Featuring sequences from the 1993 and '94 editions of the New York-based "Super Bowl of Drag" founded by The "Lady" Bunny, Wigstock is packed full of energy, craftily edited, and exhilarating. Wigstock is a daylong festival of Drag performances, ranging from groovy-as-hell to nakedly emotional. Choice cuts from '93 and '94 weave together with behind the scenes rehearsal footage and interviews, building a narrative of the festival's existence as it reflects on and is reflected by Drag as a concept and a way of life. Deep thoughts bobbing on a sea of smoking funk, groovy soul, and peppy show-tunes, all performed with astounding passion by tons of notables. In addition to RuPaul, feast your eyes on Leigh Bowery, Debbie Harry, Mistress Formika, Lady Miss Kier and Dee-lite, Lypsinka, Crystal Waters and more.

Really though, the unrelenting air of positivity and exuberance on display will bowl you over. Each Queen gives her all in performance, dragging you in, while director Barry Shils weaves those performances together with interviews, in organic fashion. Instead of trading back and forth a series of numbers from the festival with interview segments, Shils' documentary maintains a steady flow of integrated energy. It's basically an 80-minute dance party with a heart of gold.

Tabboo! performing "It's Natural" is hypnotic, deep, and at times as irritating as Fran Drescher in The Nanny, but still unforgettable. The rest is simply fabulous, from Joey Arias' gorgeous voice to RuPaul's fierce declaration of awesomeness. Super-major highlights are Deelite and Crystal Waters, just amazingly funky and sexy. The Wigstock Dancers turn it out both on stage and in rehearsals, scenes of which are nicely cut together. Leigh Bowery is creepy, vaguely menacing, and fantastic. It's all top-notch. If you like to have fun, come ready to dance and be amazed, and expect repeat viewings. Extras or a Blu-ray edition would be nice, however this MOD is Highly Recommended. Can I get an 'A-Men'?

The DVD

Video:
Struttin' around in a 16 x 9 widescreen transfer, Wigstock looks OK. Some footage is a little soft, much is grainy, I'm guessing due to the source material, which looks to have been partially filmed on videotape, but in general this image is adequate for a down-n-dirty documentary. Colors look accurate and the transfer is free of serious compression problems.

Sound:
Dolby Digital Stereo Audio finds good microphone volumes on outdoor interviews, (which can be hard to capture well) and great audio for the performances. Stereo separation comes through well during the musical numbers, and music and dialog are mixed at appropriate volumes.

Extras:
Extras are limited to the ability to skip forward through the movie at 10-minute intervals.

Final Thoughts:
Wigstock is top-notch Drag entertainment. Don't be afraid, it's harmless and funky as hell. If you like to have fun, come ready to dance and be amazed by this tapestry of Drag performances and behind the scenes interviews. With luminaries like RuPaul, Debbie Harry and Lypsinka, the energy and passion is there. Thoroughly entertaining, and meriting repeat viewings, this bare-bones MOD is still Highly Recommended.

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