Review: Alaska Tunderf*ck Cuts the Christmas Down to Size with Terrific Show

Alaska Thunderf*ck 5000 may not appear to be the kind of personality who would perform a Christmas show. Holiday sentiment, or sentiment of any kind, does not seem to be part of this gifted performer's playbook. But towards the end of her touring show, "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like ALASKA...A Christmas Show," she stood on the stage of Boston's Big Night Live in near total darkness (for reasons to be explained) and sang an a capella "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" without amplification lit only by a lantern. And her plaintiff delivery of this classic (introduced by Judy Garland) captured the sadness at the song's heart that made it relevant for today's troubled times.

Throughout her set, the "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner pretty much avoided holiday music, the exception being the clever inclusion of Cher's new Christmas song, "DJ Play a Christmas Song," that was used as an introduction to a cover of "Believe," sung in full-throttle style. As someone who only knows Alaska from her "RPDR" appearances, I knew to expect something weirdly funny in her live performance. What I wasn't expecting was a revelatory talent that has evolved and matured. With her stunning retro look (she appears to be the love child of Jayne Mansfield and Cher), a sophisticated hauteur that would give Miranda Priestly a run for her money, and a powerful belt that would be right at home on Broadway, Alaska confirmed her drag superstar status. She's like Lypsinka with a pouty mouth.

Alaska claims to be an alien from planet Glamtron and there is something otherworldly about her distant persona. Even in an unexpected moment of audience participation when a young lesbian proposed to her partner on stage, Alaska was appreciative of the sentiment, but not exactly emotionally involved. That Justin Andrew Honard (Alaska's alter-ego) didn't break character and congratulate them warmly shows his commitment to his character's haughty persona. And her cool demeanor gave the moment an unexpected ironic subtext, which is, in effect, the nature of camp.

While celebrating the holidays was said to be the show's theme, Alaska largely ignored the usual tropes. Instead, with the invaluable assistance of her accompanist and collaborator Jeremy Mark Mikush, she presented a varied and hilarious mix of song and commentary. Those familiar with her "Drag Race" appearances know her comedy has a wacky weirdness to it, so it wasn't surprising to see her bring out a Jesus puppet on a cross when singing "You're Too Good to Be True" to celebrate his birthday (the moment referenced Denise Richards' shameless talent presentation in "Drop Dead Gorgeous"). Or presenting bizarre AI-generated images of her making, including Michelle Visage eating human flesh and Mitch McConnell in high school and in drag.

Artificial Intelligence continued to be a theme of the show after Alaska introduced Robotica, the computer-generated assistant she has asked to help her shape her holiday show. Robotica, though, dismisses Alaska's material because it doesn't include the usual holiday fare. Instead, Alaska ranted against billionaires (showing some enlightening visuals) and performed a striptease to David Rose's famous "The Stripper." Not exactly "White Christmas."

Alaska's prodigious recording and songwriting career was touched upon with the poignant "Aliens," co-written with Mikush, which wonders if her life would be less lonely if she were beamed up into their world. Pairing the song with two from queer artists – Peter Allen's "Don't Cry Out Loud" and David Bowie's "Calling Occupants" only elevated the moment.

The show went totally dark towards the end after a bossy Robotica goes into HAL 2000 mode and shuts the show down (including the wide screen monitor at the rear of the stage that complemented Alaska's commentary and song throughout her 90-minute set). But the show didn't end in darkness. With a little help from Cher, the power was restored, and Alaska appeared in a stunning gold gown for the show's conclusion – a medley of songs taken from titles suggested by the audience, that included Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam" and the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way." This impromptu medley only underscored Alaska's versatility and musical skills.

Alaska Thunderf*ck's "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Alaska... A Christmas Show" concludes its tour with performances on December 21 at the House of Blues in Chicago, and December 23 Erie Playhouse, Erie Pennsylvania (2 shows). For ticket information, visit her website.