PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Martha Graham Cracker, the legendary Philadelphia drag performer, singer and actor, has died at the age of 53, following a battle with leukemia.
The performer, whose real name was Dito van Reigersberg, was known for his towering voice and hairy shoulders. He debuted his drag persona in 2005 and held monthly cabaret acts at L'Etage in Bella Vista, where he would mix showtunes with hard rock and pop hits.
The Swarthmore College graduate helped co-found the Pig Iron Theater Company in 1995. He would perform in nearly all of the experimental theater company's shows.
Van Reigersberg was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022. His friend and former piano player Victor Fiorillo said he died, surrounded by family and friends and music.
He told Philadelphia Magazine last year that all he wanted out of his shows was for "people to go on a crazy journey with a drag queen and have a great time and a deep belly laugh.”
The singer and actor, real name Dito van Reigersberg, died at 53 after a battle with leukemia
The singer and actor, real name Dito van Reigersberg, died at 53 after a battle with leukemia
