RuPaul's Drag Race Live! explained

Concert Name:RuPaul's Drag Race Live!
Artist:the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race
Type:Residency
Venue:Flamingo Showroom
Location:Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Number Of Shows:700+

RuPaul's Drag Race Live! is a concert residency in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring past competitors from the TV series of the same name its franchise. The residency show features a variety of original music, lip-syncs, comedy, and dance numbers directed by RuPaul and choreographed by Jamal Sims. The performances are held every weeknight at Flamingo Showroom and produced by World of Wonder and Voss Events.

Background

The concert residency was originally announced at RuPaul's DragCon NYC in September 2019, and unveiled a dozen contestants from the drag reality television franchise which includes Asia O'Hara, Derrick Barry, Kameron Michaels, Naomi Smalls, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, and Yvie Oddly as the first rotating cast with Aquaria, Coco Montrese, Eureka O'Hara, India Ferrah, Kahanna Montrese, Kim Chi, and Shannel as the second rotating cast.[1] RuPaul was announced as the director with Jamal Sims being the choreographer for the residency;[2] Ryan Grainger would also act as the assistant choreographer and dance captain for the Pit Crew.[3] They also revealed the concert is presented at Flamingo Showroom, where it formerly housed the eleven-year run of the Donny and Marie Osmond concert residency.[4] The variety musical is produced by World of Wonder and Voss Events.[5] The performances was set to begin in January 2020 with ticket presales commenced on September 10 via Ticketmaster.[6]

The residency was first premiered with the first rotating cast on January 30, 2020, with the scheduled performance set to last through 2021.[7] Unfortunately, the concert residency ran until March 15 and was placed on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting live entertainment.[8] A year later, performances were later rescheduled with the same rotating cast on August 5, 2021.[9] In January 2022, newcomers Eureka O'Hara, Jaida Essence Hall, Plastique Tiara, and Trinity K. Bonet joined the cast of the residency concert.[10] Around the summertime of 2022, Latrice Royale and Kennedy Davenport were announced as the new additions to the performing cast; Jorgeous is also set to perform in the upcoming year.[11] The variety concert later marked their 300th show on October 6.[12]

Deja Skye and Daya Betty later joined as new cast members for the concert residency.[13] Before the cast performed their 500th show, Bosco, Lawrence Chaney, Nicky Doll, and Pangina Heals were introduced for the live residency for summer 2023.[14] The residency cast celebrated its 700th mark in March 2024.[15]

Production

The live production incorporates an insular plot such as the format of the drag reality competition, with the performers portraying a character competing for the crown. It starts with the host of the performance announcing the "mini-challenge" and "maxi-challenge" to shake up the crowd. Throughout the show, RuPaul makes an appearance from pre-recorded video clips. At the end of the concert, the audience has the opportunity to act out as judges and choose the winner of the "final lip-sync battle" using the majority applause.[16] Andy Walmsley, an English production designer, created and ranked the residency's scenery as number one showcasing its "ambitious creative energy" for the cast. In the interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Walmsley "channelled [his] inner drag queen and designed a truly over-the-top, [...] glitzy-cartoonish, [and] you-go-girl-design."[17]

In April 2024, Derrick Barry mentioned to her fellow castmate, Trinity K. Bonet, that they both "didn't mesh well together" and made "your dream job a nightmare" at the residency.[18] Trinity replied back in an Instagram post that she understood why they "won't reply" about her return on the show.[19] Given Derrick's comments, everyone knew she had "severe arthritis" in both legs which made it difficult to work, and ended up quitting.[20]

Cast

Here is all 32 Drag Race queens who have been part of the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Live!. Including 29 queens from the American version, as well as 3 international queens, one from the British version, as well as the hosts of Drag Race France and Drag Race Thailand.

Reception

Brock Radke of the Las Vegas Sun witnessed the audience screaming "support and the cumulative result of all this exuberance is a jubilant, victorious vibe [...] in this venue." The performers are "wildly charismatic" with Naomi Smalls bringing "over-the-top glamour", Kameron Michaels' "unbelievable athleticism and undeniable presence", and Derrick Barry's "peerless portrayal of Britney Spears could be its own show." Radke also adds that Asia O'Hara presents the residency "with charm and grace" which amazes the audience with laughs. Radke sees the concert as exciting and successful, he also hopes it picks up more momentum.[21]

Music

Many of the performances use various songs from its franchise or RuPaul's discography. A soundtrack extended play was released on January 27, 2020. This featured four original songs co-written by RuPaul, Tom Campbell, and Leland, with Gabe Lopez as producer.[22] Three out of the four songs were performed as a medley in the semifinal episode of the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[23]

Television

A docuseries based on the concert residency was announced in July 2020.[24] During the fifth season finale of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, an extended preview aired showcasing the six-part documentary.[25] later premiered through VH1 on August 21, the first episode was dedicated to Chi Chi DeVayne, a former contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race who later died in the same month.[26]

The fourteenth-season reunion and the finale of RuPaul's Drag Race were filmed at the same venue with the rotating cast performing "Losing is the New Winning" alongside the contestants.[27] In the same episode, RuPaul was awarded the key to the city of Las Vegas with April 22 being officially RuPaul Day.[28] The finale filming took place "a few weeks ago" and lasting under five hours.[29]

The production company announced another six-part documentary in October 2023 and set to premiere in the upcoming year.[30] The docuseries premiered through WOW Presents Plus on April 17, 2024.[31] During the sixteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, an episode showcased the contestants giving makeovers to the Pit Crew members of the residency concert.[32]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ramos . Dino-Ray . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' sets live show in Las Vegas . September 7, 2019 . September 8, 2019 . . . September 8, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190908080342/https://deadline.com/2019/09/rupauls-drag-race-live-show-las-vegas-dragcon-rupaul-charles-1202713647/ . live .
  2. Taylor . Star . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Announces New Las Vegas Live Shows Beginning in 2020 . September 7, 2019 . September 8, 2019 . . . September 9, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190909055821/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8529401/rupauls-drag-race-live-las-vegas . live .
  3. Web site: Street . Mikelle . Here's the Pit Crew from 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Live' in Vegas . January 31, 2020 . February 6, 2020 . . Pride Media . en . February 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200206001937/https://www.out.com/nightlife/2020/1/31/heres-pit-crew-rupauls-drag-race-live-vegas . live .
  4. News: Radke . Brock . Curtain Up: 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live,' Barry Manilow, Aerosmith, 'Cherry Boom Boom' and more . September 12, 2019 . September 13, 2019 . . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913032742/https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2019/sep/12/rupauls-drag-race-live-barry-manilow-aerosmith/ . live .
  5. Web site: Hegedus . Eric . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' queens sashay to Las Vegas residency . September 7, 2019 . September 8, 2019 . . . September 7, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190907191118/https://nypost.com/2019/09/07/rupauls-drag-race-queens-sashay-to-las-vegas-residency/ . live .
  6. Web site: Szydelko . Paul . 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live!' debuts at the Flamingo . February 10, 2020 . April 28, 2024 . Travel Weekly . . July 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713045056/https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/RuPaul-s-Drag-Race-Live-debuts-at-Flamingo . live .
  7. Web site: Hastings . Warring . Drag Race on the road – from television to tour . February 27, 2020 . April 28, 2024 . . September 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921165906/https://glaad.org/drag-race-tv-tour/ . live .
  8. Web site: O'Keeffe . Kevin . 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue' was a fascinating artifact of a pre-pandemic era . September 28, 2020 . April 28, 2024 . . . May 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507132927/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-vegas-revue-recap-2-181294 . live .
  9. News: Radke . Brock . 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live' stuns on the Las Vegas stage . August 9, 2021 . April 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Magazine . . August 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210814024120/https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2021/aug/09/rupauls-drag-race-live-flamingo-las-vegas-show/ . live .
  10. Web site: O'Keeffe . Kevin . Eureka O'Hara, Jaida Essence Hall join 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live' . January 26, 2022 . April 28, 2024 . . . January 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126180531/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/01/26/RuPaul-Drag-Race-Live-Eureka/8891643216105/ . live .
  11. Web site: Cornish . Ricky . Latrice Royale and Kennedy Davenport spill 'Drag Race' tea in Las Vegas . September 22, 2022 . April 28, 2024 . . Pride Media . en . July 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230728091400/https://www.out.com/travel/2022/9/13/latrice-royale-kennedy-davenport-spill-drag-race-tea-las-vegas . live .
  12. News: Zbat . Gabrielle . RuPaul's Drag Race Live! marks 300th show in Las Vegas . October 7, 2022 . April 28, 2024 . . . October 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221008035936/https://news3lv.com/news/local/rupauls-drag-race-live-marks-300th-show-in-las-vegas . live .
  13. News: Jurbala . Em . 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live!' in Las Vegas introduces new cast members . April 21, 2023 . April 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Magazine . . May 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507132943/https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2023/apr/21/rupauls-drag-race-live-flamingo-vegas-strip/ . live .
  14. News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live' adds new cast members for summer shows in Las Vegas . May 31, 2023 . April 28, 2024 . . . March 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240317105343/https://news3lv.com/news/local/rupauls-drag-race-live-adds-new-cast-members-for-summer-shows-in-las-vegas-southern-nevada-flamingo-nicky-doll-bosco . live .
  15. News: Radke . Brock . 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live,' new edition and more Las Vegas showbiz news . March 13, 2024 . April 28, 2024 . . . March 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240324151154/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2024/mar/13/rupauls-drag-race-live-new-edition-kid-cudi-more/ . live .
  16. Taylor . Star . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' is right at home in Las Vegas: Everything you need to know about new live show . January 31, 2020 . April 28, 2024 . . . September 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220927191346/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-drag-race-live-las-vegas-recap-8549802/ . live .
  17. News: Katsilometes . John . Emmy Award-winner Andy Walmsley lists top 5 Las Vegas sets . February 7, 2020 . April 27, 2024 . . October 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025070613/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/emmy-award-winner-andy-walmsley-lists-top-5-las-vegas-sets-1953415/ . live .
  18. News: Duncan . Charlie . Drag Race star Derrick Barry names 'nightmare' queen she'd happily never work with again . April 26, 2024 . May 7, 2024 . . April 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240430123029/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/04/26/derrick-barry-drag-race-live-trinity-k-bonet/ . live .
  19. News: Wratten . Marcus . Drag Race star Trinity K. Bonet claps back at Derrick Barry: 'I want no part of this sh*t anymore' . May 6, 2024 . May 7, 2024 . . May 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507020748/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/05/06/drag-race-live-trinity-k-bonet-claps-back-derrick-barry/ . live .
  20. Robledo . Jordan . Trinity K. Bonet responds to Derrick Barry's Drag Race Live! comments . May 5, 2024 . May 7, 2024 . . May 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507133006/https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/trinity-k-bonet-responds-to-derrick-barrys-drag-race-live-comments/ . live .
  21. News: Radke . Brock . 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live' brings beautiful energy to the Flamingo . February 10, 2020 . April 28, 2024 . . . January 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113182903/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2020/feb/10/rupauls-drag-race-live-show-review-flamingo/ . live .
  22. News: Dinant . Jason . RuPaul is ready to take over Las Vegas . January 29, 2020 . April 28, 2024 . . . March 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230327105957/https://www.ktnv.com/positivelylv/dining-and-entertainment/rupaul-is-ready-to-take-over-las-vegas . live .
  23. Web site: McCallion . Paul . RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Luck Be a Lady . May 15, 2020 . April 28, 2024 . . . en . May 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505105809/https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-12-episode-12-viva-drag-vegas.html . live .
  24. Web site: Vary . Adam . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' to launch new docuseries on Las Vegas live show . July 22, 2020 . July 22, 2020 . . . July 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200722180422/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-vegas-revue-vh1-1234709253 . live .
  25. Web site: Street . Mikelle . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' is launching yet another television show . July 22, 2020 . April 26, 2024 . . Pride Media . en . July 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200722232609/https://www.out.com/television/2020/7/22/rupauls-drag-race-launching-yet-another-tv-show . live .
  26. Web site: Anderton . Joe . RuPaul's Drag Race pays on-air tribute to Chi Chi DeVayne after her death . August 22, 2020 . August 22, 2020 . . . August 23, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200823165234/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a33672821/rupauls-drag-race-chichi-devayne-tribute/ . live .
  27. Web site: O'Keeffe . Kevin . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 14 finale recap: Long may she reign . April 25, 2023 . April 28, 2024 . . . April 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425150104/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-finale-recap-221709 . live .
  28. Web site: Gregory . Drew Burnett . "RuPaul's Drag Race" episode 16 recap: Shoutout to Kornbread's ankle . April 23, 2022 . April 28, 2024 . . For Them . April 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429023500/https://www.autostraddle.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-finale-recap/ . live .
  29. Web site: Tangcay . Jazz . 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 14 finale: Three things you didn't see on television . April 25, 2022 . April 28, 2024 . . . March 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329214230/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/rupauls-drag-race-season-14-finale-winner-1235239972/ . live .
  30. Nolfi . Joey . Drag Race queens unite for new RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked television series . October 5, 2023 . April 4, 2024 . . . March 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240326072013/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-drag-race-queens-unite-for-new-las-vegas/ . live .
  31. Web site: Thompson . Cher . RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked trailer reveals past contestants creating a ton of drama in Vegas . April 3, 2024 . April 4, 2024 . . Valnet Inc. . May 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507132932/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-live-untucked-trailer/ . live .
  32. Web site: Frank . Jason . RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: A Dance with Drag Moms . March 30, 2024 . March 31, 2024 . . . en . March 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240330142130/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-16-episode-13-vegas-live-makeovers.html . live .