Montage of screenshots from various Rusicals

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 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
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
16 The 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] The Rusical in season 8 was about Joan Crawford.[17]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
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[18] Jan
8 Joan: The Unauthorized Rusical Kandy Muse[19]

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.[20]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race
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.[21] On season 4, the Rusical was about the life of host Brooke Lynn Hytes.

Rusicals of Canada's Drag Race
Season Rusical Winner
2 Under the Big Top Pythia
3 Squirrels Trip: The Rusical Vivian Vanderpuss[22]
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.[23] The third season had a Rusical inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz setting the story during the La Movida Madrileña countercultural movement.[24]

Rusicals of Drag Race España
Season Rusical Winner
2 La Llamadrag Estrella Xtravaganza
3 El Mago Precoz Pitita

Drag Race France

Rusicals of Drag Race France
Season Rusical Winner
2 Le Bossu de Notre Drag Keiona

Drag Race Germany

Rusicals of 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.[25]

Rusicals of Drag Race Holland
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.[26]

Rusicals of Drag Race Italia
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.[27]

Rusicals of Drag Race México
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.[28]

Rusicals of Drag Race Philippines
Season Rusical Winner
1 OPM Divas: The Rusical Precious Paula Nicole
2 Sirena: The Rusical DeeDee Marié Holliday

Drag Race Thailand

Rusicals of 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[29][30] and Mary Poppins,[31] respectively. The Rusical in the fifth season was a pantomime.[32]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Series Rusical Winner
2 Rats: The Rusical Veronica Green[33]
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

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
Season Rusical Winner(s)
1 West End Wendys Pangina Heals
Janey Jacké

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "'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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Racing with Sidney: HERstory of the World | Drag Race". 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  11. ^ Daw, Stephen (2021-09-02). "The 10 Best Musical Numbers In 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Herstory". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  12. ^ Daw, Stephen (2023-08-25). "Every Rusical from 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' Ranked Worst to Best". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  13. ^ Yates, Maggie. "BWW Breakdown: The HERstory of the World According to RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "'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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "StackPath". xtramagazine.com. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "Las reinas de "Drag Race España" versionarán "El Mago de Oz"". mundoplus.tv (in European Spanish). 2023-05-20.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ "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.
  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.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ "Here's how RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans reacted to Rats: The Rusical". GAY TIMES. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  31. ^ "'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.
  32. ^ ""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.
  33. ^ "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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