Musical production on the TV series RuPaul's Drag Race
Montage of screenshots from various Rusicals
A Rusical (portmanteau of "RuPaul" and "musical") is a musical theatre[1] challenge recurring across the Drag Race television franchise. Rusical productions began in 2014 during the sixth season of the American series, and have subsequently become "a highly anticipated staple" of the reality competition, allowing contestants to showcase their talents.[2]
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 sixteen's Rusical was a parody of the musical The Sound of Music and its film adaptation.
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
[edit]
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,[10] Annie Oakley, Marie Antoinette, and Catherine the Great, respectively.[11] Katya and Phi Phi O'Hara portrayed Princess Diana and Helen of Troy, respectively.[12][13] 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.[14][15] Season six's Rusical (episode "Halftime Headliners") was based on Super Bowl's halftime show performances.[16] Season eight's Rusical was based on the life of Joan Crawford.[17] Season nine's Rusical was inspired by the film Rosemary's Baby.[18]
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race
[edit]
The Rusical on season 1 of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race was about Dolly Parton and her 1980 comedy film 9 to 5.[21]
Rusicals of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race
Season
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Rusical
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Winner
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1
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Twerking 5 to 9: The Rusical
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—
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The clown-themed Rusical of season 2 was inspired by the 1938 film Under the Big Top.[22] On season 4, the Rusical was about the life of host Brooke Lynn Hytes.
Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World
[edit]
The second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World had a Rusical about Snatch Game.
The second season of Drag Race España had a Rusical based on the musical La llamada.[24] The third season had a Rusical inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz setting the story during the La Movida Madrileña countercultural movement.[25]
Rusicals of Drag Race Germany
Season
|
Rusical
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Winner
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1
|
Dragort: The Rusical
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Metamorkid
|
The Rusical for the second season of Drag Race Holland was based on the story of Cinderella.[26]
Rusicals of Drag Race Holland
Season
|
Rusical
|
Winner
|
1
|
Máxima: The Rusical
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Janey Jacké
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2
|
CindeRulla: The Rusical
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My Little Puny
|
The second season of Drag Race Italia had a Rusical dedicated to Lady Gaga.[27]
Rusicals of Drag Race Italia
Season
|
Rusical
|
Winner
|
1
|
Carrà: The Rusical
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Divinity
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2
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Lady Gaga: The Unauthorised Rusical
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La Petite Noire
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3
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Paola & Chiara: An Unauthorised Fairytale Rusical
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Sypario
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The first season of Drag Race México had a Rusical based on Acapulco Shore, the Mexican spin-off series of Jersey Shore.[28]The Rusical in the second season was inspired by three telenovelas starring Thalía: María Mercedes, Marimar, and María la del Barrio.[29]
Rusicals of Drag Race México
Season
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Rusical
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Winner
|
1
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Dragapulco Shore: The Rusical
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Cristian Peralta
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2
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The Three Marías: The Rusical
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Jenary Bloom
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Drag Race Philippines
[edit]
The second season of Drag Race Philippines had a Rusical inspired by the film The Little Mermaid.[30]
Rusicals of Drag Race Thailand
Season
|
Rusical
|
Winner
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2
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Apaporn Nakornsawan: Thai Musical
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Kandy Zyanide
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RuPaul's Drag Race UK
[edit]
The Rusicals in the second and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK were inspired by the musicals Cats[31][32] and Mary Poppins,[33] respectively. The Rusical in the fifth season was a pantomime.[34]
RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Krubally, Cordu (25 October 2019). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Performance, Ranked". Screen Rant. 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "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.
- ^ Daw, Stephen (2024-02-15). "The Hills Are Alive With 'The Sound of Rusic' in New Clip From 'Drag Race' Rusical Episode: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
- ^ "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.
- ^ O'Keefe, Kevin (2024-07-05). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 9' Episode 9 recap: Badge swap". Xtra. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Villa, Lucas (2024-08-02). "'Drag Race México' 2×07 Recap: Rusical, Thalia Telenovelas, & Anahí Lip-Sync". Remezcla. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ 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.
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