The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show prances into Chicago

RuPaul Drag Race All Stars competitors Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme returned to the windy city on tour together with a brand new bag of tricks. Produced by BenDeLaCreme Presents, The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show is the fourth production from the duo together. 

BenDeLaCreme appeared on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the third season of All Stars. She is truly the mastermind project of this project, not only starring in it but also as a director. This followed experience in past solo shows as well as host duties for several burlesque reviews. 

Monsoon has reigned on RuPaul's reality shows becoming the first person to win their two seasons of Drag Race and All Stars. Their musical background came in handy on this tour and fans will be gobsmacked to hear her belt out a special song at the end of the second act. 

The plot is kept simple while catching inspiration from A Christmas Carol complete with several ghosts, quick time jumps and heartwarming life lessons. The music and dance sequences are woven throughout the two acts full of dialogue. The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show follows more of a variety show format than a typical drag performance of hammering songs at the audience. 

It needs a number such as the Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur showstopper "Bosom Buddies" or at least a surprise guest star or two on the road. The overall tree needs a little trimming as far as length with the first act running an hour and a half before a break. The performers started late because patrons were slowly checked in through metal detectors after 8 p.m. 

The two drag icons make up for the delay though with a smart and snappy show containing all the quirky humor they are known for. For costume changes, these queens take turns in the spotlight solo and then rejoin for vignettes together. They held the crowd in the palm of their hands at the Auditorium Theatre on December 7, 2022, as the fans hung on their every word and quip. 

Previously the non-binary Monsoon has shown a Jewish heritage depicted drag but this time out she has gone pure pagan as secular rituals and the Bible were targeted to poke fun at in the monologues.  

The parody songs just kept on coming as Jinkx and DeLa plowed through the material while having a good time. Jinkx cracked herself up a few times and DeLa was at times too nice when naughty would have been funnier, but the spirit of the two was definitely captured along the way. 

Tying music and costuming to each decade was a smart vehicle for them to race through while exercising their strengths in a solid offering for the hedonistic holidays. They are both likable and that goes a long way in satisfying an eager audience.   

After the performance, I asked the dynamic duo when the Easter show would be coming and Monsoon joked, "We need to survive this tour first!" 

Follow the current holiday tour at JinkxandDeLa.com and snatch up the last of the tickets before they sell out!