One of “RuPaul’s Drag Race’s” most famous, talented and unique alums, Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 has since served the children with several quirky stage and screen moments, a hit podcast and a prolific RuGirl discography of bops. And in what might be the natural progression of things, she’s now bringing her hit original stage drag musical to NYC. [Cover photo: Jen Rosenstein]
Thotyssey: Hieeee, Alaska! You just performed at the Ice Palace on Fire Island. How did that go?
Alaska: It was amazing. Cherry Grove is my favorite place on Planet Earth. I think there’s a special precious magic there that is so unique and feeds my soul and my spirit, and it’s always very hard to leave. We had a great time singing lesbian anthems at The Ice Palace.
Have you been keeping up with Drag Race Global All-Stars? If so, how are you liking it so far? Is it too much of an Alyssa lovefest, lol?
I’m loving Alyssa’s Drag Race! But honestly, she’s amazing. And if people are tuning in just for Alyssa, they get to know all of the other girls a little bit more–which is a bonus, because they’re all brilliant. It’s fun.
You were a celebrated contestant in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 (2013) and the winner of All Stars Season 2 (2016). Is competing on a full season of Drag Race something you miss at all, or something you might ever consider doing again?
If RuPaul called me, I would go. That wasn’t always the case, but I’m open to it because it’s my favorite show and there is no other experience like it. However, I don’t think it’ll ever happen. I think it’s more likely that I would go into outer space than ever be back on Drag Race.
You have so much great music out there. I’ve always wondered when you started writing and recording… and if the process of writing pop / rock songs is very different then writing music for the stage.
When I first started drag, I was inspired by wacko artists like Jer Ber Jones and Squeaky Blonde, and I always wanted to have my own music to perform. So I recorded songs here and there. I would always think, “What would work well in a gay night club?” and usually the answer was loud lyrics that were easy to understand, and were kind of funny or cunty. So I find that still holds true.
Drag: The Musical, the stage show you created (along with Tomas Costanza, Ashley Gordon and director / choreographer Spencer Liff) and starred in that had a well-received run in Los Angeles, is coming to New York’s New World Stages at the end of September! What does it mean to you to have a show of your making running in the musical theater capital of the world?
It’s so major. I’m very excited because I’m really proud of it. I’m also scared shitless. But that’s normal, right?
Absolutely! Can you tell us a bit about the genesis of Drag? What inspired the show, and how long had the process been of developing and workshopping it to the point where we’ll see it at New World?
We’ve been working on the show for over seven years. Each time we put the show on, it feels it gets better and better… and the brilliant people who are involved bring it to life in new ways. I’m excited to see this latest iteration, because I think it’s going to be fucking amazing.
Drag: The Musical is a fun take on an almost Shakespearean theme: two drag houses at war! Speaking as an early member of the famous Haus of Haunt or just from general observations, have you known drag families that were in conflict with each other?
It’s always a thing; there are always long-standing conflicts or rivalries between queens in the drag world, and the story gets twisted and grows and gets blown out of proportion over the years. The show is centered around a drama like that. But it’s also a story about finding more about your authentic self through the power of drag. So it’s cunty, shady, and fierce… but you also might cry.
The rest of the cast is a great mix of multitalented non-drag stage performers, as well as Drag Race alums Jujubee and New York’s own Jan Sport, plus another New York queen: the amazing Lagoona Bloo! As far as the drag cast goes, did you have these girls in mind for a long time before you cast them?
When we first started, we had to find drag queens who could act, dance, be funny, look fierce, and sing their faces off. So Jan and Juju and Lagoona were our first choices. I was astonished that they said yes to being in this new, unknown show, and getting paid very little money for a shit ton of work. They brought the show to life in ways I never could have imagined. And they’re still with us, being sickening and singing their pussies off. I love them.
J.Elaine Marcos, who has a number of stage credits in her resume including A Chorus Line and Miss Saigon, is also in the cast! What’s it like working with her?
She’s a genius. She’s easily the funniest person of the millennium. And so kind and also hot. I love her.
Nick Adams, Luxx Noir London, Nick Laughlin, Remi Tuckman and Yair Keydar are also on the bill. And of course… New Kids on the Block superstar Joey McIntyre (also a theater vet himself) is a featured cast member through November 24th as well! You’re definitely too young to remember New Kids mania, but can you totally see that teen idol star power in him?
Oh mama, my sister had a Joey McIntyre poster in her room growing up… so I’m aware of the power of the New Kids. Joey has been so amazing helping us find the character of Tom. He’s a really great actor, and he’s shown us that New Kids fans are as fiercely dedicated as Drag Race fans.
Do you have a favorite moment or song from the show?
I actually love a newer song in the show that we wrote for Joey’s character. He plays the lone straight guy in a world full of drag queens, and the song is called “Straight Man,” and it’s so good. And I love singing it…. which makes no sense, but somehow does.
Drag and theater have mixed well before: see La Cage, Kinkyboots, Priscilla, Some Like it Hot, etc. And many drag queens were born from struggling acting careers! Do you feel there’s a strong connection between the arts of musical theater and drag?
It certainly makes sense. I studied theatre in my early life, but when I was in my early 20s the last thing I wanted to do was have headshots and go on auditions, because I was more interested in smoking cigarettes and binge drinking. So I chose drag instead–a career where I could drink at work–but the sensibility of the theatre has always stayed with me. And now I don’t drink at work or smoke cigarettes anymore, but I still find the fusion between drag and classic theatre to be thrilling and fierce.
You’re obviously gonna be real busy with this show over the next few months, but do you plan to pass your free time in any particular way here? Museums, bar shows, other Broadway shows, glory holes, etc.?
At New World our off day is Tuesday, so I have a feeling those Tuesdays will be when I can see other shows happening on and off Broadway… because there is a lot of cool shit happening right now. I also will be eating Chipotle a lot.
Aside from the girls in your cast, do you have any other NYC queens you stan?
I love Shequida; she’s so talented and hilarious and also beautiful. And I love Izzy Uncut. And Busted.
What will the status be of Race Chaser, the super popular podcast you co-host with Willam, during Drag’s run?
We’ll still be doing the pod, because we have a mission to discuss, dissect, and disseminate information about every single episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. So stay tuned.
Is there anything else you wanna say about Drag: The Musical?
Come see the show. I’m really proud of it. You can get tickets at DragTheMusical.com. Go now. I’ll wait.
And finally, what was the bigger moment this summer: Brat or Pink Pony Club?
I think both can be true at the same time. I can wear a pink cowboy hat with fishnets that I tore on the lawn chair outside.
Can’t wait to see the show Alaska, thanks for chatting today!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Alaska Thunderfuck’s upcoming area appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Purchase merchandise and tickets to Alaska’s shows including “Drag: The Musical” at New World Stages (previews starting September 30th), as well as get links to all her streaming and social media, here.
Thotyssey 