Drag: The Musical is an Off-Broadway musical with music, lyrics and book by Tomas Costanza, Ash Gordon, and former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Alaska Thunderfuck.[1][2][3]
| Drag: The Musical | |
|---|---|
 Off-Broadway promotional poster | |
| Music | Tomas Costanza Justin Andrew Honard Ash Gordon |
| Lyrics | Tomas Costanza Justin Andrew Honard Ash Gordon |
| Book | Tomas Costanza Justin Andrew Honard Ash Gordon |
| Premiere | 23 September 2022: The Bourbon Room, Los Angeles |
| Productions | 2022 Los Angeles 2024 Off-Broadway |
| Awards | 2024 Queerty Award for Live Theater |
Background
editDrag: The Musical was originally released as a concept album written by Alaska Thunderfuck, Tomas Costanza, and Ash Gordon.[4] In May 2022, Drag: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording) was released, and featured Alaska Thunderfuck, Bob the Drag Queen, Divina de Campo, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Lagoona Bloo, Peppermint, Monét X Change, Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Michelle Visage, Max von Essen, and Nick Adams.[5][6]
Productions
editLos Angeles (2022–2024)
editA workshop version of the show was held in June 2022.[7] The first official run started at the Bourbon Room on Hollywood Boulevard in September 2022, concluding the following month.[8][9] In March 2024, they returned for a two-week run.[10]
Off-Broadway (2024–present)
editOn October 21, 2024, Drag: The Musical debuted Off-Broadway at the New World Stages.[11] Liza Minnelli was announced as a producer ahead of the premiere, and was featured in an audio prologue.[12][13] While the show generally received positive reviews from the critics, TheWrap and New York Theater Guide noted that the ending was unsatisfying, and that the show could trim the fluff.[14][15]
Casts
edit| Character | Los Angeles 2022[16] | Off-Broadway 2024[17] |
|---|---|---|
| Kitty Galloway | Alaska Thunderfuck | Alaska Thunderfuck |
| Alexis Gillmore | Nick Adams | Nick Adams |
| Tom Hutchinson | Joey McIntyre | Joey McIntyre |
| Drunk Jerry | Jamie Torcellini | Eddie Korbich |
| Gloria Schmidt | J. Elaine Marcos | J. Elaine Marcos |
| Rita LaRitz | ||
| Savannah St. James | Jan Sport | Jan Sport |
| The Tigress | Jujubee | Jujubee |
| Tuna Turner | Lagoona Bloo | Lagoona Bloo |
| Dixie Coxworth | Liisi LaFontaine | Liisi LaFontaine |
| Popcorn | Manila Luzon | Luxx Noir London |
| Puss Puss DuBois | Nick Laughlin | Nick Laughlin |
| Brendan Hutchinson | Kayden Koshelev | Remi Tuckman & Yair Keydar |
Studio cast recording (2022)
edit| DRAG: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Alaska Thunderfuck and the original studio cast of Drag: The Musical | ||||
| Released | May 13, 2022 | |||
| Length | 63:32 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer | Tomas Costanza | |||
| Alaska Thunderfuck and the original studio cast of Drag: The Musical chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Drag: The Musical | ||||
| ||||
Drag: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording) is a concept album written by Alaska Thunderfuck, Ash Gordon, and Tomas Costanza, and is the source material for Drag: The Musical.[18] It was released on May 13, 2022, by PEG Records, Killingsworth Recording Company, Craft Recordings, and Concord Theatricals. The album features a large ensemble cast including Alaska Thunderfuck, Bob the Drag Queen, Divina de Campo, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Lagoona Bloo, Peppermint, Monét X Change, Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Michelle Visage, Max von Essen, and Nick Adams. "Drag Is Expensive" was released as a single on May 5, 2022.[19]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Alaska Thunderfuck, Ash Gordon, and Tomas Costanza
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Welcome to the Fishtank" | 4:02 | |
| 2. | "She's All That" | Adams | 2:09 |
| 3. | "Cathouse Fever" | 2:57 | |
| 4. | "Queen Kitty" |
| 2:49 |
| 5. | "The Accounting Song" | Max von Essen | 2:44 |
| 6. | "Drag Is Expensive" |
| 3:56 |
| 7. | "Wigs" |
| 1:52 |
| 8. | "Gay as Hell" | Jamie Torcellini | 1:31 |
| 9. | "Gloria Schmidt" |
| 1:52 |
| 10. | "Out of Your League" | Thunderfuck | 2:41 |
| 11. | "Miriam Mintz" |
| 1:00 |
| 12. | "She's Such a Bitch" |
| 5:50 |
| 13. | "It's So Pretty" |
| 2:45 |
| 14. | "I'm Just Brendan" | Rodman | 1:58 |
| 15. | "We Need Money" |
| 2:33 |
| 16. | "I Don't Like You But I Like You" |
| 3:11 |
| 17. | "Girls Like Us" | Peppermint | 2:51 |
| 18. | "Jerry's Dead" |
| 2:22 |
| 19. | "Two Bitches are Better Than One" |
| 3:02 |
| 20. | "Real Queens" |
| 2:14 |
| 21. | "Welcome to the Catfish" |
| 3:28 |
| 22. | "Brendan Is His Name" |
| 2:20 |
| 23. | "Get It Together" |
| 3:25 |
| Total length: | 63:32 | ||
Awards and nominations
editLos Angeles production
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Queerty Award | Live Theater[20] | Won |
References
edit- ^ Malkin, Marc (February 8, 2024). "New Kids on the Block's Joey McIntyre Returns to 'Drag: The Musical' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "DRAG: The Musical". Broadway.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "This New Musical About Drag Queens Has Lots Of Sequins And Sass. It Might Make You Cry, Too". HuffPost. October 21, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Patrick, Bobby. "Album Review: From Page To Stage In 6 Inch Heels DRAG: THE MUSICAL (STUDIO RECORDING) Offers Up Real Treats From Some Drag Tricks". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Daw, Stephen (April 12, 2022). "'Drag Race' Alum Alaska Is Bringing Theatrics to the Studio With 'Drag: The Musical' Album". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Margaret, Hall (April 13, 2022). "Peppermint, Nick Adams, Max Von Essen, More Featured on Drag: The Musical Studio Album". Playbill. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Urban, Sasha (June 8, 2022). "Alaska 5000, Trixie Mattel, Monét X Change to Perform at the Bourbon Room for L.A. Pride 2022". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (August 17, 2022). "Drag Race Star Alaska's DRAG: The Musical Sets World Premiere at Hollywood's Bourbon Room". Playbill. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ ""Scene in LA" October 2022 by Steve Zall and Sid Fish – All Beverly Hills". Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Daw, Stephen (December 13, 2023). "Alaska's 'DRAG: The Musical' Is Returning to Hollywood This Spring". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "'Drag: The Musical' ready for NYC after slaying audiences in LA". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Wratten, Marcus (October 2, 2024). "Liza Minnelli to produce Drag Race star's musical". PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Review: Drag: The Musical Is an Explosion of Feathers and Sequins Off-Broadway - TheaterMania.com". October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Hofler, Robert (October 22, 2024). "'Drag: The Musical' Off Broadway Review: When Boys Just Want to Have Fun". TheWrap. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Fimmano, Austin (October 21, 2024). "'Drag: The Musical' review — long live the drag queens". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Wiltbank, Michael (October 6, 2022). "Get a First Look at Joey McIntyre, Alaska, Nick Adams, More in DRAG: The Musical". Playbill. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "CAST". Drag the Musical. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Hall, Margaret (April 13, 2022). "Peppermint, Nick Adams, Max Von Essen, More Featured on Drag: The Musical Studio Album". Playbill. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Kile, Meredith B. (May 5, 2022). "Alaska Thunderf*ck Debuts First Track from 'DRAG: The Musical' (Exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "Live Theater Award Winners - Queerties 2023". The Queerties. Retrieved October 26, 2024.