The Vaudevillians, starring Jinkx Monsoon

Thanks to my fellow show guru, I was told to run, not walk, to see The Vaudevillians at the Laurie Beechman. What started as a one-night show has since been extended through November. Jinkx Monsoon, of recent RuPaul’s Drag Race fame, stars in the production. I should note right now: I have never watched Drag Race, I had no idea Jinkx was on it (much less the Season 5 winner), but whether you’re a fan or not, her show is definitely worth checking out if you can.

Now this isn’t a drag show, but the star is in drag and she is hi-lar-ious. Jinkx Monsoon plays Ms. Kitty Witless alongside her husband and collaborator, Mr. Dan Von Dandy (played by Major Scales). You ready for the premise? I don’t think you’re ready. Together Kitty and Dan used to have a popular vaudeville show in the 1920s, but during a tour through Antarctica (!), they were caught in an avalanche and frozen alive. Decades later, thanks to global warming, they have thawed out and made it to NYC to continue singing some of their most popular hits. The problem is, their songs were never copyrighted so it turns out their best numbers have been stolen by popular artists of today. This brilliantly simple idea allows these two to sing pretty much whatever they want with a new twist. You’ll hear the original vaudevillian versions of hits like “Toxic,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and “I Will Survive” – the 11 o’clock number from A Doll’s House 2: Electric Boogaloo (haven’t you heard of the sequel to Ibsen’s classic?). That song alone is worth the price of admission.

There are some dips in momentum, most noticeably when Kitty is off taking a break leaving Dandy to take the stage by his lonesome. But it’s quickly forgiven anytime Kitty comes out into the audience to chat with the boys or has yet another fight with her hubby (frozen in ice for that many years didn’t do too much for their marriage).

Bottom line is, if you like fun, over-the-top cabarets, chock-full of mugging, then The Vaudevillians is for you. Get your tickets here.

The Vaudevillians, starring Jinkx Monsoon
The Laurie Beechman Theatre through November 19th
Photo Credit: Wilson Models
Pictured: Richard Andriessen and Jerick Hoffer