On February 29thRupaul’s Drag Race winner Sasha Colby kicked off her first headlining tour at the Bella Concert Hall at MRU. The stunning venue was the perfect backdrop for the spectacular show that would unfold for a rapt audience.
Accompanied by backup dancers Howard Johnson and Kanoe Esteves, Colby made her stage entrance in a nude bodysuit being dragged across the stage on a long piece of fabric. Over the next 2 hours, Colby explored her story through lip syncing and dancing. An early highlight was Madonna’s Like a Prayer featuring the trio in black and white, at one point Johnson holding his hands above Colby and moving around as if she was a puppet. The opening night joy of a wardrobe malfunction behind a curtain didn’t stall the momentum, as a denim clad blonde wigged Colby brought the moves of Britney and Rihanna to life.
While the start of the show was upbeat, before intermission Colby sat at a table, wiping off her makeup and stripping out of a bodysuit in a heart wrenching performance to Sara Barellis’ She Used To Be Mine. Standing onstage in just a thong and pasties, she laid herself bare both physically and emotionally. The shows director Mark Kanemura expertly balanced showmanship with emotion.
After intermission the star recreated pageant looks from her times competing in the Miss Continental Pageant, finally winning in 2012. A tribute to her Hawaiian roots followed that amidst the high energy moments of the rest of the show allowed both Sasha and the Audience to relax.
Brandi Chung’s choreography kicked back into high gear as Colby, Johnson and Esteves danced in racing gear representing her Drag Race experience and including her single Goddess.
It can seem like there is Drag Race Fatigue, as every year new Queens head out into the world while long time favourites also compete for the drag fan dollar. Much like on Drag Race itself, she was captivating from the moment she first appeared. On this night, and this tour, Sasha Colby proved that she will continue to reign as a unique and powerful performer.
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Contributor Jason Clevett |
Person Sasha Colby |
Topic Drag Queen | Drag Race | RuPaul’s Drag Race |
