Photo / Eva Le Queen
Eva Le Queen and Marina Summers, two iconic contestants from Drag Race Philippines, teamed up to bring joy to Filipinos for their first main event together last December 23, 2023.
It’s called Joy to the WORLD: The Thunderpuke Christmas Special, and it has now become my standard for all drag shows. The show was fun, fierce, and filled with iconic performances from the headliners and all the guest acts. Le Queen and Summers promised an evening of comedy, beauty, and drag, and they delivered on all counts.
Great comedic timing
Photo / Eva Le Queen
Joy to the WORLD showcased the cast’s skills in various comedic pursuits, from standup to improv and impersonation. A highlight from the show is “Queens Roast: The Roast of Lady Morgana,” where Le Queen and Summers took turns “reading” and “shading” the queens of Drag Race Philippines, the show’s judges, the host, and finally, Lady Morgana.
Both the queens delivered funny, well-written shade, but Le Queen stole the show by delivering her reads with impeccable comedic timing… and with no cue cards. She was a natural at reading Lady Morgana and the rest of the Drag Race Philippines family with confidence, humor, and love.
Photo / Eva Le Queen
Another highlight is the return of Le Queen and Summers’ iconic Snatch Game characters from Drag Race Philippines, Rufa Mae Quinto and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
For those who don’t watch the show, Snatch Game is a much-awaited challenge where contestants impersonate celebrities and compete in an improv-style game show. Le Queen and Summers battled it out for the best Christmas handa, which ended in a lip sync for your life performance as their characters.
Photo / Eva Le Queen
Drag Race is a show that uses improvisational comedy in many of its challenges, so it was apt that Joy to the WORLD also included an improv segment. Eme-prov, composed of Karl Echaluse, Aih Mendoza, Pappu de Leon, and Baus Rufo, performed unscripted skits with the queens. Le Queen and Summers, who had a memorable run in their season of Snatch Game, were natural improvisers and had great chemistry with Eme-prov.
Rufo, who also served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, dropped playful zingers throughout the show that had the audience in stitches. As an established comedian, we believe he should have also been billed as an act because he practically delivered a standup routine.
An evening of beauty and drag
Photo / Eva Le Queen
A drag show would only be complete with lipsync performances, and Joy to the WORLD had plenty to offer.
Le Queen and Summers had great Christmas-themed performances, and they looked stunning in their outfits. Le Queen, known for her opulent looks, wowed us with her (literally) dazzling wardrobe. Summers, one of the strongest drag performers in the Philippines, set the tone for all numbers with her superstar energy and mesmerizing stage presence. There is no other way to put it: she channels Beyoncé when the lights dim and the music starts.
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The acts also delivered death-defying performances. Deja, Myx Chanel, Zymba Ding, and Empy Radora delivered a Mean Girls-inspired “Jingle Bell Rock” until it transformed into a number that showcased their dancing skills. They also performed individually throughout the night to have their well-deserved spotlight.
It’s hard to pick a favorite as each queen had their strengths: Deja and Zymba Ding are strong performers, Myx Chanel’s theatre roots bleed into her emotional performances, and Empy Radora oozes sexiness.
Another highlight is the performance of Maxie, who represented the Philippines in the second season of the drag queen singing competition television series Queen of the Universe. She led a Taylor Swift singalong that the audience happily joined.
Overall, Joy to the WORLD was a hit. We enjoyed it so much that we hope Le Queen and Summers bring it back every December. Both have matured since their appearance on Drag Race Philippines and have become better and more beautiful entertainers. Indeed, they are ready to bring joy to the world and on the global stage.
What do you think? Share your thoughts below!
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