Rusical Explained

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]

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 sixteen's Rusical was a parody of the musical The Sound of Music and its film adaptation.

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race! Season! Rusical! Winner
6Courtney Act[4]
7Glamazonian AirwaysGinger Minj
8Bitch PerfectChi Chi DeVayne
9Kardashians: The MusicalShea Couleé
10PharmaRusical
[5] Kameron Michaels
11 nowrapSilky Nutmeg Ganache
12nowrap[6] Gigi Goode
Viva Drag Vegas
13 Rosé
14[7] Lady Camden
15[8] Anetra
16The Sound of Rusic[9] Plasma

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,[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]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars! Season! Rusical! Winner(s)
2HERstory of the WorldnowrapAlyssa Edwards
Detox
3Divas Lip Sync LiveBenDeLaCreme
Shangela
6nowrapAll Stars 6 Hall of Fame Halftime Show[19] Jan
8nowrapKandy Muse[20]
9Rosemarie's Baby Shower: The RusicalJorgeous
Shannel

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.[21]

Canada's Drag Race

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.

Rusicals of Canada's Drag Race! Season! Rusical! Winner
2Under the Big TopPythia
3Squirrels Trip: The Rusical nowrapVivian Vanderpuss[23]
4nowrapFrom Drags to Riches: The RusicalAurora Matrix

Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World

The second season of had a Rusical about Snatch Game.

Drag Race España

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 España! Season! Rusical! Winner
2nowrapLa LlamadragnowrapEstrella Xtravaganza
3nowrapEl Mago PrecoznowrapPitita

Drag Race France

Rusicals of Drag Race France! Season! Rusical! Winner
2nowrapLe Bossu de Notre DragnowrapKeiona
3nowrapCéline Dion

The Rusical

nowrapLeona Winter

Drag Race Germany

Rusicals of Drag Race Germany! Season! Rusical! Winner
1nowrapDragort

The Rusical

nowrapMetamorkid

Drag Race Holland

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
1Máxima

The Rusical

Janey Jacké
2nowrapCindeRulla: The Rusicalnowrap

Drag Race Italia

The second season of Drag Race Italia had a Rusical dedicated to Lady Gaga.[27]

Rusicals of Drag Race Italia! Season! Rusical! Winner
1Carrà

The Rusical

Divinity
2nowrapLady Gaga: The Unauthorised RusicalnowrapLa Petite Noire
3nowrapPaola & Chiara

An Unauthorised Fairytale Rusical

nowrapSypario

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.[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! Rusical! Winner
1nowrapDragapulco Shore: The RusicalnowrapCristian Peralta
2nowrapThe Three Marías: The RusicalnowrapJenary Bloom

Drag Race Philippines

The second season of Drag Race Philippines had a Rusical inspired by the film The Little Mermaid.[30]

Rusicals of Drag Race Philippines! Season! Rusical! Winner
1nowrapOPM Divas: The RusicalPrecious Paula Nicole
2Sirena: The RusicalnowrapDeeDee Marié Holliday

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[31] [32] and Mary Poppins,[33] respectively. The Rusical in the fifth season was a pantomime.[34]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race UK! Series! Rusical! Winner
2Rats: The RusicalnowrapVeronica Green[35]
4nowrapLairy Poppins: The RusicalDanny Beard
5nowrapPant-Oh She Better Don't!: The RusicalGinger Johnson

RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World

! Season! Rusical! Winner(s)
1West End Wendys Pangina Heals
Janey Jacké
2Seven!: Confessions of a Drag Queen nowrapMarina Summers
Tia Kofi

Notes and References

  1. Daw . Stephen . 2023-08-25 . A History of the Rusical: How a One-Off 'Drag Race' Challenge Became a Beloved Staple . 2023-10-27 . Billboard . en-US . 2023-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230902065804/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-oral-history-rusical-1235388098/ . live .
  2. Web site: Cordu. Krubally. RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Performance, Ranked. Screen Rant. 25 October 2019. 20 November 2020. 12 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200712072612/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-rusical-ranked/. live.
  3. Web site: 2017-04-22. RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 5 Power Rankings: The Kardashian Musical We Didn't Know We Needed. 2023-08-14. W Magazine. en. 2023-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20230814204246/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-episode-5-power-rankings-kardashian-musical. live.
  4. Web site: 2021-02-23. RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Winner Over The Years. 2023-08-01. ScreenRant. en. 2022-03-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220301013824/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-every-rusical-winner-ever-list/. live.
  5. Web site: Henderson. Eric. 2018-05-11. RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Season 10, Episode 8, "The Unauthorized Rusical". 2023-08-01. Slant Magazine. en-US. 2019-03-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025358/https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-10-episode-8-the-unauthorized-rusical/. live.
  6. Web site: 'Drag Race's Madonna Rusical Was One of the Best in Herstory. 2023-08-01. www.out.com. en. 2020-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20200411185635/https://www.out.com/television/2020/4/11/drag-races-madonna-rusical-was-one-best-herstory. live.
  7. Web site: 2022-03-26. The Can Can can't can't save Moulin Ru: The Rusical on RuPaul's Drag Race. 2023-08-01. The A.V. Club. en. 2022-06-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20220627033957/https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-drag-race-review-moulin-ru-rusical-failure-1848707100. live.
  8. Web site: Tangcay. Jazz. 2023-06-08. 'Drag Race' Team on 'Wigloose: The Rusical's' Importance: 'Our Existence Could Be Put Out Like That'. 2023-08-01. Variety. en-US. 2023-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20230614215551/https://variety.com/2023/artisans/awards/rupaul-drag-race-anti-drag-trans-bill-timeliness-1235636111/. live.
  9. Web site: Daw. Stephen. 2024-02-15. The Hills Are Alive With 'The Sound of Rusic' in New Clip From 'Drag Race' Rusical Episode: Watch. 2024-02-18. Billboard. en-US.
  10. Web site: 2016-09-09 . Racing with Sidney: HERstory of the World Drag Race . 2024-01-12 . en-US.
  11. Web site: Daw . Stephen . 2021-09-02 . The 10 Best Musical Numbers In ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Herstory . 2024-01-12 . Billboard . en-US.
  12. Web site: Daw . Stephen . 2023-08-25 . Every Rusical from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ Ranked Worst to Best . 2024-01-12 . Billboard . en-US.
  13. Web site: Yates . Maggie . BWW Breakdown: The HERstory of the World According to RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS . 2024-01-12 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  14. News: Oliver . Isaac . 2 February 2018 . 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars': Dueling Divas . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190330013029/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/arts/television/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-season-3-episode-2-recap.html . 30 March 2019 . March 29, 2019 . The New York Times.
  15. News: Guerra . Joey . 2 February 2018 . 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3' recap: Divas (almost) live . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190330011524/https://www.chron.com/entertainment/tv/article/RuPaul-s-Drag-Race-All-Stars-3-recap-Divas-12545113.php . 30 March 2019 . March 29, 2019 . Houston Chronicle.
  16. Web site: 2021-07-08 . 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6' Episode 4 recap: Let's play some football Xtra Magazine . 2023-08-30 . en-CA . 2021-07-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709000207/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-6-episode-4-recap-204574 . live .
  17. Web site: Frank . Jason P. . 2023-06-09 . RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Mommie Queerest . 2023-08-30 . Vulture . en-us . 2023-06-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611165358/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-8-episode-6-joan-the-unauthorized-rusical.html . live .
  18. Web site: O'Keefe . Kevin . 2024-07-05 . 'RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9' Episode 9 recap: Badge swap . 2024-07-08 . Xtra . en-us.
  19. Web site: StackPath . 2023-08-01 . xtramagazine.com . 8 July 2021 . 2021-07-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709000207/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-6-episode-4-recap-204574 . live .
  20. Web site: Frank . Jason P. . 2023-06-09 . RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Mommie Queerest . 2023-08-01 . Vulture . en-us . 2023-06-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230611165358/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-8-episode-6-joan-the-unauthorized-rusical.html . live .
  21. Web site: 2020-05-02 . From beauty queen to drag queen: Vanessa Williams transforms into Dolly Parton on 'Celebrity Drag Race' . 2023-08-30 . Yahoo Entertainment . en-US . 2020-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200604113556/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/from-beauty-queen-to-drag-queen-vanessa-williams-transforms-into-dolly-parton-on-celebrity-drag-race-044654817.html . live .
  22. Web site: 2021-10-22. Canada's Drag Race Season 2 Episode 2 Recap: It's Jester Rusical. 2023-08-01. ScreenRant. en. 2022-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20220413035312/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-canada-season-2-episode-2-recap/. live.
  23. Web site: Harrison. Frankie. 2022-08-26. Canada's Drag Race Season 3 Episode 7 Recap: Girls Trip: The Rusical. 2023-08-01. IN Magazine. en. 2023-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20230801133745/https://inmagazine.ca/2022/08/canadas-drag-race-season-3-episode-7-recap-girls-trip-the-rusical/. live.
  24. Web site: 2022-04-13 . Las reinas de 'Drag Race España' adaptarán el musical 'La llamada' en su cuarta entrega, este domingo en ATRESplayer PREMIUM . atresplayer.com . es-ES.
  25. Web site: 2023-05-20 . Las reinas de "Drag Race España" versionarán "El Mago de Oz" . mundoplus.tv . es-ES.
  26. Web site: 2021-08-28 . RuPaul's Drag Race Holland Season 2 - Episode 4 . 2023-10-27 . Spill the Tea . en-US . 2023-10-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027201100/https://www.spilltheteamag.com/online-content/2021/8/28/rupauls-drag-race-holland-season-2-episode-4-sa282 . live .
  27. Web site: 2022-11-17 . Drag Race Italia 2, cos'è successo nella quinta puntata . 2023-10-27 . Vanity Fair Italia . it-IT . 2023-06-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608023504/https://www.vanityfair.it/article/drag-race-italia-2-cosa-e-successo-nella-quinta-puntata . live .
  28. Web site: Villa . Lucas . 2023-07-13 . 'Drag Race México' Episode 4 Recap: The Rusical, Reading Challenge & Paulina Rubio . 2023-08-01 . Remezcla . en-US . 2023-07-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230721044629/https://remezcla.com/film/drag-race-mexico-episode-4-recap-the-rusical-reading-challenge-paulina-rubio/ . live .
  29. Web site: Villa . Lucas . 2024-08-02 . ‘Drag Race México’ 2×07 Recap: Rusical, Thalia Telenovelas, & Anahí Lip-Sync . 2024-08-03 . Remezcla . en-US.
  30. News: Antonio . Josiah . 'Drag Race PH': Dee Dee Marie Holiday wins 'Rusical' challenge . ABS-CBN News . 2023-10-27 . 2023-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929154330/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/05/23/drag-race-ph-dee-dee-marie-holiday-wins-rusical-challenge . live .
  31. Web site: Moylan . Brian . 2021-01-21 . RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Recap: Rats Off . 2023-10-27 . Vulture . en . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225104646/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-u-k-recap-season-2-episode-2-rats-the-rusical.html . live .
  32. Web site: 2021-01-21 . Here's how RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans reacted to Rats: The Rusical . 2023-10-27 . GAY TIMES . en-GB.
  33. Web site: 2022-10-21 . 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' Season 4, Episode 5 recap: West End winners Xtra Magazine . 2023-10-27 . en-CA . 2022-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221021180505/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-uk-season-4-episode-5-recap-238073 . live .
  34. Web site: 2023-10-27 . "Avenge me!": Drag Race UK star Banskie on exit and "heated" Untucked . 2023-10-27 . . en-GB . 2023-10-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027201107/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/originals/drag-race-uk-banksie-exit-interview/ . live .
  35. Web site: 2021-01-21 . Here's how RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans reacted to Rats: The Rusical . 2023-08-01 . . en-GB.

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