The cast opened the concert residency on January 30, 2020, but due tothe COVID-19 pandemic affectinglive entertainment, performances were put on an indefinite hiatus until 2021.
RuPaul was appointed as director withJamal Sims as choreographer for the residency;[3] Ryan Grainger acted as assistant choreographer and dance captain forthe Pit Crew.[4] The concert was revealed to place at theFlamingo Showroom, where it formerly housed the eleven-year run of theDonny and Marie Osmond concert residency.[5] The variety musical is co-produced by Voss Events andWorld of Wonder.[6] Ticket pre-sale access commenced on September 10,[7] followed by the general ticket sale three days later, viaTicketmaster.[8]
"It was definitely disappointing, [especially] because we had all been touring prior to coming to Las Vegas and we were looking forward to doing the show and staying in one place, finding that consistency and leading a somewhat normal life."
The residency opened with its first rotating cast on January 30, 2020, with the scheduled performance set to last through next year.[10] Soon the concert residency ran until March 15, placed on hiatus due to theCOVID-19 pandemic affectinglive entertainment.[11]
Rescheduled performances from the residency were later announced on July 12, 2021.[12] The same first rotating cast resumed at the Flamingo Showroom on August 5.[13] The next year, newcomers Eureka O'Hara,Jaida Essence Hall,Plastique Tiara, andTrinity K. Bonet joined the cast of the residency concert.[14]Latrice Royale andKennedy Davenport were announced as the new additions to the performing cast;Jorgeous is also set to perform in the upcoming year.[15]
The variety concert later marked their 300th show on October 6, 2022.[16]Deja Skye andDaya Betty later joined as new cast members for the concert residency on April 21, 2023.[17] Before the cast performed their 500th show,Bosco,Lawrence Chaney,Nicky Doll, andPangina Heals were introduced for the live residency on May 31.[18]
The residency cast celebrated its 700th mark in March 2024.[19]
The live production incorporates an insular plot such as the format of the drag reality competition, with the performers portraying a character competing for the crown. It starts with the host of the performance announcing the "mini-challenge" and "maxi-challenge" to shake up the crowd. Throughout the show, RuPaul makes an appearance from pre-recorded video clips. At the end of the concert, the audience has the opportunity to act out as judges and choose the winner of the "finallip-sync battle" using the majority applause.[20]Andy Walmsley, an English production designer, created and ranked the residency'sscenery as number one showcasing its "ambitious creative energy" for the cast. In the interview with theLas Vegas Review-Journal, Walmsley "channelled [his] inner drag queen and designed a truly over-the-top, [...] glitzy-cartoonish, [and] you-go-girl-design."[21]
In April 2024, Derrick Barry mentioned to her fellow castmate, Trinity K. Bonet, that they both "didn't mesh well together" and made "your dream job a nightmare" at the residency.[22] Trinity replied back in anInstagram post that she understood why they "won't reply" about her return on the show.[23] Given Derrick's comments, everyone knew she had "severe arthritis" in both legs which made it difficult to work, and ended up quitting.[24]
Here are all 40Drag Race queens who have been part of the cast ofRuPaul's Drag Race Live. Including 36 queens from theAmerican version, as well as 5 international queens, one from theBritish version, one from theCanadian version, one from theFilipino version, as well as the hosts ofDrag Race France andDrag Race Thailand.
Brock Radke of theLas Vegas Sun witnessed the audience screaming "support and the cumulative result of all this exuberance is a jubilant, victorious vibe [...] in this venue." The performers are "wildly charismatic" with Naomi Smalls bringing "over-the-top glamour", Kameron Michaels' "unbelievable athleticism and undeniable presence", and Derrick Barry's "peerless portrayal ofBritney Spears could be its own show." Radke also adds that Asia O'Hara presents the residency "with charm and grace" which amazes the audience with laughs. Radke sees the concert as exciting and successful, he also hopes it picks up more momentum.[25]
Many of the performances use various songs from itsfranchise or RuPaul'sdiscography. A soundtrack extended play was released on January 27, 2020. This featured four original songs co-written by RuPaul, Tom Campbell, andLeland, withGabe Lopez as producer.[26] Three out of the four songs were performed as amedley in thesemifinal episode of thetwelfth season ofRuPaul's Drag Race.[27]
Thefourteenth-season reunion and the finale ofRuPaul's Drag Race were filmed at the same venue with the rotating cast performing "Losing is the New Winning" alongside the contestants.[31] In the same episode, RuPaul was awarded thekey to the city of Las Vegas with April 22 being officially RuPaul Day.[32] The finale filming took place "a few weeks ago" and lasting under five hours.[33]
The production company announced anothersix-part documentary in October 2023 and set to premiere in the upcoming year.[34] The docuseries premiered throughWOW Presents Plus on April 17, 2024.[35] During thesixteenth season ofRuPaul's Drag Race,an episode showcased the contestants giving makeovers to the Pit Crew members of the residency concert.[36]
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