Podcast Summary
MickeyJoTheatre
Episode: Why Drag Queens are Theatre’s New Stars | From RuPaul’s Drag Race to Broadway and West End Stages
Host: Mickey Jo
Date: December 2, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode explores the rising phenomenon of drag queens—especially those with connections to RuPaul’s Drag Race—becoming mainstream stars in West End and Broadway theatre. Host Mickey Jo discusses the history, current trends, prominent performers, and why drag artists have become vital, game-changing fixtures in modern theatre casting and audience engagement.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Star/“Stunt” Casting and Theatre’s Challenges
- Theatre’s Dilemmas: Rising ticket prices, dark venues, show closures.
- Solution Sought: Producers increasingly turn to 'stunt casting'—well-known names to attract audiences.
- New Trend: Those “stars” are now often drag queens, with many alumni of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
"The heroes who are going to save Broadway and the West End from destruction." (Mickey Jo, 02:35)
2. The Deep Roots of Drag in Theatre
- Historical Context:
- UK pantomime dames and Shakespearean 'drag' (boys playing women’s roles).
- Alleged origin of “drag” as "dress resembling a girl" in stage directions.
- Cultural Factors:
- British audiences' comfort with drag due to pantomime tradition.
- The blurring lines between pantomime dames and drag queens.
"British audiences are entirely accustomed to this because...among their first theatrical experiences...might be going to see a pantomime." (Mickey Jo, 05:57)
- Gender Expression:
- Drag now covers a spectrum beyond men dressing as women: drag kings, non-binary, and performance art.
- Musicals History:
- Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Kinky Boots, La Cage aux Folles, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
3. The RuPaul's Drag Race Factor
- Platform Power:
- Reality TV exposure creates celebrity drag performers with large followings and proven talent.
- Performers often have theatrical backgrounds.
- Casting Benefit:
- Brings audiences and box office appeal because of their personalities and social media reach.
"These drag artists...become media personalities, become celebrities, become social media stars...create demand at the box office." (Mickey Jo, 13:43)
- Talent Beyond TV:
- Unlike other reality TV alumni (e.g. Real Housewives), Drag Race queens are stage-tested.
4. Major Examples and Case Studies
Drag Queens in Drag-Centric Roles (16:35)
- Peppermint in Head Over Heels:
- First Drag Race alum to originate a lead role on Broadway; first out trans woman to do so.
"Broadway's first out trans woman to originate a lead role, which is amazing." (Mickey Jo, 17:00)
- Hairspray’s Edna Turnblad:
- Divine (original); Nina West and Ginger Minj (live/tour).
- Lavoie's Casting in Annie:
- Follows UK tradition; prior drag Ms. Hannigans include Paul O’Grady (as Lily Savage).
- Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors:
- Vicky Vox at Regent’s Park (UK); Latrice Royale (US regional).
“It was a choice that worked really well...she stepped out onto the stage wearing what could only be described as carnivorous plant eleganza.” (Mickey Jo, 20:48)
Drag Stars in Original or Camp Roles
- Drag: The Musical: (22:00)
- Created by Alaska; featured Jujubee, Jan, Jimbo, among others.
- Discusses diminishing marketing returns with multiple Drag Race queens in a single production.
Drag Queens in Non-Drag Theatrical Roles (24:17)
- Bob The Drag Queen in Moulin Rouge! (Harold Zidler):
- Cast out of drag, leveraging Bob's humor/personality.
- "To see Bob as a man or dressed as Ziddler in something still quite theatrical and sort of glam, but more male, I don't think it's going to feel like that big a difference." (Mickey Jo, 25:38)
- Milan, Marty Laulor, Willam:
- Out-of-drag roles on Broadway/cabaret.
- Willam as Victor Garber/Luigi in Titanique and JM Barrie in Finding Neverland.
5. The Rise of Crossover and “Beyond Drag” Stars (31:45)
- Jinkx Monsoon: The Biggest Stage Star
- Transition from drag superstar to legit theatre star with multiple Broadway/off-Broadway credits:
- Chicago (Matron Mama Morton)
- Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey)
- Oh Mary (Mary Todd Lincoln)
- Upcoming: Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow
- Transition from drag superstar to legit theatre star with multiple Broadway/off-Broadway credits:
"She has been truly embraced as a legitimate stage star, one that continues to be able to sell tickets beyond their first run." (Mickey Jo, 33:07)
-
Noted RuPaul’s compliments about Jinkx playing Blanche Dubois (Streetcar Named Desire).
-
Davina De Campo:
- Played Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Mary Sunshine (Chicago), Plankton (SpongeBob SquarePants tour).
-
The Vivienne:
- Played Wicked Witch (Wizard of Oz), Child Catcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).
- Remembered after recent passing.
-
Ginger Minj:
- Regional roles; predicted as a likely next Broadway crossover.
-
Jan Sport (JanSport):
- Oscar Wilde in Oscar at the Crown—blurring drag role boundaries.
-
Reflection on Wider Drag Representation:
- Hope for more queer and non-binary performers on stage, expanding beyond the male drag queen/female impersonation binary.
"I would love for that to expand pursuant to the world's expanded understanding of what drag artistry and performance can look like beyond the traditional gender binary of a man dressing as a woman." (Mickey Jo, 40:32)
6. Societal Impact & Drag’s Mainstream Acceptance
- Broader Acceptance:
- Drag’s mainstream rise linked to increased acceptance of trans and non-binary performers.
- RuPaul's Drag Race credited with helping queer acceptance despite political attacks against drag in some regions.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “The heroes who are going to save Broadway and the West End from destruction. Oh, this one's gonna be fun.” (Mickey Jo, 02:32)
- “British audiences are entirely accustomed to this because…among their first theatrical experiences…might be going to see a pantomime.” (Mickey Jo, 05:57)
- “These drag artists…become media personalities, become celebrities, become social media stars…create demand at the box office.” (Mickey Jo, 13:43)
- “Broadway's first out trans woman to originate a lead role, which is amazing. Groundbreaking, as Peppermint always has been.” (Mickey Jo, 17:00)
- “[Jinkx Monsoon] has been truly embraced as a legitimate stage star, one that continues to be able to sell tickets beyond their first run.” (Mickey Jo, 33:07)
- “I would love for that to expand pursuant to the world's expanded understanding of what drag artistry and performance can look like beyond the traditional gender binary…” (Mickey Jo, 40:32)
- “Even as drag queens are being legislated against in some parts of the United States and demonized as a threat to young people when for the most part all they really want to do is withstand a 30 minute meet and greet in very uncomfortable shoes. But you know, save the children from what exactly? Lash glue?” (Mickey Jo, 42:28)
Key Timestamps
- 02:21 — Introduction to topic; star casting and drag queens as the “new” stars.
- 05:30 – 09:30 — Historical context: drag, pantomime, and norms in the UK and globally.
- 12:00 – 14:00 — Drag Race’s influence; why Drag Race stars thrive on stage.
- 16:35 – 22:00 — Case studies: Peppermint in Head Over Heels, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Lavoie in Annie, Audrey 2 in Little Shop.
- 22:00 – 24:16 — “Drag: The Musical” and multi-queen shows.
- 24:17 – 31:45 — Drag performers appearing out of drag; Bob The Drag Queen, Milan, Willam, etc.
- 31:45 – 41:30 — The “beyond drag” tier: Jinkx Monsoon’s and others’ mainstream legitimacy.
- 41:30 – End — Final reflections; hopes for expanded queer performance and drag's continued impact.
Conclusion
Mickey Jo provides a rich, humorous, and insightful look at why drag performers—especially those popularized by RuPaul’s Drag Race—have become major forces in theatre. He traces the deep lineage of drag on stage, analyzes today's casting trends, spotlights standout performances, and reflects on broader shifts in queer visibility within the arts. The episode acts as an engaging explainer for both theatre enthusiasts and those interested in LGBTQ+ cultural trends.