(Lady Bunny)
After a nearly 10-year hiatus, iconic drag festival Wigstock came back in a big way Sunday night for a one-night-only dragstravaganza, Wigstock: The Cruise. Hundreds of bejeweled, feathered, laced, leathered, and extravagantly wigged guests gathered on the aptly named Hornblower Infinity for three hours of high drag on the high seas.
The interior of the Hornblower felt pulled straight out of Wigstock’s heyday as a healthy mix of veteran nightlife personalities, club kids, Brooklyn queens, queer artists, and dedicated fans moved through the ship’s three decks while being treated to bright lights and the smooth, infectious ’90s stylings of DJ Johnny Dynell.
“Wow, look at this!” yelled Wigstock founder Lady Bunny from the main stage as the ship pulled out from the pier. “This really happened! I’m on a boat, and you’re all here with me!” The joy was palpable as fans clamored to watch a classically Bunny-style performance of vulgarized pop parodies, which she pulled off with aplomb.
Amidst the screams and thrown dollars of the young nightlife newbies, luminaries of the Wigstock era sat taking it all in. “It’s a treat to be back together, to share in the dream again,” legendary Broadway wig artist Perfidia said. Rollerena, the infamous Queen of Studio 54, agreed. “It’s just wonderful to be here,” she said. “It brings back all the old memories seeing so many people in these crazy beautiful wigs and costumes.”
Michael Musto was also in attendance—he’s yet to miss a Wigstock! “I’ve been to every Wigstock since they started, so it’s great to see a lot of the old performers here tonight bringing out their classic looks,” he said. “These are queens who really know what they’re doing.” When asked about what he was most excited about seeing, he joked, “I’m most excited to see Lady Bunny fall on her face.”
To Musto’s chagrin, Bunny maintained a hilarious grace as she emceed the night of electric performances from Wigstock stars Flotilla Debarge, Sweetie, Sugar Pie Coco, Sister Dimension, and Linda Simpson, who ended her set of zippy one-liners with a statement that captured the spirit of the evening: “We were gorgeous then and we’re even more gorgeous now!”
As the ship pulled back into its moorings and the night of performances came to a close, Lady Bunny took to the stage for a simple farewell: “Thanks for remembering. Should we do it again?”
To no one’s surprise, the crowd roared a resounding “Yass!”