While in Provincetown, MA this summer, I was lucky enough to have the chance to attend my very first drag show, titled “Return to Grey Gardens,” featured Peaches Christ and Jinkx Monsoon. Jinkx found fame when she won season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, a popular reality TV show, while Peaches is not as well known, as she is more often is behind the scenes at drag productions. Going into the show, I had seen a few episodes of RuPaul’s, but still had absolutely no idea what to expect.
The performance lasted about an hour and was filled with dancing cats who occasionally became raccoons, sexualized men in crop tops, and a lone cameraman. Of course, Jinkx and Peaches also performed numerous musical numbers and lip syncs. The show turned out to be based on a documentary about the drag industry called Grey Gardens. I’m sure if I had seen the documentary, everything would have made more sense, but regardless, I spent the majority of the show laughing along with my fellow audience members.
Overall, I enjoyed the performance. Although at times it felt as though it was put together in a bit of a rush, it was thoroughly entertaining throughout. Jinkx Monsoon especially shone, filling the theatre with a surprisingly beautiful voice during her songs. If you are the kind of person to laugh along at fairly silly jokes, or need a distraction for the night, I would highly recommend trying out a drag show.