Let there be a collective sigh from the opera illiterate. Shequida, the Juilliard-trained drag diva with a five-octave range, extends her Opera for Dummies through July 16 at the Westbeth Theatre Center. These one-woman lessons on the rudiments of classical singing, Opera for Dummies, opened May 7 with an original closing date of June 25.

Opera for Dummies takes a 90-minute journey through opera, visiting musical highlights from 1600 to the modern era, including an epic battle for divadom with Maria Callas, Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman. With her patented lecture demonstration techniques, Shequida reveals how opera has influenced pop and musical theatre, what are the joys of Verismo opera, and what vocals tricks from her repertoire today's singers can employ.

Shequida won a Back Stage Bistro Award for her cabaret show Notes From Shequida. She had a recurring role as bartender "with a secret" Wendi Mercury on "One Life to Live."

Tickets are $20. The Westbeth Theatre Center is located at 151 Bank Street. For reservations, call (212) 307-4100.

— By Christine Ehren