Two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon returned to Broadway on June 27, 2024, in the long-running revival of Chicago. Monsoon is now reprising her performance as Matron Mama Morton after shattering box office records last year at the Ambassador Theatre. In celebration of Pride Month, entertainment journalist for Spectrum News NY1 Frank DiLella caught up with Monsoon to discuss the Kander and Ebb revival, making history in Little Shop of Horrors, and what it takes to be a leader in the LGBTQIA+ community.
You have so much to be proud of in 2024. You made history as the first drag queen to play Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, you announced that you’re doing a solo show at Carnegie Hall, you’re going back into Chicago… What are you most proud of?
It’s a toss-up. I hate to qualify things, but it’s equally Maestro in the series Doctor Who and Audrey in Little Shop. Those two moments in my life recently have been incredible — not only because I’m proud of the work I did, but also seeing the response from my community.
I think it’s safe to say your new home is the New York theater community.
It’s starting to feel like home. I’ve been working in the New York theater community for, like, 10 years, but there’s a lot that’s been happening lately that’s been kind of really showing everyone that I’m very serious about theater. And the way I’ve been welcomed into the New York theater scene has been touching.
You’re back in Chicago as Matron Mama Morton. You made your debut in the musical in 2023. When you first stepped into the role of Mama, you shattered box office records. That’s an incredible accomplishment for a show that’s been playing on Broadway for almost three decades!
Well, I don’t feel like I did it alone. I feel like me and my community did that. The people I would see in the audience for Chicago were the people who would see me for years at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, who have come to see my shows that I took to New York. These are people who have seen my steps along the way. It was the queer community showing up for one of their own having a big moment. My mantra has always been “If you invest in your community, your community will invest in you.”
You have a deep connection to the song “All That Jazz” from Chicago.
“All That Jazz” was my go-to song for years and years. It’s because I found a good karaoke version of it. And it sounded professional. Also, Chicago was one of the first pieces of entertainment that I consumed and thought you have to be a drag queen to perform these characters. I was obsessed with the character of Velma Kelly. Of course, Mama is very queer-coded.
How about Roxie Hart? Do you want to take on Roxie?
We’ll see, we’ll see, we’ll see.
Let’s talk more about making history in Little Shop of Horrors. You were the first drag queen to play the role of Audrey in a major production of the show.
I feel very proud of my performance in that show. I feel very proud of the response the audience had. But more than anything, I was able to do good work because the cast and crew are incredible people. They’re incredible artists. They’re incredible human beings. I came on at the same time as James Carpinello. We rehearsed for a month together and he’s one of my favorite people. And Corbin Bleu played my Seymour, and I’m just head over heels and in awe of that person. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. Corbin is the definition of an ally with a capital A.
You’re very much a leader in the LGBTQIA+ community and you’re breaking barriers through your art. People look up to you. Do you feel the weight of that?
I think it holds me to a higher standard. I hold myself to a high standard. What I’ve been allowed to do recently with the wonderful support of my team that I work with is amazing. What that has allowed me to do is focus on my job as the actor. I can focus on my work while my trusted team members can take care of the other aspects of my job. And because the community has been so supportive of me, I do feel obliged to meet a high standard. Because I’m being so supported, celebrated, trusted and respected, the best way to live up to all of that is to do the work as best as I can.
So much about Pride Month is embracing and celebrating one’s identity. Talk about the importance of that and embracing your true self. You recently revealed your chosen name: Hera Hoffer.
I’ve been out since I was 13 or 14 and I’ve known certain things about myself my whole life, and yet we come up with so many reasons not to pursue our truth. I grew up in Portland, Oregon. I knew trans people my age at age 15. I always knew I could transition, but I had all these reasons along the way not to. With the world in the state that it is in, I just started feeling life is too short to live inauthentically. And as I say that, I think of what a privilege it is to say that because I’ve always had options to transition. So many people — based on where they live or their circumstances — they don’t have the luxury of deciding it’s time to transition. And that’s why I feel so passionate about fighting these people who want to force us backward.
You’re so wise. And a true leader. What’s the best piece of advice you would want to share with someone who looks up to you?
We must tell the truth right now. We’re being lied to in every direction. Within our community, we must be honest with each other.
How are you celebrating Pride?
I’m celebrating the same way I do every year: by working my ass off! [Laughs.]
You can catch Jinkx Monsoon in Chicagothrough July 12, 2024.