SEATTLE — At a time when the art of drag is being criminalized in some states, the Seattle Men’s Chorus, in collaboration with drag queen superstar Nina West, created the perfect Pride Month event. With an upbeat soundtrack featuring Pride anthem favorites.
“Every time the Seattle Men's Chorus takes the stage, it's a pride show,” said Artistic Director Paul Caldwell. “We are one of the largest and oldest LGBTQIA-plus choruses in the world.”
This colorful show has 16 iconic songs in store and includes an onstage “Lip Sync Smackdown” hosted by West. Local celebrities and special guests will receive quick drag makeovers, displaying their “before” and “after” looks to the audience. But it is more than entertainment, and it isn’t just about glitter and glam; it’s about celebrating people, no matter their gender or identity.
“We love the fact that our community comes out in such numbers to support us and celebrate us being ourselves,” Caldwell said.
We know drag queens can be great dancers, drag queens can be comics and drag queens can even be great musical theater performers. RuPaul royalty drag superstar Nina West can do it all and more.
West made history at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2019 as the first person to walk the carpet in full drag, an important step of acceptance for the drag community. This queen is no stranger to the worlds of television and film. But the stage is where Nina feels most at home.
In a one-on-one interview with Nina West, the importance of an event like “You Can’t Stop the Drag” was clear.
Why do you think it was important to do events like this?
“It's really important for us to be able to celebrate ourselves,” said West. “We should look ahead to all of the things we've accomplished and remind ourselves of all the things we have yet to do.”
What does it take to be a good drag queen?
“Be yourself,” West said. “You're not becoming anything other than a heightened version of yourself.”
The choreography and drag makeover are big parts of the production. It is unique and challenging for guests who are becoming drag queens for the first time.
“Tip number one. Embrace the process,” said drag queen Jada K Black. “No drag queen is like another drag queen.”
Three drag concerts will be held at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center on June 22 and 23. The earlier 2 p.m. concert on June 22 is an one-hour abbreviated kid’s show to accommodate those with shorter attention spans and perfect for all ages, followed by story time with Nina West.
A portion of each ticket goes to The Pride Foundation to support a scholarship for students in honor of Nex Benedict.
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