A Rusical (portmanteau of "RuPaul" and "musical") is a musical theatre challenge recurring across the Drag Race television franchise. Rusical productions began in 2014 during the sixth season of the American series, and have subsequently become "a highly anticipated staple" of the reality competition, allowing contestants to showcase their talents.
Season nine's Rusical (') was inspired by the musical Hamilton. The American series has also seen Rusicals about Cher, Donald Trump, and Madonna. Seasons fourteen and fifteen had parodies of the films Moulin Rouge! and Footloose respectively. Season sixteen's Rusical was a parody of the musical The Sound of Music and its film adaptation. The Rusical on season seventeen was inspired by The Wizard of Oz and its musical adaptations Wicked and The Wiz.
The Rusical in the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars depicted historical women. Alaska, Alyssa Edwards, Detox, and Ginger Minj portrayed a Britney Spears-inspired Eve, Annie Oakley, Marie Antoinette, and Catherine the Great, respectively. Katya and Phi Phi O'Hara portrayed Princess Diana and Helen of Troy, respectively.
On the show's third season ("Divas Lip Sync Live"), Aja performed as Amy Winehouse, BeBe Zahara Benet as Diana Ross, BenDeLaCreme as Julie Andrews, Chi Chi DeVayne as Patti LaBelle, Kennedy Davenport as Janet Jackson, Milk as Celine Dion, Shangela as Mariah Carey, Trixie Mattel as Dolly Parton, and Thorgy Thor as Stevie Nicks.
The sixth season's Rusical (episode "Halftime Headliners") was based on Super Bowl's halftime show performances. The eighth season's Rusical was based on the life of Joan Crawford. The ninth and tenth season's Rusicals were inspired by the film Rosemary's Baby (1968) and RuPaul's film Starrbooty (2007), respectively.
The Rusical on season 1 of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race was about Dolly Parton and her 1980 comedy film 9 to 5.
The clown-themed Rusical of season 2 was inspired by the 1938 film Under the Big Top. On season 4, the Rusical was about the life of host Brooke Lynn Hytes.
The of ' had a Rusical about the Snatch Game.
The second season of Drag Race España had a Rusical based on the musical La llamada. The third season had a Rusical inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz setting the story during the La Movida Madrileña countercultural movement. The fourth season's Rusical was an homage to Spanish musical artists across the last century. The fifth season had a Rusical inspired by the Federico GarcÃÂa Lorca play The House of Bernarda Alba.
The Rusical for the second season of Drag Race Holland was based on the story of Cinderella.
The second season of Drag Race Italia had a Rusical dedicated to Lady Gaga.
The first season of Drag Race México had a Rusical based on Acapulco Shore, the Mexican spin-off series of Jersey Shore. The Rusical in the second season was inspired by three telenovelas starring ThalÃÂa: MarÃÂa Mercedes, Marimar, and MarÃÂa la del Barrio.
The second season of Drag Race Philippines had a Rusical inspired by the film The Little Mermaid. The Rusical in the third season was inspired by Wicked.
The first season had a Rusical inspired by Crazy Rich Asians.
The Rusicals in the second and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK were inspired by the musicals Cats and Mary Poppins, respectively. The Rusical in the fifth season was a pantomime.