Travis Lundy
Wednesday, August 14th, 2024
This past Wednesday, I had the unforgettable experience of attending the "Dead Inside" comedy tour by none other than the iconic Bianca Del Rio. If you’re familiar with the world of drag, you know that Bianca is not just any queen—she’s a force of nature, known for her razor-sharp wit and no-holds-barred humor. And if you aren’t familiar, let me be clear: this is not a show for the faint-hearted, the overly sensitive, or those who shy away from humor that pushes the envelope. Bianca’s comedy is raw, real, and refreshingly unfiltered—a breath of fresh air in a world that often feels a bit too sanitized.
Before diving into the details of the show, I must mention the highlight of my evening: the VIP meet and greet with Bianca herself. Now, imagine standing face-to-face with your idol, someone who has made you laugh till your sides hurt on countless occasions. That’s exactly where I found myself, and let me tell you, it was absolutely surreal.
But before we met the queen of the night, we were introduced to another fabulous performer, Sutton Lee Seymour. Sutton, a comedy queen in her own right, brought her own brand of humor to the event, and we had the pleasure of chatting with her for a few moments before the photoshoot. It was a great warm-up for what was to come.
And then, there she was—Bianca Del Rio, in all her glory, wearing a neon yellow off-the-shoulder number that sparkled brighter than the sun. As I stood there next to her, my nerves kicked in, and I started to feel that familiar jittery excitement you get when you’re about to experience something extraordinary. You know that feeling, right? When your anticipation is so intense, your hands start to shake, and your heart races. That’s exactly what I was going through.
Bianca was everything I hoped she would be—funny, humble, and incredibly kind. We had a brief conversation, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how down-to-earth she was, especially considering she had already performed 85 shows before landing in Moncton, New Brunswick. Can you even imagine the energy and dedication it takes to do that?
After snapping a few photos (which I will treasure forever), it was time to wait for the show to start. The meet and greet was at 5:00 PM, and the show didn’t begin until 8:00 PM, so we had a few hours to kill. I won’t bore you with the details of how we passed the time, but let’s just say that anticipation only grew as the clock ticked closer to showtime.
Finally, 7:30 PM rolled around, and we made our way through the doors, grabbed a drink, and found our seats. The atmosphere was electric—everyone was buzzing with excitement. At exactly 8:00 PM, the lights dimmed, and a warning announcement played, reminding the audience that this was not a show for the thin-skinned.
Sutton Lee Seymour opened the show with a bang, combining comedy and live singing to create hilarious parodies of oldies. Some of her songs might have been a bit edgy for some, but for the rest of us, they were pure gold. The room was filled with laughter, setting the perfect tone for what was to come.
And then, the moment we were all waiting for—Bianca Del Rio took the stage. From the very first insult, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. If you were sitting near the front, you knew you were in the danger zone—prime territory for being “read to filth,” as the queens say. Bianca’s sharp tongue spared no one, and she had the entire room in stitches. This wasn’t just a performance; it was an interactive experience. Bianca handpicked a few lucky (or unlucky) audience members to “read,” just like she did with her fellow contestants on Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The laughter was relentless. By the end of the show, I was convinced that everyone’s cheeks were aching from smiling and laughing so much—mine certainly were!
As the show drew to a close, Bianca opened the floor for a Q&A session. She had each person asking a question stand up, ensuring everyone knew exactly who was putting her on the spot. It was a perfect way to wrap up the evening, adding a personal touch to an already incredible night.
By the time the show ended around 10:30 PM, I knew I had just experienced something truly special. If you ever get the chance to see Bianca Del Rio live, don’t hesitate—just go. It’s a night you won’t soon forget, and one that will leave you laughing long after the final curtain falls.
Trust me, this is one comedy queen you do not want to miss!
—Travis Lundy