The seminal drag story

Douglas Carter Beane's cult 1995 drag movie To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar is being transformed into a new musical, premiering in Manchester! Now adapted for stage by the original screenwriter himself, the original film was a landmark in drag culture; starring RuPaul, Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, Robin Williams and a host of others, it was seen as one of the first times drag had been positively portrayed in mainstream culture, rather than something to poke fun at.

To Wong Foo tells the story of a road trip across the US by three drag queens, two of whom will be taking part in a huge drag contest in Hollywood. But things don't go to plan; after breaking down in a small, highly conservative town, the tale's twists and turns find the group at the epicentre of a struggle against prejudice and a fight for compassion and acceptance. Alongside the script, Beane will direct, with Lewis Flynn working on the music and lyrics.