• The Cake Boys are a network and platform for live, digital, and hybrid events to showcase Drag Kings and alternative queer & trans performers.

    The Cake Boys serve a unique and growing community within the NYC Drag scene and beyond, elevating underrepresented talent and introducing new audiences to varieties of drag not yet seen on television.

  • Although we’re living through a drag renaissance, spaces for drag kings are often few and far between compared to those for our drag queen counterparts. The brain child of drag kings Richard, Sweaty Eddie, Geminemesis, and Muscles Monty was officially birthed in December 2019. Goo goo gah gah. 

    Aptly named “The Bachelorex” after the romantic reality series, The Bachelor, our first show in January 2020 began our mission to create theatrical and immersive productions with an ensemble cast. Full of physical gags, storylines, and slapstick comedy - not your average weeknight at your local gay bar. 

    As the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many drag performers onto digital platforms, The Cake Boys became a production team of animators, casting directors, cinematographers, and video editors.

    Joined by established Brooklyn musician and GiantFest co-creator Senerio as a producer, we created The Cake Night Show: a digital variety show turned into an unhinged, perverted, and wildly gay alternative sketch show. Reveling in practical SFX, claymation, and surreal comedy, The Cake Night Show continues our mission to create a platform for local performers, community activism, and fart sound effects.  

  • In our grandest act and effort to revolutionize a staple of drag i.e. the drag competition (thank you Rupaul’s Drag Race), in the summer of 2021, Takes the Cake took the stage for the very first time. A drag competition for drag king, things, and other non-binary & queer performers, the 5 week competition brought out 40 new performers from all through New York (and New Jersey and even one person from Chicago!).

    Judged by local nightlife staples, such as God Complex, Uncle Freak, C'etait Bontemps, and Untitled Queen, the performers were not eliminated, but instead given intentional feedback to further their drag. Not only was this competition the first chance for new performers to lipsync, but it was the first opportunity for the Cake Boys to combine our live shows with our digital presence. Livestreamed for the masses, the Cake Boys were able to present the competition for those at home - with animation and graphics to bring the show viewing to a new level.

    In a grand finale packed at Brooklyn’s 3 Dollar Bill, the competition crowned its first winner: the multitalented visionary artist and musician, Klondyke. Alongside Klondyke, the competition has heralded an alumni of drag kings such as Themme, Lucky Pierre, Mx. Lestrange, and Tuna Melt, who have all continued to storm stages throughout New York as producers and performers. 

  • Now entering our third year, The Cake Boys are gaining momentum: Seven Glam Award nominations, several NYC residencies, and the growth of a community.

    So far in 2022, we’ve produced:

    • A midtown weekly cabaret showcase brought on by Frankie Sharp and Marti Gould Cummings (The only weekly drag king show in NYC in over 30 years)

    • A Queens monthly brunch (The first drag king brunch in NYC)

    • A monthly open set lottery show at Club Cumming for new performers

    • A 5 week a drag king & thing competition bigger, baddier, and stickier than any drag competition you’ve seen before!

      Each show provides a space for performers to share their art and their drag, prioritizing trans and non-binary drag kings and alternative performers - making sure every performer gets paid properly and treated with the utmost respect - what should always be the standard. How tasty. 

  • The Cake Boys performer network includes over 50 artists and growing, with open set opportunities for new performers every month.

    At the helm of our productions both on stage and behind the scenes are Muscles Monty, Richard, Senerio, and Sweaty Eddie.

    Check out our bios below!