Midsummer Night Queens: A RuPaul's Drag Race Revue

Dressed in my everyday garb--summer-weight trousers, striped shirt, and my favorite red suspenders--I felt not so out of place this Wednesday night at the Seacoast Repertory Theater. Outrageous wigs, glitter and risqué heels were the costûme de rigeur at this summer’s cheekiest limited theatrical run, “Midsummer Night Queens: A RuPaul’s Drag Race Revue”, the latest witch’s brew from the mind of Pickwickian Knate Higgins and his Red Light Series. Higgins himself hosted the festivities as his alter ego, Bunny Wonderland.

Pickwick's own- Bunny Wonderland!

Three former contestants from television’s most fabulous cult reality show, RuPaul's Drag Race, were invited to the Seacoast to blind audiences with their dazzling beauty and, as the motto goes, "Keep Portsmouth Weird". The flash and glamour of barroom drag shows filled the theater as men in heels (including Seacoast Queens Sauna Ray, Miss E’On, and Vanilla Honeybush) ‘werqed’ to such songs as “Good Morning Baltimore” and selections from the pop oeuvres of Ke$ha and Pink. Bunny Wonderland also took the stage, stealing the show with unparalleled lip-synching, comedy that made the author of this review blush, and campy reproductions of Broadway classic hits--earning a standing ovation with nearly every number. Headliners Manila Luzon and Jessica Wild stunned and amazed the crowd with their spectacular performances, transforming the small Portsmouth space into a thumping San Francisco nightclub with each toss of their hair.

Jessica Wild entrancing the audience in zebra print!

People of Portsmouth--and visitors to Pickwick’s Mercantile--are no strangers to cheekiness and fun with a flourish. Which is why, when considering how to spend their penultimate Wednesday night this August, theater-going Pickwickians would do well to consider attendance at the third and final installment of The Seacoast Repertory Theater’s “Midsummer Night Queens: A RuPaul’s Drag Race Revue”, featuring Drag Race contestant Joslyn Fox from the show’s most recent season.

Though frequently ribald and not recommended for all ages, it is nonetheless literally a perfect show, and one that will leave you energized and bouncing your imaginary hair bob for days to come.

Manila Luzon in her final number