New York City’s own Lady Bunny–the legendary drag queen whose profane song parodies have caused many an unsuspecting audience member to demonstrate the proper way to do a spit take–is taking her act on the road, with Bunny Butchers Broadway, a new, no-mercy stage show that lovingly lambastes the world of musical theater.
The tour kicked off on November 9, at The Comedy Studio (Cambridge, MA) and concludes on December 14 with a performance at Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, NC. In between, Bunny will be welcomed to–and possibly chased out of–towns including Pittsburgh, PA; San Diego, CA; Austin, TX; and Buffalo, NY. For tickets and more info, click here. For artist info, click here.
Just prior to beginning the tour, Lady Bunny told us a bit about what to expect from Bunny Butchers Broadway, and whether or not to expect any New York City performances when our beloved, road-weary Queen of Funny Filth finally returns to her home base.
Scott Stiffler, for LGBTQCommunityNews.nyc (LGBTQCommNews): How far do you and Broadway go back? Have you been a fan since youth?
Lady Bunny (Bunny): I was actually a child actor in theater productions in Chattanooga, TN. It was so far removed from “The Great White Way” that I assumed that was Tennessee’s state motto. All in all, Chattanooga was a nice place to grow up, though. It was so pretty at night when they would light all the crosses.
My dad taught at UTC [University of Tennessee, Chattanooga], so I was sometimes cast when they needed a kid. In Oliver, Gypsy, and even Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. I played the Prince Mamillius, who died in the first act but had to remain still in a coffin for the whole second act. Hated it!
I assumed that I’d be an actor when I grow up, but at 18 I was cast as an extra in the incredibly dull classic Our Town. I played a straight baseball player, and it occurred to me that if I could play straight, I wouldn’t have been taunted in school!
Actors have to do each part as written and directed. Drag is much freer because you pick your own music and costumes, and write your own banter. Also, unless you’re on Broadway with your name above the title, Broadway shows don’t pay well–and 8 shows a week takes stamina I don’t have.
LGBTQCommNews: As the gays know well, Broadway’s penchant for high drama, visual spectacle, and all-around excess make it a juicy target for parody–and yet we love it. What is it about Broadway that made you want to lampoon it?
Bunny: Well, I have a lot in common with Patti LuPone. Neither on of us looks good dressed as a woman! Actually, I’d prefer more excess on Broadway. Although Jinkx Monsoon was fantastic in Chicago as Mama Morton, and Nicole Scherzinger was wonderful in Sunset Boulevard, what’s up with everyone in both shows wearing black Lululemon exercise gear? I want to see period costumes, dammit! I just saw Oliver in London this summer and it came with period costumes and all the trimmings. I also hate minimalist sets. Give me the works!
LGBTQCommNews: The advance press on the show mentions Wicked, Mamma Mia, and Chicago as shows you’ll be drawing upon. Why? And can you be more specific about what songs, iconic performances, or overall aesthetics will be targeted?
Bunny: A friend asked me if I’d be doing any songs from jukebox musicals like Mamma Mia and The Cher Show. I said, “Do I look like a jukebox?” and he replied, “Well, you weigh 400 pounds and will do anything for a dollar.” So there’s a little bit of everything–from classic musicals like Gypsy and Cabaret to newer ones like Wicked, Frozen, and The Greatest Showman.
LGBTQCommNews: Are there any shows or songs within shows that are so beloved, or so beyond ridicule, that you gave them a free pass when planning the show?
Bunny: No free passes! This show gives you my sick and twisted humor in a musical theater format. Some shows have memorable songs throughout, but with many there’s one crossover stand-out hit which sometimes gets radio play. Like And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going from Dreamgirls, Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music, and Memories from Cats. So I’ve created my own musical, using the biggest hits from hit musicals. There’s also a dance medley of everything from Hey, Big Spender to I Am What I Am to 9 to 5.
LGBTQCommNews: Are there any shows or songs that made the cut simply because they were easy rhymes for words like “cum,” “poo,” or “swallow?”
Bunny: OMG–I forgot about cum and poo, but I never forget to swallow. If I do forget, my uncle calls me Bad Bunny. For this show, I’ve turned All That Jazz into All That Jizz, and Beauty and the Beast into Pussy and the Yeast. Altogether, I’ve crammed songs from 20 different musicals into 90 minutes, and an original cabaret song zinging Elon Musk.
LGBTQCommNews: Speaking of filth, you often warn audiences, before ticket purchase, of your use of extreme language and content. How does this particular show place on that scale: Pull back, business as usual, or full throttle?
Bunny: Full throttle.This show plays in a lot of comedy clubs, where people tend to check their inhibitions and welcome offensive humor. I actually didn’t know the world of comedy clubs until 2 years ago when I toured Australia. They’re organized and run a tight ship—often because there’s an act on before you and sometimes afterward. Sometimes, these clubs are packed for 1PM and 4PM shows! Also, many of these comedy venues already do drag brunches on the weekends. So as gay venues have closed, comedy venues have picked up some of the slack.
LGBTQCommNews: Also promised is “a whole section lampooning Drag Race royalty.” Fans know of a specific, now “classic” Lady Bunny bit that shreds a laundry list of past iconic contestants. Have you heard from any of them, and if so can they take a joke or were they Bitter Bettys?
Bunny: They can all take a joke. A bitter bit that I do about Trixie Mattel stealing my look was sent to her before I even performed it and she loved it. I also told a very rude Shangela joke, but she came to see me in LA and yelled right back at me from the audience. I loved it! Drag queens who can’t take a joke are in the wrong business! Some Drag Race fans mainly know me from Bianca Del Rio making fun of me in her shows all over the world. If they can handle that evil bitch, then they’re gonna be fine with whatever I do. Also, I can’t easily joke about someone no one knows. So if I’m joking about you, you’ve made it!
LGBTQCommNews: The list of cities you’ll bring the show to is pretty extensive. Any town or venue on the list you haven’t played before? Any town or venue you’ve had an especially memorable (good or bad or just bizarre) experience with?
Bunny: I’ve never played Covina, CA before. And I’m doing The Laugh Factory in LA for the first time. Hopefully, we’ll do a second leg of the tour in 2026. And after I perfect it on the road, I’ll bring it to NYC! My bad experience is with people who can’t pick up a phone, and only text. Yet when you text them using their preferred method of communication, they don’t always respond. Those crazy kids!
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