vibrant community at Aquatica.
The stakes rise when Versula, a banished former queen of Aquatica, enters the picture. Bitter and scheming, Versula offers Areola a dangerous deal: she will magically transform Areola into a straight-passing “Bro-Gay” for one night to win Bromeo’s heart. However, the deal comes with a catch—if Bromeo doesn’t publicly confess his love for her by midnight, Areola will lose her drag name and the essence of her queer identity. Desperate to make Bromeo see her worth, Areola agrees to the deal, setting the stage for a chaotic and comedic journey filled with parodies of iconic musical numbers, glittering performances, and over-the-top camp.
Throughout the night, Areola learns hard truths about herself, her community, and the dangers of changing to fit someone else’s world. Meanwhile, Bromeo is forced to confront his own fears and insecurities, realizing the damage caused by his need to conform to The Bros’ toxic expectations. In a climactic moment of self-acceptance, Areola rejects the deal, choosing to stay true to her identity and community. Her courage inspires Bromeo to embrace his authentic self, confessing his love and finally breaking free from his own constraints.
With its unforgettable characters, side-splitting humor, and a fierce message of self-love, The Little Mer-Gay is a celebration of the queer community’s resilience, unity, and vibrant spirit. It’s a magical tale that reminds us all to live boldly, love authentically, and never dim our sparkle for anyone.
MEET THE CAST
EVENT LOCATED AT
PLAY Louisville LOUNGE & PATIO
1101 E WASHINGTON ST, LOUISVILLE, KY 40207
Can we call you DaddY?
Drag Daddy Productions is an LGBTQIA+ owned and operated, nonprofit 501(c)(3) performing arts company founded in Louisville, Kentucky, by Executive Director and Producer, Tony Lewis. It is our mission to provide performance and rehearsal space; as well as, opportunities to trans, non-binary, drag, queer and ally individuals alike. With a focus on equitable pay for performers, we strive to provide safe and healthy spaces for all performers, crew members, volunteers and audience members. Our programming features original works written and/or created by queer artists, unconventional casting of musical theater and other forms of alternative story-telling.