Bianca Del Rio Makes Historic Off-Broadway Debut in Lucas Hnath's "Tartuffe" at New York Theatre Workshop

Bianca Del Rio has officially stepped onto an Off-Broadway stage for the first time, bringing her signature wit and comedic prowess to the role of Madame Pernelle in Lucas Hnath's contemporary adaptation of "Tartuffe" at New York Theatre Workshop. The production, which began previews on November 28, 2025, marks a historic moment for the drag queen, who has previously performed in theatrical productions across the United Kingdom and Los Angeles but is now making her New York stage debut.

Del Rio's casting in the production came about in an unexpected way. According to Del Rio, playwright Lucas Hnath, who adapted Molière's classic farce, had been a fan of "RuPaul's Drag Race" and kept hearing her voice in his mind while developing the script. "I said yes before I even know what was going on," Del Rio explained in an interview. "It's been a big excitement. The process has been so much fun."

Del Rio's character, Madame Pernelle, is the outspokenly stubborn mother of Orgon and the most devoted follower of the con man Tartuffe in Molière's famous farce. The character is described as equal parts grating and guffaw-inducing, serving as Elmire's mother-in-law from hell. Del Rio noted that the heightened nature of the character, with its strong opinions and commanding presence, aligned naturally with her drag persona. "The advantage, I think, is that she is a heightened character with a very strong opinion, which I can relate to in my drag career," Del Rio said.

For this production, Del Rio is performing as Bianca rather than using an alternate stage name, a distinction made because she is playing a fully realized character who happens to be in drag, rather than a character defined by their drag presentation. Del Rio has collaborated with costume designer Enver Chakartash to adapt her signature makeup aesthetic for the role, tweaking elements like eyebrows and lipstick while maintaining her iconic visual identity.

Del Rio expressed enthusiasm about returning to New York City for an extended period after nearly a decade away. "I lived in New York for many years," she shared. "This is my first time back in the city in about 10 years, for any real length of time."

The production features an acclaimed ensemble cast including Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick as Tartuffe and Emmy Award winner David Cross as Orgon. The adaptation is directed by Sarah Benson, with choreography by three-time Princess Grace Award winner Raja Feather Kelly. The production runs through January 24, 2026, at New York Theatre Workshop.