On RuPaul's Drag Race, there are Broadway queens and then there's season nine standout and Snatch Game winner Alexis Michelle, the mother of theatre queendom. Alexis (a New York City drag artist who has often been inspired by musical theatre) recently released her debut album with Broadway Records titled Lovefool, a mix of pop, rock and, of course, show tunes. Check out the music video for the title track below.
BroadwayBox asked Alexis to kick off Pride Month and get us pumped for the 2018 Tony Awards by sharing her most favorite Tony Awards night performances. Scroll on to see which performances left her shook.
1. Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking & Company, "All That Jazz/Hot Honey Rag", Chicago, 1997
Seeing this revival in high school had a more profound impact on my drag than any other show I can think of. The sexy black clothes and Fosse vocabulary instantly drew me in. I saw this entire company, except for Ann, and seeing her here, as one of Fosse's last living muses, is a treat.
2. Debbie Allen, "I'm a Brass Band", Sweet Charity, 1986
This is pure joy. Debbie's stunning facility, Charity's optimism, and I love a red jazz boot. Watch this when you need a quick pick me up.
3. Sutton Foster and Company, "Forget About the Boy", Thoroughly Modern Millie, 2002
I remember seeing Millie in previews and saying, "That girl is gonna win a TONY". It was her, "HEY BROADWAY, I LIVE HERE NOW" moment. Plus, girl power. Shout outs to Anne L. Nathan and my favorite chorus star ever, JoAnn M. Hunter.
4. Lonette McKee, Rebecca Luker, Gretha Boston, Michael Bell and Company, "Can't Help Loving Dat Man", Showboat, 1994
No, this wasn't the TONYs performance of this Hal Prince revival, but it should've been ;-). I LOVED THIS REVIVAL AND CAST. Lonette McKee's Julie Laverne broke my heart.
5. Tonya Pinkins "Lot's Wife", Caroline, or Change, 2004
I think this is one of the most important musicals and performances of my lifetime to date. Sad she didn't win.
6. Alice Ripley, "You Don't Know/I Am The One", Next to Normal, 2009
Alice Ripley is one of my all-time favorite actors/singers and I think she's glorious in the role/show/performance. It’s a bit dangerous and I love that.
7. Company, "Into The Woods", Into the Woods, 1988
Seeing this OG cast at age 5 made me want a career in the theatre and made me a die-hard Sondheim fanatic. I saw Bernadette as the Witch, but here we get a taste of Phylicia Rashad, who played the role later in the run. It’s a delicate take on The Witch vocally, but I would've been interested to see her whole performance.
8. Company "God I Hope I Get It", A Chorus Line, 1976
It was and still is a Singular Sensation. Seeing the iconic OG cast, even in poor quality video, is thrilling. I've done A Chorus Line twice in school, and if that piano doesn't get your heart rate going, and seeing the full company turn to the audience, and do the jazz en masse doesn't make you laugh with joy or cry, then I don't know what you did for love ;-)
9. Patti LuPone and Companies, Evita 1980, & Gypsy, 2008
I cheated I know but I have to list BOTH of Patti's TONY award winning turns/performances. Her Eva was FIRE (I think after Barbra she's one of the creators of the modern belt) and she's my favorite Mama Rose I've seen. ICONIC AF. ***Side note, if your wig ain't shakin’ from belting that line in EVITA, you're doing it wrong ;-)
10. Sutton Foster & Company, "Show Off",The Drowsy Chaperone, 2006
This is watching one of the masters of modern musical comedy soar. She shows off so much diverse skill and is supported by one of my favorite casts of all time. Watch the two shots on her face during her last sustained note...Sutton is living her FULL TRUTH!
BONUS!
Raquel Welch, Marilyn Cooper, "The Grass is Always Greener", Woman of the Year, 1984
That's all.
Check out Alexis Michelle's debut album 'Lovefool' now available from Broadway Records.
