The Grinch’s ex-wife tells her side of the story in a drag Christmas spectacular

The Grinch steals the spotlight each holiday season, with his green grimace and his heart that’s two sizes too small. His tale has inspired movies, musicals, games, and fashion since he first appeared in 1957 — but today, one green diva in Philadelphia is snatching the mic to tell her own story of how the Grinch stole, and then broke, her heart.

Mabeline Grinchester, the persona written, developed, and performed by local drag queen and opera singer Cookie Diorio, returns to the stage this month to set the record straight about her celebrity ex-husband through song, dance, and fabulous costumes in “Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour,” running at Voyeur Nightclub through Dec. 21.

Directed by drag and burlesque star Brett Robinson, the elaborate production — from the Bearded Ladies Cabaret and House of Diorio in partnership with Opera Philadelphia and Voyeur — delivers a refreshing and comical spin on Grinchcore that goes far beyond the scrooge we know. While drag shows have long embraced the emerald legend, no one’s quite done it like Diorio, who has created her own character that raps, sings, and twerks to debauched versions of Christmas carols.

“Have y’all ever been erased, undone, or written out of your own story?” Mabeline asked the audience on her opening night, bathed in green light glinting off Voyeur’s suspended disco balls. She waved around a copy of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas as she explained that it was full of lies.

Diorio performed eight original songs along with a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” (the audience swayed along, lit-up cellphones held aloft) and the signature ode “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” which she slowed down and played on the keyboard. Tapping on that operatic range, Diorio jazzily belted out the song and added lyrics: “I still love you, Mr. Grinch / I hope one day, you’ll see.”

Later, Mabeline told the story of setting a Christmas tree on fire as smoke billowed from the tree on Voyeur’s stage.

The towering Mabeline, half-green goddess and half-Beyoncé in sparkling knee-high boots, was flanked by bedazzled characters from the Dr. Seuss multiverse, including backup dancers Thing 1 and Thing 2 (The Cat in the Hat) and a quartet of Whoville chorus singers from Opera Philadelphia. The carolers led the crowd in their own sing-along rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” with gifts like reindeer slaying, Whoville boyfriends, and two “emerald titties.” Emceeing the NSFW fun were local performers Jess Conda and Lili St. Queer, appearing as DJ Cindy Lou Who and Horton (of Horton Hears a Who!).

The performers are all “flattery-operated,” Cindy Lou Who joked early in the night, as the crowd whooped and cheered. Later, Bearded Ladies’ artistic director John Jarboe collected tips in a giant Papier-mâche platform heel.

Costume designer Rebecca Kanach, the resident couturier for the Bearded Ladies, captured the Whoville spirit and style especially well; Diorio stunned in four designs featuring tinsel trims, green fur, and candy-cane stripes. While one dancer lost a wig mid-drop, Diorio’s look never faltered over the course of 90 minutes. The verdant glow of her face and body makeup could compete with any Wicked production.

The show opened with a set from cabaret singer Shannon Turner, a soulful vocalist with a magnetic stage presence. Future performances feature a slate of guest star openers showcasing a breadth of vocal talent, including Opera Philadelphia director Anthony Roth Costanzo (Dec. 19), and Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone Davóne Tines (Dec. 20).

“Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour” isn’t a family affair (unless everyone’s over 21) but if you’re looking for a raunchy night of holiday sass and cheer, the diva from Whoville has you covered.

“Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour” runs at Voyeur Nightclub through Dec. 21.