RuPaul Drag Race Jinkx Monsoon 'Chicago' Broadway Debut Historic: Here's Why

Heads up, RuPaul's Drag Race fans, Jinkx Monsoon, will be storming Broadway as they debut on their favorite musical, "Chicago," next year!

Monsoon is the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race US Season 5, besting Alaska, Roxxxy Andrews, Detox, and even Coco Montrese, among many other queens.

As shown evidently in their very theatrical upbringing, Monsoon was raised as a thespian, so their love for the arts, particularly in musical theatre, came into play in achieving this incredible feat.

According to Playbill, Monsoon will take on the role of Matron "Mama" Morton starting next year. Their run will start on Jan. 16, 2023. However, Monsoon's Mama Morton will only be limited to a few performances as it will only run for eight weeks until Mar. 12, 2022.

In fact, Jinkx Monsoon "Chicago" Broadway debut is historic as it is. They will be the first drag queen to play the role of the strict matron of the Cook County Jail.

Throughout the decades, many big stars have already played the instrumental role of Mama Morton onstage. These include Pati Labelle, Jennifer Holliday, Nene Leakes, Lilias White, Chandra Wilson, Wendy Williams, Roz Ryan, and even Sofia Vergara, among many others.

Taking to Twitter, Monsoon expressed their gratitude for bagging the role.

"I cannot stress enough that this has been a lifelong dream of mine," they said in a statement. "To be making my Broadway debut, as my favorite role, in one of my favorite shows-that lifelong dream is coming true and then some. The first number I performed in drag was 'All That Jazz,' so this feels almost too serendipitous. But I never question my blessings, I just thank Hecate for them."

Monsoon will be joining the current Broadway cast next year, featuring Charlotte d'Amboise, Lana Gordon, Ryan Silverman, Isaac Mizhari, and R. Lowe, as well as a huge ensemble. (via Playbill)

For those who don't know, Jinkx Monsoon had a lot of theatre background.

In 2010, they became Alice on the Center House Theatre production of "Henry V." Most notably, Monsoon also played Angel Dumott Schunard and Velma Von Tussle on the 5th Avenue Theatre production of "Rent" and "Hairspray," respectively. They also starred as the troubled Moritz on Balagan Theatre's "Spring Awakening" and Hedwig on Moore's Theatre's "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."

Currently, Jinkx Monsoon is on the road for their "The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show," with a fellow Drag queen, BenDeLaCreme.

Tags

Broadway, Chicago, Broadway Musical, RuPaul's Drag Race