Award-winning performer Jinkx Monsoon is set to portray Judy Garland in a major stage revival of Peter Quilter’s musical End of the Rainbow, premiering in 2026. The news has sent excitement across the theater world and LGBTQ+ communities, who have closely followed Monsoon’s celebrated rise in musical theater.
The revival will open at Soho Theatre Walthamstow in London for a strictly limited run from May 15 to June 21, 2026. Monsoon, a two-time champion of RuPaul’s Drag Race, continues her remarkable career trajectory with what many describe as a dream role.
The production dramatically explores Garland’s final months as she prepared for a 1969 concert run in London—showcasing the emotional complexity, resilience, and tragedy behind the iconic performer’s legacy.
A Role Filled With Heart and History
In a statement sharing her excitement, Monsoon reflected deeply on Garland’s impact:
“Judy Garland came into my life, like many, through entertainment — but she stays in my life because of her story.”
Monsoon noted that her portrayal will differ from the drag-comedy impersonation made famous during the Snatch Game episode of All Stars 7, where she stunned audiences with a show-stopping Garland impression.
“I know people know me for impressions and imitations — but I’m thrilled for this chance to explore beyond the laughter and into the heart of why we still think so much about Judy today. Her tale is one that we can’t forget, especially as women in entertainment are still fighting for autonomy and agency in their own careers.”
Monsoon emphasized that she plans to bring a fresh emotional depth to Garland’s legacy, presenting what she calls “the tragically beautiful” aspects of the star’s life.
Creative Team Praises Monsoon’s Casting
Producers of the revival celebrated Monsoon as the ideal choice:
“Step into the dazzling, bittersweet world of Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow, reborn in a stunning new production directed by Rupert Hands and starring Broadway sensation and two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, Jinkx Monsoon, as she takes center stage for a thrilling, heartbreaking and unmissable portrait.”
The musical originally inspired the 2019 biopic Judy, starring Renée Zellweger, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal.
A Dominant Run in Theater Continues
Since 2023, Monsoon has transformed from drag superstar to major theater force, with acclaimed turns as:
Matron Mama Morton in Chicago
Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors
Ruth in Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!
Her move to Garland marks another milestone in a rapidly expanding stage career.
