A Rusical (portmanteau of "RuPaul" and "musical") is a musical theatre[1] challenge on the television series RuPaul's Drag Race and other iterations of the show within the Drag Race franchise.
The productions have been featured on the American series since season 6, and have been described by Cordu Krubally of Screen Rant as "a highly anticipated staple" of the show, allowing contestants to showcase their talents.[2]
Rusicals by series
RuPaul's Drag Race
Season nine's Rusical (Kardashians: The Musical) was inspired by the musical Hamilton.[3] The American series has also seen Rusicals about Cher, Donald Trump, and Madonna. Seasons fourteen and fifteen had parodies of the films Moulin Rouge! and Footloose, respectively.
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
6 | Shade: The Rusical | Courtney Act[4] |
7 | Glamazonian Airways | Ginger Minj[4] |
8 | B*tch Perfect | Chi Chi DeVayne[4] |
9 | Kardashians: The Musical | Shea Couleé[4] |
10 | PharmaRusical | The Vixen[4] |
Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical[5] | Kameron Michaels[4] | |
11 | Trump: The Rusical | Silky Nutmeg Ganache[4] |
12 | Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical[6] | Gigi Goode[4] |
Viva Drag Vegas | ||
13 | Social Media: The Unverified Rusical | Rosé[4] |
14 | Moulin Ru: The Rusical[7] | Lady Camden |
15 | Wigloose: The Rusical![8] | Anetra |
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
The Rusical in season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars depicted historical women. Alaska Thunderfuck, Alyssa Edwards, Detox, and Ginger Minj portrayed a Britney Spears-inspired Eve,[9] Annie Oakley, Marie Antoinette, and Catherine the Great, respectively.[10] Kaya and Phi Phi O'Hara portrayed Princess Diana and Helen of Troy, respectively.[11][12] On season 3 ("Divas Lip Sync Live"), Aja performed as Amy Winehouse, BeBe Zahara Benet as Diana Ross, BenDeLaCreme as Julie Andrews, Chi Chi DeVayne as Patti LaBelle, Kennedy Davenport as Janet Jackson, Milk as Celine Dion, Shangela as Mariah Carey, Trixie Mattel as Dolly Parton, and Thorgy Thor as Stevie Nicks.[13][14]
Season six's Rusical (episode "Halftime Headliners") was based on Super Bowl's halftime show performances.[15] The Rusical in season 8 was about Joan Crawford.[16]
Season | Rusical | Winner(s) |
---|---|---|
2 | HERstory of the World | Alyssa Edwards |
Detox | ||
3 | Divas Lip Sync Live | BenDeLaCreme |
Shangela | ||
6 | All Stars 6 Hall of Fame Halftime Show[17] | Jan |
8 | Joan: The Unauthorized Rusical | Kandy Muse[18] |
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race
The Rusical on season 1 of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race was about Dolly Parton and her 1980 comedy film 9 to 5.[19]
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
1 | Twerking 5 to 9: The Rusical | — |
Canada's Drag Race
The clown-themed Rusical of season 2 was inspired by the 1938 film Under the Big Top.[20] On season 4, the Rusical was about the life of host Brooke Lynn Hytes.
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
2 | Under the Big Top | Pythia |
3 | Squirrels Trip: The Rusical | Vivian Vanderpuss[21] |
4 | From Drags to Riches: The Rusical | Aurora Matrix |
Drag Race España
The second season of Drag Race España had a Rusical based on the musical La llamada.[22] The third season had a Rusical inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz setting the story during the La Movida Madrileña countercultural movement.[23]
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
2 | La Llamadrag | Estrella Xtravaganza |
3 | El Mago Precoz | Pitita |
Drag Race France
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
2 | Le Bossu de Notre Drag | Keiona |
Drag Race Germany
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
1 | Dragort: The Rusical | Metamorkid |
Drag Race Holland
The Rusical for the second season of Drag Race Holland was based on the story of Cinderella.[24]
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
1 | Máxima - The Rusical | Janey Jacké |
2 | CindeRulla: The Rusical | My Little Puny |
Drag Race Italia
The second season of Drag Race Italia had a Rusical dedicated to Lady Gaga.[25]
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
1 | Carrà: The Rusical | Divinity |
2 | Lady Gaga: The Unauthorised Rusical | La Petite Noire |
3 | Paola & Chiara: An Unauthorised Fairytale Rusical | Sypario |
Drag Race México
The first season of Drag Race México had a Rusical based on Acapulco Shore, the Mexican spin-off series of Jersey Shore.[26]
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
1 | Dragapulco Shore: The Rusical | Cristian Peralta |
Drag Race Philippines
The second season of Drag Race Philippines had a Rusical inspired by the film The Little Mermaid.[27]
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
1 | OPM Divas: The Rusical | Precious Paula Nicole |
2 | Sirena: The Rusical | DeeDee Marié Holliday |
Drag Race Thailand
Season | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
2 | Apaporn Nakornsawan: Thai Musical | Kandy Zyanide |
RuPaul's Drag Race UK
The Rusicals in the second and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK were inspired by the musicals Cats[28][29] and Mary Poppins,[30] respectively. The Rusical in the fifth season was a pantomime.[31]
Series | Rusical | Winner |
---|---|---|
2 | Rats: The Rusical | Veronica Green[32] |
4 | Lairy Poppins: The Rusical | Danny Beard |
5 | Pant-Oh She Better Don't!: The Rusical | Ginger Johnson |
RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
Season | Rusical | Winner(s) |
---|---|---|
1 | West End Wendys | Pangina Heals |
Janey Jacké | ||
References
- ↑ Daw, Stephen (2023-08-25). "A History of the Rusical: How a One-Off 'Drag Race' Challenge Became a Beloved Staple". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Performance, Ranked". Screen Rant. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 5 Power Rankings: The Kardashian Musical We Didn't Know We Needed". W Magazine. 2017-04-22. Archived from the original on 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Winner Over The Years". ScreenRant. 2021-02-23. Archived from the original on 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ Henderson, Eric (2018-05-11). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Season 10, Episode 8, "The Unauthorized Rusical"". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ "'Drag Race's Madonna Rusical Was One of the Best in Herstory". www.out.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-11. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ "The Can Can can't can't save Moulin Ru: The Rusical on RuPaul's Drag Race". The A.V. Club. 2022-03-26. Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ Tangcay, Jazz (2023-06-08). "'Drag Race' Team on 'Wigloose: The Rusical's' Importance: 'Our Existence Could Be Put Out Like That'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ "Racing with Sidney: HERstory of the World | Drag Race". 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ Daw, Stephen (2021-09-02). "The 10 Best Musical Numbers In 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Herstory". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ Daw, Stephen (2023-08-25). "Every Rusical from 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' Ranked Worst to Best". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ Yates, Maggie. "BWW Breakdown: The HERstory of the World According to RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ Oliver, Isaac (2 February 2018). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars': Dueling Divas". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ↑ Guerra, Joey (2 February 2018). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3' recap: Divas (almost) live". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ↑ "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6' Episode 4 recap: Let's play some football | Xtra Magazine". 2021-07-08. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ↑ Frank, Jason P. (2023-06-09). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Mommie Queerest". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ↑ "StackPath". xtramagazine.com. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ Frank, Jason P. (2023-06-09). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Mommie Queerest". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ "From beauty queen to drag queen: Vanessa Williams transforms into Dolly Parton on 'Celebrity Drag Race'". Yahoo Entertainment. 2020-05-02. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ↑ "Canada's Drag Race Season 2 Episode 2 Recap: It's Jester Rusical". ScreenRant. 2021-10-22. Archived from the original on 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ Harrison, Frankie (2022-08-26). "Canada's Drag Race Season 3 Episode 7 Recap: Girls Trip: The Rusical". IN Magazine. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ "Las reinas de 'Drag Race España' adaptarán el musical 'La llamada' en su cuarta entrega, este domingo en ATRESplayer PREMIUM". atresplayer.com (in European Spanish). 2022-04-13.
- ↑ "Las reinas de "Drag Race España" versionarán "El Mago de Oz"". mundoplus.tv (in European Spanish). 2023-05-20.
- ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race Holland Season 2 - Episode 4". Spill the Tea. 2021-08-28. Archived from the original on 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ "Drag Race Italia 2, cos'è successo nella quinta puntata". Vanity Fair Italia (in Italian). 2022-11-17. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ Villa, Lucas (2023-07-13). "'Drag Race México' Episode 4 Recap: The Rusical, Reading Challenge & Paulina Rubio". Remezcla. Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
- ↑ Antonio, Josiah. "'Drag Race PH': Dee Dee Marie Holiday wins 'Rusical' challenge". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ Moylan, Brian (2021-01-21). "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Recap: Rats Off". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2022-12-25. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ "Here's how RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans reacted to Rats: The Rusical". GAY TIMES. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ "'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' Season 4, Episode 5 recap: West End winners | Xtra Magazine". 2022-10-21. Archived from the original on 2022-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ ""Avenge me!": Drag Race UK star Banskie on exit and "heated" Untucked". Gay Times. 2023-10-27. Archived from the original on 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ↑ "Here's how RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans reacted to Rats: The Rusical". Gay Times. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-08-01.