By Kevin Ferrisi –

The Chez Est in Hartford, CT, buzzed with excitement as it hosted the second annual Mx. Chez Comedy Legend drag competition, a groundbreaking event celebrating drag and comedy like never before. The unique competition, now an eagerly anticipated tradition, challenges contestants to shine in three categories: talent, reading, and runway. The term “reading” is a playful form of roasting or teasing, paying homage to the iconic reading challenges featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Leading the charge was Connecticut’s own drag clown, Enigma Jones, whose vibrant and daring personality set the tone for the evening. With seven contestants ready to showcase their comedic prowess, the stage was set for a night of laughter, glamour, and fierce competition.

The stage was set for a comedic showdown as Connecticut’s funniest local talents took the spotlight: Ethel De Luxe, Flaminia, Frizzie Borden, Glass Staine, Maddie Triss, Perry Winkle, and Rory Roux Lay. Each contestant brought their own unique flair, ready to leave the audience in stitches. The packed room buzzed with excitement as Mia E. Z’Lay, Kiki Lucia, and Giganta Smalls settled into their seats on the judges’ panel. With anticipation at its peak, the competition kicked off with the talent portion, promising a night of outrageous humor and unforgettable performances.

This year Rory Roux Lay advanced to the title of the reigning Mx. Chez Comedy Legend 2024. For the talent portion of the competition, she delivered a comedic ballet performance set to the iconic music of Swan Lake. Fans of the original ballet would easily spot her direct references and playful parodies of the classic choreography, but you didn’t need to be a ballet expert to appreciate the humor. Her partner in crime, Heather Bronzi, danced alongside her, skillfully emphasizing just how much of a delightful train wreck she was. 

Later, in the reading segment, Rory took the opportunity to roast her fellow performers, including contestants Perry Winkle, Frizzie Borden, Flaminia, and judge Kiki Lucia, as well as her drag mother Mia E. Z’Lay. For the runway, she reimagined Johannes Vermeer’s ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring‘ with a twist – “Pearl With The Girl Earring.” Her dad crafted a giant paper-mâché dome that she painted and adorned with photos of the famous painting, and she paired it with a flowing white gown that looked almost bridal, bringing the transformation full circle.

Rory Roux Lay (8/31/24) from CT Drag Fans on Vimeo. Watch the full winning performance by Rory at Mx. Chez Comedy Legend 2024 at Chez Est in Hartford, CT on August 31, 2024. Video by Nick Dionne.

As the judges carefully tallied their scores, the tension in the room grew palpable. The contestants had given it their all, but only two could advance to the final round. When the moment of truth arrived, the audience erupted in anticipation. Maddie Triss and Rory Roux Lay were revealed as the top two contestants of the night’s comedy pageant. Their sharp wit and standout performances had earned them a place in the spotlight, setting the stage for who would take home the title of Mx. Chez Comedy Legend.

For the talent portion, runner-up Maddie Triss started with a mix that was all about embracing the fact that she couldn’t dance. She gave choreography a shot but quickly realized it was way more fun to just stop trying and lean into the silliness! The reading challenge didn’t exactly land as she’d hoped. The judges thought her jokes were too mean, and she’ll admit, the delivery was a bit rough. When it came to the runway, she stepped out in a balloon animal dress, complete with helium tanks that inflated her boobs! The story behind it? She’s obsessed with plastic surgery but needs to save money for her cat’s college fund, so she makes do with balloons from the dollar store.

Maddie Triss (8/31/24) from CT Drag Fans on Vimeo. Watch the full performance by Maddie at Mx. Chez Comedy Legend 2024 at Chez Est in Hartford, CT on August 31, 2024. Video by Nick Dionne.

We reached out to Rory to grasp her excitement after winning this year’s comedy pageant and her response: “I’m honestly a little taken aback because I really did not expect it. I definitely went into this pageant with more of the mindset of I’m here to have a silly fun time. It turns out creating art purely for your enjoyment and not worrying about winning might just be the key to actually winning. When you’re genuinely doing something because you just love it, it creates some really magical moments on stage. I’m so grateful and excited to be able to say I hold this title, and I can’t wait to continue being just a goofy little guy.”

After a night filled with laughter, talent, and fierce competition, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. While each contestant shined in their own way, the judges crowned Rory Roux Lay as the winner of Mx. Chez Comedy Legend. Rory walked away with a $500 cash prize, a dazzling sash, and a trophy, along with the title of Mx. Chez Comedy Legend 2024. In a fitting tribute to the event’s legacy, last year’s co-winners, Indica Fontaine and Sativa Sarandon, were present to gracefully step down and pass the title to Rory, marking the continuation of a new comedy tradition.

Following the competition, host and producer Enigma Jones took to social media to share with her followers; “That’s a wrap on the second annual Mx. Chez Comedy Legend pageant! It’s always such an honor to get to host this event and showcase the comedic stylings of our community. I want to thank all of our contestants for putting the work in on their package, as everyone had a stellar showing… Feeling so grateful for everyone who attended, and I hope to see you all back next year!”