“That’s so weird,” Alaska Thunderfuck squeals when I share with her that she was my introduction to drag performance when her season of RuPaul’s Drag Race aired over a decade ago. “I do feel like drag is a calling,” she says, returning to her fried vocal timbre. “I feel called to do it. On some level, it makes sense. That is great.”

The calling the RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars winner feels to the art form has brought her to Off-Broadway’s New World Stages, where eight times a week she performs as club owner and drag mother Kitty Galloway in Drag: The Musical (which Alaska also co-wrote). While a rigorous performance schedule has tested her body and mind, Alaska’s charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent remains unchallenged. The diva’s ferocious all-consuming love of drag led her to create this space of safety for families related by blood or by choice. Spaces that, as she points out, are under attack.

“Like, why?” Alaska asks, emboldened. “I’m not out here trying to bother anybody by just existing. [Drag performers] make the world a more beautiful place and a more tolerable place. We don’t fucking judge anybody.”

Joining Playbill to get pre-show painted, Alaska spills the tea on the inspiration behind Drag: The Musical, why stage fright is her best friend, how Liza Minnelli became a producer on Drag, and the black eyeshadow she refuses to part with (even after it has shattered). Get ready with Alaska by watching the video above.

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Photos: DRAG: The Musical Off-Broadway

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Co-writer Alaska will star as Kitty Galloway in Drag: The Musical until January 12. From January 13 to February 7, 2025, “drag clown” and fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars winner JIMBO will take up the wig (and corset and claws).

The cast is completed by Drag Race alums Luxx Noir London as Popcorn, Jan Sport as Savannah St. James, and Jujubee as The Tigress, along with Adam Pascal as the token straight man Tom Hutchinson, Nick Adams as Alexis Gilmore, Liisi LaFontaine as Dixie Coxworth, Eddie Korbich as Drunk Jerry, Lagoona Bloo as Tuna Turner, Nick Laughlin as Puss Puss Dubois, and J. Elaine Marcos as Gloria Schmidt and Rita Laritz, along with Cameron Mitchell Bell, Nicholas Kraft, Christine Shepard, Teddy Wilson Jr., and Kodiak Thompson. Remi Tuckman and Yair Keydar are sharing the role of Brendan Hutchinson. Casting is by Ryan Bernard Tymensky of RBT Casting.

Alaska wrote the musical alongside collaborators Tomas Costanza and Ashley Gordon. The show follows two rival drag bars, each fighting for survival while dealing with financial troubles. Spencer Liff is directing and choreographing.

Video: See Alaska Thunderf*ck, Joey McIntyre Perform the Songs of Drag: The Musical

The production features scenic design by Jason Sherwood, costume design by Marco Marco, lighting design by Adam Honore, sound design by Drew Levy, makeup design by Aurora Sexton, and projection design by Aaron Rhyne. KGM Theatrical is general manager. Jennifer Rogers is production stage manager, and Matthew Hermann is assistant stage manager.

The producing team for the Off-Broadway bow includes Costanza, Scott Prisand, Matthew Weaver, Paolo & Jodie Coppola, Aron & Gabe Alves-Tomko, Nicholas Kaiser, Willette & Manny Klausner, Tristan Schukraft, Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Producer Entertainment Group, Jackie Huba, 1145 Ventures, Peter Crawford/Pieter Van Meeuwen, Bruce Robert Harris/Jack W. Batman, Drama Club, Concord Theatricals, Rob Kolson, Sarina Neer, Liesl Wilke, Daitch/Busch, and Liza Minnelli.

Tickets are available at DragTheMusical.com.