New York Times: Alaska Knows Why Her Drag Show Resonates: ‘It’s About Family’

Erik Piepenburg, interviewing for the New York Times:

I have to say, “Drag: The Musical” is about more than drag.

It’s about family, whether that’s the people you’ve chosen to be your family or your ex and you have to figure out a way to be in each other’s lives. It’s campy and stupid and hilarious because that’s drag. But even if you don’t know what drag is or you’re being dragged there by your girlfriend, you can still connect to the brother who hasn’t talked to the other brother because they don’t get along. Everyone can connect to being a young person not feeling understood by their parents or the world.

Adam Pascal, from “Rent,” recently replaced Joey McIntyre, one of the New Kids on the Block, as the show’s main straight man. How has it been working with Adam?

All the girls have a crush on him. I have no scenes with his character so on his first night I was like, “Well, I’m really glad you’re here.” It’s weird hearing his voice through the monitor. It’s so signature. He’s a legend.

In some states there are legislative pushes to restrict drag. That has to be concerning.

I started doing drag in the Bush administration. We’ve done this before. Queer people are not going to disappear. Trans people aren’t going to stop being trans. Drag queens aren’t going to stop doing drag, no matter what laws may be put into place. Women aren’t going to stop getting abortions just because you make a law that says they’re not allowed.

And, by the way, drag queens make the world a better place, more beautiful and fun. It’s strange to want to silence that.