‘Drag Race’ ‘Wigloose: The Rusical’ Team Opens Up About Performance’s Importance in Today’s Society

The Cast of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 15
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Paramount+

Aside from high-fashion looks on the runway and hilarious celebrity impersonations on the segment "Snatch Game," "RuPaul's Drag Race" has been delivering these so-called "Rusicals" which tasks the remaining contestants to perform their best musical-wise.

In the 15th season of the Emmy Award-winning reality competition program, the queens were tasked to perform a musical titled "Wigloose: The Rusical" which is a spoof of the all-time favorite "Footloose."

According to Variety, musicals from the show have been a staple over the past few seasons as the contestants have to prove their talents through dance, acting, and sometimes singing.

The most recent Rusical took place in a town called West Bumtuck, where drag performances have been banned. Coincidentally, the same storyline is happening in different states across the US.

The Guardian reported earlier this year that there have been several bills filed in states that targets drag performances.

Tennessee was reportedly the first state to pass the bill into law which prohibits "male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers."

'Wigloose: The Rusical' Songwriter Leland Speaks Out

Brett McLaughlin, popularly known by his moniker Leland, shared the process of writing the songs for the made-for-television musical, saying he wanted all contestants/performers to have individual spotlights in order to showcase their talents.

Regarding the funny aspect of the show, the songwriter, who previously worked with some of the biggest artists in the music industry like Troye Sivan, said: "comedic timing is everything."

"We can infuse our Rusical with moments that allow the viewer to laugh or move them, that's the balance I wanted to achieve," he added.

Why 'Wigloose: The Rusical' is Important to What's Happening in the US

Executive producer Tom Campbell also opened up about the importance of the Rusical on the anti-drag, anti-trans bills being passed across the United States.

Although the show was filmed months prior to the bills being passed, the executive producer said all of them realized that the musical performance they produced was timely.

"it was so beautiful and important... I don't take it for granted and I'm not trying to be a scaredy cat," he said.

Campbell added that sometimes, the public would think that there is "too much drag race" or enough already, but he thinks otherwise.

He added, "our existence could be put out like that."

Tags
RuPaul's Drag Race, Musical, Performance, Tv show, TV Series, Series, News, Music
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