‘Drag Race’ Rusicals Ranked Worst to Best

Idea: Who got here up with this? It’s form of humorous, however in the end very unusual and random to take the format of drug infomercials and rework them into drag puns that form of develop into songs. We don’t want to listen to a music a few drug known as Badonkadonx that will provide you with an even bigger butt — even when it’s attempting to be over-the-top and campy, it nonetheless fizzles out. 

Execution: It’s robust to recollect a single efficiency from such an odd Rusical. The Vixen made probably the most out of what she was given, and Mayhem Miller’s ballad about anal choices was objectively humorous. The remainder largely acquired left within the background. 

Music: The songs of this Rusical are disjointed, skipping round steadily from hip-hop to Broadway to pop at a frenzied tempo. There’s not rather a lot to say right here – there’s little or no that’s truly profitable on this music. 

Total: Particularly in a season that had one other (a lot better) Rusical, the PharmaRusical was a forgettable expertise, and one that you simply actually don’t have to assume an excessive amount of about. In case you’re seeking to rewatch outdated episodes, be happy to skip this.

Idea: Whereas being barely extra coherent than the PharmaRusical, Glamazonian Airways nonetheless elicits the query, “Why?” Spoofing airline takeoff movies makes a bit extra sense than satirizing pharmaceutical commercials, however it isn’t precisely ripe for comedy.

Execution: Mrs. Kasha Davis served a full ham dinner, which is the one good selection for this unusual lip-sync expertise. Ginger Minj earned her win together with her choreography and her wacky faces. A lot of the different queens on this problem did a serviceable job, with solely Katya, Miss Fame and Sasha Belle standing out for his or her battle with performing the quantity.

Music: With a prime 40 pop really feel to every of the songs, there’s a loads of continuity right here. There’s nothing significantly thrilling concerning the picks, however they actually aren’t dangerous.

Total: Glamazonian Airways is one other uncommon swing-and-miss among the many Rusical challenges. Particularly when in comparison with later entries on this listing, this season 7 problem didn’t take off. 

Idea: Now this is what we name an idea. Taking a Broadway sensation like Hamilton and parodying it by altering the topic to actuality TV royalty is an ideal method to get each the competing queens and the viewers at house invested in what’s occurring.

Execution: Sadly, even with such a great idea, two queens ended up bearing the load of this Rusical on their shoulders. Alexis Michelle’s unhinged portrayal of Kris Jenner was good for the problem, and Shea Couleé’s Blac Chyna was an absolute scene-stealer. However in a musical centered across the position of Kim Kardashian, it’s exhausting to look at Cynthia Lee Fontaine’s strained stint within the highlight.

Music: The music isn’t dangerous, per se. However when the reference level you’ve chosen to imitate is a musical like Hamilton, there’s all of the sudden loads of expectation to stay as much as. The “membership music” that includes Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan was enjoyable, as was “Momager,” however the moments meant to immediately reference Lin-Manuel Miranda’s magnum opus fell aside.

Total: The thought of Kardashian: The Musical is bigger than the sum of its components. Whereas the idea ought to work, the one actually memorable components of this efficiency have been Alexis Michelle, Shea Couleé, and Nina Bo’nina Brown continuously insisting that she ought to’ve been Blac Chyna.

Idea: Contemplating that The Cher Present, an precise Broadway musical exploring the lifetime of this pop icon, was already within the works on the time of this Rusical’s launch, it’s protected to say that the idea is stable. It is a easy, enjoyable method to give every queen the highlight, by having them spotlight a special period within the Goddess of Pop’s decades-spanning profession.

Execution: The great largely outweighs the dangerous right here — Kameron Michaels’ ’60s Cher had nice vocals and a really humorous impersonation, Monét X Change proved that she may sing the home down, and Miz Cracker delivered among the finest (and albeit, underrated) performances of the present as Vocoder Comeback Cher. A couple of queens stumbled, like The Vixen and Asia O’Hara, however even then, the queens nonetheless labored this quantity out.

Music: Whereas the performances on this problem made us Consider, the music was merely not Sturdy Sufficient. The verse for Miz Cracker’s Comeback Cher, together with like “I do know the gays will purchase this/ And I do know Britney will do that” is far-and-away the most effective, whereas the Film Star Cher part sounds prefer it’s pulled from one other undertaking totally. When the music works, it really works — sadly, there are quite a lot of sections the place it doesn’t.

Total: The format of this unauthorized Cher Rusical, together with some high-quality performances from the queens of season 10, make up for the music’s dip in high quality.

Idea: Taking every main social media platform and personifying them right into a solid of wildly unhinged characters is a simple, albeit hackneyed plot system that results in every kind of ridiculous on stage shenanigans. It’s enjoyable, it’s campy, it’s what you’ve come to anticipate from a Rusical. It’s actually not price a downvote, however it’s not getting retweeted any time quickly.

Execution: The queens did a reasonably good job on this problem, with a couple of distinctive standouts, and some who we merely should swipe left on. Rosé, as anticipated, killed her position as Cunning, Denali and Gottmik’s Russian bots had us rolling, and whereas the judges have been centered on a mistake Tina Burner made in character, we couldn’t assist however completely adore her efficiency because the night’s emcee, Friendster. In the meantime Symoné and Kandy each fizzled of their respective roles as Instagram and LinkedIn, whereas Elliott with 2 Ts’ TikTok impersonation felt prefer it merely couldn’t move the vibe examine.

Music: The music parodies listed here are very good — rewriting each the music and lyrics of Barbra Streisand’s iconic Humorous Lady showstopper “Don’t Rain On My Parade” to suit the theme was the strongest selection of the night time, with the nods to Broadway staples like “The Cell Block Tango,” “Do You Hear the Individuals Sing?” and even “I Am the Very Mannequin of a Trendy Main-Normal” choosing up loads of the slack from the tasteless story.

Total: Whereas the idea might not have been significantly ingenious or attention-grabbing, Social Media: The Unverified Rusical was saved by good musical numbers and showstopping performances from a couple of of the queens. Be happy to present it a like.

Idea: Because the first-ever Rusical, the concept behind Shade is easy; what occurs if we take some basic stage tropes and reflavor them for drag queens? A winsome ingenue, a jaded diva, a brassy villain, a Greek refrain — they hit the entire marks, giving every solid member a possibility to shine all through this chaotic present.

Execution: Courtney Act, Adore Delano and BenDeLaCreme are absolute stars on this Rusical. Courtney and Adore show that the live-singing format could make for a few of the most enjoyable vocal performances within the present’s herstory, and BenDeLaCreme is the embodiment camp because the eye-patched, leopard-printed villain. Outdoors of that, there’s not rather a lot to say; Bianca del Rio turned in a stable efficiency (shoutout to her supply of “She’s a person with one eye!”), queens like Darienne Lake and Gia Gunn struggled with their singing, whereas Trinity Okay. Bonet and April Carrion merely appeared misplaced on the stage.

Music: Whereas the music of Shade might not be significantly ingenious in comparison with a few of the most up-to-date Rusicals, it’s price noting that the music is efficient in delivering the over-the-top story and hitting the musical theater beats that followers would wish to see.

Total: Shade: The Rusical kicked off the Rusical problem pattern on Drag Race, and featured a lot of extremely entertaining, memorable performances. Whereas there have been actually some tough patches that confirmed the kinks in want of tweaking for the way forward for this problem, we wouldn’t have the format we love in the present day with out Shade.

Idea: Some followers have been very trepidatious about Drag Race making gentle of the controversial president and his lackeys with this Rusical — however trying again, this was in all probability probably the most on-brand manner for Drag Race to handle the Trump administration. Turning Grease right into a political spoof the place the queens get to brazenly mock these surrounding Trump (and reward those that opposed him) was about nearly as good of an idea as we’ve seen in these Rusicals.

Execution: The queens did an awesome job on this yuuuuge problem. Silky Nutmeg Ganache stole the highlight together with her Oprah Winfrey quantity, Nina West’s flip as Sarah Huckabee Sanders was gut-busting, Ariel Versace nailed the main position of “Shandy,” and Yvie Oddly’s deranged Kellyanne Conway was precisely the correct quantity of loopy. However with out uttering a single phrase, Ginger Minj’s visitor star flip as Donald Trump himself was the show-stopping second of this whole Rusical.

Music: It’s not straightforward to create a number of parody songs about political corruption within the fashion of Grease, however Drag Race managed to do it. Whereas not each quantity was a winner, the overwhelming majority of them hit their marks as wanted, and deftly walked the road between imitation and authentic.

Total: Trump: The Rusical had the potential to fall flat on its face, but it managed to be certainly one of Drag Race‘s most constant Rusicals. It was over-the-top, humorous, and stored the spirit of Grease intact all through, all whereas attending to throw up an enormous center finger to the Commander in Chief.

Idea: Simplicity, it seems, is vital when placing collectively a Rusical. With Drag Race and All Stars having made the official transfer over to VH1 , making a musical across the community’s iconic Divas collection made good sense for the present — and felt like a easy, straightforward method to each reimagine tracks from RuPaul’s catalog and let the queens embody a few of their favourite chart-topping artists.

Execution: Merely put, everybody did nice. BenDeLaCreme was born to shake her ass whereas impersonating Julie Andrews, Shangela’s Mariah was spot-on, Trixie Mattel may pull off Dolly Parton in her sleep, and Bebe Zahara Benet appeared just like the spitting picture of Diana Ross herself. Even Thorgy Thor’s flip as Stevie Nicks, whereas much less spectacular than a few of her cohorts, was nonetheless unbelievably entertaining to look at.

Music: Retrofitting every of RuPaul’s singles for various divas — spanning genres like pop, nation, rock, grownup up to date and extra — is a Herculean activity. However every music match each queen and made the efficiency that rather more enjoyable to look at, anticipating simply how they’d take a music like “Peanut Butter” and make it work as a Celine Dion showstopper.

Total: From prime to backside, this problem checked each field it wanted to, and earned its Diva title.

Idea: Is there a extra universally-beloved musical than The Sound of Music? Throughout generations, this Rodgers & Hammerstein basic remains to be cited to today as an viewers favourite within the theater neighborhood. That’s each a blessing and a curse for Drag Race. Taking a narrative that so many adore and reworking it right into a campy Rusical is a simple win; however, when your model simplifies the sophisticated plot of the unique into only a singing competitors, it falls a bit flat.

Execution: No matter how nicely (or not) the final story beats of this Rusical play out, there is no such thing as a denying that the queens delivered top-shelf performances. Sapphira Cristál’s melodramatic flip as Mom Superior and Q’s unhinged appearing because the Baroness each deserve their excessive placements on this episode. However there’s a purpose Plasma gained — her dedicated, energetic efficiency all through the present as Mariah demanded viewers’ undivided consideration from begin to end, and will very nicely be remembered as among the finest performances in a Rusical problem to this point. 

Music: Whereas the musical stylings of The Sound of Rusic don’t fairly attain the heights of different fan-favorite Rusicals, there may be nonetheless lots to like right here. The sheer vary of types — operatic arias, polka-esque villain songs and massive pop numbers — assist this Rusical stand out, even when not one of the songs themselves really feel definitively new for the format. 

Total: The Sound of Rusic by no means fairly lives as much as the potential of its premise, however a bevy of star-making performances from the queens elevate the present past its personal limiting construction.

Idea: With Pitch Excellent‘s continued cultural dominance again in 2016, this problem was an ideal method to honor (and poke enjoyable) on the influence of a cappella. There’s no want for a convoluted plot or fleshed-out characters when all we actually wish to see is our favourite drag queens competing in several collegiate singing troupes.

Execution: Return and watch Bitch Excellent and check out to not have a good time. Everybody on this problem is giving their finest, campiest efficiency artwork, and completely figuring out the choreography. The late, nice Chi Chi DeVayne is a right away standout — her handstand-twerk continues to impress us to today — whereas Thorgy Thor’s unbridled power is infectious. Kudos to each single certainly one of these queens.

Music: That is a few of the finest music ever put to the stage in a Rusical problem. Whether or not they have been going for bubblegum pop on “Jealous of My Boogie” or scintillating hip-hop on “Geronimo,” each a cappella association on this efficiency was completely stellar.

Total: It might not be the primary one which involves thoughts for some followers, however Bitch Excellent is way and away among the finest Rusical performances ever delivered to the mainstage of Drag Race. Everyone say “underrated!”

Idea: Very like the Madonna and Cher Rusicals, JOAN: The Unauthorized Rusical gives up a easy however productive biopic-esque formulation to comply with when it comes to plot. Joan Crawford, homosexual icon that she is, actually makes for a meaty topic on this well-structured story of her profession. There’s loads of alternative right here for queens to chew the surroundings and protest the inclusion of wire hangers, which means it’s a Rusical everybody ought to be capable of get behind.

Execution: Now this is the way you carry out a Rusical. Not one of the queens have been standouts for poor execution — the choice to place Jaymes and Kahanna within the backside felt like an issue stemming from their roles quite than their performances. However lots of queens instantly stood out — Kandy Muse, Jessica Wild and Alexis Michelle introduced the entire distinctive screeches and dramatics that you’d hope to see in a Joan Crawford musical. However the prime of the highest, in our view, was Lala Ri’s recreation of Mildred Pierce-era Joan with perfectly-over-the-top, deliciously unhinged efficiency of “Let’s Go Joan.”

Music: Whereas Joan might not be as instantly catchy as a few of the entries in a while on this listing, it’s nonetheless protected to say that Leland did a distinctive job composing wholly authentic tracks for this actuality tv musical. With full songs like “No Extra Wire Hangers,” “Deliver Me the Axe” and “Let’s Go Joan” instantly standing out as pitch-perfect creations, this Rusical proves as soon as once more that the songwriting and producing put into these challenges stays top-tier.

Total: When bringing Joan Crawford’s story to the mainstage of Drag Race, the queens, producers and songwriters all made certain that JOAN: The Unauthorized Rusical was an affair to rememeber. Don’t f–ok with ’em, fellas! This ain’t their first time on the rodeo!

Idea: This story is about … drag. The thought right here is fairly easy — taking the hit movie and Broadway musical Moulin Rouge, re-translating it utilizing the music of RuPaul herself, and casting drag queens (in addition to Leland and Leslie Jordan) within the roles. With a built-in and already beloved story, you’ve got your self a successful formulation for a Rusical.

Execution: Can we get a standing ovation? All through this marvelous Rusical, every of the seven queens did a superb job pulling out all of the stops to ace the monumental activity of telling the story of Moulin Rouge armed solely with RuPaul’s repertoire. Some queens, although, sparkled greater than others — Woman Camden particularly, in her Harold Ziegler-adjacent position as “Mama Z,” stole each second she appeared, nefariously stroking her beard and twiddling her mustache. Willow Tablet additionally managed to shine because the Inexperienced Fairy together with her high-energy, ratcheting-up efficiency within the present’s again half. 

Music: Producers Leland and Gabe Lopez nailed the task. Every of the tracks all through the Rusical took on RuPaul’s songs — together with “Cowl Lady,” “Freaky Cash” and “Jealous of My Boogie” — and gave them that dramatic, brassy twist that makes Moulin Rouge so enjoyable to take heed to over and over. Additionally, pay attention carefully to that Inexperienced Fairy medley, and also you’ll hear the gorgeous vocal stylings of Allie X giving a very unhinged efficiency. 

Total: Season 14’s installment of the annual Rusical problem was, to borrow a phrase, spectacular-spectacular. With a clear-cut idea, some entertaining takes on RuPaul originals and a collection of show-stopping performances, Moulin Ru will go down as among the finest Rusicals within the present’s herstory, come what might. 

Idea: Taking a tour via historical past, guided by a handful of the highly effective ladies who helped form it? Good. Not solely is the idea simply accessible for followers, however it opens the door for hilarious performances and inventive liberties with music all through historical past. Somebody within the Drag Race writers room deserved a elevate for this idea, and we hope they acquired it.

Execution: Even the judges had a tough time discovering faults in these performances. They ended up singling out Katya and Ginger Minj, however each excelled within the problem — Ginger’s completely unhinged Catherine the Nice was hilarious to look at, and Katya’s Princess Diana felt spot-on. In fact, the 2 scene stealers have been Detox as a neon-colored, opera-singing Marie Antoinette, and Alyssa Edwards’ rootin’, tootin’, gun-shootin’ Annie Oakley. If there had been an viewers, we’d have anticipated a standing ovation.

Music: With each music, the producers upped the camp issue, making this problem even funnier than it wanted to be. Making exhausting pivots from heavy steel to opera to rockabilly to salsa, the music in HERstory of the World is insane — and but each music works for the context it’s put in.

Total: Whereas it was removed from the primary Rusical, HERstory of the World actually helped cement the Rusical’s standing as a mainstay problem on Drag Race, because of how exceedingly nicely it was executed.

Idea: The truth that we don’t have a real-life Madonna jukebox musical is, frankly, prison. With a songbook as iconic and versatile as Madonna’s, Drag Race can be silly to not pay homage to the Materials Lady’s profession via a Rusical.

Execution: First issues first — sure, Jan was robbed. The New York Metropolis queen slayed each vocal, nailed each dance transfer, and was a near-perfect embodiment of Early Madge. However while you have a look at the remainder of the expertise on this Rusical, it’s comprehensible why the judges had such a tough time selecting who ought to win the problem — everybody was phenomenal. Gigi Goode’s True Blue-period impersonation was endlessly entertaining, Jaida Essence Corridor served pure intercourse, Crystal Methyd was ridiculous (and actually good!), and even Brita (who ended up sashaying away on this episode) did a superb job portraying the long-lasting cone-bra part of the Queen of Pop’s profession.

Music: One phrase: composition. Nailing a parody music is a tough activity, however each monitor within the Madonna Rusical completely evokes a selected music in her catalog with out immediately utilizing its melody. Each music managed to be each humorous and good — a feat that no different Rusical completed fairly like this one did.

Total: This Rusical had nearly every thing — unbelievable performances, a powerful nicely of fabric to tug from, excellently orchestrated music and stellar choreography. It’s exhausting to beat Madge, so it’s no marvel why Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical is likely one of the absolute best Rusicals within the historical past of Drag Race.

Idea: It’s uncommon to see a parody transcend the scope of its supply materials. Positive, on its face, Wigloose: The Rusical plainly performs off of Footloose — however to capitalize on the precise real-life drag bans spreading all through the U.S. with a light-hearted but very poignant efficiency is nothing wanting genius. This is likely one of the smartest ideas for a Rusical we’ve seen.

Execution: The judges themselves mentioned it — nobody did a foul job on this Rusical. Each queen excelled of their respective performances, whether or not it was Sasha Colby delivering excessive camp with the character of Carl, Mistress Isabelle Brookes serving villainess realness as Preacher Instructor, or Anetra bringing the viewers to real tears as Mama Bacon. Every efficiency from every queen was not solely campy and humorous, but additionally layered and dramatic when essential.

Music: Leland put one thing particular on this Rusical. As an alternative of repurposing outdated RuPaul songs or spoofing tracks from well-known pop stars, we acquired a whole set of authentic, extraordinarily catchy musical theater songs that seemed like they may have been coming off of a Broadway stage. The singers featured on every of the tracks have been phenomenal, the compositions have been right, and the musicality all through made Wigloose really feel like a lot greater than your common Drag Race problem.

Total: Inside 3 minutes of the beginning of Wigloose, it turned clear that no different Rusical within the present’s historical past may probably compete. With a sensible idea, distinctive performances throughout, and phenomenal music, Wigloose: The Rusical stands head and shoulders above its opponents as the best Rusical to ever seem on RuPaul’s Drag Race.