'Night of the Living Drag' is coming to Memphis' Orpheum Theater. Here's which queens will be featured.

Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·3 min read

Boldness is something that drag performers live off of, and nothing says bold quite like hosting a performance with nine queens at the Orpheum Theater in a state that only months ago tried to restrict drag performances.

For Halloween, some of RuPaul's Drag Race queens will be hosting "Night of the Living Drag" at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 25, and will feature nine performers from across the show's 15 seasons for a night of "Twilight Zone-themed" performances and costumes.

The show comes on the heels of Tennessee passing a bill restricting drag performances in public places. A federal judge in Memphis tossed out the controversial “anti-drag” law in June though the ruling only applies to Shelby County. State Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said he still considers the law to be in effect throughout the state's other 94 counties despite it being ruled unconstitutional.

The law bans "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors" — as defined by the state's obscenity law — on public property or within sight of someone who is younger than 18. It also identifies "male and female impersonators" as adult cabaret performers, which includes drag performers.

Performers who broke the law could have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony on second or subsequent offenses.

Drag queens appearing at 'Night of the Living Drag'

RuPaul's Drag Race: Night of the Living Drag will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Stephens Auditorium in Ames.
RuPaul's Drag Race: Night of the Living Drag will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Stephens Auditorium in Ames.

  • Yvie Oddly: winner of season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

  • Plastique Tiara: eighth place in season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

  • Jaida Essence Hall: winner of season 12 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

  • Rosé: third place in season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

  • Denali: eighth place in season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

  • Angeria Paris VanMichaels: third place in season 14 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

  • Jorgeous: sixth place in season 14 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

  • Icesis Couture: winner of season two of Canada's Drag Race.

  • Tayce: runner-up in season two of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Other Orpheum events to look forward to this season:

This 20th anniversary of New Ballet Ensemble's Nut Remix, a twist on holiday classic ballet The Nutcracker's studio alumni return to the stage alongside faces new and old. Roman Neal holds up a castmate as the cast rehearses the show at The Cannon Center in Memphis, TN on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 ahead of weekend performances.
This 20th anniversary of New Ballet Ensemble's Nut Remix, a twist on holiday classic ballet The Nutcracker's studio alumni return to the stage alongside faces new and old. Roman Neal holds up a castmate as the cast rehearses the show at The Cannon Center in Memphis, TN on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 ahead of weekend performances.

  • Oct. 3 – The Beach Boys are bringing their California lifestyle sound to fans across the world on their "America's Band" tour.

  • Oct. 7-8 – Watch the movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" which started the worldwide wizardry obsession with a live orchestra playing John Williams'score.

  • Oct. 10-15 – Follow Fanny Brice on her journey to becoming one of the biggest Broadway stars in "Funny Girl."

  • Oct. 27 – Kansas will make a stop at the Orpheum on their 50th anniversary tour.

  • Oct. 31-Nov. 5 – It seems as though someone said his name three times because "Beetlejuice" is coming to Memphis. Recommended 13+.

  • Nov. 11 – The Grammy, CMA and ACM winner, Ashley McBryde, is on her "The Devil I Know" tour and is stopping in Memphis.

  • Nov. 14 – Rumors of Fleetwood Mac, a tribute band endorsed by Mick Fleetwood, is back again in 2023 and is celebrating the band again in Memphis.

  • Nov. 21-26 – Join the "SIX" wives of Henry VIII in this Tony-winning musical about 500 years of history wrapped into a girl power musical.

  • Dec. 9-17 – Ballet Memphis is back again with their annual rendition of the winter classic "The Nutcracker."

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email Jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @_green_jordan_

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Orpheum Theater in Memphis hosting Drag Race's Halloween event