Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon joins Broadway’s Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Jinkx Monsoon will originate the role of “Ruth” in Pirates! The Penzance Musical on Broadway. Running at the Todd Haimes Theatre from 4 April to 22 June 2025, the upcoming “jazz-infused, New Orleans-style” musical will celebrate the “genius of Gilbert & Sullivan while taking some joyous liberties”. “The Pirates of Penzance actually premiered in several U.S.
cities, including New Orleans, which was a big center for piracy,” said director Scott Ellis. “So, since our pirates have now landed in New Orleans, we’re adapting the title to be both familiar and fresh.” As Ruth, pirate maid and caretaker of Frederic, Jinkx is set to star alongside Ramin Karimloo as the Pirate King and David Hyde Pierce as W.S.
Gilbert/Major General. Additional cast members include Nicholas Barasch as Frederic, Preston Truman Boyd as Sullivan/Police Sergeant and Samantha Williams as Mabel Stanley.
In a statement to social media, Jinkx said: “If ever there were an unexpected role for me to sink my teeth into… she has EVERYTHING I could want in a character, not to mention a chance to play her from a completely new perspective. “The chance to revitalize the classics is something special I am honored to be asked to do.” Jinkx memorably rose to fame after conquering the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race (2013).
