By Kevin Ferrisi –

It’s not every day a queen trades her heels for a life vest, but Summer Orlando set sail in style as she joined The Broadway Cruise in its third year. Known for its star-studded lineup and four days of non-stop performances, this year’s voyage featured industry giants like Bob Mackie, Will Van Dyke, and Jeffrey Seller, alongside household names such as Wayne Brady, Ana Gasteyer, and Solea Pfeiffer. Billed as a chance to sail with the stars, the cruise offered guests a unique blend of Broadway magic at sea. Connecticut’s beloved Summer Orlando made history as the first drag queen invited to join the entertainment roster, bringing her signature theatrical flair to a cruise already brimming with Broadway talent.

For most people, a birthday cruise ends with a souvenir and a suntan. For Summer Orlando, it eventually led to a job offer. What started as a 30th birthday getaway aboard the inaugural Broadway Cruise, and continued with a return the following year, turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: an official invitation to join the talent lineup for the cruise’s third annual sailing. A natural performer and a self-described social butterfly, she spent her first cruise mingling, showing off photos of her work, and leaving an impression.

By the second year, she had made friends with staff and found herself in full drag (minus the makeup) on the dance floor of the Broadway-themed rave night. Months later, one of those casual conversations came full circle when the event’s organizer, now the cruise’s lead talent booker, reached out to discuss a possible performance. Summer negotiated for three months before receiving the official call from Norwegian Cruise Line inviting her to join the entertainment roster. She described the moment as feeling like a fever dream.

After months of Zoom meetings, costume planning, and concept approvals, Summer Orlando made history as the first drag performer invited to entertain on The Broadway Cruise. While the production team could have opted for a well-known name from RuPaul’s Drag Race or a New York-based queen with Broadway ties, they chose Summer, who had built the opportunity herself by advocating for her talent and vision. With that came pressure to deliver a standout performance.

She spent months collaborating with designers, rehearsing choreography, and assembling a high-energy, one-hour Broadway cabaret show complete with eight costume changes, wig reveals, props, and audience interaction. The show was tailored to match the cruise’s theater-loving audience and will soon tour in Connecticut. Once onboard, her role quickly expanded. Impressed with her professionalism and presence, organizers invited her to take on additional duties including hosting events and bingo nights, turning her debut into a much larger presence throughout the voyage.

Summer Orlando’s debut drag brunch aboard The Broadway Cruise sold out in under 24 hours, leaving dozens of frustrated theater fans scrambling for tickets. The demand was so overwhelming that organizers quickly added a second show in a new format, which also sold out before the ship had even left the dock. With 300 tickets gone in just a few days, the enthusiasm for her performance was undeniable. The success led to a surprise invitation that left her speechless.

When the cruise announced that legendary designer Bob Mackie would be a special guest, Summer shared that it had always been her dream to meet him. Known for her collection of Mackie-inspired looks, she never expected what came next. The cruise staff returned with news that she had been selected to co-host a Broadway costume ball with Mackie himself. The event encouraged guests to wear their best Broadway-themed or Mackie-inspired looks. For the occasion, Summer chose to appear as Cher, a fitting tribute that received Mackie’s enthusiastic approval.

When legendary designer Bob Mackie bowed out of leading the onboard parade, the honor of Grand Marshal was passed to Summer Orlando, a gesture that quickly set the tone for the rest of her extraordinary week at sea. Her presence became a buzz across the ship, with guests hailing her drag brunch as one of the standout performances of the entire cruise. Sharing green room space and casual breakfasts with Broadway icons like Wayne Brady and Ana Gasteyer, Summer found herself immersed in a surreal but well-earned new reality.

The show she created for the cruise was a heartfelt tribute to Broadway, tailored specifically to honor the stars sailing with her. She closed the set with a full “Wicked” segment, transforming from Glinda to Elphaba mid-show, complete with a green makeover and a volunteer-powered cape effect. After the performance, she joked with Gasteyer, who once played Elphaba on Broadway, about the lingering green in her scalp. Gasteyer smiled and welcomed her to the club.

What began as a three-show contract quickly turned into something more for Summer Orlando. Outside of her scheduled performances, the experience became a kind of working vacation, filled with unexpected moments of connection and recognition. On the final night of the cruise, while eating chicken wings in a Bob Mackie dress at the ship’s Irish pub, Summer was approached by senior staff who shared just how often her name had come up throughout the weekend. They hinted at wanting her back next year, a sentiment echoed by fellow performers who witnessed her sold-out shows and the buzz they generated. The conversation didn’t stop there. Representatives from Norwegian Cruise Line also expressed interest in collaborating with her on other themed voyages, noting how well drag programming could complement many of their upcoming trips.

For Summer Orlando, the cruise was not only a performance opportunity but a full-circle moment in her career. She was featured in the ship’s official program book, “The Shipbill,” alongside Broadway talent and award winners, with her headshot and a blurb highlighting her work in Hocus Pocus 2 and beyond. Treated as an equal among the mainstage performers, she received all the same perks despite not having a Tony Award, something she found both surprising and affirming. Summer also brought custom merchandise, tote bags and stickers, that sold at the onboard store and during digital pop-up shops after her shows. Her meet-and-greets were packed with fans eager to take photos and collect autographs.

While many performers appeared only during performances, Summer stood out by spending her downtime mingling with guests, lounging in the pool, and connecting with cruisers both old and new. This blend of talent and accessibility helped her leave a strong impression with audiences and producers alike. Summer Orlando’s incredible stage manager and assistant, Deanell Fraser, is the real unsung hero. Without Deanell’s tireless support, sharp eye, and steady hand, none of the behind-the-scenes magic would be possible, she truly keeps the show running seamlessly from start to finish.

Keep an eye out! Summer Orlando is once again stepping into the iconic red wig and green velvet for her return as Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus Live!, an all-new parody musical set to tour in late 2025. Produced by Summer Orlando Productions, the show promises new songs, new witches, and an even greater dose of campy comedy, all anchored by the familiar chaos fans have come to love. Following her appearance in Hocus Pocus 2, Summer continues to bring the Sanderson magic to life with a performance that blends musical theater, drag, and Halloween mischief. Audiences can catch the limited engagement at major venues including Warner Theatre in Torrington on September 20 and 21, the Palace Theater in Waterbury on October 30, Garde Arts Center in New London from November 1 and 2, and Cinema Salem in Salem, Massachusetts for a special cabaret edition from September 26 to 28. Follow the official Instagram page for ticket updates.