“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Stars Visit Bob the Drag Queen in Broadway’s “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” (Exclusive Details)

NEED TO KNOW

• Bob the Drag Queen is starring as emcee Harold Zidler in Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical

• Fellow drag queens from multiple Drag Race seasons attended the show at the August Wilson Theatre

• PEOPLE was on-hand for the evening

The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race paid a visit to Broadway’s Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Wednesday, March 4, to support season 8 champ Bob the Drag Queen, who is currently leading the production as emcee Harold Zidler.

PEOPLE was on hand for the special occasion, watching as the reality greats all gathered at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City for a pre-show photoshoot with Bob.

In attendance was season 10 winner Aquaria and two queens who appeared together on All Stars 8: Alexis Michelle (season 9) and two-time finalist Kandy Muse (season 13).

Broadway alum Marcia Marcia Marcia (Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club) was there too, alongside her season 15 sisters Luxx Noir London, Loosey LaDuca and Robin Fierce.

They were joined by Amanda Tori Meating (season 16), Megami (season 16) and Crystal Envy (season 17). The group was rounded out by two queens from season 18, which is currently airing: DD Fuego and Myki Meeks.

For many of the queens, seeing Bob on stage in the role was a proud moment.

“This is very special,” said Michelle, who has her own stage musical credits. “Obviously I know what it means for someone who comes from the theater to make their Broadway debut, so I am so happy for Bob.”

“Long before Bob was on Drag Race, I always said, ‘When Bob goes on Drag Race, he’s going to win because he’s got one of the most brilliant minds and is so diversely talented,” Michelle added. “So I’m excited to watch this tonight. I know we’re in for a treat.”

Aquaria echoed that excitement. “When I heard Bob was doing this role, I just thought this was such a fun change of pace for Moulin Rouge! and certainly a different avenue for Bob,” Aquaria said. “Last time I saw her, she was opening up for Madonna on the Celebration Tour. So tonight here on Broadway, it’s particularly special to see a familiar face from this walk of life.”

Others, like Meeks, said Bob’s casting helped them up to possibilities they never saw before.

“Drag and musical theater are two passions that I didn’t realize, at first, fully could blend together. But when you think about it, they do go hand in hand,” said Meeks. “Everything we do as drag is theatrical. And Drag Race is sort of one big audition for something like this, because every week, we’re proving our talents to the world. So it absolutely makes sense that it works. The talent is there, the fan base — why not have more Drag Race queens on Broadway?”

“I just recently won the Rusical challenge and after that, both RuPaul and Michelle Visage both encouraged me to go for it,” Meeks continued. “I never thought it was a possibility. But after going through the wild ride of Drag Race, I’m ready for any big opportunity like that.”

After the shoot, the girls mingled in Moulin Rouge!‘s VIP lounge before sitting to watch Bob in action. They were all on their feet at curtain call, cheering for the Sibling Rivalry co-host in a rousing standing ovation.

The love came back to them from the stage, Bob giving the queens a shout-out after her curtain call performance of “Purse First.”

“That’s for all my Drag Race sisters who came to see me tonight,” Bob said, before pointing out Amanda’s beehive wig. “Especially the queen in the big wig, who those poor people had to sit behind. You’re an icon.”

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When the show wrapped, the queens all gathered together again, this time on stage to snap selfies and catch up.

“It feels nice to have the support from the Ru girls,” Bob, 39, told PEOPLE in the wigs of the theater. “Some of these girls I’ve known for years. I think I’ve known Alexis Michelle for 18 years! Aquaria, I’ve known since she was a teenager, and she’s what, 30? Kandy, Maria Marcia Marcia — they’ve been acquaintances throughout the years. And some of them I’m just meeting, like Myki Meeks. So there’s a real mix of people, and it feels really great to have them all here.”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann‘s 2001 movie of the same name. Directed by Tony winner Alex Timbers with a book by John Logan, the show combines iconic songs from the film with new chart-topping hits released since its premiere — with a score that spans over 160 years of music (from Offenbach to Lady Gaga).

Bob joined the show on Jan. 27. Their limited run in the musical wraps on Sunday, March 22.

Megan Thee Stallion will next be starring in the role, making history as the first female-identifying performer to take on the role of Zidler in any production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical worldwide.

“I don’t think Megan needs any advice from me,” Bob joked, when asked if she had any words of wisdom for the three-time Grammy winner and actress ahead of her debut on March 24. “I think she’s doing just fine without me.”

Tickets for Moulin Rouge! The Musical are now on sale.

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