Former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants pay homage to KC with ‘Queens of Oz’ tribute show
Drag queens Widow Von’Du, Mo Heart and Q present the Queens of Oz tribute show on Nov. 8. // Provided by The Truman Theatre
Something wicked is making its way to the Truman Theatre, located at 601 E Truman Rd, on Nov. 8. Drag artists Widow Von’Du, Q, and Mo Heart will share the stage at the Queens of Oz tribute show to remind audience members that there’s no place like home.
The girls will be performing together for the first time since representing their hometown of Kansas City on various seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Heart competed in season 10, while Von’Du was a contestant in season 12 and Q took home fourth place in season 16.
Alongside them will be local drag queens Cynthia Doll, Lana Luxx, Mulan Gabby, Genewa Stanwyck, Tajma Stetson, Rii Rii, and Jaharia.
“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s special and important for all of us to come together for the first time since being on national television,” says Q. “It’s exciting to see KC’s queer drag artist success on one stage together.”
Earlier this month, Heart collaborated with the other queens in an Instagram post to announce the big performance with footage from the 1978 musical The Wiz.
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Now based in California, Heart will be returning to her hometown of KC for the special tribute show. After fiercely debuting on Drag Race in 2018, Heart was also a runner-up on both RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 4 and RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK v The World season one.
“I wanted to come back to Kansas City to honor and show everyone that we produce amazing entertainers,” says Heart. “I wasn’t born there, but I always have KC in my heart, so I’m excited to come back and show some love.”
After Drag Race, Heart became the host of her own TV series The Walk In with Mo Heart on Amazon Music. For five seasons, she’s had the opportunity to interview celebrities like Dolly Parton, Lil Nas X, Katy Perry and more, about their most iconic fashion moments.
“Since being on Drag Race I’ve been able to chase my dream, and go after it. I got to do more film and television. I got to work with the biggest names in music with The Walk In. Drag Race, if you do it right, can change your life—It changed mine.”
Q says she looks forward to showcasing her first Wizard of Oz themed look for next month’s event after being recognized as the first participant on Drag Race from the state of Kansas.
“I love big looks and a grand moment. I definitely have some spectacle stuff planned that I’m really excited about,” says Q. “It’ll be cool to pay homage to my hometown and my home state.”
The theme for the event was created by Heart, who was inspired by local performer Dirty Dorthy, who often hosts drag shows at Missie B’s.
“I was very inspired by Dirty Dorthy, and Kansas City is always giving Oz,” says Heart. “We wanted the girls to go from there with their imagination, because Oz is a fantasy place where you can do and create whatever you want.”
Heart added that she hopes next month’s event can provide an inclusive and safe environment for those who attend.
“There’s a lot of hatefulness going on in the world, a lot of foolishness, a lot of scariness right now,” says Heart. “The economy is bad. People have jobs, racism, wars, genocides, and so if we can use drag to create a safe space for people to come and exhale, that’s what we want.”
The Queens of Oz special tribute show is open to all ages, doors open at 7 p.m., while the drag performances will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online.
