In Ogunquit's 'Little Shop,' Latrice Royale Puts Her Glamorous Stamp on Audrey II

Latrice Royale came to drag on a dare. It was in the mid-'90s at a Florida club when Royale entered a drag contest dressed as Wanda from "In Living Color." She lost, but Royale – aka Timothy K. Wilcots – found a calling. Since then she has appeared on numerous shows in the RuPaul franchise, first on "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 4 (2011) where she finished fourth and was voted Miss Congeniality. Next, she was on two seasons of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars": Season 1 (2012) and Season 4 (2018-19). She also has appeared on "RuPaul's Drag U" (2012) and the 2018 holiday special "RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular." More recently Royale appeared in three editions of "RuPaul's Drag Race LIVE" at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. On television, this past year Royale joined the fourth season of Max's award-winning reality series "We're Here," where she joins Jaida Essence Hall, Priyanka, and Sasha Velour in bringing drag to rural America. In 2019, Royale was named the 10th most powerful drag queen in America by New York Magazine.

In the late 2010s, she showed her vocal prowess with her EP of jazz standards and show tunes, "Here's to Life: Latrice Royale Live in the Studio," and included the songs when she toured her acclaimed autobiographical show (called "Here's to Life") across the United States and off-Broadway. In recent years, she has taken on more stage roles, including off-Broadway in a drag version of "Mister Act," a gender-flipped take on "Sister Act" with Peaches Christ and "Drag Race" alum Willem. She co-starred with Willam once again in 2021 in London West End in the Agatha Christie parody (written by Dragathie Christie) "Death Drop."

Royale has returned to the stage in what may be her most original role to date: as the man- (and woman-) eating plant Audrey II in the delightful Alan Menken/Howard Ashman musical adaptation of the Roger Corman low-budget horror classic "Little Shop of Horrors." Corman made the film in a week on a budget likely less than it cost to assemble Royale's costume for the show.

EDGE spoke to Royale about making Audrey II her own.

Introduction by Robert Nesti

EDGE: Broadway musical fan or not, everyone loves "Little Shop of Horrors." Were you a fan of the show?

Latrice Royale: 100%. Absolutely. I saw the movie first, and then I got this role. I had not seen it live in the theatre, so this was my first experience. I'm a huge fan because of the music and writing. It's so brilliant, and it's all earworms. You will leave the theatre singing all the songs. They will be stuck in your head for days. The songs are so catchy. That's how you know you have a hit.

EDGE: What was the interest in being part of "Little Shop of Horrors?"

Latrice Royale: I've been a fan and used to lip-sync to Audrey II all the time. When I heard my voice, this big bass-baritone, I was like, "Oh, this role is so me." I was immediately drawn to it and always wanted to play the role, but I just never had the opportunity until now. It's a dream come true for me.

EDGE: What are you doing to make Audrey II your own?

Latrice Royale: Oh, baby. What happens when Latrice Royale enters the party? She takes Audrey II to a whole different level of drag – 100%. I have had a blast playing with my makeup, getting my hair designed, really taking this plant, dragging her up, and making her as colorful, vibrant, and glamorous as possible. It's been a blast.

EDGE: What are the challenges of playing a plant?

Latrice Royale: A few petty problems. You're sitting on stage. From my standpoint, I'm on stage, not like others who had to do it in the booth. They keep me comfortable and cool. They've installed fans for me, keeping me cool while I am on stage. My schedule for getting ready is far greater than that of the cast. I'm at the theatre two hours before anybody else gets there, so I'm always the first one there and the last one to leave.

EDGE: If you were not playing Audrey II, is there another role you'd love to play?

Latrice Royale: I wish I had the vocal range to be Audrey. I cannot do what Talia Suskauer is doing. She is amazing! I would love to be an urchin.