Huluween Dragstravaganza: A Campy Good Time

Every year the streaming service Hulu celebrates the scary Halloween season with what they have dubbed Huluween.  The special programming the service provides are recently released feature films, television shows and some original content.  To kick off and promote the event, Hulu produced Dragstravaganza, a variety musical show starring some drag legends, RuPaul’s Drag Race alums and a Dragula alum.  The show is hosted by Ginger Minj and Monét X Change and consists of five original songs intermixed with some campy skits and special guest performer, Kesha.

The loose plot premise is Ginger and Monét are preparing for a show, when a possessed old television zaps them into another dimension.  An ancient book explains that to get back home alive, the pair must host a variety show to promote Hulu’s Halloween Event.  The pair call on friends for help, Lady Bunny, Manila Luzon, Mo Heart, Jackie Beat, Selene Luna, Jujubee, Landon Cider, and Uncle Mario (Mario Diaz).

As an older gay man, I love the representation that society now affords.  I think back to my younger days, and a show like this would probably never have gotten made and I am so happy to have seen this shift within my lifetime.  Everything in this show is done completely tongue in cheek, there is no pretense of this being serious or anything other than pure camp, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.  I was immediately drawn in by the “Big Opening” musical number.  The high energy piece is wonderfully written and performed and so much fun to watch.  The leading duo’s outfits are amazing with Monét sporting a Medusa-esque hair style and Ginger’s sparkly dress nearly stealing the show. The hosts comic banter and “mean girl” sarcastic humor was witty but tinged with enough respect and love that it never felt serious.  The variety of skits were more vehicles to get us from one song to the next and referenced some classic horror films, from vampires to mummies.  The songs were mainly catchy tunes, but no where near as good as the opening number.