My girlfriend is an uber fan of both RuPaul’s Drag Race, its universe of entertainment, and the very out culture in Oklahoma City, so, of course, she wanted to see Alaska Thunderfuck last week on her birthday.
Byyyyyyyyye!
With all the sad, bad, and, frankly, horrific news that has been coming from this state and its lawmakers over the past few months, I thought it would be fun to tag along and experience the true storytelling and unadulterated comedy of Alaska and her semi-cabaret show, the belated Valentine’s Day is Terrible.
Subtitled An Evening with Alaska Thunderfuck, it was taking place at the Tower Theater.
For those who don't know, Alaska is a nationally known drag queen and singer who, besides appearing on Drag Race, has won raves for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sex and the City, and the Stevie Nicks-inspired tribute Stevie Forever.
With seats taken and drinks procured, I took in the scenery and moment. I have dated people who hate Valentine's as much as Oklahoma politicians hate drag queens, and I have given in to their hatred of the romantic holiday. This time, it truly felt like something special.
At first though, there was a moment of silence for Owasso teen Nex Benedict that was given by Alaska’s alter-ego Justin Honard. It was a truly tragic set of circumstances in this day and age but brought so many people together to combat this hate. I stand with them!
After that moment of peerless reflection, the show must go on and what a show it was!
Alaska gave us a mixture of latter-day torch-songs and pop-song standards such as “Guilty” by Barbra Streisand, “I Don’t Know Much” by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, and the absolute showstopper, “Love Will Lead You Back” by Taylor Dayne. Bravo!
In-between songs, her comedy chops are in full-force with her comedic takes on remnant love, blistering hatred, and, of course, the sheer drama that has played out in the many seasons of Drag Race, including lots of zings in RuPaul’s direction. It’s all a joke…right?
In her second act, Alaska channeled the original queen of the broad backside, the Golden Girl’s mainstay Dorothy Zbornak, which was both hilarious and uncanny. The show ended with a full-on set of improvised karaoke, with ribald tunes that are peppered with musical in-jokes and truly spontaneous laughter.
Overall, it was a gale force of an event that gave the whole audience an hour-and-a-half long comedy that was wrapped up around ten o’clock. Even more, it was an enthusiastic goodtime with a positive message that anyone can stand up and take full notice.
This is definitely one night with Alaska to remember!
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