Benedick the Bastard is the campy Krampus for your festive kiki, and a recent Pantheon contender to boot.
Thotyssey: Benedick, hello! Happy holidays! As someone who seems to be at least Krampus-adjacent in your drag looks, is this a fun and festive time for you?
Benedick the Bastard: It absolutely is. I’m Jewish, and thus am very excited to be incorporating some Hanukkah camp into my drag whenever I get the chance this month.
Love that! Would you say your drag presentations are usually camp?
Absofuckinglutely. Camp, in my opinion, is one of the core origins of drag, and thus is what I use to really develop and distinguish what I do as a drag artist. It’s a bastardization, after all–of gender, of the art that I’m referencing, etc. Hence the name.
Where are you originally from–and how were you drawn to, and ultimately dabbled in, drag?
I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida (aka where 99.9% of “Florida men” come from), but I finally got my start in drag whilst going to college in Boston. I’m a theatre kid first and foremost, and I actually found my love of drag through the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch–which in itself is a musical about gender nonconformity, and happens to feature a drag king. I started doing bedroom drag in ninth grade inspired by that. Before I even knew I was trans, I knew I wanted to be a drag king.
I did bedroom drag for years along with theatre, and later got involved with the Boston Rocky Horror shadowcast. That was my start in nightlife, and helped me find the courage to branch out and go into the larger scene. I did a few one-off drag shows, either hosted by student organizations at school or with my all-Jewish New England drag troupe, Ain’t Mitzvahavin‘.
I moved [to NYC] this past August, and immediately began doing open stages at Pink Metal and Metropolitan. Through those, as well as social media, I managed to meet people and find more opportunities.
How did you enjoy your experience of competing in “Pantheon” at Icon Astoria this past October and November?
I really, really enjoyed it. It was truly the best proper welcome to the NYC nightlife scene that I could’ve asked for. I’ve always been the kind of performer who wanted the opportunity to showcase a diverse skillset— from costume design to celebrity impersonations. “Pantheon” really gave me the opportunity to show people what I’m capable of as an artist, and also allowed me to meet a bunch of other artists and audience members.
Who was your celebrity impersonation?
JD Vance. I guess I’m excited to have a career for the next four years.
Lol! If there’s any good news at all about the reign of JD, it’s that he will be a drag king material gold mine!
So as a musical theater person, any thoughts on the Wicked film yet?
I’m absolutely obsessed with it. I was a major Wicked fan when I was younger, and I had pretty much lost any hope of the film adaptation being any good just because of the nature of movie musicals these days. But I adore it, and I can’t wait for Part 2. It’s almost as good as Hairspray (2007).
So on Saturday, you’ll be appearing in Vampy Von Thickums Galore’s show “Haus of Thickness” at Sandy Jacks!
Yeah! I love a good comedy show. I adore Vampy and am really excited to work with her, as well as Myster E. Mel Kiki this month.
What else is coming up for you?
I’ve got quite a bit coming up in the new year. I’m going to be the main guest at “Haus of Thickness” next month for the 80s theme, and I’ll be hosting my first “Theatre Kid Karaoke” night at Purgatory on 1/12.
I’m also in the midst of planning my debut Albatross show (my “Pantheon” prize). So stay turned for “The Bastardized: Romeo & Juliet” in February! It’s going to be a drunk / drag / interactive spectacular.
Very fun! Okay lastly: what do you want for the holidays?
Top surgery. Or a suit of armor.
Santa’s got it all in the bag! Thanks, Benedick!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Benedick the Bastard’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram.
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