This review of Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: Christmas Mourning at The Laurie Beechman Theatre was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and published in Volume X, Issue 6 (2016) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!
Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: Christmas Mourning
Starring Jinkx Monsoon (Jerick Hoffer)
& Major Scales (Richard Andriessen)
Musical Director: Major Scales
The Laurie Beechman Theatre
407 West 42nd Street
New York, New York 10036
Reviewed 12/16/16
Jinkx Monsoon made it very clear she doesn't like Christmas, Santa Claus, Christmas songs, or Christmas presents. Hence the name of her holiday show with Major Scales entitled Christmas Mourning. Part of the reason is because she's Jewish and the Christians have claimed Santa Claus as theirs even though Santa has as much to do with Jesus as does Scooby Doo. She believes there should be a Jewish alternative version of Santa maintaining "naughty" and "nice" lists. She believes if she could talk to Jesus, he would say, "Give the Jewish children toys. After all, they're used to being on lists (e.g. Schindler)." Another problem was that due to Jinkx's Gender Fluidity, she always received gender neutral gifts such as having a star named after her or a tree planted in her honor in Nicaragua (which she can't even visit). Caitlyn Jenner's potential new lipstick line called Manslaughter sounds promising. Jinkx said the bottom line is, "That while there are many things I enjoy having shoved down my throat, Christmas traditions are not one of them." Not to say she likes Jewish Holiday Traditions either. She reports that in her home during Hanukkah "we get drunk and tell each other why we're a disappointment." Jinkx even questioned why she was doing this Holiday Show. She asked Major Scales, "Why do I do this? What's in it for me?" to which he reminded her the answer was "a paycheck."
Christmas gives people permission to overeat and get drunk. Jinkx Monsoon needs no such permission. She reports she's been in the Holiday Spirit for 14 years. She also encouraged the audience to drink. She said, "That way, no matter how bad the show is, all you will remember is my last song." She sang "Santa Baby" and reported that being a drag queen, liking that song made famous by Eartha Kitt was in her contract. She showed a video of the moon circling the earth and explained they had blown their entire special effects budget making it so we shouldn't expect anything more. A good amount of money was spent on the beautiful purple gown and red wig Jinkx wore. After a delightful, witty solo of Major Scales singing "Let's Have A Passive-Aggressive Christmas," Jinkx returned wearing a stunning white gown. Jinkx Monsoon was named "America's Next Drag Superstar" in Season 5 of Ru Paul's Drag Race.
Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales are both very talented. The show could have been better written and a bit more organized but, overall, everyone seemed to have a good time. On an inspirational note, Jinkx Monsoon told the audience the holidays are a time to be with your Chosen Family - "those who share our beliefs and values so much that we invite them to be part of our family." On a depressing note, in her closing message, she shared her view that "each and every person here is going to die someday - senile and decrepit - thus completing the Circle of Life. Happy Holidays!" For more information on Jinkx Monsoon, visit her website at http://www.JinkxMonsoon.com
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