Drag: The Musical is an Off-Broadway musical with music, lyrics and book by Tomas Costanza, Ash Gordon, and winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 2 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 (2024–2025)
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] They ended the run on April 27, 2025.[16][17]
Casts
edit| Character | Los Angeles 2022[18] | Off-Broadway 2024[19] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitty Galloway | Alaska Thunderfuck | Jimbo | ||
| Alexis Gillmore | Nick Adams | |||
| Tom Hutchinson | Joey McIntyre | Adam Pascal | ||
| Drunk Jerry | Jamie Torcellini | Eddie Korbich | ||
| Gloria Schmidt | J. Elaine Marcos | |||
| Rita LaRitz | ||||
| Savannah St. James | Jan Sport | |||
| The Tigress | Jujubee | |||
| Tuna Turner | Lagoona Bloo | |||
| Dixie Coxworth | Alysha Deslorieux | Britney Campbell | Bre Jackson | Liisi LaFontaine |
| Popcorn | Jackie Cox | Manila Luzon | Luxx Noir London | |
| Puss Puss DuBois | Nick Laughlin | |||
| Brendan Hutchinson | Kayden Koshelev | Remi Tuckman & Yair Keydar | ||
| Swings | N/a | Kodiak Thompson, Cameron Mitchell Bell, Adrian Villegas | ||
| Ensemble | N/a | Teddy Wilson Jr, Christine Shepard, Kodiak Thompson, Nicholas Kraft, Peli Woods | ||
Notable replacements
edit- Gloria Schmidt: Lisa Helmi Johanson
- Dixie Coxworth: Tamika Lawrence
- Brendan Hutchinson: Beau Coddou and Dylan Patterson
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.[20] 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.[21]
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 Awards | Live Theater[22] | Won |
New York production
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Queerty Awards | Live Theater[23] | Won | |
| GLAAD Media Awards | Special Recognition[24] | |||
| Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Choreographer | Spencer Liff | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical | Alaska Thunderfuck | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical | Jujubee | Nominated | ||
| Eddie Korbich | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Marco Marco | Nominated | ||
| Drama League Awards[25] | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Distinguished Performance | Alaska Thunderfuck | Nominated | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards[26] | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Won | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Nick Adams | Won | ||
| Alaska Thunderfuck | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Eddie Korbich | Nominated | ||
| J. Elaine Marcos | Nominated | |||
| Dorian Award[27] | Outstanding LGBTQ Off-Broadway Production | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performance in an Off-Broadway Production | Alaska Thunderfuck | Nominated | ||
| Jujubee | Nominated | |||
References
edit- ↑ Malkin, Marc (February 8, 2024). "New Kids on the Block's Joey McIntyre Returns to 'Drag: The Musical' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ "DRAG: The Musical". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. 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. Archived from the original on 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. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. 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. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Margaret, Hall (April 13, 2022). "Peppermint, Nick Adams, Max Von Essen, More Featured on Drag: The Musical Studio Album". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. 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. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ ""Scene in LA" October 2022 by Steve Zall and Sid Fish – All Beverly Hills". Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Wratten, Marcus (October 2, 2024). "Liza Minnelli to produce Drag Race star's musical". PinkNews. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ "Review: Drag: The Musical Is an Explosion of Feathers and Sequins Off-Broadway - TheaterMania.com". October 22, 2024. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Hofler, Robert (October 22, 2024). "'Drag: The Musical' Off Broadway Review: When Boys Just Want to Have Fun". TheWrap. Archived from the original on October 22, 2024. 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.
- ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (February 25, 2025). "Drag: The Musical Sets Final Performance Off-Broadway; London Is Next". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 21, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ↑ Morrison, Tony (February 25, 2025). "'DRAG: The Musical' Announces Final Off-Broadway Performance, Hints at Plans for London Production | GLAAD". glaad.org. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Wiltbank, Michael (October 6, 2022). "Get a First Look at Joey McIntyre, Alaska, Nick Adams, More in DRAG: The Musical". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ "CAST". Drag the Musical. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ Hall, Margaret (April 13, 2022). "Peppermint, Nick Adams, Max Von Essen, More Featured on Drag: The Musical Studio Album". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. 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. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Theater award winners in the 2025 Queerties". Queerty. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ↑ Tran, Diep (January 22, 2025). "Drag: The Musical, Oh, Mary!, Wicked, More Recognized by GLAAD Media Awards". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 22, 2025). "2025 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 25, 2025). "Death Becomes Her Leads 2025 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Read the Full List". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
- ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (June 3, 2025). "John Proctor Is the Villain and Cats: The Jellicle Ball Lead 2025 Dorian Theater Awards". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on July 27, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2026.