Indy Drag Theatre’s (IDT) production of “Night School Musical: A Drag Parody” is the most fun I’ve had at the theater. Period.
Directed by Natalie Port Ma’am and Madison Avenue, “Night school Musical” is a drag parody of the Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical.” The show takes some outrageously creative liberties with innuendo, iconic cutaways and other pop culture icons alongside incredible choreography, lip-synchingand bedazzled basketball shorts.
“Night School Musical” follows basketball star Troy Bolton (Dragnar Johnson) and math-wiz Gabriella Montez (AJ Thoma) who meet cute during karaoke at a New Years Eve party. Gabriella then transfers to Troy’s school where the two of them decide to go against the “status quo” by auditioning for the winter musical. Troy and Gabriella’s unlikely romance and talent for the stage sets the school into disarray. Meanwhile, Troy’s teammates and Gabriella’s academic decathlon team attempt to sabotage their callback alongside the jealous Sharpay (April Rosé) and Ryan Evans (Tad Strange)
For those who grew up on Disney movies and love the theater, drag or just true artistry, this show is for you. “Night School Musical” is onstage at the Phoenix Theatre Aug. 21-23 and Aug. 28-30.
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Co-founded by Blair St. Clair and April Rosé in 2022, IDT was created to provide a space for LGBTQ+ storytelling — inviting Hoosier creatives to experiment with self-expression, exaggerated characterization, costumes and makeup, while inviting audiences to do the same. “Night School Musical” is the last show of IDT’s 2026 season, offering a campy twist to the Disney classic that follows the East High Wildcats as they learn to “break from the status quo” and accept the things that make them unique.
Choreographed by Meadowlark Lane, “Night School Musical” features some of the most dazzling and iconic dance numbers, leaning into that Kenny Ortega-esque style typically associated with Disney but with a campier edge, smoother rhythm and of course way more glitter, death drops and hairography.
“Get’cha Head in the Game” was a personal and a crowd favorite number of the night, with some truly remarkable dribbling incorporated into the dance number, while “Stick to the Status Quo” demonstrated the range of artistic abilities of this cast — and not just dancing, but some serious acting too.
Other things about this show that I want to highlight is that Sharpay and Evan’s call back performance, “Bop to the Top,” is replaced with “Fabulous” from “High School Musical 2” (brilliant choice) with the addition of Troy’s famous number “Bet on it” from the same film immediately following Gabriella’s heart wrenching solo “Gotta Go My Own Way” — which Thoma absolutely slayed, Disney knees and all.
With the element of drag, this production repackages a timeless classic for an older, more mature audience — likely those who grew up with it like I did — complete with a glorious Y2K costume design, extravagant wigs and makeup, and plenty of innuendo alongside references and cutaways to popular viral memes, internet references and shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Glee.” The cheerleaders were even named for those on the show — Quinn (Caroline Rogers), Brittany (Canila C) and Santana (Jakki Lumpia).
At the beginning of the show, we as an audience are asked to interact — laugh, cry, take photos and sing along if we know the words. I went to the opening night performance with my best friend from Ohio, and thankfully, we weren’t the only ones singing along.
And if you’re one of the lucky VIP raffle winners, you’ll even get to go onstage and be part of the show.
IDT is one to watch as they continue to grow and provide a colorful and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ artists and stories to flourish in the community. In just four years, the organization has gone from performing in bars to presenting full-scale, sold-out productions at the Phoenix Theatre.
I only have one question: what was the rhinestone budget? Because everything that could be bedazzled was bedazzled — including the basketball hoop. It was magnificent, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Night School Musical: a Drag Parody” is onstage for one more weekend, Aug. 28-30, at the Phoenix Theatre, 705 N. Illinois St. Tickets are $37. The show is rated PG-13 for innuendo. For more information, visit indydragtheatre.org or phoenixtheatreorg.vbotickets.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
 production of “Night School Musical: A Drag Parody” is the most fun I’ve had at the theater. Period.){kind=link}