Seasonal offerings starting now with “A Drag Queen Christmas” Nov. 17
By Alex Biese
RED BANK – Haul out the holly, Red Bank, Nina West is bringing the spirit of the season to town.
When the 12th annual national tour of “A Drag Queen Christmas” arrives at the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Nov. 17, it will bring high-camp comedy, elaborate costumes and showstopping lip-sync numbers to the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre on Monmouth Street.
For host Nina West, stepping onto the stage in downtown Red Bank is a festive return to a treasured theatrical landmark.
West fondly recalls performing at the historic venue during a national tour of “Hairspray,” describing the space as “gorgeous” in an interview with The Two River Times. Playing a theater steeped in history carries special weight, particularly as the Count Basie Center celebrates its centennial year, marking a century since its 1926 opening as a grand movie palace.
“She’s like another character in the entire formula,” West said of performing in a historic theater, here and across America. “Every house, every theater has her own personality and identity. Getting the chance to go into these old houses, these beautiful, majestic palaces, one of my favorite things to do on the road is to walk around venues like the Basie and get a sense of who’s been on that stage before and what energy that brings to our performance.”
Produced by Murray & Peter Present and billed as the longest-running drag tour in the world, “A Drag Queen Christmas” spans a 39-city tour from mid-November through late December 2026. While drag might seem a somewhat unconventional pairing with traditional winter festivities, West notes that the production has evolved into an indispensable annual tradition for families, friends and theater lovers alike.
“It’s a nontraditional holiday offering that has become quite traditional,” West explained. “It’s like ‘The Nutcracker’ and your Symphony Pops had a fabulous baby that is kind of punk rock, glitz and glam, but all the while still super traditional and celebrating the season. Audiences are going to get holiday songs, laughs, joy and over-the-top performances.”
The 2026 touring cast combines beloved veterans with fresh breakouts from the Emmy-winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race” franchise. Fan favorites like Crystal Methyd and Silky Ganache return alongside Season 18 stars, including winner Myki Meeks. According to West, the roster offers a vibrant cross-section of contemporary American drag, blending camp, high drama and theatrical glamour.
Beyond the spectacle, the tour serves a deeper purpose for local communities. For LGBTQIA+ attendees celebrating with chosen families, the two-hour, 18-plus extravaganza offers an empowering space of belonging during the holiday season.
“It is vital because it is a constant reminder to those in our community that we are an offering,” West said. “For people who don’t necessarily have a traditional family to celebrate with, they are celebrating with their chosen family and friends. ‘A Drag Queen Christmas’ gives people an opportunity to have a night out together, while providing visibility for those who may not have exposure to drag queens or our perspective on the holidays.”
The Red Bank stop lands during a landmark artistic season for West. Just before launching the tour, she stars in “Pirates! The Penzance Musical” at Opera Columbus, and after the tour she will prepare for the April 2027 world premiere of a new stage musical adaptation of her 2022 children’s book, “The You Kind of Kind.”
Despite a packed schedule spanning opera, literature and national tours, West remains fueled by an enduring passion for creative expression.
“I get the gift of waking up every morning and asking, ‘What do I get to do today?’ I fought for this so hard and for so long, and I know how lucky I am to do the work I get to do.”
“A Drag Queen Christmas!” plays at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. For tickets and more information, visit thebasie.org.
’Tis the Season…
The following seasonal shows are scheduled for this year at the Count Basie Center for the Arts’ Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre and The Vogel:
- “Love Actually” in Concert, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19
- “A Charlie Brown Christmas – Live on Stage!” noon and 4 p.m. Nov. 28
- The Weeklings and Friends: “Holiday Hullabaloo #3,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5
- “Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland,” 5 p.m. Dec. 6
- Everett Bradley’s “Holidelic,” 7 p.m. Dec. 6
- “The Nutcracker,” Various times, Dec. 11 to 13
- The Sensational Soul Cruisers Holiday Dance Party, 7 p.m. Dec. 12
- LaBamba’s “Holiday Hurrah,” 4 p.m. Dec. 13
- Holiday Express, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15
- Pink Martini All-Stars Present: “A Season of Stars,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16
- “Home For the Holidays,” starring That Motown Band, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18
- Brian Kirk and the Jirks: “Santa for Lunch Break,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19
- Chris Pinella: “Christmas in Red Bank,” 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20
- Darlene Love, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23
Visit thebasie.org for more information.
This article originally appeared in the November 12-18, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
